Saturday, December 31, 2011

We Were Awed by the Amazing Scenary!

We woke up at 6 a.m. today. We had some bread and donuts as breakfast at the motel. Then, we went to Sedona and Grand Canyon National Park. It was my second times to go there. We were awed by the amazing scenary, and it was wonderful.

Now, we are in Kingman AZ.
I was glad that Internet access was strong in this hotel. :) Yay!

We are going to Las Vegas tomorrow.





 Today's Vocabulary
・ be awed by : ~に感動した ( Pronunciation is aw )

Friday, December 30, 2011

Unstable Internet Access :(

After long drive, we finally got to a motel in Flagstaff.
The motel was clean. I was glad to stay here because the stay was about $ 50 per night with three persons. That's incredible!
But only problem was unstable Internet access. :(
That's big problem for me...

Tomorrow, we are going to Grand Canyon!





 Today's Vocabulary
・ the stay is about $_  per night with : 宿泊費は○人で一泊_ドル

Thursday, December 29, 2011

We Shared Our Old Memories!

My friend and I went sightseeing around LA. Before going there, I was nervous because I was not familiar with driving in LA. It is usually heavy traffic and sometimes complicated to navigate there. But it was OK! That's because I got used to my GPS in the past three years. I'd like to say thanks to my GPS.

We enjoyed talking while doing sightseeing and driving. My friend and I used to work at same hospital in Japan for four years. We shared our old memories and enjoyed!

Tomorrow, my friend, my husband and I are going to Flagstaff to go to Grand Canyon on the next day. It would be a long drive.

I'm going to start preparing for the road trip now.





 Today's Vocabulary
・ in the past _ years : 過去_年間に
・ share old memories : 思い出を分かち合う

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

It's Been a Long Time Since I Met Her in Japan.

My friend's flight schedule has changed. She doesn't know why.
Anyway, I'm going to leave my home to pick her up two hours earlier than I expected.

I'm going to see her for the first time in four years.

Oh, it's time to go to the airport now!





 Today's Vocabulary
・ for the first time in _ years : 何年ぶりに
  ex) We're going to meet each other for the first time in two years.
  ex) The Japanese team won the world cup for the first time in 45 years.
・ for the first time in years : 数年ぶりに
・ for the first time in a few years : 数年ぶりに

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Collecting Information for Our Vacation

My friend who is my former coworker and has been studying in Canada since September is coming to visit  tomorrow. She is going to stay here for 9 days.

Last night, I was collecting information on our vacation. I searched for good restaurants and sightseeing locations near the hotel, along with travel time and prices.
When I finished it, it was 3:30 a.m.

Today, I prepared daily essential needs that I'm going to give to her.

Tomorrow, I'm going to pick her up at the airport.





 Today's Vocabulary
・ collect information on : ~に関する情報収集する
・ sightseeing : noun / adjective 観光
・ go sightseeing : 観光に出かける
・ along with : ~と一緒に、~と並行して
・ travel time : 移動時間
  ex) travel time to work : 通勤時間
  ex) The new system reduces the travel time between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka stations.
  ex) The travel time depends on traffic. 移動時間は道路状況による。
 ・ daily essentials : 生活必需品

Monday, December 26, 2011

Window-Shopping at Macy's

I went to Macy's because I had a coupon. The mall was very crowded. That's because many stores were having after Christmas sale. So, it was difficult to find a parking space. I didn't decided what I was going to buy. First, I looked at boots and tried them on. Some of them were 50 % off, but I remembered I had already bought my boots earlier this year. So, I decided not to buy them. Then, I looked at watches. I found adorable watches, but I didn't buy any because they were not on sale. In the end, I didn't buy anything, but I really enjoyed window-shopping today.





 Today's Vocabulary
・ in the end : 結局、ついに
  ex) In the end it's personality. つまるところは人間性です。
  ex) In the end, however, it's all up to yourself. でも、結局は自分次第だと思います。

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Costco Battery

My husband and I went to Costco to buy a car battery yesterday. We asked a technician which batteries is for our car. We bought it for $66.99.

I think Costco provides the best value and good warranty for batteries.

Today, my husband  replaced old battery with new one.
Now, we are ready to go on a road trip for end of this year!





 Today's Vocabulary
・ technician : noun / 技術者、専門家
・ mechanic : noun / 整備士
・ replace ~ with - : ~を-と交換する、-が~の後任に就く
  ex) We replaced our old computer with a latest brand-new one.
・ go on a road trip : 車で旅行する

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Free Coffee at Peet's Coffee & Tea

Last night, I went to bed earlier than usual. So, I woke up early in the morning today.

This morning, I went to hospital because I had an apointment for blood testing. It took about 15 minutes for everything. I was so surprized because when I lived in Japan, I had to wait for 1 to 3 hours at the hospital even when I had an appintment. I thought Japanese health service fee was unbelievably low compared to the U.S. That's why many people in Japan visit a doctor even when they don't really need to. Hospitals in Japan are always crowded!

Afterward, I went to Peet's Coffee & Tea.
I got a large cup of coffee for free there! Yay!
I expected the free coffee to be a small size, I was able to choose any size.
That's incredible!

These day, I've seen some people who are wearing Santa Claus costume any where.
People have been so friendly because of Christmas these days.
I think Christmas season is one of the most special times in the U.S.





 Today's Vocabulary
・ blood testing / blood test / blood screening / blood examination : 血液検査
・ blood-test : verb / 血液検査をする
・ unbelievably : adverb / 信じられないほど
・ incredible : adjective / すごい、とてつもない、途方もない
  ex) That's incredible! すごいね!
  ex) What an incredible house! なんて素晴らしい家なんだろう。
  ex) He won an incredible amount of money in the lottery. 彼は宝くじで途方もない額のお金を得た。
・ incredibly : adverb / ものすごく、たっぷりと、途方もなく、
・ compared to : 比較して、比べて
  ex) She is very meek compared to her noisy older sister.  彼女はやかましい姉に比べてとてもおとなしい。

Friday, December 23, 2011

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Japanese Curry

I cooked Japanese curry for dinner.
It's very easy to cook.
When you cook it, you need Japanese curry sause blocks like this. You can find it at most Asian supermarkets.
I took it for a potluck party at ESL school two years ago. I was surprised that teachers, who are American, really liked it. 

If you have never eaten it, you really should try it.




    This is my entries related to my favorite recipe.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/recipes

      This is my entries related to cooking.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/cooking  

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Heroes

I've been watching Heroes these day.
There were two actors who played roles as Japanese characters.
When I first watched Heroes, I thought these actors played unordinary Japanese.

I thought Hiro Nakamura, who was played by Mashi Oka, behaved and spoke like a child. I have never seen a businessman who yells "Yatta-!" out in the streets.



Ando Masahashi, who was played by James Kyson Lee, speaks Japanese fluently, but I noticed immediately that he is not a native Japanese speaker. His role is a Japanese character, but irony is that he is Korean. I was very surprised to find out that he was born in Korea and grew up in New York. He only learned Japanese for a semester in college. How does he speak Japanese so fluently?



Japanese characters in Heroes are not your typical Japanese people, but that makes the drama more entertaining.







 Today's Vocabulary
・ play a role : 役を演じる
・ out in the streets : 街中で
・ irony : noun / 皮肉
  ex) The irony is that since Ichiro joined the Major Leagues, we have been able to see his progress. 皮肉にも、私達はイチローがメジャーリーグに行ってから彼の活躍が見られるようになったのです。
・ entertaining : adjective / 楽しませる
  ex) This game is not only entertaining but also educational. このゲームは面白いだけでなく、教育的です。

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Stuffed Bell Pepper and Tsukune Soup

I cooked stuffed bell pepper for dinner.
stuffed bell pepper

When I cooked it, I minced too much chicken meat. So I decided to make another meal by using the remainder.
I made Tsukune soup, which is Japanese chicken meatball soup.
Tsukune soup

These both tasted good!




stuffed bell pepper

ingredients
1/2 minced onion
2 bell peppers (cut a bell pepper in half)
1/2 pound of minced chicken
a little salt and black pepper
2 teaspoons of consomme powder
2 tablespoons of olive oil
100 cc of water
4 tablespoons of grated cheese

1. Mix onion, minced chicken, salt, black pepper and consomme powder.

2. Fill bell peppers with the mixture from step 1.

3. Heat olive oil in pan over high heat. Fry the bell pepper filled side down until browned.
    Then, turn them over and pour water into pan. Cover and turn down the heat.

4. Fry until meat is cooked. Then, turn off the heat and cover meat with cheese. Keep the lid covered until cheese has melted.

5. Put basil leaves on them if you like.
    Enjoy.



      This is my entries related to my favorite recipe.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/recipes

      This is my entries related to cooking.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/cooking


 Today's Vocabulary
・ mince : verb / ミンチにする、細かく刻む
  ex) Mince an onion. 玉葱をみじん切りにする。
・ remainder : 残り、余り
  ex) He is canceling the reminder of this trip. 彼は残りの旅行日程はキャンセルします。
・ cut ~ in half : ~を半分に切る
・ grate : verb / 摩り下ろす ( Pronunciation is gre'it )
      ex) grated cheese : 粉チーズ、摩り下ろしたチーズ ( Pronunciation is jee-rey-tid )
            grated lemon peel : 摩り下ろしたレモンの皮
・ heat ~ over high heat : 強火で~を熱する
      ex)   over low heat : 弱火で
              over medium heat : 中火で
・ ~ side down : ~面を下にして
      ex) butter side down : バターを塗った面を下にして
            sunny-side down : 黄身の側を下にした(両面焼きの目玉焼き)
            seam-side down : 閉じ目を下にして ( seam : noun / 縫い目、綴じ目 Pronunciation is si'ːm )
・ turn over : phrasal verb / ひっくり返す
・ until ~ is cooked : ~に火が通るまで
      ex) until meat is cooked 肉に火が通るまで
            until fish is cooked 魚に火が通るまで
            until both sides look cooked 両面に焼き目がつくまで
・ cover - with ~ : ~で-を覆う
      ex) cover meat with cheese チーズで肉を覆う
            cover - with a plastic wrap -にラップをかける
            cover - with the lid  -に蓋をする

Monday, December 19, 2011

How to Make Lotion

I periodically make my moisturizing lotion by myself.

I used to buy moisturizing lotion in Japan, but I couldn't find the kind of lotion that I like. Lotions here are rather different than the ones in Japan.
When I came here I initially bought Japanese lotions at Japanese supermarket. It's about three times more expensive than buying it in Japan. Then, I found out that some Japanese people in the U.S. make lotions on their own because of similar reasons.

I have been using lotions that I made for almost two years. Before I tried it out, I couldn't imagine making my own lotion. However, I think my lotions are the best that I've ever used. These are completely free from preservatives, so these are very good for skin.


How to make lotion (55ml)

Ingredients
25 ml of purified water
25 ml of pure aloe vera juice
5 ml of vegetable  based glycerin
small empty bottle/container
Alcohol (70% Isopropyl)

1.  Run small alcohol through the bottle to sterilize.
     Once you have thoroughly applied alcohol in the bottle, drain out the alcohol.

2.  Put purified water, pure aloe vera juice and vegetable glycerin into bottle.
     Then, shake it gently.

3.  It's now finished. Enjoy.
     After washing your face, apply small amount of it on your face. Then, reapply it two or three times.
     Then, apply milky lotion.
     Keep your lotion which you made refrigerated and use it within about two weeks.

Make sure, the lotion is free from preservatives.  When you make the lotion, your hand should be clean. Do not touch the mouth of the bottle when applying and instead pouring it onto your hands. Keep rest of purified water and aloe vera in refrigerator.





 Today's Vocabulary
・ rather : adverb / かなり
・ initially : adverb / 当初は、初め(に)は、
・ on one's own :  自力で、自活で
   ex) It's better for me to be on my own. 私は独りで過ごす方がいい。
     Now, you're on your own. Have fun! さあ、ここからは自力で頑張ってね。
・ preservative : noun / 防腐剤、保存料 (Pronunciation is prizə'ːrvətiv )
・ free from preservatives : 保存料を含まない
・ ingredient : noun / 材料、原料 (Pronunciation is ingri'ːdiənt )
・ purified : adjective / 精製 (Pronunciation is pyoor-uh-fahy )
・ run through : phrasal verb / ~で流す
・ sterilize : verb / 殺菌する、消毒する (Pronunciation is ste'rəla`iz )
・ mouth of the bottle : ボトルの口

Sunday, December 18, 2011

My Sister Has Gotten Holiday Present

I got e-mail from my sister.
She said she had received the package I sent her.

It only took 4 days from the U.S. to Japan.
Anyway I'm glad it arrived before Christmas.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Comparison for Prices

I gave my friend a ride to Toyota.
I found the board of comparison for prices there.

I had thought the service of car dealer was always expensive, but I knew sometimes that's not true.
It's very helpful to know the prices.





 Today's Vocabulary
・comparison : noun / 比較 (pronounciation is kəmpæ'risn)
 ex) Attached is comparison of freight rates. 運賃の比較表を添付しました。
・in comparison with : ~と比べると
 ex) In comparison with China, Japan is a tiny country. 中国と比べると、日本は面積の小さな国である。

Friday, December 16, 2011

Christmas Song

I was listening to Christmas songs today.

When I was in Japan, I often listened to this song anywhere in December.
This is also one of the most frequently played Christmas songs in Japan.



When I lived in Japan, I couldn't understand the lyrics at all.
But now I'm glad I can understand the most of them. I feel like my studying has been paying off little by little.


-Lyrics-
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know

Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas
Is you

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
You baby

I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe

I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeer click
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
You

All the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children's
Laughter fills the air
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa won't you bring me the one I really need
Won't you please bring my baby to me

Oh I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see baby
Standing right outside my door
Oh I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is
You

All I for Christmas is you baby
 





 Today's Vocabulary
・underneath : preposition / ~の(真)下に
   ex) Put your bags underneath the seat.
・ever : adverb / 絶対に

 ex) No one will ever know. 絶対ばれない
   There is no way you could ever know how I feel. あなたに私の気持ちが分かってたまるもんですか!
・more than you'll ever know : とっても、ものすごく
  ex) I regret quitting the job more than you'll ever know. 仕事を辞めた事をものすごく後悔しています。

    This is my entries related to my favorite songs.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/songs

    This is my entries related to my favorite Christmas songs.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/songs%20-%20Christmas




Thursday, December 15, 2011

Naporitan

Three months ago, my friend, who is my former classmate, suggested the meeting for improvement of our English. Then, we started conversation sessions every Thursday. We use textbooks, which we used in class at the time, for our meeting. 
Today was the last meeting for the year.
By the way, my former classmate was so excited in today's meeting because she and her family saw UFO for the first time last week. I was very surprised. She told me that there were five lights in the sky, and they disappeared immediately. I don't know if that was UFO because I've never seen it in my life. :)


Last Tuesday, she gave me some Gimbap and Korean snacks. So, I took some Japanese style pasta, which I cooked last night, to say thanks.
Japanese people call this pasta Naporitan. I really like it.


Naporitan

I hope she'll like it too.


    This is my entries related to my favorite recipe.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/recipes

      This is my entries related to cooking.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/cooking




 Today's Vocabulary
・session : noun / (あるグループが共通の活動を行う)集まり、集会

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

The Last Day of This Semester

Today, I had a final exam. It wasn't as difficult as I expected. I think I did well. :)
This semester, keeping up with my class wasn't very easy because my teacher gave us a lot of assignments and tricky quizzes. He periodically handed out our current grades. And also he said, "Even if you pass this class, if you can not write essays well, you may not move on to the next class. Keep studying hard in this class to go up next level."  Sometimes he pushed us to study very hard, but I like his teaching methods. All the things he did was for the improvement of our English. He was the best teacher ever!

From tomorrow, I'll have a three weeks vacation! Yay!
My friend, who has been ESL student in Canada since September, is coming to the U.S. in December 28th.
I'm looking forward to meeting her.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Korean Snack

Today, I got a call from my Korean friend.
She told me that she made some Gimbap and wanted to give them. At the time, I was at home. So, I was in a hurry to get ready for school to go get them.


The Gimbap was very good just as I expected, and also she gave me some Korean snacks.
I had never seen them before.
Those were biscuits and tasted sweet and salty. I like them!






The taste was almost same as Tohato harvest biscuit, which is made by Japanese company.
Tohato harvest 

Since I was little, I have eaten them. I could buy them for $1 to $1.50 in Japan.


Next time I go to a Korean supermarket, I'll look for the same snack she gave me.





 Today's Vocabulary
・in a hurry : 急いで
・go get : ~を取って(持って)くる
ex) I'll go get you some coffee.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Costco Tire

Yesterday, I went to Costco for my tire rotations.

Last year, I bought my tires there because Costco provides lifetime maintenance services. My four tires, which are Bridgestone, were $323.56. I thought it was a pretty good deal, considering Bridgestone has high quality tires, and Costco provides great services. By the way, my husband bought his tires for $436.66 in June 2010 as well.

Since then, I have taken my car to Costco for tire rotations every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.


When I came to the U.S., I was surprised because I often saw many tire debris and flat tires on the side of highways.

In Japan, people are required by law to periodically take their cars to repair shops or dealers for a check up. If there is a problem, it must be fixed. Otherwise it is illegal to drive that car. We had to follow the law, and I depended on car dealer. Because of that, owning a car costs a lot of money in Japan. But a good thing is I haven't seen flat tires on the highway in Japan.

In the U.S., people are reminded for a periodical smog check, but all the other maintenance are subject to owner's liability. I didn't know much about cars, but I decided that I have to take care of my own car.





Today's Vocabulary
・ provide : verb / (物を)提供する
・ take : verb / (人を場所へ)連れて行く、(物を)搬送する、持ち込む
・ tire debris : タイヤ破片  (debris: dəbri'ː)
・ periodically : adverb / 定期的に
・ periodical : adjective / 定期的な
・ be subject to : ~次第である、~に依存する
・ liability : noun / 責任 ( liability: la`iəbi'ləti)

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Chinese Tea

Last year, I bought Chinese tea which I had never seen before in China town.


But I didn't drink it until today because I didn't know how to brew the tea.
The shape of the tea was unique, and it was rock-hard due to how tightly it was packed.

Finally, I figured it out how to properly serve this tea!
Just brake it by using fork. :) When I searched on the internet, someone broke it by using an ice pick.

The taste was a little bit bitter with a slight mildness, and I thought I've had this taste before.
And I found out that this tea was called Tuocha, which is a kind of Pu-erh tea.
No wonder why I knew this taste. Pu-erh tea was my favorite tea when I was in high school.

I bought this for $2.99 at China town, but I found out that it's sold for $15~$80 in Japan.
Considering the price in Japan, the more I can savor the taste. :)





 Today's Vocabulary
・brew : verb / (お茶やコーヒーなどを)入れる
・rock-hard : adjective / 岩のように固い
・how : いかにして、どのようにして
・properly : adverb / 正しく、適切に
・slight : adjective / ほんのわずかな
・savor : verb / 味わいを楽しむ、~を十分に味わう

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Mexican Food

We went to On The Border, which is a Mexican restaurant, because I had a coupon that I got from Sunday paper before.


tortilla chips & salsa

This salsa was so good, it was really spicy though.


tomatillo chicken


green chile chicken enchiladas


classic chimichanga

While eating, a waitress asked us, "Are you guys still doing okay?"
Everything was good.
We couldn't eat everything, so we took the left overs home.
I'm going to eat them for tomorrow's lunch.

I thought this restaurant was a little pricey but food and service were great!

Friday, December 9, 2011

Escape from Reality

I didn't study English today, I have a final exam next week though.
I just checked what the exam will cover. It really let me down because it's very extensive.
I lost all my will power, but I really should study. :(

Today, I drew a cat like yesterday to escape from reality. hahaha


I think I'm improving my drawing instead of my English.

Okay, I'll start studying now.





 Today's Vocabulary
・What will the exam cover? : 試験範囲はどこでしょうか?
・extensive : adjective / 広範囲に及ぶ、広い
・escape from reality : 現実逃避する

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Christmas Illustrations

Yesterday, I just drew some Christmas illustrations by using paint application.
It was fun!



I thought it's not so bad, considering I've never used it before.





Then, I drew again today.


Hmmm...
It's already much better than yesterday.

Happy holidays!





 Today's Vocabulary
・considering : preposition, conjunction / ~を考慮すれば、~の割りには

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Keep It Up!

My teacher handed out our current grades to us. The score on my last exam wasn't very well, but my overall class rank was still number 1. Yay!

Keep up my study.
Next week, I have a final exam.




 Today's Vocabulary
・hand out : phrasal verb / 配る
・score on : ~の得点、~のスコア
・overall rank : 総合ランク
・keep up : phrasal verb / 高いままにしておく

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Meeting Day

We have a meeting with my former classmates from two years ago once a month.
The purpose of it is to improve our English and to keep in touch with each other.
At our meeting, we enjoy lunch while we chat.

Today, our meeting was at  a Peruvian restaurant. I like Peruvian food even though I've never been to Peru.

I baked some chocolate cakes for our all members and brought baby gift for a member who is going to deliver a baby within two weeks.


Our member consists five people.
I'm going to introduce one of our members.

A Japanese gentleman who was the principal at an elementary school in Tokyo. He came three years ago to the U.S. because he and his wife wanted to help their daughter. She is married to an American man and has two boys. Before he came to the U.S., his daughter didn't have a job. So they were on a tight budget. She still relied on her parents' support. After they came to the U.S., she went to school for some medical qualification. Now she has a job at hospital. When she is out of the house, her parents take turn caring for her children.

Now, he is an ESL student. Two years ago, he started working on an English textbook for elementary students in Japan. His textbook is almost complete. He is going to Japan to publish it next year. I'm really impressed with his hard work.

I'll introduce the other members someday.





 Today's vocabulary
・former : adjective / かつての、前の、元の
 ex) former colleague : 元同僚
     former actor : 元俳優
・Peruvian : ペルーの
・deliver a baby : 出産する
・consist : verb / (~から)成る、成り立つ
・principal at an elementary school : 小学校の校長先生
・be married to : (人と)結婚している
  marry with : (人と)結婚する
・be on a tight budget : 金欠である、予算がきつい
・qualification : noun / 資格、免許
・take turn caring for : かわりばんこに~の面倒をみる
・be impressed with : ~に感銘を受ける
・work on : phrasal verb / ~に取り組む、~に取り掛かる

Monday, December 5, 2011

There Are Only ten Days

Today, my teacher told us that we have a final exam next week. I realized that there are only ten days left in this semester.

The time goes by so fast.





 Today's vocabulary
・There are only _ days. : あと_日しかない。
・The time goes by fast. : 時が過ぎるのは速い。

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Oroblanco

I bought oroblancos at Korean supermarket.
It was my first time to eat this fruit.


It tasted like a grapefruit.

I like it. :)

Saturday, December 3, 2011

THE EVENT

Yesterday, I finally finished watching THE EVENT.

There are still unsolved mysteries.
Will it continue?

When I finished watching it, it was 3 a.m.
It really drew me in, and I couldn't stop watching.





 Today's Vocabulary
・unsolved mystery : 未解決のミステリー
 ex) unsolved murder mystery : 迷宮入りの殺人事件
・draw in : phrasal verb / 吸い込む、(人を)引き込む
 ex) They draw in young people. : 若者を引き込む。

Friday, December 2, 2011

It Works Well :)

The hot hair curler which I got yesterday works really well. :)  Yay!!

Before trying it out, I watched these videos to know how to use it.






Her videos are always awesome!
Even though her curler and mine are different, they serve the same purpose. (Mine is not a steam hair curler, and I don't use it in my car.)

When I was a high school student, I used that kind of curler. But I couldn't use it very well, and I probably only used it twice. It was long long time ago... hahaha

Now I can use it well because of her videos and other youtube videos.
Things are becoming more and more convenient. :)





 Today's Vocabulary
・serve : verb / (~の)役目・目的を果たす、役に立つ
・serve the purpose : 目的にかなう、役に立つ
ex) serve the same purpose : 同じ目的で使われる
・Things are becoming more and more convenient. : ますます便利になってきている。
  ex) Things are becoming worse and worse. : ますます悪化している。

Thursday, December 1, 2011

I Got a Hot Hair Curler

Every Thursday, My friend and I study about conversation together at a cafe.

After today's meeting, I went to Rite Aid and bought a hot hair curler.

It was originally $39.99, but it is going to end up with $5.99 with a coupon, mail in rebate and so on.
Oh, I'm going to fill out information for mail in rebate tonight.
Don't you think it was good deal?

I always wanted to buy a hot hair curler.
I couldn't miss out on it!
Finally I got the best deal.
I hope it works well. :)





 Today's Vocaburaly
・ miss out on : phrasal verb / ~のチャンスを逃す、~を見逃す

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Act As an Adult

Today, I had an exam for ESL. I usually do well, but it was difficult this time.

After finishing my exam, I left my class. Someone whom I had never met before came up to me. Then she asked me if the exam was difficult. I told her that it was difficult for me. Then she opened her textbook and asked me to tell her which questions were on the exam.
I was so surprised.
I told her, "I don't like cheating. I'm sorry, but I can't help you."
My college has two same ESL classes which have exactly same subject and teacher, but their schedules are different.
My exam was today, and the other class will have their exam tomorrow.

So she was waiting for someone who would help her to cheat on the exam.

I can't stand cheating.
If she can't score well without cheating, she does not meet this class's level. I think she should take an easier class instead.
And also, she is already an adult, so she should be able to make the right decision. I think it is shameful for an adult to act in such manner.

I can't understand why anyone would cheat.
Is it cultural difference?

Study hard instead of cheating.





 Today's Vocabulary
・do well : よくできる、うまくいく
・score : verb / 得点をとる
・meet : verb / (条件、要件などを)満たす
  ex) This does not meet the requirement for this assignment. 宿題の必須条件を満たしていません。
・come up : phrasal verb / (話をしに)近づく、やって来る
・shameful : adjective / 恥ずべき
・cultural difference : 文化的な違い

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Watching Youtube Insted of Reading Fashion Magazine

I like watching youtube.
I've subscribed to some youtube channels.

I especially like beauty and fashion channels.

These two videos are my favorits.
I have been inspired about fashion by them.




When I lived in Japan, I used to buy fashion magazines every month.
I really enjoyed reading them.
But here in the U.S., Japanese fashion magazines are quite expensive.
Each magazine costs about $6 in Japan, but it costs about $15 in the U.S.
So, I can't afford to buy these.

One day, I found that there are so many fashion channels on youtube.
From that time, I've been watching.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Coach Candies

Yesterday, I got mint candies at Coach with my purchase for free.

It tasted awful. :(


Many kinds of American candies have mint flavor.
I am not still get used to it.
I don't like mint chocolate and mint candies, even though I like mint chewing gum.

For me, Japanese candies are the best.


This is my entries related to my Coach shopping.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Coach





 Today's Vocabulary
・for free : 無料で

Sunday, November 27, 2011

I Got a Wallet for My Sister

I went to Cabazon premium outlet to buy a wallet for my sister.
When I arrived there at 5 p.m., many customers were leaving. So it was not too crowded, there were still many customers though. I thought I was late to go there, but it was for the best.

A wallet which I bought for my sister was originally $188, but it was on sale for $62.


I wasn't planning on buying something for myself, but I did.
A bag which I bought was so adorable. I really like it.
It was originally $358, but it was on sale for $132.



Also I bought a hat for $12.49 (was $24.99) and boots for $73 (was $ 168).


I bought so many stuff.
I should save money for a while...



     This is my entries related to my Coach shopping.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Coach

      My entries related to Premium Outlets Hauls can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Premium%20Outlets%20Hauls

     My entries related to my shopping can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/shopping


 Today's Vocabulary
・It's all for the best. / It's for the best. : 結果オーライ
・It was originally $_ , but it was on sale for $_. : 定価$_ですが、セールで$_でした。
・plan on doing : phrasal verb / ~するつもりである、~する計画である

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Still Haven't Finished...

I always wanted to organize my room.

Finally, I started to do it.
I threw away some of my stuff  and moved them.

Now my room looks better than before.

But I still haven't finished it yet.
Maybe next week. :)

Friday, November 25, 2011

Holiday Present

Most of stores in the U.S. are having sale today.

I went to Mitsuwa Market to get box to pack holiday gift for my family.
It cost $ 60 to send to Japan.
It was very expensive.

There was no big sale in Japanese supermarket even though Black Friday.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Turkey Day!

I'm cooking a roast turkey now.
My roast turkey I cooked last year was quite good.
I hope it will turn out just as well this year. :)

Happy Turkey Day!





 Today's Vocabulary
・turn out : phrasal verb ~になる、~に成り行く
               ex) Everything turned out all right. 万事うまくいった

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

I Don't Have Enough Time

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. So I'm going to soak my turkey in salt water tonight.

But I realized that I have a test next Wednesday. I thought I have another week until my test...
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day.
Then, the next day is Black Friday.
Then, the next day is Saturday.
Then, the next day is Sunday.
I usually avoid studying during holiday, but in this time I really should study for my test...

Oh, nooooo

I don't have enough time.





 Today's Vocabulary
・soak ~ in salt water : ~を塩水に漬ける
・have another week : もう1週間ある

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Every Day

I'm going to write on my blog about my daily life, my opinion and so on. I mean it will be every thing.

And also I'm going to do it EVERY DAY.
Sometimes it might be short sentence though.

The most important thing for my blog is writing something everyday.

I hope I will continue this for at least a year.

I think I can do it. :)

It's a Piece of Cake!

Last night, I was thinking about making my blog.

Why do I make it?
Just because it might help me improve my English.

First it would be difficult for me but a year later from now, I'd like to say,
" It's a piece of cake!"

Okay, let's get started!