Planing for The Last Week

I have one week holiday before heading home in Japan, and I am wondering what I want to do during the period.


Maybe I will be looking for some souvenirs for friends and family in Japan. My mom sent me a list where names of relatives and families are written and was like "This is least."


I most appreciate for my parents and grandmother in this study abroad, because they allow and help me to live in Australia, giving a great deal of financial aid as well as supporting me in many ways.


In addition to souvenirs, I haven't proceeded luggage packing at all, and even haven't started it yet. I am thinking of sending some Australian snacks and other stuff I don't need anymore in this weekend.


Some of my friends are planning to go for a trip during that time, but I feel like I am not up for it. Although I still have some places where I have wanted to visit at least once, I am feeling like I don't want to put an effort for that.


I also have lots of things that I want to do after this study abroad, so I am looking forward to heading home!

Internship

I started an internship at the beginning of November.

My colleagues and other staffs there are very nice and friendly, and I was surprised at first by when they are calling their first name each other.


Although during an orientation term of the internship, I was given an explanation about that, it was still unusual for me.


However, at the same point, I thought it was a very nice custom to let them get close emotionally, which makes communication smooth.

Since my jobs are very simple and easy, I sometimes got bored and have been thinking four weeks are enough for me.


Even though I felt that way, the experience to work at an Australian company is special, so I have been thankful for this opportunity.


And on this Thursday, I went for lunch with my co-worker for the first time. He is a very nice person and we talked a lot about our culture.


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Almost nine months have passed since I started living here, Australia.


I was really confused at first, and wanted to go back many times, but overall I gained lots of priceless experience.


I have gone through a plenty of difficulties and challenges to overcome.


And I have learnt how to deal with them and enjoy them, which is still quite difficult though.


So, I cannot tell how grateful I am for people around me.


I have less than two weeks left before going home. I just would like to enjoy my life here.

if times fly or not

Exact 7 months has passed since I came here, Australia. It looks like I've been here for a long time and I know about Aussie and its life, but I'm still not sure about it.

I think it's been a long way to get here. I've spent this term with lots of anxiety, disappointment, dissatisfaction as well as happiness. Come to think of it, this 9 months journey started with  lots of nervousness and excitement and I was not sure I could live in that unfamiliar place. (No wonder I was so struggling, because it was the first time to go abroad and even to live in another place.)

Compared with the first month here, I'm doing okay. I finally got used to this life that is inundated with English.

Before this studying abroad, I got a list that shows my goals I would try during this trip. Unfortunately, I lost it because of the stupidest accident ever of mobile phone that I saved that list in.
If my memory was not wrong, I would get 5 goals, which include

• able to read difficult articles and books that are both academic and casual
• able to use English in a natural way
• make Australian friends
• be good at communicating
• had my own firm opinions about anything

Roughly there are 5 main aims. and I'm not confident especially about third one. This is because I don't have any Australian friend yet.

EAP II

Finally, I finished my great classes at EAP II!!

When I failed IELTS that made me keep studying and felt ashamed for myself, I didn't want to join new class honestly. At that time, all of the things: my misunderstanding that I studied hard, the fact it was not enough for the pass and difficulty that I had a big gap with other students studying at UQ made me anxious. That was so tough for me I wanted to run away from this study abroad. 

However, I now think this way I've studied was also great as well as going to the university (I don't know it well), because I learned a lot of important things thanks to my main teacher, David.

As you can see (if you've taken his classes), he definitely is the most strict teacher of all ICTE teachers. The confidence I felt after EAP I was completely broken by him with underlining every single line of my essays meaning many errors as well as some comments saying, 'very very poor essay'. 

At first, I felt down, but as time went by, it turned into heartbreak that helps me study harder than before. As a result, I could beat him (maybe), because he said to me, 'You're a good student' when I received a good result at the final exam. Perhaps, I need strict teachers like him when studying. Thank you, David!

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Before the internship, I want to focus on speaking and listening, which are my weaknesses and I dislike. I am not happy and used taking with new people or those who I don't know so much. But I need to do it, because it is my weakness. Also, I want to concentrate on translation. I heard that the class in the next session will have time to watch films, so I'm excited about it.

Finish Reading

Today, I took an exam at ICTE, which was quite difficult for me, especially Listening.  David, my main teacher said to me that my score in listening was very low, so I need to focus on it in the rest of study abroad. i was kind of shocked at that fact, and felt a big gap form other Kansai university students ( i see them as a kind of rival as well as the best friends).

Apart from that i do not want to think about while I feel like I need to do so, i finished reading the book I've been reading for three months. I once quit continuing it after my first session in ICTE because i didn't want to, and because my everyday life was full of anxiety and tiredness. But since i got used to the life in Australia, I thought I wanted to read something.

Speaking of the progress of translation, it is in 15 mins that I'm struggling to translate now. Proceeding it, i found several tips and findings which are...

• basically allowed to put just three letters in one sec into subtitles
• should be simple, clear and natural
• should focus on the main point speakers want to mention
• when finding it too difficult to contain all things speakers mention, have a courage to eliminate unimportant information
• should face a computer for a long time when i feel annoyed about it (HOW DO THEY MAKE IT IN SHORT PERIOD OF TIME??)
• Should be patient. It is sometimes so frustrating that i shout in my mind " DON'T SPEAK! ANYMORE!!!"

Although i want to work in Australia translation company as internship, it looks impossible according to my internship program supervisor. i understood i cannot, but i'm just wondering why i cannot get internship which is in centre of my field. DISAPPOINTED... She said i need to have experience where i finished many subjects related to translation and i didn't. In my opinion, which is important to be noticed, internship should be experienced not by people who completed their study so are ready to work in society, but by students who have little experience about the job. i dont know i'm correct or not, but i felt so.

Translation

Recently, I'm trying to translate some works which I found interesting and brilliant and after, will be put into a list of my favourites.

The movie that is making me struggle to translate and realise that translation is a bloody tough task for me (not only me hopefully) is "The fault in Our Stars."

As I wrote in the last post, the film is amazing, which is about cancer.  If you see that movie carefully and enjoyably, you can see and share my feeling about it.  And if not, it is no surprise that you don't feel impressed, like one of my friends who watched it at my recommendation.

But don't get me wrong, I don't want to force someone else to try it and talk with me about that a-Japanese-guy-who-writes-a-strange-blog-in-his-poor-English-is-strongly-recommending movie.  This is because that kind of behaviour is exactly what I don't want anyone to do to me.  I hate people who compel to do something that they assume it also is amazing to others (Actually, it is not always, to be precise, it happens very occasionally).  As a result, I have to make an effort in order that I wouldn't hurt their feelings and make them notice my thoughtfulness.

The reason why I am writing this boring and too long daily is, by the way, I want to practise some expressions which are similar to that of  film's author, while wondering if these weird phrases such as "a-Japanese-guy..." and whatnot, are correct or not.  

Now, while writing an uninteresting blog as a break, I am transferring every single phrase that characters say into OneNote through hard typing, so I can translate them.  I'm looking forward to translation after completing the transferring, although I've done only 25-Min's so far.

Speaking of translation, there was an argument about the Japanese translation of the movie's title, "The Fault in Our Stars."  When I saw this movie in Japan, its title had an completely opposite meaning.  It said, "きっと、星のせいじゃない," which means "it's definitely not the fault in our stars."  At the first time I saw it, I really didn't understand why the translator decided to choose the opposite meaning title, even after watching the movie.  However, reading its original book helped me get out of the unclear wonder.  The title actually quote a phrase by Shakespeare which is "The fault, dear Brutus is not in our stars, / But in ourselves, that we are underling."  In this movie, "Fault" means cancers which characters have and "Stars" is a fate, meaning "We had cancers, and it is inevitable.  But, it's up to us how we lead a life which is limited by cancers, but also includes an infinite possibility."  So, although they know their limited lives were inevitable, they believed they can do and have to do anything in such lives.

MOVIE

Yesterday, I've gotten the DVD of my favorite movie called "The Fault In Our Stars"

I've already watched it in February, before I came to Australia. It's very heartwarming and I was moved when watching it yesterday as well as the last time. 

The movie stars a 17 years-old girl who suffers from a lung cancer and after, fells in love with a boy aged 18 years-old who has only one leg. I've seen many this kind of movies, like about disabled peole, but that film is different. Normally, disabled movies contain a charity by disabled characters and it tries to make audience cry. They are also good, but I'm not as moved as the movie which describes a beautiful love story between a young girl and boy. 

Saturday

I went to see the movie called "Terminater" with my best friends.

It is one fo my favorite movie, so I looked forward to watching it.

before seeing the movie, we had lunch in queens plaza.

i ordered japanese fried rice (it was completely different from japanses one, to be precise), only because of the cheapness.

the taste was not good, so my friend and i was dissapointed about it.

on contrast, however, the movie was more fantastic than i expected.

i hope i can see it again.

Movie Times

I went to see a movie called "Inside out" with friend. Before i went there, I study a little bit for IELTS, although I already finished the first one. I can't believe that I've gotten 6.5 in that test, because my speaking (also other things)was terrible. However I still can't ignore a little possibility which i was succeeded. 

At 5:20, the movie time has started. The content was very well done, which was not only funny but described the human mind very well.(I always consider everything serious, even if it is too ridiculous to think of it. ) I reckon it should interest both children and adults. 

Come to think of it, ive never seen movies since coming here.  I think I should see more movie, because my dream job is a translator who help people to understand such fantastic movie which should be popular. 

Studying

Today and yesterday are holiday, so I have lots of time to study.
There is no time to waste.  I need to develop my English step by step.

It seems that getting 6.5 is more difficult than Ive expected.
It requires high skills...

As long as studying, I came close to sleeping sometimes, because of lack of sleep last night.  But fiends around me are more hardworking than me.

on the other day, I asked to my mother to take photos of my textbook that I left behind in Japan.  The books helped me in many ways when I was a high school student. Im expecting it helps me again.

Also, I use Biohazard, which is a game made in CAPCOM, as a material of studying.  I can hear many interesting expression which I find it natural in it.

My Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday.
I became 20 years old, which is a special age in Japan.
People aged 20 are allowed to smoke, drink and vote and moreover, are responsible for their behaviour. They are seen as one adult.

I should have responsibilities for everythings which I do.
And I'm looking forward to drinking with friends! :)



After studying at library in UQ, I ate out with friends.
The shop which I went to was NONBEI, which is a Japanese restaurant.
I ate many dishes such as yakiniku, fired chiken and whatever.
They were so delicious, and I felt at home.
And  I drunk Supporo beer. It was so good.

And there, my friends had a surprise for me.
After finishing to eat, the light turned off, and many clerks came to me with a birthday ice cream litting a candle.
I was very surprised and happy. I've never done such thing before. It was the first surprise in my life.

After that, I went to Starbacks. One fo my friends gave me a treat. I was sooo happy!!

I Can

Today's teacher was Luiz who is kind and always takes attention to every students.

I studied every skills today, Writing, Speaking, Listening and Reading.
The most difficult thing for me is Speaking, so I tried to speak as much as possible.

After class, in usual, I practiced Speaking with other Kansai University students, such as Tabako, and Ueda.  We gather in a classroom and discuss some topics. Firstly, some casual things for example, who our class is or what we ate in the lunch and whatever.  Afterward, we argue formal topics such as current economic trend and today's topic was "To what extent can people be afforded to buy luxury things?"(I do not remember it exactly.)  It was too difficult for to understand the question and answer it, but I tried to explain my opinion as much as I can.  After the practice had finished, I felt very tired....

But it is the effective way to improve my speaking and have higher bands in IELTS Speaking test. The 6.5 which I aim for is very difficult and almost impossible I guess. But I'll go for it to change it into possible.

The First Day in The Second Session

Today was the first day in this session.

I've taken EAP I Orange and my main teacher is Pam Asai, who was my teacher in the last session in level 4.

In order to to take classes in the UQ, I need to get 6.5 in IELTS, which is too difficulty for me to accomplish by preparing for a short time.

On 3rd May, I went to the Sea World with firends.
There were many attractions such as roller coaster or whatever.
I also saw a lot of animals living in sea.  The animal I liked most was a Polar Bear.  He was very very big and pretty and also so dirty that it more like yellow bear.

I had a nice day in that place.

Sydney 2

Yesterday was the last day of my trip at Sydney. 

I woke up at 8am, and checked out the lodge.

The lodge was nice and I could talk with a roommate, Maria. 

She works at the place living there, and recommended many places which I should visit. I hope I'll stay there again when i come back. 

On the final day, the place where i went was Royal Botanic Garden near the Opera House. The place was nice area and full of many plants and flowers. It was the best place to visit with a partner. I hope that Next time!

After that, I visit Art Gallery of South Wales, which was famous and a lot of tourists came there. I really impressed by a certain picture, but I didn't take a photo, because it might not be permitted ...maybe. Anyway, I enjoyed the place. I was a little of bit tired though. 

Where i went next was Darling Harbour.  It included a zoo, aquarium, theater etc. it was the well-known place. However, i didn't cost money to buy tickets for them, so I just looked around by foot. 

And then, my trip has finished and I'm now writing this daily on airplane. I'll be the Brisbane Airport in a few minutes. 

The trip was good experience for me, because i did a lot of new things ( I've never board a plane by my self!).  Anyway, I'll prepare for explaining this experience to my friends and families in English!

Sydney

During this session break, I am at Sydney now. 

It's the first time to travel by my self. And top of that, I've never traveled foreign countries before. So it's not strange that I will be nervous. 

But, in fact, I am really enjoying ( I was a little nervous on the first day though lol). I've learned I need to challenge all the time and I guess It's meaningful trip for me.... I'll keep going it. 

I have no plan for this trip, and visted many places where I wanted to go at that time. E.g. Opera House, Harbour Bridge and so on. 

It ws amazing and made me take a lot od pictures with my cheap camera.

Tomorrow is the last day. I was recommended to go a garden and art gallery near Opera House by Maria, who works at the lodge I'm staying now, so I'm going there. 

Ordinary Day

Today was a holiday.
ICTE students usually have a 10 days holiday after one session which lasts 10 weeks.

I woke up at 9.30 and got out at 10.30 to get on 425 bus.

The first thing I did in the UQ was having my hair cut.
It was the first time to have a hair cut, so I had difficulty in explain how I wanted to have my hair cut.


After that, for an hour, I worked out, maily weight training.
In the gym, I met my friend, Juri by accident.

And then, I went to Learning center in ICTE to study.
I also met Mao and Ryuichiro and went home together. 

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

I went to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary which is so well-known in the world many famous people have visited there, for example Roger Federer.

I arrived there at 12.07.  I was going to go there at 11.07, but the bus I wanted to get on was full and I couldn't. I was very sorry for kept friends waiting.

It was amazing! I saw various animals and touched some of them.  There were many kangaroos and wallabies, which was very, very cute.  They were lovely and friendly and allowed me to take photes next to them.

What I looked forward to was taking pictures with holding a koala.  I've never seen it before, so I was very excited, but I tried to hold carefully and smile when being taken.

I hope I'll go again!

Test Day

Today I had three tests, Listening, Reasing and Writing. 

The first one was Listening, which was not easy for me. Maybe my score will be 6/10. 

On contrast, however, the others were very easy. I'm confident that I'll have almost full score. 

After tests, ICTE held BBQ, so I could eat  a lot for free! It was delicious!

Until we started to play tennis, I and some Japanese friends practice Speaking teat for IELTS.   Today's weather was so hot I had a lot of sweat while playing tennis. I became feel tired. 

Complain and Writing

Today's class was about complain.
I studied how I express when I have to complain about something.

Afternoon class was IELTS class, which was about Writing.
I learned some tips for Task 2 and analysis model of Task 1.

After class, I asked my teacher to check my writing when I try.
She willingly accepted my offer, so I'll do many tasks.

On Sunday, I'm going to go the Lone Pine with friends.
I want to touch kangaroos and hold koalas.
My host mother gave me some feedings.

Today is Thursday, so Indooroopilly opened until 9pm.
I bought one sweat and T shirt and some gum drops.

Improve Listening and Reading

In today's class, I did some listening questions. It was so hard, because the speakers speak so fast.

But I need to understand what they say, for IELTS and daily life.

Afternoon, I did reading as well.  It was also difficult, so made me struggle...

After class, I studied in the library for an hour, and went to gym.

Aim 7.0 in IELTS

Today's theme was "Memory".
I studied how I can memorize effectively and dicussed that.

I recieved an essay I wrote as my homework, which was rated higher.
My teacher said to me "It was a really high level essay, well done."

I was really happy and confident for my writing skill.

However, another essay wasn't as good as the essay.
This essay was more difficult and confusing, so I need to practice this type many times.

After class, at 5,30pm, I took an IELTS class, which was for candidates who aim for 7.0 or higher score. Actually I don't need such high score, but it's good way to aim higher score than one I want, because I can be motivated.

Speaking Test

I had the speaking test today. 

My teacher asked me to talk about something for eight minutes.

My topic was "Arrangement".  I taked about what my last arrangement was, what kind of arrangement I would have if I had $100,000 or whatever.

I have difficulty speaking, so the exam was so hard.  Perhaps it might be low score....

The teacher told me that I need to speak more fluently, expand my vocabulary and above all speak more. (I've known that already!)



I am thiking to change host family, and I've been asking the accomodation office to find another family and almost three weeks have passed since I asked.  However, they didn't find it, in fact, they told me that I need to wait by next months!

I feel upset. I want to change this surroundings ASAP!

Swimming and Basketball

Today was holiday. I went to a pool in UQ.

I like to swim, but sometimes don't, because it need a lot of energy. I always feel exhausted after swimming.

After that, I went to the library to do my homework.




After studying, I went to basket courts to play.  But there were other people playing, so I joined them and played together. It was fun!


Four weeks have passed since I came here.  I have become accustomed at last, I still miss Japan sometimes though.

Free Sports Day

Today's theme was "cooking". I learned a lot of expressions of cooking and name of equipments.

Friday is the best day in weekdays, because I have only two classes and can play sports for free!



After class, I had lunch and played tennis with friends.

Today's lunch was instant noodle I bought in Indooroopilly.
It was relatively cheap, but was tasty and spicy (I love spicy foods!).


Tennis was very fun. I played with many friends, more than 10 people. I felt really refleshed.

Appearance

I woke up at 7.15. I overslept a little this morning.

I made my lunch quickly and I got on 425 bus which is bound for indooroopilly.
and changed busses in inddoroopilly station.

The today`s theme was "appearance".
It was how we decide what a person is with his apprearance.

In IELTS class, I studied task 1 in writing. Task 1 is relatively easy, but task 2 is difficult for me. I need to study!!

After class, I and my friends are going to play basketball, however there were other people playing in courts, so we couldn't.

Tomorrow, I'm going to play tennis with many friends. It will be fun!

Profile Picture

Today, I woke up at 7.10

As usual, I made sandwiches for lunch. It costs much money to buy lunch everyday, so I do so almost daily. 


 The theme of class was "Profile Picture."  We discussed how profile pictures are associated with our minds.


Classes are interesting, but also easy.  I always wonder if the classes are useful for me.  I want to study more tricks for IELTS.  

In June, I am going to take the exam, which is necessary for course 2: class of department in UQ and internship.



After class, I went to gym in UQ, where I train three times a week.

Making a habit of working out is one of my goals of this study abroad.

The Begining of My Blog

Today, I started my blog.


I dislike to keep a diary, but that's the good way to improve my English...

Three weeks have passed since I arrived in Brisbane.

This weeks were so hard that I was always stressed and nervous.

I needed to make friends, save money (everything in Australia is expensive! One lunch costs about $10! Unbelievable!!), or whatever.



I still miss my family, friends and everything in Japan...