Book Review - Titanic!

By Mami Kashiwa

Titanic!

This book was written by Paul Shipton.

You know the RMS Titanic. RMS is a contraction of Royal Mail Ship. The Titanic, along with Olympic – class sister, Olympic and the soon to be built Britannic, were intended to be the largest, most luxurious ships ever to sail.

The Titanic left Southampton on the south coast of England, at noon on April 10, 1912. Even at the start of the trip, the Titanic had bad luck. There was almost an accident in the first minutes of the trip. Luckily, it was not big problem.

At this time of year, there was also a danger of icebergs in the North Atlantic, but the Titanic’s captain, Edward Smith, wasn’t really worried about icebergs because this was the unsinkable Titanic!

Suddenly, Lookouts Frederic Fleet saw a large, black shape in the ocean, so he rang the warning three times and telephoned the bridge. "Iceberg right ahead," he told Sixth Officer James Moody.

On the bridge, First Officer William Murdoch turned the ship left, hoping to miss the iceberg, and also ordered the crew to stop the ship, but the iceberg hit the side of the ship, making a few long holes below the water. The noise wasn’t very loud, but this was the beginning of the end for the Titanic.

Fifteen minutes later water was coming in. The ship could float with water in the four compartments at the front, but there was water in five of the compartments. So there was no hope. The Titanic was sinking. The crew sent rockets high into the dark sky.

There were more than 2,200 people on the Titanic, but the ship had lifeboats for only 1,178! The Titanic was breaking in two. Finally, at 2:20 on the morning of April 15, the "Queen of the Ocean”\" was gone. Hundreds of people were in the icy water of the North Atlantic. Some were holding on to furniture. Others were trying to swim. Many were screaming for help to the people in the lifeboats. The noise seemed to fill the night. Then screams became weaker and weaker. It seemed a dream.

James Cameron was writing the movie Titanic. This movie’s story doesn’t begin in 1912. It starts in the present day, when Rose is old. The movie Titanic had plenty of action, but the heart of the movie is the love story. This movie was released in 1997.

Book Review - Ned Kelly

By Shota Itagaki

I would like to talk about Ned Kelly. This book is written by Christine Lindop. This is a true story in Australia.

The main character is Ned Kelly. His real name is Edward Kelly. He was born in 1855. He has 8 siblings. His family is very poor. Those days, the police don’t like poor people because the poor people steal horses and money for their lives. Kelly also committed crimes when he was young. Moreover, the police bully a lot of innocent poor people. This incident makes him angry. He decides to fight the police for poor people. He robs a bank and gives them money. He kills three police with his companions. All these are for poor people, but these are criminal. Finally, he is hanged in June 1880.

Some people say he is a brave man. Some people say he is a fool. Some people say his is a just killer. I think he is a brave man because he fights very hard for poor people. H is also loved by many people. It is very interesting. There are many books and DVDs about Ned Kelly. Would you like to read the book or watch DVDs?

Summary - "Body Scanners Coming to Canadian Airports"

By Stanley

In "Body Scanners Coming to Canadian Airports," Cynthia Boll tells about the importance of the body scanners coming to Canadian airports. According to Cynthia Boll, dozens of body scanners will be installed in Canadian airports to be used on passengers for screening. The machine allows a screening office to see if someone is carrying plastic explosives and dangerous items. Bolls states that the plan to use the technology has stirred controversy because the scanner produces an outline of a person’s naked body. Boll points out that when an individual passes through, the scanning images will not be stored, but the Canadian Civil Liberties Association lawyer Natalie Des Rosiers was concerned about the behavioral screening plan because it can be used to single out some group for racial profiling. According to Cynthia Boll, travelers to the U.S. from 14 specific countries will be facing a full body pat-down before boarding. Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the focus on security measures stem from the failed attempt by a Nigerian man to set off a bomb on a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas Day.
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It's Almost Impossible to Study in my Dorm!

It is almost impossible to study in my dormitory. In my case, first, I like to read comics and decorate my room, so there are a lot of comics and interior decoration. When I was studying, I feel bored, so I can’t concentrate on studying. Then, I start to decorate my room or to read some comics. Second, I always listen to music during studying. Even if I concentrate on studying, I start to sing as soon as my favorite songs are being played. Third, I put my cell phone near myself during studying. When I feel bored about studying, I use the cell phone. If I use it, it takes 30 minutes at least. Therefore, I can’t study in my room! If I study in my room, I must seal myself off from reading comics, singing, and using my cell phone.

Book Review - Space Affair

Young-Dae Jang

The book's name is Space Affair. The author is Peter Viney. I thought this book is a kind of fantasy, but it isn't. It's a kind of love story. I don't like this book.

The main character's name is Gareth Palmer. I think this book's time is the 24th century. The starship is going to go to the star Orelia. It is a very huge starship. I guess the people find out the new planets for human life. Almost 9,000 people are living in the starship. The starship has a lot of facilities, such as sports centers, coffee shops, library, computer rooms and garden. The garden is a very important place, because it makes oxygen, ingredients of food and the necessaries of life. Gareth is working in the starship. He is a garden technician. It is a very important job. Also, they have two groups of workers. One group is called Alpha. The second one is called Beta. His number is Beta 4297. One of the starship’s regulations is when Alphas are working in the starship, the Betas are sleeping in the freezer rooms. Every two weeks they change to work.

Gareth woke up from the freezer room and went to his room. Alpha 3461 and Beta 4297 (Gareth) are using this room, but now just Gareth is using this room. Alpha 3461 is still sleeping in the freezer room. When he arrived in his room, he really wanted to take a shower. When he was taking a shower, he found a little piece of gold metal. It is a small gold earring. So he wanted to know whose earring it was. He asked his Alpha friends very carefully, but of course, they don’t know. The starship’s second regulation is people can’t know each other. If the person violates the regulations, a police man arrests him and kills him. It is a very strong law. He finished all work and went to the freezer and slept. After 2 weeks he woke up again. He went to his room. At that time, he was really thirsty. Te turned on the tap. Nothing happened for a second, then the water came out suddenly. A piece of paper came out with the water! That is a message from Alpha 3461. Her name is Sara. She is 23 years old and an education technician. They knew it is illegal, but they keep in touch by a small piece of paper message every two weeks very carefully. When Sara made a program in a compact disk and hid it in a library, the program is a heart picture and love letter. Their love grew with the times.

One day, Gareth woke up in the freezer. The starship doctor woke him up early because there’s been an accident tin the garden. There was n explosion in the pipes to the orange trees. He is the best gardener in the starship, so the other Alpha gardeners wanted his help. Gareth worked for nearly twenty hours on the orange trees. There wouldn’t be any oranges for a few months, but he was able to save the trees.

The chief of the garden technicians recommended to him to change to the Alpha shift for three or four months because there’s no one else that knows about oranges and lemons on the Alpha shift. Gareth of course consented because Sara is working the Alpha shift. Finally, he met her.

I really wanted to read a fantasy book, but it is kind of a love story book. I don’t like this book, but I guess you like this story. I heard you like a love story. This book just has 19 pages. Just 30 minutes, you can read it.

My Future Career

By Manami Sugawara

I want to be an ad agent. An ad agent has these duties. First, an ad agent corrects information about products. Second, an ad agent put forward various ideas. Third, an ad agent organizes and makes a plan. The job is a good job for me. I have three reasons. First, I like putting forward an idea. Second, I want to get a lot of money. Third, I need to be creative. Therefore, I want to be an ad agent in the future.

My Good Job

By Hitomi Nakayama

I want to be an English teacher. I have some reasons. First, I like teaching somebody and talking with somebody. The duties of this job are to care about the students and to teach something. I think that my skills match these duties.

Second, I don’t want to work outside. The job doesn’t need working outside because almost the whole job is teaching something inside.

Finally, I want to work the regular hours, and I need good stable pay. Almost all teachers don’t need to work overtime, and a teacher is an officer.

I hope my future plan will come true.

I'd Like a Job as an Artist

By Mika Hirano

I’d like to be an artist because I like to be creative, want to make many thing and need to see the result of my work. I think an artist has a lot of duties, for example, artists learn about the company and what it needs, have to be creative for their customers, and have to practice drawing and painting to bet better skills.

If I work as an artist, I want to work with kind people, to work with my hands, and need good pay. They are important points for me on the job.

I Want to be a Nurse

By Ayu Shigi

I want to be a nurse. I think a nurse is a good job. First of all, a nurse helps a lot of people. Secondly, a nurse follows the doctors. Finally, a nurse knows all kinds of information. I have three reasons. First of all, I like to study math. Secondly, I want to help people. Finally, I need to have regular hours.

A Career as a Famous Face Painter

By Mami Kashiwa

I want to be a famous face painter because I like to draw pictures, and I want to meet many people. So I need to be creative. A face painter has these duties. First, she is creative. Next, she can travel around the world, and she has to work with her hands.

A Career in Modeling

By Soraida Huillery

I want a good career as a model. I will be a successful model. I know I have to work hard now, but I will see the result of my work. I can get flexible hours, good pay, and tour around the world.

Book Review - The Lost Twin

By

I read The Lost Twin. The author is Raymond Pizante, and the illustrator is Liz Roberts. The book's level is 3rd.

I'll speak about the story of the book. The story is about certain twin brothers in Puerto Lindo city. A twin brother, Fadio, was kidnapped when they were four years old. The other twin brother, Ricardo, and their mom felt very sad, but they never forgot Dadio. Year later, Ricardo got the information about the kidnappers and Fadio when he was 16 years old. Fadio lived in Canada as an adopted child, so Ricardo went to Canada to meet Fadio. Fadio didn't know about the kidnapping but Ricardo explained it to him. Fadio believed the story and their relationship was special soon. Fadio could meet his real mother and spent time with her and Ricardo for days in Puerto Lindo city.

This book is interesting, so please read it.

Book Review - Love By Design

By Manami Sugawara

The book’s name is Love by Design. The author is Kieran McGovern. This book was published in 2005 for the first time.

This book’s story takes place in London. There is a boy named Tom. He wanted to go to Silverton College to study art and photography, but he has failed all subjects except art, so he couldn’t pass the exam. His father was very angry and told him that he has to decide to find a job or go back to school.

A few days later, he had got a job as an assistant of the Chief Librarian. Tom tomtimes drew pictures of the people who came into the library. One day, a girl came into the library because it was raining. Her name is Rita. She is poor because she has to get some money to treat her father. Also, Rita wants to be a model but nobody employed her as a model.
One day, they found an advertisement and it said, “Model wanted.” They met Mr. Spooner in a café and signed the contract. Actually, Mr. Spooner is a swindler, so Rits fell for the trick. Then Tom couldn’t catch her. He was looking for Rita a long time. Finally, he found Rita and knew that they [Mr. Spooner and Rita] will marry. It was a serious shock for him. He studies very hard to forget Rita. At last, Tom passed the exam at Silverton College. Amazingly, Tom and Rita met again at the welcome party of the college. The fact, when Rita and Mr. Spooner married, the police arrested Mr. Spooner as a trickster. Later, she succeeded as a designer and passed the exam at the same school as Tom. They fell in love with each other again.

This story is easy to understand and a good love story. I recommend this book, so I want everyone to read it.

Book Review - The Hulk

By Mika Hirano

Do you know this movie, Hulk?

The book I read is from the movie, but the original is from comics. The movie’s director is Ang Lee, James Schamus made the story for the movies, and David Maule wrote the short book.

Hulk means a large heavy person or thing.

This is a story like a diary about a man. The man is Bruce. He is different from others. When he gets angry, his body changes. It rows. It turns green. The Hulk is very strong and very dangerous. He works as a scientist at the Lawrence Berkelay lab in California.

He falls in love with Betty, who is a colleague at the same lab, and Betty too, but they cannot be happy because of the Hulk. Bruce is pursued by armies and his father. Actually, his father was a scientist and made the Hulk. At the end of the story, his father was killed by the armies and Bruce ran away to South America, and he got a new life. He was not able to be happy with Betty.

I feel easy to read this book because it doesn’t have many pages and difficult words, and it has pictures from the movie.

Book Review - Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

By Mika Hirano

I read a book, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. It is from the movie and this series is very famous, so I think most students in the class have seen the movies once. The book, Dead Man’s Chest, is part 2 of the movies. It was written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio for the screenplay. Johnny Depp played the main character; Jack Sparrow is popular in Japan. This time, three guys—Captain Jack, Will Turner, and Elizabeth Swann—looked for a chest. There is a heart in the chest. The heart was from the terrible Captain Davy Jones. Jack looked for the chest not to need to escape from a governor. The governor hoped to get the chest and to arrest Jack. Will and Elizabeth looked for the chest to get married. Now they cannot because they helped Jack to escape, so they were offenders. However, Davy Jones had other plans for Jack, but I don’t know the plans. It isn’t written in the book. I think you can know the plans if you watch part 3 of the movie.

Anyway, Davy Jones tried to catch Jack many times, and the last, finally, Jack caught Davy, and Jack went down with his ship, the Black Pearl, into the ocean.

I don’t recommend you this book because if you read the book you will want to see or read the sequel to the book.

About a Club

By Emika Uetake

I decided to join a club. It is a bowling club, and I join the ladies league. I have played bowling many times in Japan, so I wasn't nervous about playing that, but I haven't experienced talking to native speakers too much. It makes me nervous. When I entered the bowling class, teammates were kind and cheerful like high school students! The bowling here is different from the bowling in Japan. Therefore, I become beginner, and I can't play well. However, they taught me how to play, so finally I could get a strike! I was so excited. I haven't understood all the rules yet, but I want to enjoy bowling.

My Generation and My Grandparents' Generation

By Emika Uetake

When I talk to my grandmother, we sometimes feel some differences between us. I sometimes talk about people who are popular recewntly, but my greandmother sometimes talks about people who were popular before I was born. There are several differences between my generation and my grandparents’ generation.

First of all, my generation has many kinds of food like French, Italian, Indian and junk food. Almost all teenagers go to McDonalds or Japanese junk food shops called Mos Burger, Mr. Doughnut and so on to talk or study with friends after school. Of courwse, we eat Japanese foods, but we eat other kinds of food as much as them. On the other hand, my grandparents’ generation usually eats Japanese tradition foods. Basically, Japanese foods use vegetables, fish and shellfish, and rice. Japanese foods are a little salty by healthy. When I visit my grandmother’s house, I usuallyt eat rice, miso soup, pickled cucumbers or Japanese radishes,, and grilled fish. These foods make me relaxed (I want to eat them now!). She rarely eats meat or junk food. I have been to McDonald’s with her once, but then she couldn’t understand what the menu meant. I was surprised at that because it is common sense in my generation.

My generation’s education is also different from my grandparents’ generation. My generation is called “Yutori education generation.” “Yutori” means “less strenuous.” When I was an elementary school student, the system started. We had had to go to school on Saturday before then, but it was abolished. Ranges which we have to study when we are elementary school students decreased. However, my grandparents’ generation’s education was very strict and strange. When students did bad things, teacher spanked without mercy. Girls were studying about home economics while boys were studying about industrial arts. I teachers spank students now, parents called “monster parents” will come to school immediately and “spank” (argue with and bawl out) teachers. “Monster parents” means some parents are overprotective of their children, so parents complain to teachers immediately even if their kids couldn’t lead in a play. Therefore, when families go to daycare or elementary school’s concert, we can see six princesses and six prices. It is strange, but teachers did it as a last resort. It is inconceivable in my grandparents’ generation.

As you know, now life is very convenient. There are a lot of things in Japan, and even things which people don’t need can exist. For example, I have a number of pens, but I don’t need almodt all the pens which I have. Just about 10 pens are enough for me When I go to shop to buy a pen, there are many kinds of pens in a shop. It makes me confused. I always waver about which pens I buy. However, when my grandparents were children, they coulden’t buy even a pen. There weren’t a lot os things including pens in Japan after World War II. In addition, they couldn’t eat enough foods. Their life started from zero after that. They made all things from nothing. They had nothing, but that made them strong. This is the biggest difference between my generation and my grandparents’ generation.

I think my generation has to learn from my grandparents’ generation. My grandparents’ generation was strict and hard, but my generation is weak as if we soaked in a hot spring. Japanese like hot springs, but we have to step out of the tub before we feel dizzy. My grandparents’ generation has a lot of good ways to fix Japan now.

Book Review: StarGate

By Manami Sugawara

The book’s name is StarGate. This is from the screenplay and novelization by Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich adapted by Sheila Black. This book was first published in 1995. A new edition was published in 1999. It was published four times. Dean Devlin is an American screenwriter, producer, television director and former actor. He is 49 years old. Roland Emmerlich is a German film director, screen writer and producer. They made some films together before that time, for example Independence Day and Gojira. Emmerich’s recent films are The Day After Tomorrow, 2012, and Ice Age. Shelia Black is a writer. She was awarded many prizes.

This story takes in Cairo, Egypt, 1988. The StarGate lay under the sands of Egypt for ten thousand years. In 1928, some archeologists found a mysterious stone. Sixty years later, in the USA, a young archeologist named Daniel finds a way to open the StarGate again. Daniel and some soldiers in the USA go through the gate and find out another world where Ra is king. Ra is known as the Egyptian Sun God and he wants to kill the visitors from the Earth and close the StarGate forever. Daniel and some soldiers must fight Ra to stay alive, and find a way to go back home. In the end, they make Ra’s ship detonate a nuclear warhead. With Ra dead, the civilization can live in peace. Some archeologists and their team return home through the StarGate, but Daniel stays on the planet with a young local woman.

My Best Friend

By Manami Sugawara

My best friend is Rika. I made friends with her last Spring. She likes singing a song, talking with her friends, following latest fashions and playing volleyball. I like to do these things too. Also, we have a part time job almost every day, so we sometimes complain of our job to each other. I live far from her house, so I rarely stay overnight at her house even though her house is near my university. When I feel sad, she calls me and listens to my talking. If she feels sad, I always do the same. We sometimes go to karaoke to melt stress. She sings a song very well, so her voice always heals my feeling. She encourages me whenever I talk with her. She is an important person for me as long as I live.

Social Networking Sites

By Yukari Fukuyama

Social networking sites are popular trends. I think the trend is the development of communication method. Nowadays, many people in the world use their computers in their life. They surf the Internet and use e-mail to keep in touch. Before the trend became popular, people could use only e-mail. People couldn’t talk with someone on a cell phone. However, recently, they can connect with other persons with the social networking site like Facebook, Mixi, and Skype. Even if people can’t use their cell phones in foreign countries, they can be connected to their family and friends with these sites. Moreover, people can communicate with someone whenever they want to. In other words, many social networking sites help people to communciate with someone with their computers in their houses and various places.

The social network trend many improve more.

Solar Energy

By Young-Dae Jang

Most people want to find a new kind of energy. The existing energy creates air and water pollution. People want to protect the earth for human life. People have already spent too much energy. We don’t have enough existing energy, so people made solar filling and saving machines.
Now some people are using solar energy in their house, such as light, stoves, some electronic machines, etc. People convert solar energy into electric energy. In addition, some researchers are studying the solar power energy of cars. It’s very powerful.

I hope after 30 to 50 years we can see slying cars working because of solar power energy.

USB: Small but Useful

By Fariba Montazer

A USB is the trend that we can use on a laptop. First push a USB into the laptop. After that, go to the programs of how you can enter some documents and other things. Then you can save a lot of important information in it. Next, remove it. It’s very low weight and you can carry and take it in your pocket.

Smartphones

By Ayako Suzuki

The smartphone is most popular in cell phone. The first thing, in the past, I couldn’t use the Internet, but now the smartphone can use the Internet, send an e-mail, call, read books, play a game and more. Next, the smartphone can connect someone to someone. If I have a smartphone, I can keep in touch anywhere. Finally, the smartphone is like a PC. It’s useful.

Hybrid Cars

By Mayu Takenaka

Hybrid cars continue to increase more than before. Hybrid cars were popular about 3 years ago. Former cars needed many money because of gasoline, and people who used car worry about money of gasoline. They couldn’t use easily and go long distance by car. But recently, new cars have been sold. People can use easily and go long distance by hybrid cars, because it doesn’t use many money of gasoline. If you stop in front of stoplight. Then hybrid cars stop the engine by themselves. First time car company advertised hybrid cars on TV. Many people were surprised and amazed, but they didn’t buy these car because form was not good.

Although, why hybrid cars are a hit very well? First reason, people who use hybrid car communicate with friends, teachers and coworker then they tell other people goodness of hybrid car. Second reason, car companies advertise on TV and the newspaper. Almost all car companies make the hybrid car so we can always watch and read those advertisement.

I think hybrid cars are a hit more than before. Goodness of hybrid car will have be told by people, therefore people who use it may continue to increase.

3-D Movies are an Amazing Trend

By Saki Sekioka

I think the trend is 3-D movies. It is very revolutionary. At first, the 3-D is used only 10-15 minutes in the movie, but now we can see the 3-D all of the time in the movie. 2-D movies are flat pictures, but 3-D is not flat and the quality is high. The picture is as if it is reality. People who saw the 3-D movie express how they feel to a friend. Many people speak their opinion about the mover after they finished watching the movie. So, the 3-D movie becomes popular.

In another way, there are many commercials on the TV. People know the 3-D movie are any information in the commercial. So people can know the information.

Now, 3-D is used for something. For example, 3-D TV, 3-D games. 3-D is spreading in the world. However, if you watch 3-D many times, your eyes are tired. So be careful not to watch 3-D too much.

Smartphones: A Great Trend

By Shota Itagaki

I think the trend of smartphones is very convenient. Smartphone can’t only call but also use the Internet. They are also high quality. When they are connected to the Internet, they can send e-mail. With social networking sites on the Internet, we can keep in touch with our peers. For example, Facebook, Mixi, Skype and so on. We can express our feelings easily on these site. We can use the Internet by our phones. It’s amazing! Moreover, smartphone screens are very clear. It is important for users. That’s why smartphones have a great influence and spread to so many people. Smartphones have become a hit.

In conclusion, the trend like smartphones is very useful.

Cell Phones

By Shu

Cell phones were developed 15 years ago. When it was developed, it was nuch bigger than now. It has been evolving for 15 years. Nowadays, this quality is so good. I think that everyone knows it. Cell phones are a bit hit. It’s the biggest advantage that can always keep in touch with peers or friends if everyone wants. Cell phones involve smartphones now. For example, everyone knows iPhones. It is the trend in the world. It is different from a cell phone. Cell phones can’t connect to PC sites, but smartphones can do that. For example, it can use Skype, Facebook, Gmail, and so on. Because of these, it spread quickly all over the world.

Smartphones are Spreading All Over the World

By Kazune Yamasaki

These days, the trend of the smartphone is spreading around the world. The reason why that it's useful because it has both cellphone's functions and computer's ones. For example, we use only phone address with the cell phones, but we can use not only phone address but also PC e-mail address.

It's helpful for us because carrying a computer is hard. However, the smartphone is small and not heavy. So we can use it whenever we like and wherever we go. And also, it makes us communicate with others easily. Thanks to the smartphone, we are connected to foreign people more more.

There are some reasons why this trend is a hit around the world. First, people watched TV commercials about it. Then, they were interested in it and talked to their peers. And so, the rumor of the smartphone spread.
In addition to this, a lot of phone companies are recommedding the smartphone these days. So, some people who visit the phone shop are fascinated by it and buy. That's why the smartphone became a trend.

Smartphones - A Great Trend

By Iliana Londoño Mora

Smartphones are one of the bit hits at the last years. It is a good trend for people like me that are from another country and have responsibilities to deal with in our countries. I still have a business in Colombia. I can manage everything by my phone (check my bank account, pay salaries to my workers, buy material online and even pay through it).

My son is not ready to move to Canada. He decided to study in Colombia. He has one of the same kind of cellular that I have. It is easier for us to keep in touch because we can chat by messenger without any cost. I can find out anything by the Internet with my smartphone. It is amazing how much influence this trend has in my life. Even with my peer, Soraida, the smartphone contributes to share a lot of stuff like photos, comments, etc. It is the best way to express to my family, my close friends, how they are with me even if they are far away.

I spent quality time with my son when he needs an advice about a gift in birthdays or some special days for his grandma, girlfriend, friends, etc. Sometimes he doesn’t know what kind of gift to buy and he gave me choices. He took photos of the gifts and then I helped him to choose the right one. We have spread out because I moved to Canada and he’s still in Colombia, but thanks to the smartphones we are connected all the time.

All About Johnny Depp

By Mami Kashiwa

My favorite person's name is Johnny Depp. He is from Owensboro, Kentucky, U.S. He is an American actor and musician, but he is very famous as an actor, kind of. He was born on June 9, 1963, so he is 48 years old now. He married Vanessa Parodis in 1998, and he has two children, Lily-Rose Melody Depp and John Christopher "Jack" Depp III. He acts many kinds of characters. For example, a pirate in "Pirates of the Caribbean" and a devilish barber in "Sweeny Todd." I'd like to see him act as a pianist.

My Classmate

By Soraida Huillery

My classmate's name is Ayako Suzuki. She is from Japan and her native language is Japanese. She is a student, and she is single. In her free time, she likes talking with her friends, spending time with cdhildren, and sometimes going shopping, too.

My Hometowns

By Saki Sekioka

I live in Canada to study abroad now, but my hometown is Mino in Osaka in Japan. Osaka is a very urban city, but Mino is a local town. For example, the number of trains is less than in Osaka. The town is surrounded by mountains and a quiet city. We can see monkeys in the mountain. Although the town is local, we can feel nature, so I like my town.

Actually I have another hometown. The hometown is Kawasaki in Kanagawa. I’ve lived there for about ten years. Kawasaki has the Tama River. It’s very famous because a wild seal has lived there for a short time. At that time, the thing is broadcasted in the news, so many people came to see the seal.

Kanagawa has a TV studio close to my house, so I sometimes can see actors. My elementary school is used to film movies and the park in which I played is used to film dramas.

My two hometowns are very nice places! However, I have three hometowns—it’s Fort St. John!! I would like to make memories here.

Life in Fort St. John

By Saki Shiota

Hello, everyone. What do you like to do in your free time? I have two things. First, I like playing the piano. I especially like Chopin, and my favorite son is called “Fantastic Impromptu.” Second, I like listening to Lady Gaga’s songs. Her songs give me energy, and an excited feeling. I’m also interested in her clothes. Nice to meet you. Thank you.

Hi. How are you? I’ve been good. I’m used to the Fort St. John’s life. I go to school every day, and I go to Tim Hortons or WalMart after school. I went to Dinosaur Lake with my host family, and I tried tube boating. It was the most exciting thing I had ever experienced. Although I don’t live in Japan, I’m doing very well. I’ll write you a letter again.

My Autobiography as a Writer - Saki Sekioka

By Saki Sekioka

I like writing since I was an elementary school student because writing collects my thoughts and can record my events. Then, I can tell my opinion with accuracy better than by mouth, and I sometimes keep a diary. However, I feel writing is a bother occasionally. At the time, if I want to tell somebody something, I use my cell phone better than e-mail. Although I like e-mail as much as cell phone. I send e-mail to my parents after I came to Canada. My parents want me to tell today’s incident. Therefore I send e-mail every day.

When I was a child, my dream is a caricaturist. I always write a comic in my free time. To think of story and character’s words is very interesting! I identified with the character of my comics. I wrote a comic and a character’s words. I can make a story to imagine and write the words. So, I tell myself the message by the words of the character. Then, I was given bravery by the character.

No, I have not time, so I didn’t write a comic for a long time, but I sometimes read it again. I didn’t definitely write well. It is a remembrance now.

My Autobiography as a Writer - Saki

By Saki Shiota

I like writing. I think writing is the best skill for me in English. I don’t write songs or poems, but I sometimes write assignments and text messages.

I have written essays and research papers as assignments at my university in Japan. It’s interesting for me to write essays because it’s like the diary. In research papers, I can learn many things while I search something on the Internet.

I sometimes write text messages in Canada. I use Facebook, and I always write something in English. It’s not only fun for me but also good practicing of English. I have a friend who lives in America, and I send letters to her sometimes. It’s interesting because we can teach our own cultures to each other. In addition, even if we live in different places, we can keep in touch.

Therefore, writing is a good way to study English.

My Autobiography as a Writer - Yuko

By Yuko Hirata

When I was an elementary school student, I like to send letters to my old friends. I wrote about my daily life, myself, and so on. I sent many letters to them and they replied. We were keeping in touch for a long time. I couldn’t wait for the reply from them. If my mother didn’t teach me how to send letters, I couldn’t know such an enjoyment, maybe.

After I became a junior high school student, I got my own cell phone, so I exchanged e-mail with my friends. That’s why recently I haven’t written a letter. But I want to write letters to my family and friends in Japan. It may be good for me to do so. I am able to remember my original intention when I was young.

Now, I am about 20 years old. It is about 15 years since I could write something, so it’s natural for me that I can write, but I must not forget my mother who taught me writing. I write something, I will always have thanks to her from now.

My Autobiography as a Writer - Mayu

By Mayu Takenaka

I talk about my writer life. I have written letters since I was 6 years old. I learned how to write letters from my mother. Also, I sent the letter for my grandparent, and she heard from me but she said she couldn’t understand what I say. I was so sad, so I do letter exercises. I often sent the letter to my friends. The next year, I sent the letter to my grandparent again. She heard from me and she understood my letter. Then I often wrote letters.

When I was 15 years old, I had a mobile phone. Then I have sent the text messages. I learned how to send it from my brother. My brother was 17 years old, so he knew how to use it. I knew that we could send the text messages anywhere. When I finished school, then I sent it to my mother, so she met me at the school. It is a very useful tool. Now I am 21 years old and I use it every day. Text messages are one of the necessaries of my life.

Finally, when I was 19 years old, I entered university. I often wrote essays. I learned how to write essays from my English teacher. It was too difficult for me. I could note write good essays. I had the essay class when I was a first year student and second year student. Then I could write essays but I didn’t have the essay class when I was a third year student and now I forgot how to write the essay. Therefore, I should study English harder and when I go back to Japan, I’ll become a good essay writer. This is my writer life. I continue to do writing exercise.

My Autobiography as a Writer - Shu

By Shu Murakami

I had written essays three times in college class. My college teacher taught me how to write an essay. I don’t like to write an essay so much. I cannot explain what I think. It is very difficult for me to explain what I think, so I am not good at writing.

I want to be a writer who can explain what I think. I should study more to be it. I think that if I study hard, I will be able to be a good writer. So I should do my best.

My Autobiography as a Writer - Kyohei

By Kyohei Kawakami

When I was an elementary school student, my class teacher and my parents taught me writing. Actually, my writing skill was getter better, but I didn’t like writing because my teacher game me a lot of assignments and my parents made me study. So I don’t like writing, even now.

However, when I get a text message, I quickly reply. Texting is a kind of writing but it is also a kind of talking, so I like texting.

If I could have an opportunity that I can feel writing is interesting, I will enjoy writing.

My Autobiography as a Writer - Haruna

By Haruna Tonomura

I’m not a good writer in both Japanese and English. Usually I don’t write so much. Im ashamed of writing my feelings, since I have never kept a diary. I’m afraid that someone will read my diary. In addition, I haven’t written a letter to my friends so many times. I am so shy that I can’t write frankly. I didn’t write a letter especially after I got a cellular phone. I sent a short e-mail instead of writing a long letter.

There are some reasons why I don’t like writing. One of the reasons is that teachers made me to write a long book report every year since I was an elementary school student. It was summer homework and I had to write more than 2,400 letters. I managed to hand in my report every year. This homework made me dejected. I think that most of the Japanese students don’t like this homework because there are only 2 or 3 books which we can choose. We have to read a book which our teacher recommends to us, even if we aren’t interested in that book. Because of these bad experiences, I don’t like writing. The reason why I don’t like writing in English is because I don’t want to make mistakes in my writing. I’m afraid of using incorrect grammar and spelling. Moreover I have a limited English vocabulary and I don’t know how to express what I want to write.

Writing English is more difficult than reading English for me because there are many words which I understand but I can’t use in writing. I need to practice to write well.

My Autobiography as a Writer - Mami

By Mami Kashiwa

I write letters to my friends when I feel lonely. I write a letter when I got on the plane that came here recently. And I write letters of thanks to my family when they did something to me. Also, I gave a letter to my teacher when I attended graduation.

I send e-mail to my friends when I want to meet to someone. Then, we decide detail of the plan -- calendar, pocket diary.

I write down the message for someone when I received phone call. Then I don’t forget to put down one’s name and phone number, too. So the message will reach someone who was absent.

I write a blog or diary when I spend memorable days. I write a blog when I want to tell the memorable things to everyone. A diary is read by myself. So, I write sometimes bad things that I don’t want to tell anyone.

I write down the name of the food on the container [of leftovers] so I can know what’s inside even if I don’t open the lid.

I have made songs. Then I wrote down the words and music.

And I’m doing this homework on this paper!

My Autobiography as a Writer - Ayu

By Ayu Shigi

I try to remember my memories and important things I write down. I keep a diary every night because I want to keep remembering my study abroad life because I feel like time flies. Although I have just started keeping a diary, I think it is an important thing to continue it. My weak point is keeping on, so I want to achieve this thing.

When I was six years old to twelve years old, I went to penmanship as the lesson, so I like writing, and not only writing but also I keep writing in English. I think it’s a good way to practice my English, so I think that I need to write mine.

My Autobiography as a Writer - Shota

By Shota

When I was a high school student, I read The Diary of Anne Frank. It was a good opportunity for me to write something. After that, I wrote what happened in my diary. Something is almost a good incident. If a good incident happened, I wrote the incident in my diary.

I like to write, but I’m not good at writing. So I almost always use a PC to write my diary. Sometimes, I write with a pen.

To read the diary again is very interesting.

My Autobiography as a Writer - Manami

By Manami Sugawara

I like to write letters. I’m not good at showing my feeling so I can tell someone my feeling by writing letters.

I wrote some letters everyday when I was a junior high school student. Then it is popular to write letters to someone. Specially, I wrote letters to club members who are younger than me to be on good terms with them. We talked about our secret story. I could write my feelings honestly.

I became happy to receive a letter from friends when I graduated school. I can leave letters intact. I can encourage myself by reading these letters and remember my life at that time. So I want to continue writing letters though it will be once in a while.

My Autobiography as a Writer - Yukari

By Yukari Fukuyama

It is hard for me to write a diary, blog, and so on because I can’t continue to write such a diary every day. I think that to write something is fun, but I have never kept a diary since I was a child.

For example, when I was an elementary schoolgirl, I started to write my diary one day because many friends around me have written their diary at the time. In the first day and the second day, I wrote my diary exactly, but I couldn’t keep writing from third day. As a result, my diary finished in a very short time. Then I tried to keep writing a diary, blog, and my life many times; however, I failed in all challenges.

I think that the cause of failure is two reasons. First, I get tired of many things very quickly. So I usually couldn’t keep doing some things except for forced cases. Second, I am not good at writing my feeling in terms. I like talking with someone more than writing. So maybe I lacked my feeling to write something. I want to keep writing some day.

However, an exception is a letter because I have been writing many letters for my friends when I was a high school student. At the time, I could keep writing a letter for a long time. I don’t know why I could, but these letters are very good memories for me. So I’ll write a letter to someone next time.

My Autobiography as a Writer - Kazuna

By Kazuna Yamasaki

I like writing, and I think that writing is very important to learn English because it makes my English writing skill improve.

I had written an English diary every day until coming to Canada. I kept it for four months because I wanted to develop my English writing skill and learn new useful words. Thanks to it, my writing skill became better than before. However, I have not written an English since I came to Canada. I’m going to keep it again.

In addition to that, I’m going to try to use English more with writing. For example, I will write some texts in English when I send e-mails to my friends who study English, and I will make a note in English. I’m a forgetful person, so it’s important for me to do it. I always take notes in Japanese, but I will try to write English from now. I believe that they make my English skills improve.

My Autobiography as a Writer - Hitomi

By Hitomi Nakayama

I like writing, so I often write something. For example, when I want to contact my friends or my family, I use a cell phone or computer. I can text message and I can send e-mail. I have written on them since I was a junior high school student. Then I used them for contacting with my lover. No matter if we couldn’t meet, we could connect with each other. Because I don’t have a boyfriend now, I need to connect with only friends and family. It is very useful because I want to hear about something about them. I’ll write on them forever.

Next, I write in my diary when I want to remember my daily life. I kept a diary last year since I bought a diary. I could write about my daily life and my mind which I couldn’t tell others. I can look back on my life because the diary can remain. I think that memory is very important. I keep a diary since I came to Fort St. John to record my daily life. I can study also because I write them in English.

It’s nice to write various things for me.

My Autobiography as a Writer - Pamela

By Pamela den Ouden

When I was in Grade 10, I had an excellent English teacher name Mr. Verney. He gave us very interesting writing tasks and that experience was the start of my writing career. I wrote both poetry and stories.

Since then, I’ve written many essays for school assignment. This is not my favourite kind of writing, but there is a certain satisfaction of having a paper returned with favourable comments and a good mark. So even though it’s not my favourite kind of writing, I have learned a lot about academic writing from these kinds of assignments.

In addition to poetry, stories, and school essays, I have written thousands of letters over my life. At first, they were handwritten or typed. Then I move up to a computer and e-mail. Just because an e-mail is sent quickly doesn’t mean it is thoughtless or trivial. Writing letters to friends and family is an important part of keeping in touch. Just this morning, I mailed a thank-you letter to a friend and a postcard to my granddaughter.

I still write poetry and feel I can express myself well in this genre. I feel satisfied when just the right words fall into place. Last Saturday, I gave a poetry reading at the Sweetwater 905 festival (www.sweetwater905.ca), and three of my poems appear in the recently-released DiVerseCities II, an anthology of poetry and writing published locally.

Blogging is a new kind of venue for writing, and I’ve launched myself into it. I have a personal blog, and creative writing blog, and this class writing blog. Blogs can reach a wide audience, so I try to make each blog entry brief and to the point, though-provoking in a friendly way.

Writing of all sorts, including to-do lists and grocery lists, is an important part of my daily life. E-mail to friends and family, letters to thank or cheer, birthday cards and poems are all part of me going out to others.

Welcome to the Fall 2011 Semester!

By Pamela den Ouden

It's a warm fall night, feeling more like mid-summer than September. Even though it's past 9 p.m., it's still 21 degrees outside. The moon is shining--it's a waxing first quarter, with the full moon on Monday, less than a week away. School has started and we are up and running!

I'm looking forward to some excellent writing this semester. We're going to try a few new things, a few new processes for getting from draft to finished product, and you'll be seeing the results of our hard work and effort here at www.peacezine.blogspot.com!

Please leave us a comment and let us know how you like our work!

Horse Chiropractic

By Kotomi Taniguchi

Have you ever heard of chiropractic? Chiropractic is the treatment of disorders by manipulation of the bones, especially the backbone. It is famous as one of the easy ways to make the body healthy for people in Japan. Last Wednesday, I went to see chiropractic for horses. I have heard that there is chiropractic for some animals before, but it was my first time to see amazing chiropractic for horses. It was quite a new experience for me!

Before the chiropractor began, she let the horse run and she checked his body from his back whether it is good or bad. That time he couldn’t run straight. That horse was suffering from something and looked really bad. First, she touched his body to check where the bones were bad. After that, she fixed his backbone with her hand and a big hammer! When she hammered the horse, he groaned like a human. He was really funny. She put some cream on his body. Third, she checked his leg and fixed his bone use with her whole body. Horses could understand our feelings and language but sometimes they are very dangerous, so she had to stand in a safe space to not get kicked. After that she stretched his legs using a rope. After all this, she let the horse run again and he ran straight, and I thought he looked very good.

This experience was amazing for me and I got interested in animal chiropractic more. We don’t have a lot of great techniques for animals in Japan, so I want to learn it and do chiropractic for my dog and my horse in the future.