To be an adult

Japanese law said that adult is the people who over twenty years old.
However, it is just right to do only oneself. such as drink or smoke or vote or contract.

I think "Adult" and "Coming of age" are completely different.
Coming of age is a just point that all humans pass.
Adult is not so easy to become.
Earn money by my self - it is a way to judge- but former Japanese P.M. who came to K.G. receives a lot of money from mom(oh,,gosh)

It is most important -mind-
Do you have an determination to live your own life?
After we graduate, we need to self-sufficient person!

My earliest childhood memory

Oh, it is difficult to answer...
Which one is earliest??

However, it is definitive memory when I was childhood.
It was "Great Hanshin earthquake".

On January 17th,1995 terrible disaster hit Hyogo, especially Kobe.
My family just moved to Kobe from Osaka in 1994(maybe..I forgot).
I was 2 years old...

When I work up, room lights were gone.
And my father and mother looked at me seriously.
After that, they checked the house is okay.
Luckily, near my houses are all safe. Nothing gonna be happen such as collapse.

Every year's January 17th reminds me this shocking scene of my memory.
I always pray for all this earthquake victims when this day was coming.

United States of America

My Passport Stamps

All of yours may know I love Hawaii.
However, I never went to Mainland of U.S.

Why am I start to study English?

When I was junior high school student, This american drama started to broadcast in Japan.
"The West Wing" means "the west part of the whitehouse".
Therefore, this drama's story were about Political Story.
I was obsessed by watching every week and last year ended.

In addition, I learned American culture,way of thinking and so on.
This drama made me into "English Lovers".

The West Wing's story took place on Washington,D.C.
I wanna see the following places.





































































Someone may think WashingtonD.C. are boring because its place just located governmental buildings.
However, especially for me, its city is special.
I'd like to see by my own eyes.
It's my start point of studying English.

Terrible Misunderstandings/Misperceptions

We have stereotypes between men and woman.
In Japan, these way of thinking established in people's mind.

"Women should not work after she had baby."
"Men have to work outside such as companies"
"Women do not have to work outside except special job services"
These statement are terrible. Too old-fashioned thinking and it called sex discrimination.

People are equal.
Its fact cannot change if God want to do.

We have to pay attention to these awful notions!

Fall!

It is short time for me..
As you know, I live in NORTH-Kobe.
For me, Fall is only hallway for winter.

Winter started from late October, therefore fall was only ONE month.
It is precious time isn't it?

I recommend you to go Kyoto.
Fall season of Kyoto is beautiful because tree' s leaves were colored!
And also, It is easy stay for us. I think Kyoto's summer and winter are too hard!

Type

It's a difficult question for everyone.
I think everyone have different personality, therefore we cannot categorize people.

However, I wanna get a partner who can adapt my lifestyle.
If it is different, may cause misunderstandings.
This is the most important thing, I think.

For example, I love "eating-tour"(Tabearuki).
People who like eating, It is good for health.
So, If partner don't like or in-comprehensive my lifestyle, it may difficult to spend time with.

What is top trend in Japan?

I think SNS(Social Network Service) services are top trend in all over the world.
Especially, Japanese people are really into "mixi".
It is one of SNS services which requires invitation from members.
Looking from outside of Japan, Facebook is most strongest SNS services.
But it is different in Japan.

Why "mixi" have a great number of users?
Its reason is simple. mixi is user-friendly for Japanese-style mobile phones.
Almost mixi traffic (which means "access") are from mobile phones.

mixi allowed by 10-30 years old people.
May be almost English 15 members have mixi account!
mixi are boom for High-school & University student I think.

Now smart phones market share are growing up everyday.
I think that increasing iPhone and other smartphones are changing SNS market share.
Facebook has own app and it is very useful. mixi share will decrease I think.

So if you have interested in Facebook, Let's join.
Kevin also use it now.

Kenta Shibuya

Create Your Badge

Unusual customs are difficult to understand

I think customs have many patterns and features.
Especially, We experienced many unusual customs in foreign country.

For example, when I went to Hawaii, I experienced first "hug".
At first, it is very uncomfortable because many Japanese never do.
And also, Hugging in Japan looks strange.

But lots of people who getting along with me were hugging.
Now I changed my mind. May be hugging is good for people's relationship.

In addition, Japanese think modesty is important.
If we think "Thank you too", Japanese says "It' s no problem./ Its achievement is all yours.".
It is very strange culture I think.

Nowadays, many companies try to change official language in office for English.
It' s great technique to improve productivity because English is directly language.

I think Japanese should hugging on behalf of bowing.

Most Important Technology

It's difficult to choose.
Because we have many technological devices or services.

But I believe that computer and internet are most important.
Almost companies use computer system to work.
My father said, "When I entered my company, only a computer in my office."

In Kevin's class, we are using lots of technologies.
Oral Class:Englishcentral, Youtube movies, etc...
Writing Class: MicrosoftWord, this blog, etc...
If computers and internet are gone, Can Kevin continue classes?

And also, VoIP tech is important.
Skype is great service, I think.

Summer Work

Long time no see everyone!

Fall semester started and we have only two months of 2010!

Today, I'd like to write about my summer job.

I searched work which often use English when school end.

Finally I found a good one!

I worked on this conference place from August 20-26.

In this conference, many foreigners came from all over the world.

Therefore, Official Language in this place was English.

Of course, staff required to speak English for everyone if visitor is Japanese(haha;

1st day of work, I met many staffs.

Many part-time job staff were there and they have great background!

Almost staff have experienced that live or go abroad for many countries.

I worked as Receptionist and I met many doctors&pharmacy company staff.

Sometimes, their English is difficult to understand, but I learned many things.

And I got along with Egyptian Doctor.

He said if I go to Egypt, his family will introduce all over the Egypt!

I wanna work again like this nice job.

Thanks for reading.

My first semester in KG

Hi!
Today, all classes in spring semester ended.
So how do you felling now?
Interesting? Hard?
Most of you and me thought both opinion.
However, this semester finished so quickly...

First of all, I was nervous because everyone can speak English well.
But our English 15 members studied with same place and time and We may grow up skills.
We'll continue study with yours in fall semester.
Nice to meet you again!

And also, I didn't expect that professors or instructors gave us many reports and homeworks.
Therefore, We always have to do something...
In next semester, we should keep this attitude!

Finally, Thank you for reading this blog and helping in classes.
I'm looking forward to meet all members in fall semester.
See you.

Are you ready for summer?

Mahalo!

When summer comes,

Good afternoon everyone.

Everyday is hot! Isn't it?

Now, we are very busy to finish spring semester.

For example, term paper to replace final exam, prepare for English OC&Writing Presentation, final exam and so on.

However, Summer is coming up!

What will you do? Do you have some plans?

Now I only thought this theme of this vacation.

"Just Relax!"

I wanna hang out with friends, and go many places like fireworks, Baseballgame(Koshien), and and and...

I'll go Taiki's hometown because its place very near my grandparents's house.

However, I join a circle, so I have to attend this event.

Its event is for high-school students to try our university.

In this open campus, we should answer the question.

I must tell School of Int'l Studies is dangerous(haha;

Because it called "Kakoku-Sai Gakubu".

Anyway, Summer gives us many interesting events or playing.

But I should study English because my TOEFL score is terrible.

I wanna go study abroad for a year.

Please invite me if you're playing!

Going abroad

I have been to U.S. But it is only the vacations.
Study abroad is completely different in contrast vacations or business trips.

So, today I'd like to talk about goods about Japan.
Host Family or Classmate have strong interesting for us.
Therefore, We need bring something that symbolize Japanese culture.

Most of Western people never touch the Japanese paper (It called "Washi" in Japanese).
I always bring goods which uses Washi when I went other countries.
Like letter set, Origami, Sensu(a fan), etc...

Many foreigners surprised about it is hand-made.
People without Japanese image that paper is only copy paper.

Its goods are not so heavy.
Please bring those if you're go trip.
Even if it is not study abroad, make local friends and give for them!

Love

Everyone have different a way of thinking.
Especially LOVE...

There is no answer.

Friends, Families, Places, ...
People should love someone or something.

What loves in these days ?
English?(haha;

I think anything is OK.

However, Friends are important.
Thanks for all my dear friends!!!
I'm happy to study with you.

Making Innovative Tomorrow

Recently, I have strong interesting this manager.

(Picture from Wikipedia)

Do you know him?
His name is Steve Jobs who is CEO of Apple Inc.
He is one of the founding fathers of the iPod or iPhone.

I like his management skills.
Many people says "Steve is autocrat!"
But I like his way of operating company.

Gradually information speed up everyday.
However, almost Japanese Company CEO are too slow to decide important things.
They should follow speedy determination such as Jobs.

As an aside...
New iPhone is coming up!
I wanna get!!!!
But I don't have Mackintosh machine..haha;

Summer, Summer, Summer...

Now temperature gradually up and up everyday.
When I think summer, this is it ! ↓


When summer comes, you should go Koshien Stadium to watch high school student's baseball game.
It called Koukou-yakyu in Japanese.



Last year, Kwansei Gakuin Senior High School baseball team appears on this tournament as delegate of Hyogo prefectures.
Unluckily, they fail other Sr.High-school's team in 2nd game.


Almost Kansai-jin thinks summer starts when Koukou-yakyu starts.
So if you haven't Koshien, you should go!

Now:
I hate this season like rainy and many pollen season.
I have heavy hay fever and don't like yellow sand.
Those things are crashing my eyes and nose!!!

My favorite Italian Restaurant in Kobe

Good morning everyone!

Today I will introduce nice restaurant in Kobe!

I live in Kobe for about 15years.Kobe has many great restaurant.

Especially ethnic food (foreign country food) developed in this area because Kobe was famous port town in Japan!

So many foreigners came here, and extend their countries ethnic food.

Okay, I recommend you this restaurant.

DONNALOIA

This is most old Italian restaurant in Japan!

It opened 1952. So old, but very nice.

ALL DISHES are delicious! Ilike this restaurant's pasta boiling time! haha;;

You should go Lunch. Dinner may quite expensive(I never went)...

This restaurant opened at Motomachi, but crashed on Hanshin Awaji Earthquake.

After that, they moved to near Kitano.

If you come to Kobe, please eat here.

We can walk from Shin-Kobe Station or Sannomiya Station.

DONNALOIA(Official Web Page)

Review and Access and more pictures at Review Site "Tabelog" (Only Japanese)

Thanks for reading.

Hawaii -changes my mind-

Good afternoon everyone.

Today I'd like to talk about best point where I've been.

It's HAWAII.-Waikiki Beach-

I think there is most wonderful place in our world.

When I was 4th grade of elementary school, it is the start point which all members of my family loves this place.

I surprised ALL THING!

First boarding airplane and long frying(It's about 8hrs) and of course ENGLISH!

I think always in this travel(but only 4 days haha;) "What are you talking?"...

This travel lead me to study and love English may be.

Just do that: Take airplane, and sit on the beach.

You can only hear sounds of waves and winds.

IT'S THE HEAVEN. You can wash your own heart.

After that, we had go Hawaii for 5 times . All places & people are great.

However, this place is amazing.

It is Japan's Telescope built by National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.

There is a many telescope built by many countries in Maunakea because this point over the clouds.

You should go before dying...

We can feel the EARTH.

Subaru Telescope at Mauna Kea Mountain in Big Island

Thanks for reading.

My hometown (Kobe but NORTH!!)

Good afternoon everyone.
Today, I would like to talk about my hometown.

I was born in Takatsuki,Osaka but only live 3yrs.
So this post guides on my 2nd hometown Kobe that live in about 15years!!

Now I live in Kobe.
But very North(not Sanda)...omz
So there has no sightseeing place...

However, few years ago, Kobe-Sanda Premium Outlet were built!
Have you ever gone?
It's fantastic place because shops sell goods for very inexpensive price!!!
And Kobe-Sanda campus exists near place.

2nd, there is many farmyard in north of Kobe-city.
Especially a strawberry patch is well-known.
In May-June, they opened farm for us to take strawberry!
It calls "Ichigogari" in Japanese you know.

If you come to Kobe, please notify to me!
I'll guide you!!!!!

Future

Now I haven't clearly dream for jobs.
But from my experiences, Just Imagine.....

1.Teacher
I'm loving to English. And of course I'd like to use that in future job.
Now everyone said Japanese Jr. and Sr. high school student's English skills are very poor.(may be including me...omz)
So we should change this situation. If don't, our children will suffer in the global world...
This is one dream that I'm thinking now.

2.Writer,Editor,......

Last entry, I wrote about job when I was Sr.high school.
I worked with publishing professional.
We spend many time to make books.
Its job gives me a high sense of achievement that I've never experienced.

FINALLY,,,

Both jobs are only temporary thinking.
But I'll wanna use knowledge of this department skills!

Good night.

When I was Jr&Sr HighSchool...

Good morning!
Today I'd like to talk about a man who changes my thinking for teachers.


One man is Book Analysis teacher which is called DOKUSHOKA(読書科).
He changed my life...


I don't like talking or leading in public recently.
One day, he picked me and friends up for student council book writers team.
After that, I continued writing for 3yrs as the chief editor.
It's funny job, and my japanese writing skiis jumped up
because its book have over 300pages!haha
That job turned my attitude for speaking in front of many people.

As a result, I awarded from principal!

Now I'm taking classes for teacher's license in univ.
I hated teachers before, but they must have a key for student's future.

See you on class!

My first impression of college life

↑ Mokule'ia Beach in Hawaii

This is my first post about my life in English.

I'm KENTA who study about International Studies. So nice to meet you!

I already have a blog about Hawaii Travel Information...

If you want to see, click here, only available in Japanese.

But I was very busy, now another blog is stopped to update.

However, This blog is a requirement to get my university's English credits.

may be I'll update once a week.

Okay, Let's cut to the chase.

I entered university two weeks ago. K.G. is too big! Don't you think?

My department opened this April, so Buildings are beautiful.

BUT, Cafeteria(especially MAMA and PAPA) isn't very delicious......

Subway is soso..

I'm looking forward to see you on class!

Good night.