#8 - Tourism

      I think tourism is  to visit somewhere or plan to visit somewhere. I've traveled to India. It was wonderful experience for me. It was a kind of voluntourism. I think voluntourism is a word which was created by someone. I did volunteer in Mother House which was made by Mother Teressa. I went to institutions for volunteer. And then, I traveled other places in India. I met some wild animals there. For example, there were peacock, white monkey and so on. I went to a fall where alligator live but I couldn't see them. I saw dogs, cows and monkeys everywhere in India. I enjoyed life with animals.

#7 - BIC "Lady Pens"

     I thought it's strange because we don't care the pen is for male or female when we use it. Ive never thought pens which I use usually are for men. There are no differences between what men use pen and what women use pen.

     I couldn't find out key points that Ellen talks. I think she said there are discrimination and prejudice against women although it's getting better. She doesn't like sexual discrimination and wants to promote equal rights.

    I thought it's funny when they described  the pen "for women". I thought it's strange and funny that pens which make a distinction between gender appeared although we are promoting equal rights now.

#6 - Gender Roles

 What do you think about stay at home mothers?
   I think it's usual style of family but not absolute. My mother works and doesn't stay at home in the daytime. My aunt and my mother's friends are also work. My grandmother didn't stay at home too. Mother should work if she want to do.

 What do you think about stay at home fathers?
   In my opinion, it's not strange that father stays at home. If there is an agreement between the mother and the father, he doesn't have to work or work outside.

 Is it typical for men to be teachers in your country?
   It's not typical in my country. There are male teachers and female teachers in Japan. I think there are no differences, but I have impressions like P.E. teachers are male, science teachers are male or home economics teachers are female.

Someone is talking about their doctor. Do you think their doctor is male or female?
   I thought the doctor is male at first. I have prejudice about doctor although I don't discriminate against female doctor.

Someone is talking about a nurse. Do you think the nurse is male or female?
   I thought the nurse is female, moreover, I imagined a uniform of nurse for women by this word. I also have prejudice about nurse.

#5 - Halloween Howler

     I celebrated Halloween this year. I joined the party of ESL. I wore the costume of witch and made up. I put on violet lipstick. It was the first time to celebrate Halloween. I took many pictures with my friends. They also dressed up.It was fantastic night. I did trick or treating too. I also wore the costume. It was exciting, but I felt sad when I couldn't get sweets. Fortunately, most of families we visited were kind and we got a lot of sweets.
     We usually don't celebrate Halloween in Japan. Children don't come to trick or treat. We don't prepare sweets to children. Some people dress up in Halloween but it's not popular. Then, there are no traditional events like Halloween in Japan.