How was SE?

Actually, when I heard I had to write many blogs and pieces in first class, I felt it was really troublesome because I do not like writing, especially in ELP. However, when I started writing blogs, it was not troublesome but really I enjoyed it.  When I write academic papers, I have to obey many rules. But in thise class, I do not have to write academic way, so I can write my favorite way. I learned writing is fun in fact in this class.
I wrote about my family in some articles. So far, I did not notice how important they are for me. But I could notice it through writing blogs about family. Through SE, I could discover importance of family.
I want to keep writing in any ways like in SNS. When I tweet in twitter, I always use Japanese but I want to try to write in English to improve my English skills and develop as an English writer.

Autumn break

Have you decided what are you going to do during Autumn break?

I've decided a little. After finishing my exam on 20, I am going to go back to my hometown, Gifu city by Shinkansen. Then from 21 to 23, I am going to visit Hokkaido with my grandparents. Actually it is first time for me to visit Hokkaido, but I am afraid of scary temperature. Anyhow, I am really glad to travel with my grandparents. My grandpa has terminal cancer, so I am worrying about him everyday, every moment. It is really miracle that I can go traveling with him again although he always told us he would be live more than 10 years. I want to enjoy the time with my grandparents.
From 24 to 25, I am going to go Osaka and Kyoto with my little brother. On 24, we are going to go USJ. That night, we will stay at my sister's apartment which is in Kyoto city. The next day, we will walk around Kyoto and go back to Gifu.
From 27 to 29, my friend might come to my home and travel Gifu, Nagoya, and Ise. Then I will go back to Tokyo.
In Tokyo, what should I do? I want to hang out with my section mates, also I need to study for winter term.
Wish Autumn break is coming soooooooooooooooooon!!

Serious my weakness

I have a serious weakness. But I have to overcome it as soon as possible.
My SERIOUS WEAKNESS is that I am very bad at waking up in the morning. Usually, when I wake up, it is around noon even if I go to bed till 1am!! lol Recently, I could not attend sophomore English class because of this problem lol
Moreover, I have 3 classes in 1st period in a week. But because of my weakness, I could not attend almost all classes in 1st period. 30% of the grade of that class is attendance, so I might fail this class...Anyway, I have to do my best in the final test!!!
Of course, I use alarm clocks but I am really good at stopping it as soon as possible lol
It's getting cold, so I am afraid that I cannot wake up still more.
If you have any advice about my big and serious weakness, please tell me. I really envy people who can wake up spontaneously.

Theme Writing

I have just finished writing my theme writing. The topic is "Labor problems for Japanese women". It is true that some labor problems for Japanese women have already been solved, but there are still many problems compared with men. Women face the problem for the first time when they are hunting for a job. They are often asked “Can you continue this job after marriage and childbirth?” at the interview. On the other hand, men are never asked such question. This fact is a kind of discrimination for women and it shows there are still gaps between women and men. Marriage and childbirth make women difficult continue their jobs. When women try to take a maternity leave and a child-care leave, they are sometimes treated unfairly. To solve these problems, I suggested 2 solutions in my essay; Japanese government should follow other advanced countries' good models, they should increase the number of nursery schools.
What do you think about this topic? Do you agree with me?

If I had a billion yen, what would I use for?

If I had a billion yen, what would I use for?
I am really interested in stock dealing. So first, I want to enter university in US and learn economics and stock more. Then, I start buying and selling stock with left money.
If I could make a lot of money on stock market, I want to donate the profits to many people and groups. For example, for Tohoku area, refugees in Syria, poor children in Africa and so on.
In addition, I want to travel around the world with my family and friends. I want to use a lot of money in poor countries to stimulate the economic.

Anyway, a billion yen is too many to imagine for me. It is an unreal world and what I wrote above is just my ideal. If I would be such a rich, it makes me happy very much because I can buy whatever I want and I can go wherever I want. But I am afraid of being a lazy and finishing my life just wasting money on useless things.

What do I want my obituary to say?

Kumiko Otsuka, resident of Gifu city, passed away on September 4th, at the age of 86 as her house in Gifu city. She passed away surrounded by her children and grandchildren.
After she graduated from International Christian University, she worked at Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 40 years. She was assigned to Jordan, Israel and Italy. After she retired her job, she came back to her hometown, Gifu city, and started to live together with her children, grandchildren and many dogs and cats. She grow various flowers in the garden.

At Ms. Otsukas's request, the funeral will be held at beautiful garden with many flowers. Please bring some beautiful flowers for her.

problems between Israel and Palestine

Yesterday, I attended a lecture about problems between Israel and Palestine.
I know a little about the problem, but I did not know the details. Now I want to understand and consider the problem because I faced the situation that I have to think about it when I visited both Arabic countries and Israel.
This problems is one of the most difficult problems to solve in world affairs, but nobady can give up solving the problem. WE are JAPANESE, not American or others. So, Japanese can maintain neutrality when we discuss and consider the problem. This is strong point for Japanese. This problem might be impossible to solve but we have to keep thinking "What should we do?", "What can we do?" 

What is my view of religion?

Actually, I had not been interested in any religion till this summer.
But after I visited middle east countries, my view of religion has changed. In Arabic countries, everything has connection with religion. I mean Islam. People pray for god every day, they do not eat pork. Sometimes accidents happen because of religion as we watch on TV. For Japanese people, Islam seems somehow dangerous religion. But for Arabic people, they spend long time for Islam and the Koran is greatest support throughout their life.
If everything goes well everyday, religion is unnecessary. But it is not realistic. When something bad happens to people, they need some supports. Then people ask help for religion. Religion help you feel better, comfortable and happy. That is religion, i think.

Recently...

Recently, I am very busy.
First of all, I have 2 assignments in 2 classes(math of economics, econometrics) every week. These are really hard to slove and it takes a long time to finish them. In addition to these assignments, I had many mid-term papers. Moreover, I need to write this blog and theme writing constantly.
Also, I am busy with club activities because we are preparing for invitation program held in winter break.

Now I do not have enough time to hang out with my friends or time to refresh. I am stressed out. But autumn break is coming soon!! Wish final exam finishes quickly and autumn break comes soon!! I can't wait my lovely autumn break!!!!!

I have to do which I can do now. Just do my best.

What does love mean to me?

It is difficult for me to answer this question.
I love family and friends. I love many people even if the person does not know about me.
Although I feel "love" many times in my daily life, I seldom use the word "love" like most Japanese.
Saying "I love you" is not only tool to express my own feelings to someone important. I think most Japanese can express their feelings of love without saying "I love you". Sometimes Japanese are criticized because they use vague expression and do not say directly something hard to tell. BUT I do not think this Japanese culture is bad. For me, I like the way of Japanese expression and Japanese should be proud of it.
If you love someone deeply, you can tell your feeling without saying "I love you".

My part time job

I am working at Hilton Tokyo now.

I am working there as waitress. Sometimes I work at a cloakroom. The reasons why I decided to work at Hilton Tokyo as follows:
1. Payment by the hour is 1305!! High wages are very important for me when I look for a job.
2. I don't have to work when I am busy. I mean there are no rules like I have to work at least twice in a week. So, when I am free and want to earn money, I work 2 or 3 times in a week but when I am busy, just I don't work. I can work flexibly.
3. I can see many adult societies. It is good experience for me to see it directly.

I am busy these days, so I work only once a week. But I want to continue my job at my own pace.

What is "happiness" to me?

What is "happiness" to me?
This is really difficult question to answer. I feel happy when I talk with my family and friend, when I eat something delicious, when I go to sleep. When I lived with my family, I did not notice that living with them makes me happy. I noticed it after started living alone.

I am sure that my family's happiness and my friends' happiness are also my happiness.Their happiness and smile make me happy.

Presents makes me happy, Friday makes me happy, chocolate makes happy...
Many things and many people make me happy. This is my happiness.

A book I am reading now

I am going to introduce a book I am reading now.

This book was written by Prof. Yashiro who is visiting professor of ICU. I like Prof. Yashiro's classes. He worked at the Cabinet Office and OECD. So he has many economic knowledge and his lecture is really interesting.
In this term I take Prof.Yashiro's class called Japanese economy. I started reading this book to deepen my knowledge I learned from this class.
He explains why Japanese economic remains stagnant in this book. He shows the vision of reformation of Japanese economy based on new liberalism.
Understanding the contents of this book is really difficult for me but I hope I can read all. If you are interested in Japanese economy,  I recommend to read this book!!

Lebanese food

Yesterday, I went to Lebanese restaurant with member of same club activity and friends from UAE and Jordan. I missed food in Middle East because I have never eaten them after coming back to Japan.
I love Hummus. Do you know it? Hummus is one of the more popular Middle Eastern dips. Served with fresh or toasted pita bread, hummus makes for a great snack or appetizer.
In Middle East countries, people do not eat pork because Muslim and Jewish are prohibited to eat it. Instead of eating pork, they usually eat chicken, lamb and goat etc.
There are many arabic restaurant in Tokyo. So if you are interested in Middle Eastern food or want to try it, why don't you go?

What are my greatest strengths and weaknesses?

My strengths
I can take objective view of  the situation. I seldom become emotional when some problems happen. I always try to solve them objectively. So, I can give my friends objective advice when they consult with me.
In addition, I am realistic. Of course, I have a big dream but at the same time, I never ignore reality.

My weaknesses
I am very bad at waking up early. This is my weakness. I have class in 1st period but it is very difficult attend the class. In this term, I have never arrived at the classroom before the class starts so far. It is very big problem. I must get over this bad habit.
Also, I am not punctual at all. I am always late for everything. I must break this bad habit too as soon as possible!!!!!!

The classes I am taking this term

I want to major in Economics, so I am taking many economics classes. I am going to introduce the classes which I am taking this term.

Econometrics

Econometrics is "the application of mathematics and statistical methods to economic data" and described as the branch of economics "that aims to give empirical content to economic relations." In this class, we learn how to use "e-views". E-views is more useful that excel.

Introduction of Mathsematics to Economic

Math is good tool for solving economic problems. Every week, we are required to submit assignment. It is very hard. We need not attend the classes if we can get good score in assignment and test.

Japanese economics

This is English class. I like Prof. Yashiro's class very much. He has extensive knowledge and I have never felt that his class is boring.

International Law

I am really interested in international law, too. But this class is held in 1st period. So I seldom can attend this class. Interpretation of law is really difficult, so I have to attend the class!!!!!  

What is the most precious thing in my life?

The most precious thing in my life is, of course, my family.
Grandpa: of course he is my grandfather but we are really like the best friend. He often told me about old days like his life during world war 2. I like listening to his talk. We used to play sports together when I was small.
Grandma: I learned many things from her like sewing, cooking, stock trading. I loved to go shopping to buy my clothes with her.
Father: He is working for my family without any complain. I know it is hard to support this big family. I respect him as a father, also as one man.
Mother: She is my ideal mother. Although our family is very big, she make box lunches for all everyday. I loved to chat with her after coming back from school.
Rieko: I often go shopping and see movie with her. One of my favorite clothes was given by her as a present.
Mayuko: She and I went to same high school and she was more clever than me. She is really good at science and I respect her.
Kazuki: Though we do not talk much now, we were like good friends when we were small. He is working hard now as a public officer.
Yusuke: He is still 14, so really cute!! He is the idol of our family. Everyone gives him whatever he wants.

Book about Islam

As I said in my presentation, I visited Arabic countries. So I am really interested in Islam, I started reading some books related with Islam and Muslim.
This is the book that I have just finished reading.

This book was written by Akira Ikegami. Roughly speaking, he explains about Islam, Islamic fundamentalism, the problem between Israel and Arabic countries, the Gulf war and so on in this book.
I am sure that most Japanese have bad image of Islam. I think it is because Japanese do not know about Islam well and Muslims are unfamiliar people for Japanese. So I recommend that Japanese people read books like this to know Islam.
Before visiting middle east countries, I was not interested in any religion at all. But when I went there, I felt religion and daily life or politics were closely related more than Japanese expected. So, I am sure that the more we understand religion, the better we understand each person. 

Who am I?

I am going to introduce about myself. I am from Gifu city, so now I live alone very close to ICU.

My family
I have grandparents, parents, 2 sisters, 2 brothers and one dog!

Major
I want to major in ecoomics. First of all, I like math. Also I think economics is very important to understand all social system. Economics has many connections with daily life, world affairs and so one.
I am interested in Japanese economic system especially. Because Japan has finacial difficulties, I want to consider what Japanese government should do to solve the problem. In addtion, I want to consider labor problem for Japanese women.

Like
I like traveling. So far, I have been to America, Chile, Canada, Taiwan, UAE, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, Israel and Turkey. Now, I really want to visit Italy.

Recently...
Recently, I am really interested in stock trading. I really want to make a profit from it... lol

Why did I decided to take this class?

I became an adult this month finally. I'm not a child anymore. It's time to stand on my own feet. But first of all, I have to look back over the past and reconsider my future plan. I think this class will give me the chance to do them. Also, when I was a freshman student, the teacher of ASP was Mark. The ASP class was really meaningful and my hesitation of speaking English was wiped away thanks to the class. That's why I decided to take Mark's class again.
About my writing... I don't like to write academic essays or papers. But I like to write in SNS, especially twitter because I don't have to think what to write seriously. I just write freely in twitter what I am thinking now, what was happened to me and so on. Sometimes writing frank my feelings in twitter makes me feel better.