That means hisashiburi.
What have you been doing lately?
I have been very busy getting ready for Christmas.
I LOVE Christmas.
REES is having a Christmas party next week.
We are all going to bring a plate of sweets to share.
What sweets do you like?
I like cookies.
These are my new favourite cookies:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Eggnog-Thumbprints/Detail.aspx
They are so good!
You should try them.
2008年12月8日月曜日
2008年9月16日火曜日
Yummy yummy* chicken stew recipe
My family loves stew. Beef stew, chicken stew, cream stew, tomato stew- any stew!
But I worry about using bought roux.
Have you read the ingredients on a packet of roux?
It's not very healthy.
So yesterday I tried making home made cream stew.
It was delicious!
So I thought I'd share the recipe with you.
Chicken cream stew:
2 chicken fillets
1 onion
1 slice bacon
1 Tablespoon oil
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups of vegetables (I used mushroom, pumpkin, beans, carrot and potato)
2 Tablespoons butter
1 1/2 Tablespoons flour
1/4 cup white wine
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 cup milk
1 laurel leaf
1. Slice the chicken into cubes, dice the bacon and onion.
2. In a big pot heat the oil and saute the chicken, onion and bacon until chicken is browned well.
3. Cut the remaining vegetables into cubes. The larger the pieces the longer it will take to cook.
3. Add the vegetables to the pot and stir over medium heat until al dente.
4. Season with salt and pepper and add butter.
5. When butter has melted sprinkle flour in and stir constantly over low heat until the mixture is gluey and not dry.
6. Add white wine abd water and stir until mixed in.
7. Add laurel leaf and return to the boil.
8. Add milk and soysauce and simmer over low heat until sauce thickens.
9. Serve with rice and a salad and enjoy!
*yummy is a cute way of saying delicious. Mostly used by children and young women(and me!) :)
But I worry about using bought roux.
Have you read the ingredients on a packet of roux?
It's not very healthy.
So yesterday I tried making home made cream stew.
It was delicious!
So I thought I'd share the recipe with you.
Chicken cream stew:
2 chicken fillets
1 onion
1 slice bacon
1 Tablespoon oil
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups of vegetables (I used mushroom, pumpkin, beans, carrot and potato)
2 Tablespoons butter
1 1/2 Tablespoons flour
1/4 cup white wine
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 cup milk
1 laurel leaf
1. Slice the chicken into cubes, dice the bacon and onion.
2. In a big pot heat the oil and saute the chicken, onion and bacon until chicken is browned well.
3. Cut the remaining vegetables into cubes. The larger the pieces the longer it will take to cook.
3. Add the vegetables to the pot and stir over medium heat until al dente.
4. Season with salt and pepper and add butter.
5. When butter has melted sprinkle flour in and stir constantly over low heat until the mixture is gluey and not dry.
6. Add white wine abd water and stir until mixed in.
7. Add laurel leaf and return to the boil.
8. Add milk and soysauce and simmer over low heat until sauce thickens.
9. Serve with rice and a salad and enjoy!
*yummy is a cute way of saying delicious. Mostly used by children and young women(and me!) :)
2008年8月26日火曜日
Salt Lake City
Here's your Salt Lake City quiz! :)
1. Salt Lake City is the capital of:
A:Utah
B:Wyoming
C:Idaho
2. Salt Lake City has a population of just over:
A: 180,000 people
B: 1,800,000 people
C: 18,000,000 people
3. Salt Lake City and Matsumoto have been sister cities for:
A: 5 years
B: 15 years
C: 50 years
4. Salt Lake City is
A: Twice as high as Matsumoto
B: Half as high as Matsumoto
C: About the same height as Matsumoto
5: Salt Lake City has a basketball team in the NBA. They are called:
A: Chicago Bulls
B: Salt Lake City Jazz
C: Utah Jazz
Ready for the answers?
1. A. Salt Lake City is the capital of Utah.
2. A. Salt Lake City's population is 180,651.
3. C. 2008 is the 50th year that Matsumoto and Salt Lake City have been sister cities.
4. A. Salt Lake City is twice as high as Matsumoto. Salt Lake City is 1288m above sea level. Matsumoto is 660m above sea level.
5. C. Salt Lake City's NBA team is the Utah Jazz.
How did you go?
I didn't know anything about Salt Lake City before Sunday's event. I hope to see you at a future sister cities event!
1. Salt Lake City is the capital of:
A:Utah
B:Wyoming
C:Idaho
2. Salt Lake City has a population of just over:
A: 180,000 people
B: 1,800,000 people
C: 18,000,000 people
3. Salt Lake City and Matsumoto have been sister cities for:
A: 5 years
B: 15 years
C: 50 years
4. Salt Lake City is
A: Twice as high as Matsumoto
B: Half as high as Matsumoto
C: About the same height as Matsumoto
5: Salt Lake City has a basketball team in the NBA. They are called:
A: Chicago Bulls
B: Salt Lake City Jazz
C: Utah Jazz
Ready for the answers?
1. A. Salt Lake City is the capital of Utah.
2. A. Salt Lake City's population is 180,651.
3. C. 2008 is the 50th year that Matsumoto and Salt Lake City have been sister cities.
4. A. Salt Lake City is twice as high as Matsumoto. Salt Lake City is 1288m above sea level. Matsumoto is 660m above sea level.
5. C. Salt Lake City's NBA team is the Utah Jazz.
How did you go?
I didn't know anything about Salt Lake City before Sunday's event. I hope to see you at a future sister cities event!
We`re famous!!
Did you watch the SBC news on Sunday night?
No?
You should have!!
If you had watched the SBC news you would have seen Richard!
And if you have very good eyesight you would have seen Heather, too!
Why?
Richard, Kanae, Bree and Heather were part of the "Great Salt Lake City Day" event at M-Wing on Sunday.
Did you know it's the 50th year that Matsumoto and Salt Lake City have been sister cities?
No?
Neither did I.
I learnt a lot about Salt Lake City on Sunday.
I'm going to make a quiz so you can learn about it, too. :)
But first here's a link to the news piece with Richard in it.
Look out for Heather, too! ;)
Great Salt Lake City Day
No?
You should have!!
If you had watched the SBC news you would have seen Richard!
And if you have very good eyesight you would have seen Heather, too!
Why?
Richard, Kanae, Bree and Heather were part of the "Great Salt Lake City Day" event at M-Wing on Sunday.
Did you know it's the 50th year that Matsumoto and Salt Lake City have been sister cities?
No?
Neither did I.
I learnt a lot about Salt Lake City on Sunday.
I'm going to make a quiz so you can learn about it, too. :)
But first here's a link to the news piece with Richard in it.
Look out for Heather, too! ;)
Great Salt Lake City Day
2008年8月21日木曜日
more hamburgers
Yes, I'm still thinking about hamburgers. :P
What do you like to put on a hamburger?
I made my daughters hamburgers for dinner tonight.
My oldest daughter complained when she saw her meat pattie in a bread roll.
'That's not a real hamburger. I want rice and no bread.'
Ahhhhhh. 'You want a Japanese hamburg'. :(
There are so many variations on hamburgers.
In Australia we eat an Aussie Burger.
Sesame bun, lettuce, tomato, cheese, hamburger pattie...
No different from Richard right?
Well then we add a slice of ham, a fried egg, a slice of tinned pineapple, and some pickled beetroot.
Sound weird? No way!
If you ever go to Australia you've got to try it.
It's so good.
Maybe even as good as Richard's... ;)
Here's a picture for you.
See how the cheese is turning pink? That's beetroot juice.
Yum!
What do you like to put on a hamburger?
I made my daughters hamburgers for dinner tonight.
My oldest daughter complained when she saw her meat pattie in a bread roll.
'That's not a real hamburger. I want rice and no bread.'
Ahhhhhh. 'You want a Japanese hamburg'. :(
There are so many variations on hamburgers.
In Australia we eat an Aussie Burger.
Sesame bun, lettuce, tomato, cheese, hamburger pattie...
No different from Richard right?
Well then we add a slice of ham, a fried egg, a slice of tinned pineapple, and some pickled beetroot.
Sound weird? No way!
If you ever go to Australia you've got to try it.
It's so good.
Maybe even as good as Richard's... ;)
Here's a picture for you.
See how the cheese is turning pink? That's beetroot juice.
Yum!
hamburgers
mmmm hamburgers.
REES ran the First Annual Matsumoto English Summer Camp a couple of weeks ago.
At the end of the camp we gave the campers a survey.
One of the questions was 'what was your favourite meal?'
Over 90% of the campers answered 'hamburgers'.
Or rather 'Richard's special American style hamburgers'.
They were good.
Really good.
A sesame bun with mustard on the top and Richard's secret special sauce on the bottom.
Add lettuce, tomato and fried onion.
Add a huge hamburger patty (another Richard's secret special recipe) topped with melted cheese.
Put the lid on and bite into that yummy goodness.
Feeling hungry?
Like to try one for yourself?
Tell Richard!!
Let's see if we can convince Richard to make burgers for the adult REES students too!
A picture of one of Richard's extremely talented burger assistants hard at work. ;)
OK, it's me. :)
REES ran the First Annual Matsumoto English Summer Camp a couple of weeks ago.
At the end of the camp we gave the campers a survey.
One of the questions was 'what was your favourite meal?'
Over 90% of the campers answered 'hamburgers'.
Or rather 'Richard's special American style hamburgers'.
They were good.
Really good.
A sesame bun with mustard on the top and Richard's secret special sauce on the bottom.
Add lettuce, tomato and fried onion.
Add a huge hamburger patty (another Richard's secret special recipe) topped with melted cheese.
Put the lid on and bite into that yummy goodness.
Feeling hungry?
Like to try one for yourself?
Tell Richard!!
Let's see if we can convince Richard to make burgers for the adult REES students too!
A picture of one of Richard's extremely talented burger assistants hard at work. ;)
OK, it's me. :)
2008年7月29日火曜日
Northstar Lodge
Did you hear REES is organising a funfilled English camp for kids?
Did you think 'Wow, wish I was eleven years old so I could go too!'?
Well, you don't have to go too far to have a great time relaxing and enjoying the outdoors and practise your English at the same time.
Last weekend I stayed at Northstar Lodge in Norikura.
The lodge is run by an American Daniel Junker and his family.
Daniel was born and raised right here in Matsumoto.
The staff at the lodge come from all over the world. I spoke to some Americans, a Canadian and a Swedish guy, too- plenty of opportunity to practise English!
But, like the REES kids' camp you want to have some fun while you're there too, right?
Northstar has plenty to do indoors and out and all year round. Check out the website for more details:
http://www.ridenorthstar.com/
Here's some pictures of us having fun there:
Did you think 'Wow, wish I was eleven years old so I could go too!'?
Well, you don't have to go too far to have a great time relaxing and enjoying the outdoors and practise your English at the same time.
Last weekend I stayed at Northstar Lodge in Norikura.
The lodge is run by an American Daniel Junker and his family.
Daniel was born and raised right here in Matsumoto.
The staff at the lodge come from all over the world. I spoke to some Americans, a Canadian and a Swedish guy, too- plenty of opportunity to practise English!
But, like the REES kids' camp you want to have some fun while you're there too, right?
Northstar has plenty to do indoors and out and all year round. Check out the website for more details:
http://www.ridenorthstar.com/
Here's some pictures of us having fun there:
2008年7月7日月曜日
rain rain rain
The rain yesterday was amazing wasn't it?
I was out for a walk when all of a sudden it started raining.
I'm from Australia.
It really doesn't rain very much in Australia.
The average annual rainfall where I`m from is about 500mm
In Matsumoto the average is 1018 mm a year.
That's over double!!
But it's not the highest rainfall at all.
The highest average annual rainfall is in Hawaii.
Mt. Waialeale, on the island Kauai in Hawaii, receives an average of 12,039 mm of rain a year.
Wow. That's a lot of rain!!
I was out for a walk when all of a sudden it started raining.
I'm from Australia.
It really doesn't rain very much in Australia.
The average annual rainfall where I`m from is about 500mm
In Matsumoto the average is 1018 mm a year.
That's over double!!
But it's not the highest rainfall at all.
The highest average annual rainfall is in Hawaii.
Mt. Waialeale, on the island Kauai in Hawaii, receives an average of 12,039 mm of rain a year.
Wow. That's a lot of rain!!
2008年6月30日月曜日
hangman
Do you know the game hangman?
I love it.
It's a simple game of guessing a word by suggesting one letter at a time.
If you're right the letter is written in place and you guess again.
If you're wrong one line is drawn on your hangman.
When all the lines are drawn you're dead!
Hmmm, when you explain it like that it sounds pretty bad but it's actually a lot of fun.
I found quite a few online hangman sites so I thought I'd introduce a couple.
The first one is Hangman especially for ESL students.
Click on the catergory you want to play and the word you have to guess will be in that category.
http://www.1-language.com/eslhangman/index.htm
The next one is a bit trickier but you get 10 wrong guesses before you die.
You can also put your name on the high score table if you win. :)
http://www.fun-with-words.com/hangman.html
There are all sorts of strange hangman games out their too.
How many types of dog do you know? Labrador, poodle, Shitzu... um...
Try this dog breed hangman and see how you go:
http://www.hangman-online.com/dog-breeds.php
Happy Hagmaning!!
I love it.
It's a simple game of guessing a word by suggesting one letter at a time.
If you're right the letter is written in place and you guess again.
If you're wrong one line is drawn on your hangman.
When all the lines are drawn you're dead!
Hmmm, when you explain it like that it sounds pretty bad but it's actually a lot of fun.
I found quite a few online hangman sites so I thought I'd introduce a couple.
The first one is Hangman especially for ESL students.
Click on the catergory you want to play and the word you have to guess will be in that category.
http://www.1-language.com/eslhangman/index.htm
The next one is a bit trickier but you get 10 wrong guesses before you die.
You can also put your name on the high score table if you win. :)
http://www.fun-with-words.com/hangman.html
There are all sorts of strange hangman games out their too.
How many types of dog do you know? Labrador, poodle, Shitzu... um...
Try this dog breed hangman and see how you go:
http://www.hangman-online.com/dog-breeds.php
Happy Hagmaning!!
Is that English?
Sorry I'm late. I borrowed my mother's my car and it had an engine stop.
Last week I saw Brapi at a Live House and I got his sign!!!!!
Did you undertand what I said?
Guess what? If I showed those sentences to most English speakers outside Japan they probably wouldn't know what I was talking about.
Yup, it looks like English but it's not.
Here is the same sentences in regular English:
Sorry I'm late. I borrowed my mother's car and it broke down.
Last week I saw Brad Pitt at a bar with live music and I got his autograph!!!!
There are lots of words in Japanese that come from English but aren't used by English speakers. Here's a list to be careful about:
Japanese English
ライブハウス bar with live music
ガッツポーズ triumphant, victorious
レベル アップ upgrade, improve
サラリーマン employee, business person
パラサイト・シングル adult who lives at home
レース クイーン promotion girls
サイン autograph
モデル ルーム showroom, model home
CM commercial
GW Golden Week
アポ appointment
キャスター newscaster
コンペ competition
ショート short stop
ゼネコン general contractor
パソコン personal computer
ブラピ Brad Pitt
テロ terrorism
There are lots more, too.
Click on the link below to see a more complete list:
http://honyakuhome.org/glossary/scratchers
But sometimes Japanese English words catch on in English. CoolBiz is a word that started in Japan and is now used to mean the same thing in English.
Until next time
Stay cool!
Last week I saw Brapi at a Live House and I got his sign!!!!!
Did you undertand what I said?
Guess what? If I showed those sentences to most English speakers outside Japan they probably wouldn't know what I was talking about.
Yup, it looks like English but it's not.
Here is the same sentences in regular English:
Sorry I'm late. I borrowed my mother's car and it broke down.
Last week I saw Brad Pitt at a bar with live music and I got his autograph!!!!
There are lots of words in Japanese that come from English but aren't used by English speakers. Here's a list to be careful about:
Japanese English
ライブハウス bar with live music
ガッツポーズ triumphant, victorious
レベル アップ upgrade, improve
サラリーマン employee, business person
パラサイト・シングル adult who lives at home
レース クイーン promotion girls
サイン autograph
モデル ルーム showroom, model home
CM commercial
GW Golden Week
アポ appointment
キャスター newscaster
コンペ competition
ショート short stop
ゼネコン general contractor
パソコン personal computer
ブラピ Brad Pitt
テロ terrorism
There are lots more, too.
Click on the link below to see a more complete list:
http://honyakuhome.org/glossary/scratchers
But sometimes Japanese English words catch on in English. CoolBiz is a word that started in Japan and is now used to mean the same thing in English.
Until next time
Stay cool!
2008年6月16日月曜日
Hello!
My neighbour alway says 'Ola! Heather' when she sees me.
Can you guess where she's from?
She's Japanese but she was born in Brazil.
Ola is hello in Portuguese.
How many languages can you say hello in?
Try this quiz and see how you go. :)
http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz2593321db0ee8.html
Can you guess where she's from?
She's Japanese but she was born in Brazil.
Ola is hello in Portuguese.
How many languages can you say hello in?
Try this quiz and see how you go. :)
http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz2593321db0ee8.html
2008年6月9日月曜日
Breakfast in Bed
This Sunday is Father's Day.
What are you going to do for your father this year?
Are you going to buy something?
Are you going to make something?
Are you going to do something together?
When I lived in Australia every year my brother, sister and I made my dad breakfast in bed.
Before we were old enough to make breakfast our mum would make it for us to give him. Check out this gorgeous photo of someone's first Father's Day.
What do we make for Father's Day breakfast in bed?
Usually something that we don't eat everyday. Something special.
Have a look at this example of a breakfast in bed:
So how about it?
How about making breakfast in bed for your Dad this Sunday?
Until next time.... :)
What are you going to do for your father this year?
Are you going to buy something?
Are you going to make something?
Are you going to do something together?
When I lived in Australia every year my brother, sister and I made my dad breakfast in bed.
Before we were old enough to make breakfast our mum would make it for us to give him. Check out this gorgeous photo of someone's first Father's Day.
What do we make for Father's Day breakfast in bed?
Usually something that we don't eat everyday. Something special.
Have a look at this example of a breakfast in bed:
So how about it?
How about making breakfast in bed for your Dad this Sunday?
Until next time.... :)
2008年6月2日月曜日
Ice-cream? mmmm, no thanks!
A friend sent me an email with a link to this site:
http://www.bertc.com/japanese_ice_creams.htm
She asked me if I'd ever eaten any of the icecreams there.
Unagi icecream? No thank you!!
But I have tried wasabi icecream.
Have you ever tasted it?
I tried it at Daio Wasabi Farm in Hotaka.
What's the strangest ice-cream you've ever eaten?
I've had squid ink ice-cream in Kanazawa.
It didn't really taste like squid though.
I really liked this icecream when I ate it.
Can you tell what flavour it is?
Chocolate?
Noooooooooo. Look again.
Yup. Chilli chocolate.
It's surprisingly good.
If you get a chance you should try it.
http://www.bertc.com/japanese_ice_creams.htm
She asked me if I'd ever eaten any of the icecreams there.
Unagi icecream? No thank you!!
But I have tried wasabi icecream.
Have you ever tasted it?
I tried it at Daio Wasabi Farm in Hotaka.
What's the strangest ice-cream you've ever eaten?
I've had squid ink ice-cream in Kanazawa.
It didn't really taste like squid though.
I really liked this icecream when I ate it.
Can you tell what flavour it is?
Chocolate?
Noooooooooo. Look again.
Yup. Chilli chocolate.
It's surprisingly good.
If you get a chance you should try it.
2008年5月26日月曜日
My favourite recipe
What's your favourite recipe?
Where did you learn it?
Is it something your mother taught you?
Or something you learnt from a cookbook or magazine?
My favourite recipe is for carrot cake.
You might think 'ehhh??? Carrot in a cake??' :O
But carrot cake is really delicious. :)
It's really moist and has lots of spices.
Here's a picture to tantalise you. ;)
And the best bit about carrot cake? It's really easy to make!!
Here's a recipe for you:
EASY CARROT CAKE
CAKE:
2 med. carrots
2 lg. eggs
1 c. sugar
3/4 c. oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 c. chopped walnuts
FROSTING;
1/2 stick unsalted butter
4 oz. cream cheese
1 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 c. confectioners sugar
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a 4x8 loaf pan. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; set aside. Shred carrots. Mix together eggs, sugar, oil, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients to mixture. Fold in carrots and walnuts. Bake for 1 hour, or until tester comes out clean.
To make frosting, mix together all ingredients until smooth. Cover top and sides of cake and garnish with walnut halves.
Enjoy!!
Where did you learn it?
Is it something your mother taught you?
Or something you learnt from a cookbook or magazine?
My favourite recipe is for carrot cake.
You might think 'ehhh??? Carrot in a cake??' :O
But carrot cake is really delicious. :)
It's really moist and has lots of spices.
Here's a picture to tantalise you. ;)
And the best bit about carrot cake? It's really easy to make!!
Here's a recipe for you:
EASY CARROT CAKE
CAKE:
2 med. carrots
2 lg. eggs
1 c. sugar
3/4 c. oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 c. chopped walnuts
FROSTING;
1/2 stick unsalted butter
4 oz. cream cheese
1 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 c. confectioners sugar
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a 4x8 loaf pan. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; set aside. Shred carrots. Mix together eggs, sugar, oil, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients to mixture. Fold in carrots and walnuts. Bake for 1 hour, or until tester comes out clean.
To make frosting, mix together all ingredients until smooth. Cover top and sides of cake and garnish with walnut halves.
Enjoy!!
2008年5月19日月曜日
gardening
Hey!
Long time no see!
How have you been?
I've been really busy lately.
I've been planting lots of vegetables in my garden.
Do you have a vegetable garden?
I like growing my own vegetables because I don't like the idea of eating all those agricultural chemicals.
And it's just great to be able to walk outside with a basket and come back in with a salad! :)
You can also grow vegetables that you can't find easily in Japan.
Do you know what these vegetables are? They're all growing in my garden.
It's rhubarb. The leaves are poisonous but the stems are delicious!
How about this one:
It's called button squash. It's like a little yellow zucchini. I love how bright the colour is.
Finally, how about this one?
It's called beetroot. It's the most amazing colour. It's like a really sweet turnip.
What's in your garden?
Long time no see!
How have you been?
I've been really busy lately.
I've been planting lots of vegetables in my garden.
Do you have a vegetable garden?
I like growing my own vegetables because I don't like the idea of eating all those agricultural chemicals.
And it's just great to be able to walk outside with a basket and come back in with a salad! :)
You can also grow vegetables that you can't find easily in Japan.
Do you know what these vegetables are? They're all growing in my garden.
It's rhubarb. The leaves are poisonous but the stems are delicious!
How about this one:
It's called button squash. It's like a little yellow zucchini. I love how bright the colour is.
Finally, how about this one?
It's called beetroot. It's the most amazing colour. It's like a really sweet turnip.
What's in your garden?
2008年4月21日月曜日
Who am I? Who are you?
How much do you know about the teachers at Richard's Easy English Schools?
How much does your teacher know about you?
I'm going to interview the teachers and introduce them here.
I'll start with me. :)
What is your full name?
Heather Mary Fukase
Where were you born?
Kincardine, Ontario, Canada
What is your earliest memory?
Dropping a raw egg on my new dress at Kinder. The egg broke. I cried. My teacher hugged me and told me it didn't matter. I still love my Kinder teacher!
What kind of student were you?
Very quiet. Very quick to finish my work. I loved school.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
Calling out "Daisuki!!" when I meant "Daisuke!" at University. :'(
What is your favourite food?
Tropical fruit salad with frozen yoghurt
What book are you reading?
Watermelon by Marian Keyes
http://www.amazon.com/Watermelon-Marian-Keyes/dp/0060090367
What's in your CD player today?
Abba Gold
What's your favourite movie?
The Princess Bride
Where in the world do you hope to travel one day? Why?
Greece. I love the beach, watermelon, spanokopita, greek yoghurt and baklava. :)
How do you relieve stress?
Listen to 1980's rock music way too loudly and sing along. :)
Do you prefer to watch a sun rise or sun set?
Sunset. If I see the sunrise it means I woke up too early. ;)
What is your favorite smell?
Peaches warm from the sun.
Who is your ultimate celebrity crush?
Yutaka Takenouchi or Johnny Depp
Vanilla or chocolate?
Chocolate
Summer or Winter?
Summer. Always summer!
Dogs or cats?
Dogs. I'm afraid of cats.
So, that's me. :)
Tell me about you!
Or send in some more questions for me to ask the teachers here. :)
How much does your teacher know about you?
I'm going to interview the teachers and introduce them here.
I'll start with me. :)
What is your full name?
Heather Mary Fukase
Where were you born?
Kincardine, Ontario, Canada
What is your earliest memory?
Dropping a raw egg on my new dress at Kinder. The egg broke. I cried. My teacher hugged me and told me it didn't matter. I still love my Kinder teacher!
What kind of student were you?
Very quiet. Very quick to finish my work. I loved school.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
Calling out "Daisuki!!" when I meant "Daisuke!" at University. :'(
What is your favourite food?
Tropical fruit salad with frozen yoghurt
What book are you reading?
Watermelon by Marian Keyes
http://www.amazon.com/Watermelon-Marian-Keyes/dp/0060090367
What's in your CD player today?
Abba Gold
What's your favourite movie?
The Princess Bride
Where in the world do you hope to travel one day? Why?
Greece. I love the beach, watermelon, spanokopita, greek yoghurt and baklava. :)
How do you relieve stress?
Listen to 1980's rock music way too loudly and sing along. :)
Do you prefer to watch a sun rise or sun set?
Sunset. If I see the sunrise it means I woke up too early. ;)
What is your favorite smell?
Peaches warm from the sun.
Who is your ultimate celebrity crush?
Yutaka Takenouchi or Johnny Depp
Vanilla or chocolate?
Chocolate
Summer or Winter?
Summer. Always summer!
Dogs or cats?
Dogs. I'm afraid of cats.
So, that's me. :)
Tell me about you!
Or send in some more questions for me to ask the teachers here. :)
2008年4月14日月曜日
Karaoke!
I hate Karaoke.
It's too noisy.
I don't know any of the songs.
I can't talk to my friends.
The food is terrible.
And... um.... I really, really can't sing!!
Did you know Karaoke is popular outside Japan?
That's right. And we even call it karaoke.
Only with really bad pronunciation.
It sounds like 'Ka-ri-oh-key'.
Recently I've found a new way to do Karaoke.
And I like it!!
It's on the internet using YouTube.
Go to Youtube.com and type in 'karaoke'.
There are hundreds of songs to choose from.
I like this song by Britney Spears. It's called Everytime.
If that's a little slow and sad for you, how about this one?
And this one's not karaoke but I love it anyway. :)
Enjoy!
It's too noisy.
I don't know any of the songs.
I can't talk to my friends.
The food is terrible.
And... um.... I really, really can't sing!!
Did you know Karaoke is popular outside Japan?
That's right. And we even call it karaoke.
Only with really bad pronunciation.
It sounds like 'Ka-ri-oh-key'.
Recently I've found a new way to do Karaoke.
And I like it!!
It's on the internet using YouTube.
Go to Youtube.com and type in 'karaoke'.
There are hundreds of songs to choose from.
I like this song by Britney Spears. It's called Everytime.
If that's a little slow and sad for you, how about this one?
And this one's not karaoke but I love it anyway. :)
Enjoy!
2008年4月7日月曜日
Leap year
2008 is a leap year.
We have 366 days this year.
One extra day to learn English! ;)
How do you remember which months have 30 days and which ones have 31?
Here's a short video about leap years that includes the rhyme I use to remember:
Did you catch the rhyme?
It's:
30 days has September,
April June and November,
All the rest have 31,
Except February,
Which has 28, in fine
Until leap year makes it 29.
We have 366 days this year.
One extra day to learn English! ;)
How do you remember which months have 30 days and which ones have 31?
Here's a short video about leap years that includes the rhyme I use to remember:
Did you catch the rhyme?
It's:
30 days has September,
April June and November,
All the rest have 31,
Except February,
Which has 28, in fine
Until leap year makes it 29.
2008年4月1日火曜日
When you were a kid...
The other day I was having lunch with Richard, Kanae, and two students: Yuki and Tatsu.
We were talking about what we wanted to be when we were little.
Richard wanted to be on the Brady Bunch.
Do you know the Brady Bunch?
It was a TV programme about a family with six children. Here's the opening from the show:
Me?
I always wanted to go to school with the kids from Degrassi Junior High.
Their school was so exciting!
Here's the opening:
What about you?
What TV programme did you love as a child?
We were talking about what we wanted to be when we were little.
Richard wanted to be on the Brady Bunch.
Do you know the Brady Bunch?
It was a TV programme about a family with six children. Here's the opening from the show:
Me?
I always wanted to go to school with the kids from Degrassi Junior High.
Their school was so exciting!
Here's the opening:
What about you?
What TV programme did you love as a child?
2008年3月17日月曜日
Happy ending!
I love happy endings.
When I was a child my favourite books were the ones that ended: 'and they all lived happily ever after'.
Even now I prefer American romance movies to Japanese ones.
Why?
Well, in American movies you just know that everything will be ok in the end.
In Japanese ones there's a good chance someone will die, or leave, or get sick, or something else horrible.
If you know a Japanese romance movie with a happy ending please tell me. I'd love to see it!
Anyway, remember my bad day? Well it had a happy ending!
Yesterday I found my keys!
They were on the roof of my car, stuck under the aerial.
I had been driving around for three days with my keys on the roof!
That's not just a happy ending, it's a miracle!!
I feel very lucky today.
Tell me about something lucky that's happened to you.
When I was a child my favourite books were the ones that ended: 'and they all lived happily ever after'.
Even now I prefer American romance movies to Japanese ones.
Why?
Well, in American movies you just know that everything will be ok in the end.
In Japanese ones there's a good chance someone will die, or leave, or get sick, or something else horrible.
If you know a Japanese romance movie with a happy ending please tell me. I'd love to see it!
Anyway, remember my bad day? Well it had a happy ending!
Yesterday I found my keys!
They were on the roof of my car, stuck under the aerial.
I had been driving around for three days with my keys on the roof!
That's not just a happy ending, it's a miracle!!
I feel very lucky today.
Tell me about something lucky that's happened to you.
2008年3月13日木曜日
I've had a bad day...
Have you ever had one of those days where you just know you shouldn't have got out of bed?
I had a really bad day today.
First I woke up late. :(
Then I spilt the fish fat from the griller on the floor.- yuck!! :(
Then I found I had put a tissue in the washing mchine. :(
Then my two year old daughter emptied her lunchbox all over the back seat of my car. >8(
Then finally? I locked my keys in the car. :O
AAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
I should have stayed in bed today!!
Wht's the worst bad day you've had?
Please share and make me feel better!
And here's a great song about bad days called 'Bad day' by Daniel Powter.
The song has a happy ending. I hope my day does too!
Where is the moment we needed the most
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
They tell me your blue skies fade to grey
They tell me your passion's gone away
And I don't need no carryin' on
You stand in the line just to hit a new low
You're faking a smile with the coffee to go
You tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces everytime
And I don't need no carryin' on
Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
You had a bad day
Well you need a blue sky holiday
The point is they laugh at what you say
And I don't need no carryin' on
You had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
(Oh.. Holiday..)
Sometimes the system goes on the blink
And the whole thing turns out wrong
You might not make it back and you know
That you could be well oh that strong
And I'm not wrong
So where is the passion when you need it the most
Oh you and I
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
You've seen what you like
And how does it feel for one more time
You had a bad day
You had a bad day
Had a bad day
Had a bad day
Had a bad day
Had a bad day
Had a bad day
I had a really bad day today.
First I woke up late. :(
Then I spilt the fish fat from the griller on the floor.- yuck!! :(
Then I found I had put a tissue in the washing mchine. :(
Then my two year old daughter emptied her lunchbox all over the back seat of my car. >8(
Then finally? I locked my keys in the car. :O
AAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
I should have stayed in bed today!!
Wht's the worst bad day you've had?
Please share and make me feel better!
And here's a great song about bad days called 'Bad day' by Daniel Powter.
The song has a happy ending. I hope my day does too!
Where is the moment we needed the most
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
They tell me your blue skies fade to grey
They tell me your passion's gone away
And I don't need no carryin' on
You stand in the line just to hit a new low
You're faking a smile with the coffee to go
You tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces everytime
And I don't need no carryin' on
Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
You had a bad day
Well you need a blue sky holiday
The point is they laugh at what you say
And I don't need no carryin' on
You had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
(Oh.. Holiday..)
Sometimes the system goes on the blink
And the whole thing turns out wrong
You might not make it back and you know
That you could be well oh that strong
And I'm not wrong
So where is the passion when you need it the most
Oh you and I
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
You've seen what you like
And how does it feel for one more time
You had a bad day
You had a bad day
Had a bad day
Had a bad day
Had a bad day
Had a bad day
Had a bad day
2008年3月3日月曜日
Spring is coming...
I love Spring.
Plum blossom, cherry blossom, tulips, daffodils- Spring is so beautiful.
What is the first sign of Spring you notice?
I noticed this morning that there was no frost on my windows.
YEAH!!! Spring is coming!
Here is an interesting website that monitors the path of Spring from Mexico through the USA to Canada.
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/maps/current_spring.html?layers=tulips
And here's an interesting observation exercise from the same site.
Once you've looked at the two photos click on the link at the bottom of the page to learn more.
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/tulips/BloomingTulips.html
Plum blossom, cherry blossom, tulips, daffodils- Spring is so beautiful.
What is the first sign of Spring you notice?
I noticed this morning that there was no frost on my windows.
YEAH!!! Spring is coming!
Here is an interesting website that monitors the path of Spring from Mexico through the USA to Canada.
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/maps/current_spring.html?layers=tulips
And here's an interesting observation exercise from the same site.
Once you've looked at the two photos click on the link at the bottom of the page to learn more.
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/tulips/BloomingTulips.html
holidays....
Where do you like to go on holiday?
The city?
The country?
The beach?
The mountains?
I love going to the beach.
I grew up on an island with the beach a two minute walk away.
I love living in Nagano but I miss the beach. :(
Last week I visitted my parents' house on Phillip Island.
I went to the beach every day.
I still have sand in my hair. :)
Here's a picture of Phillip Island.
Tell me about your favourite holiday destination!
The city?
The country?
The beach?
The mountains?
I love going to the beach.
I grew up on an island with the beach a two minute walk away.
I love living in Nagano but I miss the beach. :(
Last week I visitted my parents' house on Phillip Island.
I went to the beach every day.
I still have sand in my hair. :)
Here's a picture of Phillip Island.
Tell me about your favourite holiday destination!
2008年2月18日月曜日
A riddle for you
What do eggs, rabbits, chocolate, chickens and Jesus have in common?
Easter!!
It's almost Easter and I'm already excited. :) (remember what that means?)
Easter is traditionally a Christian celeberation of the ressuresction of Jesus Christ. Very simply, Jesus was killed on Friday and buried in the ground with a large rock on top of his grave.
But on Sunday morning he was gone. The rock had been moved and Jesus was gone. He had returned to heaven.
Many Christian people celebrate this miracle with church celebrations.
But for many, many more people Easter is about chocolate.
Lots of chocolate!!
Easter Eggs can be real eggs, hardboiled and dyed like these:
or chocolate eggs covered in colourful wrapping like these:
or painted eggs like these:
We hide the eggs outside and children enjoy searching for them. This is called an Easter Egg Hunt.
Children believe that the Easter Bunny hides the eggs for them.
Do you know who the Easter Bunny is?
Here's a picture for you:
And finally the riddle I promised you:
Q: Why did the Easter Egg hide?
A: Because he was a little chicken!
Easter!!
It's almost Easter and I'm already excited. :) (remember what that means?)
Easter is traditionally a Christian celeberation of the ressuresction of Jesus Christ. Very simply, Jesus was killed on Friday and buried in the ground with a large rock on top of his grave.
But on Sunday morning he was gone. The rock had been moved and Jesus was gone. He had returned to heaven.
Many Christian people celebrate this miracle with church celebrations.
But for many, many more people Easter is about chocolate.
Lots of chocolate!!
Easter Eggs can be real eggs, hardboiled and dyed like these:
or chocolate eggs covered in colourful wrapping like these:
or painted eggs like these:
We hide the eggs outside and children enjoy searching for them. This is called an Easter Egg Hunt.
Children believe that the Easter Bunny hides the eggs for them.
Do you know who the Easter Bunny is?
Here's a picture for you:
And finally the riddle I promised you:
Q: Why did the Easter Egg hide?
A: Because he was a little chicken!
2008年2月11日月曜日
How are you?
I'm :)
Can you read that?
Try looking at it sideways.
That's right it's a smiley face.
:) is the same as (^_^)
They're called emoticons.
Most emoticons are written sideways in English.
What do you think these mean?
;)
:O
:P
:X
;) shows someone winking. It means 'only joking!'
:O shows someone with their mouth open. It means 'I'm shocked!'
:P shows someone with their tongue sticking out. It means 'I'm being silly.'
:X shows someone with their lips closed tightly. It means 'I won't say anything'. We use it when we want to tell someone we will keep their secret.
What do you think? Are you :S (confused)?
It's not that difficult.
Next time you write an email try one of them out!
Until next time! :)
Can you read that?
Try looking at it sideways.
That's right it's a smiley face.
:) is the same as (^_^)
They're called emoticons.
Most emoticons are written sideways in English.
What do you think these mean?
;)
:O
:P
:X
;) shows someone winking. It means 'only joking!'
:O shows someone with their mouth open. It means 'I'm shocked!'
:P shows someone with their tongue sticking out. It means 'I'm being silly.'
:X shows someone with their lips closed tightly. It means 'I won't say anything'. We use it when we want to tell someone we will keep their secret.
What do you think? Are you :S (confused)?
It's not that difficult.
Next time you write an email try one of them out!
Until next time! :)
Do you remember high school?
Last week many Junior High School students took the High School Entrance Exam.
Five hours of exams in one day.
Wow.
I was trying to remember when I was in high school.
Hmmmmmm- that was a long time ago!!
I have forgotten a lot of what I studied in High School.
What about you?
Do you remember what you studied in high School?
Here's a test. :)
This is question 2 of the 2000 High School Entrance Exam English section.
See what you remember.
(click to make it bigger)
Five hours of exams in one day.
Wow.
I was trying to remember when I was in high school.
Hmmmmmm- that was a long time ago!!
I have forgotten a lot of what I studied in High School.
What about you?
Do you remember what you studied in high School?
Here's a test. :)
This is question 2 of the 2000 High School Entrance Exam English section.
See what you remember.
(click to make it bigger)
2008年1月28日月曜日
Write your own Valentines Day Card
I wrote you a Valentines Day card and had it sent via smoke signal from the Eiffel Tower!
Click on the link below to see your card.
=http://http://www.mapmsg.com/view/smokesignal/?m=dhUHZHNtb2tASG3oPbyBzUACW1BgAAAAAAAAEwAAADlIYXBweSBWYWxlbnRpbmVzIERheSBmcm9tIFJpY2hhcmQncyBFYXN5IEVuZ2xpc2ggU2Nob29scyEAAAA
You can write your own smoke signal card by following the directions on the site. Click here to start:
/http://www.mapmsg.com/send/smokesignal
Click on the link below to see your card.
=http://http://www.mapmsg.com/view/smokesignal/?m=dhUHZHNtb2tASG3oPbyBzUACW1BgAAAAAAAAEwAAADlIYXBweSBWYWxlbnRpbmVzIERheSBmcm9tIFJpY2hhcmQncyBFYXN5IEVuZ2xpc2ggU2Nob29scyEAAAA
You can write your own smoke signal card by following the directions on the site. Click here to start:
/http://www.mapmsg.com/send/smokesignal
Valentines Day
Valentines Day is a celebration of love.
Boyfriends and girlfriends, husband's and wives give each other cards and gifts to express their love for each other.
We don't celebrate White Day so both men and women give gifts on Valentines Day.
According to one survey:
The average man plans to spend $135.67 on Valentines Day gifts.
The average woman plans to spend $68.64 on Valentines Day gifts.
That's not very fair, is it?
As a woman I don'rt mind though! :)
What do people buy for Valentines Day?
62% plan to buy at least one greeting card.
47% plan to buy candy.
42% plan to spend money on an evening out.
11% plan to give gift cards or gift certificates.
52% of men and 15% of women plan to buy flowers this Valentine's Day.
22% of men and 7% of women plan to buy jewelry.
5% of men and 13% of women plan to buy clothing as gifts this Valentine's Day.
It looks like Valentines Cards are the most popular Valentines Day Gift.
To read more about what people buy for Valentines Day click the link below:
http://retailindustry.about.com/od/sales_holiday/a/valentines_day.htm
Boyfriends and girlfriends, husband's and wives give each other cards and gifts to express their love for each other.
We don't celebrate White Day so both men and women give gifts on Valentines Day.
According to one survey:
The average man plans to spend $135.67 on Valentines Day gifts.
The average woman plans to spend $68.64 on Valentines Day gifts.
That's not very fair, is it?
As a woman I don'rt mind though! :)
What do people buy for Valentines Day?
62% plan to buy at least one greeting card.
47% plan to buy candy.
42% plan to spend money on an evening out.
11% plan to give gift cards or gift certificates.
52% of men and 15% of women plan to buy flowers this Valentine's Day.
22% of men and 7% of women plan to buy jewelry.
5% of men and 13% of women plan to buy clothing as gifts this Valentine's Day.
It looks like Valentines Cards are the most popular Valentines Day Gift.
To read more about what people buy for Valentines Day click the link below:
http://retailindustry.about.com/od/sales_holiday/a/valentines_day.htm
2008年1月21日月曜日
snow...
Today it's snowing in Matsumoto.
Do you like snow?
I'm from Australia where it's really warm.
In summer it's hot- over 40 degrees.
Even in winter it doesn't get so cold.
My town doesn't even get frost.
Do I like snow?
I can't decide.
I like looking at snow.
I like sitting in my warm living room watching the snow fall.
A snowy landscape is very pretty, too.
But I don't like driving in the snow.
And I really don't like shovelling snow.
My children like making snowmen.
Did you know that American snowmen are different from Japanese snowmen?
Take a look at this picture:
That's right. American snowmen have three parts.
Click on the link to see some more snowmen:
http://thefuntimesguide.com/2006/12/best_snowmen_pictures.php
Do you like snow?
I'm from Australia where it's really warm.
In summer it's hot- over 40 degrees.
Even in winter it doesn't get so cold.
My town doesn't even get frost.
Do I like snow?
I can't decide.
I like looking at snow.
I like sitting in my warm living room watching the snow fall.
A snowy landscape is very pretty, too.
But I don't like driving in the snow.
And I really don't like shovelling snow.
My children like making snowmen.
Did you know that American snowmen are different from Japanese snowmen?
Take a look at this picture:
That's right. American snowmen have three parts.
Click on the link to see some more snowmen:
http://thefuntimesguide.com/2006/12/best_snowmen_pictures.php
2008年1月7日月曜日
Happy New Year!!
2008.
Year of The Rat.
What do you want to do this year?
Many people make resolutions at the start of the new year.
A resolution is a promise to yourself.
Often people make resolutions to try and improve themselves.
"I will stop smoking."
"I will exercise every day."
My resolution this year is to practise writing kanji.
It's January 7th and I've only practised once.
I'm not doing very well!
What's your resolution for 2008?
Year of The Rat.
What do you want to do this year?
Many people make resolutions at the start of the new year.
A resolution is a promise to yourself.
Often people make resolutions to try and improve themselves.
"I will stop smoking."
"I will exercise every day."
My resolution this year is to practise writing kanji.
It's January 7th and I've only practised once.
I'm not doing very well!
What's your resolution for 2008?
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