Blog#2 Mark Twain

Hello everyone! This is Chiaki Tochihara.

Today I would like to introduce to you about one of my favorite novelists: Mark Twain. I am interested in his novels and his life.

Do you know novels ‘Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ and ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer’? These were written by him and these stories are interesting and we can learn about America in the 1830s and in the 1840s, especially about racial discrimination. I’m interested in racial discrimination so I want you to read these novels!
Mark Twain is a pen name and his real name is Samuel Langhorne Clemens. He was born in Missouri and he led his life in Hannibal which is hardly larger than a village. In his childhood, he was interested in a river which lies from North to South near the Gulf of Mexico and he loved to see the river and a steamship sailing on the river, and every boy was eager to ride on a steamship which is a floating castle, and so did he. After many years, he worked on a ship and was a pilot of the ship and actually he was cheerful and energetic so everyone liked him. In spite of difficulties, he could have enjoyed his time on a ship. After that he turned to newspaper work, but he had still loved the river and loved a river forever. His pen name came from a river term that meant important for a pilot, ‘ by the mark, twain’ (水深二尋) which is a limit shallow for a steamship to be able to sail without aground. It is very interesting story, isn’t it? When I read his novel for the first time, I couldn’t expect it from his story. Everything about him is fascinating.

Furthermore, do you know Mark Twain Steamboat? It is an attraction we can enjoy at the Tokyo Disneyland. Actually Walt Disney loved to read ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer’ and Tom Sawyer Island which located in Westernland at Tokyo Disneyland was derived from this novel. Mark Twain Steamboat which was derived frim Mark Twain sails on an American river which lies around Tom Sawyer Island.

This attraction isn’t popular but I like it because when I ride on this steamboat, I can feel an atmosphere of America in the 1830s as Mark Twain felt. I recommend to you to read Mark Twain’s novel and to try to ride on this steamboat.

Blog # 2: Ghibli Movie News

This is Kimura Takuto.
Do you think whether this movie will succeed or not?
A short movie in which Kyoshinhei (God warrior)- a character in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind(if you don't know, click this) - is the protagonist will be broadcasted in July at Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo(home page here). The movie will be made by Anno Hideyuki(information about him is this), who is famous for EVANGELION's creator. As soon as the news posted on an EVANGELION's fan page, many people began paying attention to it and most articles about the movie have been tweeted by more than 800 people. Some people show interests in the movie, saying "it will become a good movie for Kyoshinhei admirers. But others have negative views like "it will be scaring for children."
I would like to watch it as a Ghibli admirer, but I have no idea why Anno decided to do such a risky thing. I hope the movie will not become ugly like Kyoshinhei.

My favorite drink :)

Hi, everyone! This is Fumiya.
Recently, it's becomming warmer!
So, I want to introduce a good way to endure the heat.

I recommend you to make yummy smoothie :9 I'm sure you can forget the heat.
I really love smoothie, so I make a smoothie for my breakfast if I have a time.

It's very easy to make! What you have to prepare are, fresh fruit or fruit jam, ice cubes and water or milk.
Then, put all into a blender, that's it!

At my work space, Saint Marc Cafe is also making yummy smoothies.
If you are intersted in, please come to Saint Marc Cafe in Sinagawa Inter City!

P.S

Sorry for late publishing my blog! :(

Aloha,

Fumiya

Blog#1:My Favorite Restaurant

Hello everyone :) This is Shoko. It's been a long time since I saw you in the last class.
Today, i will introduce my favorite restaurant "SHUTTERS".
This is a restaurant chain. so there are many Shutters in Tokyo.
I pick up one in Jiyugaoka which is really popular and my most favorite.

I want you to look at some pictures.



↑ This is an entrance of the restaurant. Isn't is so lovely?
The inside of the restaurant is also clean and beautiful:)



↑ This is a picture of spear ribs. As you can see, the amount of this dish is large enough to make you full and satisfy:D  Also, the taste is super delicious!!!!!!



↑　This is a hot apple pie with ice cream♡
This is the most popular menu of Shutters. I'm sure you will never forget this taste once you eat it!!!!
I really really  love it :)

That is an brief introduction of my favorite restaurant .
I really recommend you to have lunch or dinner there when you visit Jiyugaoka.

Blog#1 It's a dream land....

Hi everyone! This is Chiaki!
I introduce Tokyo DisneySea because I went there during my Golden Week holiday.
Actually, I went there on Monday May 7 so the day was a weekday, of course. That day, Disney Sea opened at 9 a.m. and I get there at 8:45 !! Usually on that time, around the station is so crowded but on that day there was no people at that time!!! So I was very surprised.

Look at this photo!!!

Now at Tokyo DisneySea has an event called "Mickey & Duffy's Spring Voyage" from April 3 to June 30 2012. Do you know DUFFY ??  Duffy is one of the most popular character at Tokyo DisneySea and is a teddy bear Minnie made for Mickey. I collect Duffy stuff and goods because I am a teddy bearholic!! <3
This is an official site. Please check it out !!
Of course I bought new Duffy stuff and some of Duffy goods, and took tons of pictures !!

This photo is one of these. 

Bashfully, I wore my high school's uniform to there, but there was a few people so I didn't care so much. Waiting times of almost all atractions there were less than 15 minutes!!!
I had a great time there and I recommend a weekday !!!

Blog #1: My Golden Week

This post is written by Kimura Takuto. And  I think you don't know about me.
So let me introduce myself. I'm Kimura Takuto majoring in Japanese and Japanese literature. And I'm a freshman.

I went to Hikarie with my family on May 5th.




When we went there, it was 10 o'clock and almost half of the
shops were closed. That's why there were fewer people than I
had expected. I think we were lucky.

← Unbelievable!! There was no one!!


















And we bought some snacks and went to the observation deck.

↑This is the view of scramble crossing in Shibuya from the observation deck. It was my most exciting day during  Golden Week. How about you??