How I Use Writing

By Sayaka

I usually use an e-mail. I send to my family and my friends. I use an e-mail when I want to contact to another person. I sometimes attach some photos.

My Canadian Life in Fort St. John

By Rina Takamatsu

When I arrive in Fort St. John, I was excited. This study abroad is my first visit to a foreign country. I was really looking forward to the day in Japan. Then, I met my host family. They are so kind to me. First Dad showed me the Peace River. I was surprised. It is very beautiful, but I couldn’t say anything. because I didn’t know how to say my feeling.
When I cam to school the first time, I was nervous. There were Chinese, Korean, and Colombian students in my classroom, so I couldn’t speak Japanese, and I thought, “I want to talk to them, and I want to be friends with them.” But my English is not enough, and I was ashamed about my English skill, so I didn’t talk in the beginning. But they invited me to a lot of places. I went to Mastaro Sushi, Boston, Pizza, Mr. Mikes, a pub, Sushi Heaven, Mama Panda and so on. Generally, after school, we went to Tim Hortons, Starbucks, DQ, and we talked about many things. I was good memories for me.

Also, my school has good teachers. I couldn’t understand in the beginning, but now, I can almost understand their English because of them. Pamela is very funny. If I don’t know the word, she expresses the picture of uses body language. There are explicit instructions. Michael is also a good teacher. He was always kidding, and he is humorous, so his class is so funny. But he is sometimes strict for me. If I can’t understand the meaning, he seriously taught me. Anyway, my teachers are great. I could know a lot of useful English.

In the Easter vacation, I could do a good experience. The first day, I went to Taylor, and I played ice-skate with my friends. The second day, my friends and host family’s friends came to my house for supper. There was a delicious meal. The third day, I rode a horse in my Dad’s uncle’s house for the first time. These were nice days!

I went camping from May 19 to May 22 with Miho’s host family. We went to Liard. Liard is 12 hours from Fort St. John by car. It was so far, but so beautiful view. I felt nature there. We stayed in the countryside, and it was exciting for me because there were a lot of first experiences. We went to the hot spring. Also, we saw bears, moose, buffalo, and a lot of animals. I thought, “This is a zoo.” I really envy this country. This country still has a rich natural environment. My country has a natural environment, but not so much, so I could see such a lot of nature the first time beause of Miho’s host family. I appreciate them.

Also, I went to Calgary, Banff, and Jasper with my friends from June 4 to June 9. It was awesome! They are my good friends. I won’t forget the trip memories.

My house is the best place. I really like my host family. When I have trouble, they help me. Mom always cooks for me. It’s very delicious meal, and Dad always makes me happy. They always care about me, so when I stay in my home, it is the most comfortable. Also, they have a lot of friends, so I could meet many Canadians and I could talk to them. Probably, my English grew because of them. Also, they take me to Egan’s pub on every Monday. I think they’re really my Dad and Mom. I’m their daughter. I’m glad to meet them.

My Canadian life is perfect. I could meet many people, and I got good friends, great teachers, and a wonderful family. I will boast about my Canadian life when I go back to Japan. They must envy me because I had a good time in Canada. Super than you so much, Canada. I hope I could come back here!

My Family

By Marina Hong

I am the eldest in my family. I have two sisters and two brothers. When I was 10 years old, my dad passed away. My mom had been working very hard since my dad died. When my dad was alive, he took care of everything. He was a very responsible man and a good father to all of us in the family. He provided us shelter, food, paying bills, and school fees. Since my dad passed away, my mom has to take care of everything. She’s never been to school and doesn’t have any education at all. But during that time, she doesn’t have any choice but to find work to provide food, pay bills, school fees, etc.

When we were little, my mom had to leave us behind to go to work. She had to leave early in the morning and got back at 7 p.m. She has been working very hard all her life. At that time, my younger brother was only two years old. I and my twin sister are helping a lot in the house like cleaning and taking care of my brothers and sister. Consider that we are very young, 10 years of age. And we had to help a lot already. And at this same time we had to walk to school without money and food.

Though all of us went through a difficulty and have had a very hard life at times, we never regret and we always remember all the good and bad times. I am very proud of my mom.

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

By Jessica Shiga

I spent a good time on October 12, Sunday. It was great! Everything was for the first time for me.

I made turkey with my hostmother. It weighs 6.7 kg but I hear even this is a relatively small one. I was very surprised! Turkey neck appeared from inside so I was surprised again. First, we cleaned the turkey. Second, we made stuffing. The ingredients of stuffing are cut bread, cut onions, cut celeries, salt, pepper, chicken soup, and so on. Third, we put stuffing in the turkey. Next, it was put in a big container and then we poured chicken soup in the container. Finally, it was baked in a casserole in the oven. I was looking forward to the completion.

After several hours, the turkey was baked to a perfect brown. The smell was really good. Of course, taste was really good too.

That day, I ate dinner at my hostparents' daughter's house. We had a meal with total sixteen people and many dishes lined up at the table. For example, turkey with cranberry sauce and gravy, mashed potatoes, mashed turnip, sweet potatoes, cabbage rolls, fruit salad, coleslaw, perogies with sour cream and bacon bits, dressing (= stuffing), pickled beets, cherry tomatoes, homemade bread, pumpkin pie and lemon pie.












I felt happy to sit around with many people I like very much and many dishes. Moreover, there was a wonderful present for me. It was from my hostparents' granddaughter, who made a work at elementary school. She wrote a card:

Thank you for my loved home.
Thank you for my yummy chicken! .
Thank you for my special life.
Thank you for my friend Rena.Thank you for my teacher.
but I'm mostly thankful for my Mom and Dad.
Happy thanksgiving!








I was overjoyed at this. My first Thanksgiving Day was a great day for me.