Tuesday 16th August, 2016 (Middle School)

Tuesday 16th August, 2016

I woke up at 7:00. Actually, I wanted to wake up at 6:30, and I set the alarm,

but I forgot that the clock in the iPad is Japanese time. So I couldn’t wake

up.

At school, we were taught about Aboriginal culture. They played didgeridoos.

That is an Aboriginal traditional musical instrument. And they showed us

about their foods and weapons. Also, we made a paper boomerang and we

threw a wooden boomerang. That was very difficult for me.

After that, we took an ESL lesson. I’m group C and my teacher is Anna.

She is interesting. It was not very difficult, but it was a good class. I don’t

have homework today. After lunch, we did a presentation for primary school

students. We made a lot of tops and frogs, but the tops were all given out

quickly. So we made tops backstage.

Most of them knew origami and they love origami, so I thought origami is

very popular all over the world. After school, we went to Sunshine Coast

University to see Thomas’ basketball game. Thomas’ team won the game! I

was very happy.

Yesterday, three relatives came to the house: My host mother, Sal’s mom,

Andy, Sal’s dad, Ian, and Sal’s sister, Emily. Emily is 14 years old, so maybe

she, N and I are the same age. But, she is very shy, so when we are close

to her, she escapes. My host brother and sister, Thomas, Chloe and Jackson

are really like her, so we can’t talk with the children so much. All of them

follow after her. We are a little sad about that. I want to communicate with

her.

(Y.M. M3 girl)

We had an aborigine workshop this morning. The teacher was a very funny

man. We were able to see the aborigine’s food, weapons, and how they hunt.

They use boomerangs for their hunting. We made a paper boomerang and

used it. It was very difficult to use. I couldn’t get the boomerang to return, so

I respected the aborigine.

After that, we had an ESL lesson. WE met our classroom teacher first time.

My teacher’s name is Michelle. Michelle and my classmates talked about “

what is your best thing so far after coming to Australia?” I could hear my friends’ best things. They had a lot of fun on the weekends!

After lunch, we had a second presentation. Today’s audience was elementary

school students. They were enjoying playing Karuta. We enjoyed with them

too.

In the afternoon, I made cakes with S. The shape was a big heart and small

round cupcakes. And, we made Japanese pasta, “Tarako” and “Mentaiko.”

That was very delicious. I want to spend a good time with everyone

tomorrow!

(Y.K. M3 girl)

This morning, I got up a little later than usual and prepared my own

breakfast. I ate cereal for breakfast, but it was bad and like a dog food Λ. So

I decided to eat toast tomorrow. After breakfast, I prepared for today’s school

as usual and went to school by car. Then I practiced to sing “YELL” for the

farewell party on Thursday with my friends. After everyone gathered at

school, we went to the classroom. First, we experienced the culture of

aborigine. The man who introduced the culture to us was very interesting.

After the presentation, we made boomerangs ourselves and went to the

schoolyard to play with the boomerang. I couldn’t throw the boomerang well,

but I enjoyed it. After that, we went back to the classroom and had morning

tea. My friend A gave me a chocolate cookie at that time and it was very good.

After morning tea, we took an ESL lesson. We divided ourselves into three

groups then. I was in team A, so I took a class in another classroom.

First, we talked about our great memories in Australia with our teacher.

After that, we learned various ways of asking questions in English. I was a

little nervous, but it was a lot of fun. So I’m looking forward to our next

lesson. After the lesson, I had lunch with H. We bought a chocolate cookie

and some snack food at school and ate a sandwich, so I was full.

After lunch, we practiced to sing “YELL” for five minutes. Then we made a

presentation about Japanese culture for some elementary school students.

Our group talked about the Japanese fold song “Soranbushi,” and we were

dancing with them. When we were dancing, the students looked like they were having a lot of fun! So I was happy :)

I thought that I want to try our best in the farewell party, too. After the

presentation, when N and I were waiting for our host family, our teachers

praised my diary. So I was very glad and thought that I will try hard. By the

way, I ate lasagna for the first time. I ate it and a garlic toast for dinner, and

they were very good. I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s dinner too. Also,

thought I have a lot of homework today, I will do my best.

(A.K. M3 girl)

Today, we did three things.

First, we experienced the culture of the aborigine. We did face painting.

There were lots of different paints, so I really enjoyed it. I also played with a

boomerang. When I succeeded throwing the boomerang, it came back to the

original place. It was a little difficult for me, but it was a lot of fun. Second,

we had an ESL lesson. My teacher’s name is Michelle. Today, we introduced

our host families and ourselves. It is difficult to use only English, but I

understood that even if I made a mistake it is ok and I have to use English.

By doing so, I will improve my English. So, I want to actively talk in this

class tomorrow. Third, we introduced about “traditional Japanese Toys.” We

played “Koma” and “Ayatori.” They are famous traditional Japanese toys. It

is a very difficult to teach primary school students Ayatori. So, Today was a

very nice time.

(H.S. M3 girl)

Today, we went to school.

First, we listened to the man’s talk about the Aboriginal culture and artifacts

with everyone. We painted our faces with white chalk. It was little ticklish.

The talk was very interesting.

Next, we separated into three groups and took an ESL lesson.

Everybody talked about themselves and what was the best thing they had

done in Australia. I talked about shopping yesterday because I could buy

some clothes and a blue hat with five of my friends. It was a lot of fun. Next,

we presented about Fukuwarai to the children. It was so different to how we presented to the elderly people. I am little tired now. But dinner was

delicious, so I was happy.

(C.T. M3 girl)

Today, we took an ESL lesson. I studied with Anna. Anna is very kind and

easy to understand.

Today’s lunch was a sandwich. It was very delicious. The sandwich had a

slice of beef, some tomato, and some lettuce. The beef was very yummy. I

bought one-dollar cookie. It was so delicious. I want to buy one again.

In the afternoon, I was doing a presentation about calligraphy for some

elementary school students. The elementary school students were very

powerful. I was very tired, but it was a lot of fun.

After school, I watched my host sister’s friend’s soccer game. I love soccer,

and I was very excited. They were very cool. I made a new friend. The girl

was very beautiful.

Tomorrow, I will have the farewell party’s preparation. I’m looking forward to

doing this preparation. Thank you.

(M.T. M3 girl)