Postcard from - Shenzhen, China

 Hi Jim sensei,

I came to Shenzhen, China for a short business trip. I stayed here for three nights and had three appointments.

My passport will be expired in a year, so this will be my last trip with the current passport. I had lots of trip with good memories!

Tomoko

Postcard from Canton, China

Hi Jim sensei,

I am on the business trip to China with Tomoko from April 12 to 16.

This photo when we went to Canton Fair on April 15 and had lunch there. There were a lot of people from various coutries!

See you again in the class.

Thanks! Chinatsu & Tomoko

 

Postcard from O'Hare airport, Chicago USA

 Hi Jim sensei,

During the past two weeks, I traveled a lot. The first week in Shanghai and the second week in Chicago. It was still warm in Shanghai while it was freezing cold in Chicago (It snowed the day before we arrived!). 

I enjoyed the local foods and would like to share some pictures here :)

Tomoko

Postcard from Berlin, Germany

 Dear Jim sensei,

It is sunny with clear blue sky in Berlin. This must be the best season to visit here. Not too cold, not too hot...just comfortable!

We came here for usiness, but we had chances to visit many famous places like Brandenburg Gate and East side gallery.

We walked around everyday, as our phone told us it's over 18,000 steps per day! We believe we became healthier during our stay in Berlin.

Ritsuko and Tomoko

Postcard from Chicago, USA

Jim sensei,

Hello from Chicago!

Chinatsu and I had a business trip to the US. On Sunday afternoon we walked around Chicago downtown and took many beautiful pictures. We enjoyed American food with locally brewed beer. We will make efforts to improve our English so that we can communicate with our customers more fluently!

Chinatsu & Tomoko

 

Postcard from...Berlin, Germany

Berlin sights & cold beer

 Dear Jim sensei,

We stayed in Berlin for three days. We walked around the city to see some historical buildings. 15K+ steps per day!

It was hot and sunny, which was perfect weather to have cold beers :)

Reiko & Tomoko

Postcard from...The British Museum, London.

The British Museum

 Hi Jim sensei,

We had a chance to visit The British Museum. It was so interesting to see objects from the ancient period. We were lucky to have sunshine earlier today! (Beautiful picture isn't it?) The temperature is much lower than that in Berlin. It was like late autumn.

Tomoko & Reiko

What are people doing under extraordinary situation?

Due to COVID-19, people around the world are forced to stay home.

Under the extraordinary situation, people try to find how they can enjoy at home.  At the same time, there are new business opportunities which can offer solutions for people.

We couldn’t go out for dinner during lockdown.  As people tried to cook meals at home, the demand of kitchen appliance skyrocketed.  For those who don’t cook at home, online food delivery service becomes very popular.

As people couldn’t meet in person, people tried to meet on-line by using web camera.  Internet is the useful tool to enjoy the time with family and/or friends.

Animal crossing is a game soft which is well accepted around the world.  It is a peaceful game with no fighting.  The players have own island and do what they want, such as gathering fruits and fishing.  The players can meet their friends in the game.  People use this game as one of tools to meet their friends.  Here is an example.  In Japan, school was closed in March which is the month of school year end.  The graduation ceremony was canceled or conducted with the limited number of attendees.  I heard students got together and held a graduation party with friends in the game.

Under any circumstances, it is important to have good meals as well as connect with family or friends.

Letter to Othello

Dear Othello,

I am writing this letter to let you know the story which is very important to you. Please read through this letter as soon as you receive.

I happened to hear the conversation between Iago and Roderigo before we came to Cyprus. From their conversation, I learned Iago’s plans for revenge.

Othello, you must not trust Iago. He is not the good man. Iago complained about you because you didn’t choose him as your lieutenant. Iago has been pretended to respect you and trying to get what he wants from you.

Iago asked Emilia to get the handkerchief which you gave to Desdemona and left it in Cassio’s room so that you misunderstood Desdemona and Cassio are in love. They always tell you the truth and never betray you. You should trust Cassio and Desdemona.

I am your friend, Othello. Think carefully who you should trust. Please let me know if need my help.

Sincerely,
Tomoko

Postcard from...Chicago, USA

Hi Jim sensei,

Tomoko's personal postcard - use Touchnote!

I spent a week in the States and now am off to Japan.

It was really comfortable summer weather here. I enjoyed 

Mexican food this time.

Have a nice holiday and see you soon.

Tomoko

Postcard from...Shenzen

Shenzen Bay Port

Jim sensei,

I am in Hong Kong airport and waiting fro my flight back to Nagoya. I had two meetings in China and felt I should improve my English skill and learn some Chinese words to communicate with my customers fluently.

The picture is the point of the border between China and Hong Kong. The border opens at 6:30 in the morning and it is full of young Chinese students who go to school in Hong Kong.

Tomoko

Postcard from...Chicago, Illinois, USA

Sweet Home Chicago, using Touchnote

Hi Jim sensei,

I have been in Chicago for a week for business meetings. It is windy and extremely cold. -10 degrees C was the highest temperature today. However, Unique heat-tech T-shirts kept me warm in the cold air. To enjoy this city, I recommend visiting during the summer.

Best regards,

Tomoko

Freezing Chicago

Hi All.  I was in the States for a week and spent the last weekend in Chicago.

First of all, it was colder than Matsumoto and had snow on Saturday.

Luckily, I could have a fun this time.  I went to the United Center to watch the ice hockey game, Chicago Blackhawks vs Vegas Golden Knights.  It was my first time to watch the ice hockey game.  The players moved around on the ice so quickly and the speed of shooting was so fast.  It was the exciting game until the last minutes, but Blackhawks couldn't beat VGK.

If I could have another chance to watch the ice hockey game, I want to learn about rules, teams and players so that I can enjoy game more.

Postcard from...Chicago, USA

Hi Jim sensei,

I'm in Chicago O'Hare airport and waiting for my flight back to Japan.

I was hot in Chicago last weekend, which is over 95*F!

I enjoyed Mexican foods with local beer brewed in Chicago.

Tomoko

A postcard from...Rock Falls, Illinois - USA

Opened in 1921

Hi Jim-sensei,

I'm in Rock Falls, Illinois. I'm staying at the new hotel by the river.

It's a beautiful day and the sunrise changes the colour of the sky, which is really wonderful!

Tomoko

Postcard from... Helsinki (Viking country!)

Muumi/Moomin

Dear Jim-sensei,

I'm in Helsinki waiting for my flight to Berlin.

When I read "Viking Tales" I didn't imagine I could have a chance to come to Northern Europe.

Everything is very cute and I hope I can spend more time when on my next trip.

Tomoko

The Lost World - larger than life

Write about a ‘larger than life’ character from your country – fictional or real.

I think All Japanese admit Ichiro Suzuki is the most popular Japanese professional baseball player.  He began his career with Orix Blue Wave in Japan in 1992 when he was 19 years old.  Then, he went to the United States and became a player of the Seattle Mariners in 2001.  Since then, he has been spending his seasons in the United States.


He is the outfielder and can catch long fly balls.  Moreover, he can strongly and quickly throw the ball back to home like a rocket.  When he belonged to the New York Yankees, I had a chance to see the game.  His performance as the center fielder was just outstanding and I was so excited to see his performance in the field.


He also set a new record as a great hitter.  In 2016, he collected the 3,000th hit.  By the end of 2016 season, he played in his 2500th games in MLB in the United States.  This is the greatest record because there are only two players who have achieved such a great record.


He becomes 44 years old this year.  I hope he keeps breaking a record and playing in MLB as long as possible.

Describe your favourite place in Scandinavia - after reading Viking Tales

I have never been to Scandinavia, but want to visit Sweden someday. There are mainly two reasons which have being inspired me.

One is music. One of my favorite pop group is Cardigans, who are based in Sweden. I bought their CD when I was a high school student. Nina’s voice is very cute and their songs are very catchy. And, they sing their song in English. This is the most important point for me. They sing very clearly and it was easy for me to catch their words. Their songs became popular in Japan and it was called Swedish pop. I also love Meja. I bought two CDs and listened again and again until I remembered all her songs. When I had my wedding party, I picked up her song “Welcome to the Fun Club of Love” as the starter. Since then, this song reminds me the happy feeling.

Another is furniture and housewares. In Japan, there are some stores of IKEA. They have some floors to display their furniture. It is fun for me to look around their stores. Their design is very pop and the color and textile is very different from that in Japan. So, I want to go to flea market in Stockholm someday.

postcard from...Chicago, Illinois

Hi Jim-sensei,

I'm in Chicago & saw a TRUMP Tower.
I'm now eating a snow crab (picture).

Ritsuko

I spent a week in the States, and had a glass of freshly brewed beer, good meeting with lots of homework.

Tomoko

Postcard from... San Francisco, California, U.S.A.

Hi Jim-sensei,

I'm in San Francisco. I got a chance to stay here for two nights during business trip.

Before I came here I thought it is sunny and warm. It is sunny, but windy and COLD than I expected.

It is like early winter!

I went to some view points and took pictures.

I'll share them once I return!

From Tomoko