Grammar Point: Before I die!

Just a quick grammar point. In your presentations and one your blogs, some people have written sentences like this:

" I want to visit Disneyland until I die."

X...until I die O before I die

"Before I die" means you will do that thing at least one time BEFORE you die. "Until I die" means you will continue to do that thing until you die.

Therefore:

"I want to visit Disneyland until I die"="I want to stay at Disneyland from now UNTIL I die!"

Blog #5: free blog

Since we will miss some classes from the school festival, blog #5 is a free topic. Write about anything you wish--for example, something interesting in the news, an interesting experience you had, something about your hobby, etc. It's up to you! Post your blog by November 9th (Th. class) or November 10th (Fri. class).

Blog #4: Someone Who Changed Your Country

This week in class, we discussed Jackie Robinson, one of my American heroes. As Bill Clinton said, Jackie "changed the face of baseball and America." Who is someone you admire that made a positive change in your country? Why do you think what they did was so important? Post your blog by next Thursday Nov. 2nd/Friday Nov. 3rd (depending on your class.) Also, as always, post at least 2 comments on your classmates' blogs from the week before.

About late blog entries

Each blog has a deadline. It must be posted by class each Thursday or Friday (depending on your class day.) Late blog entries will get a zero. If you don't do a blog entry, just do the next assignment. I can see the date and time for each assignment, so don't try to write all your blog entries at the end of the semester. Again, the purpose of the blog is to recycle English from class and communicate more with your classmates. There are three different classes in my links on this page, so you can also communicate with students from other classes if you wish...

Japan Photo Contest: I love climbing mountains, but this is the only time I felt fear while climbing a mountain in Japan. I had to climb up these steel chains (kusari) to get to the peak. What is the name of this mountain? Hint: It's not on Honshu and it's considered a sacred or holy mountain... 

Blog #3: most impressive destinations

This week in class, you will listen to some other groups present their Top 5 Destinations. From all that you heard, choose 2-3 that were the most impressive. Summarize why you want to have the same travel experience. What was so impressive about it?
M-Th classes post your blog before class on 10/26. W-Fri class post by 10/27. As always, comment on the blog entries of at least two classmates for Blog #2.

Blog #2: Travel Dilemmas

This week in class, we talked about travel dilemmas. Choose ONE of the dilemmas you talked about in class and summarize your opinion about that dilemma--summarize the dilemma, what you would do in that situation, and WHY.
If you are in Thursday class, post your blog by next Thursday October 19th. Friday class students post by the 20th.
Please title your blog "#2: Travel Dilemmas."
Remember to comment on at least TWO of your classmates' blog entries for blog #1.
Happy blogging!

New Contest #2: I love mysterious places, and this place in Asia is one of the coolest out there. What is the name of this place and the name of the country? 

New Picture Contest! This building in Spain is one of the coolest places I've visited. Tell me the 1) name of the building AND 2) the city where it is located. Good luck! 

Fall is here! Any pumpkin lovers?

Fall is officially here, so we can enjoy lots of great food in the coming months--oysters, persimmons, tangerines, etc. I also love pumpkin. If you are a fellow pumpkin lover, check out this interesting link on yahoo news for recipes and more: http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/43189/30-ways-to-eat-a-pumpkin
Also, have you tried Starbucks' new Pumpkin Spice Latte? Highly recommended!

Blog #1: All-Nations Quest

In class, you heard a story about two Kiwis who did the "All-Nations Quest." Choose ONE of the questions below and write your reaction (at least 150 words):
1) Do you think what these men did was worthwhile? Was it a meaningful journey? Or do you feel that there are better ways to travel and see the world? What is your general reaction to their quest?
2) On their journey, the men took 3 essential items. Imagine you are taking a one-year trip around the world. For one year, you will be away from Japan. What are YOUR 3 essential items? Explain 3 things that you absolutely cannot travel without and explain why.

* For the blog title, please write blog #1 AND "All-Nations Quest Reaction" OR "My Essential Travel Items."
** Remember to go back and read some classmates' self-introductions from last week and comment on at least TWO classmates' blogs.