Musical postcards

 As it is very difficult for many of us to travel abroad, we used our imagination. I asked Takeshi and Kanako to listen to this song and draw a scene of what came into their heads. I then asked them to pretend that they were on holiday there and to write a postcard as their homework task. In a time where we can't send/receive postcards, this is probably the next best thing!

Jake Shimokuburo - biography

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1976, Jake Shimabukuro is a fifth-generation Japanese-American. At the age of four his mother, is a veteran ukulele player and singer herself, handed him a ukulele and he started to practice for hours every day.

In 1998, while working a clerk at a musical instrument store, he formed a band with several friends. Together, they won the Na Hoku Hana Hana Award, which is said to be "Hawaii's Grammy Award" and then he released his first album. Four years later, a Japanese music production company signed him, and he has since released an albums in Japan.

In 2006, a famous guitarist posted his wonderful performance on Youtube (without his knowledge) and became internationally famous. He played Bohemian Rhapsody on TED-talks TV, with just his ukulele, to  in 2011.

Now, he has become a master ukulele player,  playing super-fast "like lightning" and with an unrivaled technique. Known as the "Jimi Hendrix of Hawaii", he is still active , regularly collaborating with famous singers and performers.

Posted for Masaya S.

Postcard from Waikiki

Hello!!

I arrived in Hawaii today. Refreshing wind and blue sea.

I feel Hawaii!! I enjoy going home.


Mie

A postcard from Hawaii

Dear everyone in Luna,

I arrived in Hawaii yesterday. Blue sky, blue sea and refreshing wind. I feel Hawaii!

I went to Manua Falls today. It was a wonderful view. I will enjoy it for a while.

Mie

Current Magazine - Nujeen Mustafa

Inspired by reading a snippet of Nujeen Mustafas's 'Nujeen: One Girl's Incredible Journey from War-Torn Syria in a Wheelchair' in Mary Glasgow's Current magazine, some students wrote about the toughest journeys they've experienced in their lives.

It was the first time I had been to Hawaii. I was sixteen years old. I went to Hawaii with my brother
and my high-school friends. That journey was hard before leaving Japan.

Before summer vacation, we made a plan to go to Hawaii. I decided saving money to go to Hawaii. I worked in my uncle's factory from Monday to Friday at the beginning of the summer vacation. First my job was very easy. But some old women complained about it. They thought it wasn;t fair so my uncle changed my job. My job was getting harder and harder. Every weekend I worked at swimming school. I liked teaching swimming. I was very tired but finally I saved enough money to go to Hawaii.

We arrived at Hawaii early morning. We wanted to go to Hanauma Bay. It was a fine day. We decided to go there by bicycle. Hanauma bay wasn't so far from Waikiki  but our bicycles were gear-less, so it was very hard to pedal. The road wasn;t flat, it was a slope. If you slipped and fell into the car road you'd have been killed by cars. Finally we arrived at Hanauma Bay. We were all very tired but we were very excited.

Next day we borrowed an open car. It was a nice BMW. We were very excited. It was the first time I had ridden in an open car. In these days there wasn't navigation. We lost our way and wandered into a strange place. It was a beautiful residential area. There were many beautiful houses. When my brother (Lui) was driving slowly, suddenly one big dog appeared. The dog attacked us. Unfortunately our car was an open car! When I screamed, Lui drove at full speed. We were all safe.

Every day I swam in the sea without blocking sun, because in those days a tanned face and body were very attractive for me. So I wanted to get a suntan. But the place was Hawaii, ultraviolet rays were very strong. I got a terrible sunburn. My face grew bigger and I couldn't open my eye. I felt a stinging pain in my body. I was childish and immature, but sometimes I remember those sparkling young days.

Posted for Olga

Postcard from...Hawaii, USA

A Plumeria cluster - perfect for lei making

I arrived in Hawaii "Big Island" yesterday.

We went to the volcano. Lava had erupted.

I am impressed by the wonderful scenery.

Mie

Postcard from: Hawaii, USA

Hello, Jim-sensei

I enjoy Honeymoon with my husband in Hawaii!

It is the first time to visit Hawaii, but I love it.

We went to hy's Steak House last night. He was so excited to see and eat T-bone steak as he loves steak.

We don't want to go back to Japan!

Chinasa

Something special about rainbows; Miyuki reflects

When I was college student, I went to Hawaii for three weeks to study English at Hawaii university. It was held during summer holidays.
 
That time was first time to go abroad in my life as well as took a plane. The programs had a lot of activities during staying Hawaii. The main purpose was studying English, so I went to school and study. After school, I tried Hula dance, went shopping, cooked for dinner.

big island of Hawaii (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I didn't know that rainbow is famous in Hawaii. Rainbow was painted in car number plate. On weekends, I went to Tower Records with my friends near staying hotel to buy some CDs. (Actually, it was first time to go Tower Records. In that time, I didn't listen to rock music..) After shopping, I found big rainbow in the sky! It was beautiful. Furthermore, there were two rainbows. Usually, I cannot look rainbow from begin to end but I could look the whole rainbow. I was excited and happy because I could watch them in Hawaii!

I want to look rainbow again to go Hawaii.

Posted for Miyuki

The USA - Factfile

I would like to visit to Hawaii, because I like watching fishes and living things in the sea. There are many fishes in the island and they are really beautiful colors and various kinds. The island is one of the best island to stay for holiday in the USA. I hope to visit there in the future.

Postcard from...Hawaii

Dear Ms. Tana

How are you? I'm now in Hawaii.

There's a very famous mountain called Diamond Head.
We climbed it and saw the sunset.
I love Hawaii.

From Yuya

Postcard from...Hawaii

How are you?

I am now in Hawaii. The people in Hawaii are very friendly.
When I wake up, I can see the beautiful sea from the hotel.
It is very fun in Hawaii.

See you for now.

From Toshiya, Hawaii.

{Jim adds - well done Toshiya on passing your Cambridge ESOL P.E.T. exam "with Merit". That means you got over 85%! Enjoy the rest of your holiday and see you soon.}