Book Review 2-12 “The Lost City of Machu Picchu”

Today, I read a book about Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is wonderful ancient city. It is nearly 8000 feet up in the Andes Mountains of Peru.

In this book, there is not only the introduction of Machu Picchu. The thoughts of people who live near Machu Picchu were also written. Recently, many tourists visit the city to go and watch Machu Picchu. The tourists spend money and enrich the city. But on the other hand some tourists apprehensive of the environmental destruction. The problem is what both of them can understand reasons each other. But most people think that Machu Picchu must be exposed for all visitors because Machu Picchu is a worldwide heritage in genetral.

I was interested in mysterious Machu Picchu and the city. If I visit tourist attractions, I must think about the future of the heritage. And I want to go to Machu Picchu absolutely someday.

Reference

Rob, W. (2008). The Lost City of Machu Picchu. Melbourne: Thomson Learning Australia.

[173 words]

Book Review 2-11 “DAMS”

I read this book “DAMS”. I have been interested in dams. I read this book, and I could know many things about dams.


First, I knew that there are many kinds of dams. They are arch dams, buttress dams, embankment dams and gravity dams. These four dams have each features, and these roles are different too. Arch dams are curved. Arched dams are built in rocky areas. Arched dams are thin. But they help hold back the water strongly. So they don’t use much concrete to build. Buttress dams have supports on one side to help make them strong. These supports are called buttresses. They help hold back the water strongly. Embankment dams are huge. They are made of earth and rock. They are like big lakes. Gravity dams are huge and heavy dams. They are made of earth, rocks and concrete. Gravity dams use lots of concrete, earth and rocks. So they are expensive to build. They are very heavy, but the weight supports the water strongly.


Things and architectures that have artificial shapes are so interesting for me. For example tanks, tetrapods and dams. But dams are especially huge in them. I have ever been and watch to a dam in Kumamoto. At that time, I was surprised at the huge lump of concrete. The lump is fascinating for me. I think that dams are like a symbol of human’s power. Dams go against natural power of water. And we can watch the wisdom and technique of human being. I think that dams are wonderful things.

Reference
Alan, T. (2007). DAMS. Melbourne: Thomson Learning Australia.

[271 words]

November 28

I went to KK Wing to watch a soccer game with my mother and cousins yesterday. I watched a home game of Roasso Kumamoto. Roasso is football club in Kumamoto. I have a kinswoman who belongs to Roasso FC and teach soccer to children. We got invited to yesterday’s game by her. I usually don’t go to watch sports. So I was excited.
Before the game started, we enjoyed eating. There were many street stalls around the stadium. I bought French fries, a crepe and a beverage. I satisfied many foods.
But I also satisfied the game. Roasso won the game 3-0. I could watch the moments of goal, because I was watching near the goal post. Supporters were growing livelier with red collored wears and flogs. I was surprised at the big cheerings.
I enjoyed the game itself and eating. I think that eating hot foods in cold is nice. And watching sports is so good. I want to go to watch soccer again.

[167 words]

Book Review 2-10 “Don’t Believe YOUR EYES!”

In this book, a town in Italy is introduced. The town is a small town that has port and called Camogli. There are many colorful houses. I didn’t know that why this title was named this. As far as I watch the picture, I think there are colorful houses simply. But in the houses, many tricks are hided. If you look carefully at the houses, you will see the tricks. We can see many windows, ornaments of window and flowers in the walls of houses. But they aren’t real. People there paint in a special style called ‘trompe l’oeil.’ Many windows, ornaments of window and flowers are painted by ‘trompe l’oeil’artists in walls. The paints were drawn for fishermen in the town. It is because that fishermen can discern their houses from ships in port. I was surprised when I knew the really purpose. It is practical purpose. But in fact, the paints are so beautiful. I also knew that artists of trompe l’oeil are decreasing year after year. I think that trompe l’oeil is traditional culture. I want the culture to be preserved. And I want to go there and see them someday.

[213 words]

Reference
Rob, W. (2008). Don’t Believe YOUR EYES!. Melbourne: Thomson Learning Australia.

Book Review 2-09 “Galileo Galilei And The Beginning Of Modern Science”

I read the Galileo Galilei And The Beginning Of Modern Science. In this book, career of Galileo Galilei is introduced. I had known only his name. I was surprised when I knew his career.

Galileo Galilei was born in Italy in the 16th century. I think he was so clever person. It is because he was an astronomer and physicist. He was the first person who used a telescope to see many of the planets and stars, and he discovered many important facts about astronomy. He accomplished many feats. But he got the death punishment and died. I could not understand at first. Why was he gotten the death punishment though he accomplished many feats?

It is because he dispersed an idea. The idea was contrary to the Christ’s teaching. He thought that the earth isn’t the center of the space and it moves in the space, that is to say the heliocentric system. In that time, people were thinking that the earth is the center of the space and all things go round the earth. The thought was based on belief in God. It was implicit truth. In that age, Galilei make the idea public. Naturally he was gotten the accusation. Churches urged him to give up the idea. But he continued the study. He was accused again and gotten the death penalty.

I think that his idea is great invention in history. He knew the truth, but he wasn’t accepted by then people. Religion and belief affected thought of people. And people won’t leave for outside of the thought. His idea was in advance of the times. He died unhappily, but I think the existence of him was essential for present people.

[311 words]

Reference
Carmel, R. (2007). GALILEO GALILEI AND THE BEGINNING OF MODERN SCIENCE. Melbourne: Thomson Learning Australia.

Typing 2nd -9 "Motto"

My motto is “uitenpen-yo-no-narai”(有為転変世の習い). This motto calls “All worldly things are transitory” in English. I often think about a notion of time. I can’t believe that I become an adult when I was a child. But I became an adult without notice. I tend to live lazily from my childhood. When I was an elementary school student, it took me one hour to have a breakfast and two hours to have a dinner. I always was scolded by my mother. I know what I am a bum. So I have to effort to live better. All things are transitory. If I relax anytime, I will have gotten old. Time does not wait for me. I want to treasure each moments.

[129 words]

Essay 2-02b: Encounter with Languages

I think that learning language is difficult, especially foreign languages. Foreign languages differ widely from mother tongue in spoken language and written language. But mother tongue is also difficult. I think that speaking and writing decency is lifelong learning. Now, I will introduce my language learning experience. I have studied Japanese, Spanish and English.


First, I’ll tell you about my Japanese learning experience. Japanese is my mother tongue. I have heard Japanese since I was a baby. So I can speak and write it. Before I went to an elementary school, I learned “hiragana” and “katakana” from my mother. I liked reading picture books in my childhood. I have an elder sister. I wanted to read correctly like my sister, so I memorized with all my might. I like to watch “hiragana”. Hiragana has many curves. And I think that the shapes are so unique. In elementary school, I learned “kanji” at the first time. The impressive thing is the writing order of “kanji”. I learned from my teacher that we can write beautifully if we write the correct order of kanji. And I often read aloud. I read to parents every day, and my parents paint a graph of reading every day. I was happy in that time.


In junior high school, I learned Japanese classics at the first time. And, we recited them in my school. Recitation is difficult for me. But I owe it to the recitation that I remember famous phrases of Japanese classic. In high school, I study them deeply. I read many writing for examination. So I disliked reading at that time. But now, I enjoy Japanese. I like reading books very much. Once I begin to read, I can’t stop. So I often bring books into bathroom. When I read a book in a bathtub, I am so happy. Japanese is profound. I think my favorite kanguage is Japanese.


Second, I’ll tell you about my Spanish learning. I studied Spanish last year. I chose it as a second foreign language in university. I was interested in studying Spanish, because I liked Brazilian music. Brazilian music is sung in Portuguese. I knew Portuguese is alike Spanish. My favorite point of Spanish is the pronunciation. Spanish is difficult, but when I listen to the speaking and singing, I feel comfort. I have known Brazilian music since I was a junior high school student. I have a favorite Brazilian musician. He is Antônio Carlos Jobim and Caetano Veloso.


I think that Spanish has unique rhythms and sounds. I cannot take Spanish class this year due to other classes, but I want to study deeper and speak well, so I’m going to take Spanish class next year, and I want to go to Spain and Portugal someday.


Third, I’ll tell you about my English learning. I began to study English from a junior high school student. At first, I studied Alphabets. I found my then English note the other day. It seems easy, but I studied hard at that time. In high school, I studied for an examination. I memorized hardly many words. And I practiced reading English sentences speedy. I enjoyed studying with favorite textbooks. After I entered Kumamoto Gakuen University, I enjoy studying English more. It is because I can study English freely in University. I made this blog, and I write about many events. I can write officially home works and privately events in this blog. So I can enjoy in freely mind.


And I have four classes this year. They are Writing, Reading, Speaking and Listening. I like Writing and Reading. I especially like writing class the best. I like writing my diaries and essays in my blog, and I am poor at Speaking and Listening. In Japanese, I’m poor to speaking and listening. For example, I dislike speeches and memorizing after listening. On the other hand, I usually like reading books and writing compositions and essays. I think I have awareness of weak points about speaking and listening in all languages. I want to stop the awareness. If I stop the awareness, I can study English actively. English is so difficult for me. I cannot speak English well. I want to study English hard.


And I also want to challenge new language. I want to study Italian. It is because I like classical music and arts. The origin of classical music and arts is in Italian. So I study it.


I already explained my language learning. I have been studying Japanese for 20 years, and studied English for 9 years. Setting Spanish aside, I have been studying for long time in my life. In spite of that fact, I'm not good at Japanese and English. For example, I cannot speak Japanese honorific words and fluent English. I think afresh that learning language is difficult and lifelong learning. I want to have many interesting things, and I study in my whole life.

[819 words]

November 16. Macarons!

They are macarons. This macarons are made by my mother. Today, she went to a class of making sweets at a confectionery. I like macarons. The outside of macarons tastes very crispy. But the inside of them is very soft and moist. The greatest feature of macarons is the color. Macarons are so colorful. Pink is taste of strawberry. Green is taste of pistachio. Brown is taste of chocolate. The colors of today are their 3 colors, but other colors of macarons exist infinitely. And today’s macarons are with fresh cream and some fruits. I haven’t eaten such macarons. The shape is a little ugly with handmade, but their taste was very good. I want to make macarons on my own someday.

[123 words]

Book Review 2-08 “GETTING THE PICTURE”

In this book, the history of photography is introduced. I thought that the word of “photography” is new word in human history. It is because photography does not exist in the old days. But in fact, the notion of “photography” exists from old days. The word “photography” means “to draw with light”. It comes from two words of Greek. Photos means light. And graphe means “to write or draw".


The origin of camera is a dark room with a hole. A small hole was drilled at a wall in a square room. And light which flooded from the hole projected the outside view on the opposite wall. After some age, the rooms became small portable boxes. A lens was put in place of the hole. Light which flooded was projected at paper. It was used by artists for sketch. The box was improved.

In 1839, the world’s first photograph was taken by Joseph Nicephore Niepce. He took 8 hours to take the photograph. In 1990s, more people started taking photos. But cameras are so expensive in the time.

Recently, people take photograph with digital cameras. Digital cameras became popular quickly. Most people take photos with them rather than with film cameras. Digital cameras are small and easy to use. And we can watch the photos before we print them. I take “puri-kura” at times. I can take a picture with it, draw some illustrations and words, and get the picture as a sticker. I think it is natural behavior. But it is wonderful camera of civilization. I knew the history of photograph. And I think I receive benefit from wisdom of ancestors.

[291 words]

Reference
Carmel, R. (2008). GETTING THE PICTURE. Melbourne: Thomson Learning Australia.

Book Review 2-07 “MAGNET”

I read this book “MAGNET”. In this book, many things are written about magnets. I like magnets. I often played with magnets when I was a child. I gathered iron sand around my house and a park. I had some questions about magnets from that time. And I could know them after I read this book.


Magnets always have the North pole and the South pole. They attract each other. I have already known it. But I didn’t know why they attract each other and attract. All things in the world have magnetic force. The magnetic forces usually turn on random directions. But the force of magnets turns on same direction. So magnets attract each
other.


The history of magnets is also introduced in this book. From the old days, the fact that there are stones attract irons was known by many people. The magnets are natural magnets. In the year about 1000, sailor used magnets for the sake of knowing direction. Today, magnets are used for various purposes. For example, the beginner’s mark of
drivers, speaker, motor and disposal of rubbish etc. There are many other ways use magnets. I didn’t know that magnets are used at waste treatment centers. Magnets are used when rubbishes were classified metals and others in there. I am becoming happy while I research about magnets. So I will introduce about magnets.


The earth is a big magnet. The earth has the North pole and the South pole. I had a question. Why the earth has two poles? It is because the inner of the earth is pulp. There are matters that be melted by high heat. And the matters are turned by rotation. The revolution is the same condition as electromagnet.


I will introduce about magnet at hand. Vegetables and fruits become sweeter after they approximate to magnets. Magnetic force affects vegetable and fruits. And Japanese bills are attracted by magnet. It is because their ink has magnetic force. This helps prevention of crime.

As you can see, magnets are essential things for us. I usually don't think about magnet. But I use magnets without knowing. I think that magnet is profound and interesting things.


Reference
Nicolas, B. (2007). MAGNETS. Melbourne: Thomson Learning Australia.

[375 words]

Typing 2nd -8"Place"

I have many favorite places. Now, I will introduce about places of my boom.

They are deserts. But I haven’t been there. I like to watch pictures of deserts recently. I thought that they are places which have many sand and there are camels. But in fact, deserts which have only sand are about 20 percents of deserts all over the world. Other deserts have clays, stones and rocks. But I like deserts that have only sand the best. The view of deserts is changing every time. It is because sand is flown by wind. And sand makes beautiful dunes and patterns.

I want to go to deserts someday. And I want to see an orange-colored sand dune in purple evening.

[121 words]

Typing 2nd -7 "Shoes"

I have nice shoes. They are like Japanese “Tabi（足袋）”. The color is black. And they were drawn white numerals at random. The surface is thick cloth. The cloth continues to the ankle. But the shoes don’t have shoestrings. Instead, Japanese “Tabi” has exclusive pins at the back of ankle. I don’t have to tie shoestrings every time. I just have to pin up.


I bought them at a shop on Internet. The main shop of the shoes is in Kyoto. The shop’s name is “sou-sou”. The shop sells Japanese goods and clothes etc. I like the shoes very much, because they are unique and useful. I like Japanese tradition and modern design of my shoes.

[120 words]