Suggestions for successors

At first, I think that you should write your blog regularly and finish all assignments such as essays and book reviews punctually because you may not feel so hard to achieve your tasks if you can do it properly. Second, I suggest you check sentences you wrote on your blog by 'word'. The reason why I thought so is that you can find mistakes you did on it easily. In addition, you can improve your writing skills. Finally, I feel that you should practice typing in English in order to pass typing tests because it is difficult for us to pass them without practicing doing in it. Anyway, you mustn't be lazy about Writing IV. I think you can pass the class if you make efforts desperately. [127 words]

At one night...

I went to AEON MALL KUMAMOTO CLAIR, a shopping mall in Kasima, on January 27(^_^) I looked clothes and accessories there（＾◇＾） Then, I found an illumination in front of the entrance after I left there. I felt it was beautiful!(^^)! I couldn't go to any shopping malls recently, so this was a good pastime after a long interval(^^♪ [63 words]

The website of AEON MALL KUMAMOTO CLAIR is below.

http://kumamoto-clair.aeonmall.com/

A footbath

I found a footbath near Forest of Otohime, in Aso, when I went there with my family and grandmother to have lunch on January 13（＾◇＾） I think about 12 people can soak their feet in the footbath at a time. I wanted to soak my feet in it for a minute, but I couldn't do it because we had to get back home soon after we finished having lunch in Forest of Otohime(T_T) It looked very good, so I wanna soak my feet in it next time(^^)/ [87 words]

Tests are coming soon

I have to take 12 tests from January 22 to 31(>_<) How many tests do you have to take during the period(?_?) In my case, I have to take such as tests of cross-cultural communication, politics and chemistry. Since I don't have enough confidence, I must study and study to get good credits!(^^)! Everyone, good luck♪♪ [56 words]

A sudden package to my house

On January 14 in 2008, when I came home, a package was presented to my house for me(*^。^*) 'Who sent the package for me?' I asked my mother. 'One of the people of the block association did,' she answered. Then, I opened it, and there was a picture frame in it!! 'The picture frame is very good,' I thought(^^♪ I think I'll have framed my picture taken by parents on the day(^_^) [72 words]

☆A day of glory came at last☆

January 14 in 2008 was the day when the coming-of-age ceremony was held(^^) Of course, I attended the ceremony with my friends in a suit and tie on the day(^^)/ We walked out to Synthetic Gymnasium in Kumamoto city from 9 a.m. since the doors would open at 10 a.m. Then, it was held at 11 a.m. Several guests congratulated those who attended it. It finished at noon. After that, I met many friends I didn't meet for a long time near there, so I felt nostalgic(*^^)v Some of them and I exchanged e-mail address each other(^_^) Then, we went to Suizenji Star Lane to play bowls（＾◇＾） We played bowls for 2 hours. January 14 in 2008 was the wonderful day for me☆★☆ [123 words]

Forest of Otohime

I went to Forest of Otohime, an all-you-can-eat restaurant, with my family including my grandmother to have lunch yesterday(^_^)v There is in Aso. It took about 1 and half an hour to go there by car. There were such as Chinese, Japanese and western dishes in Forest of Otohime(^^) They were all delicious! I want to go there with someone again(*^。^*) [61 words]

http://kosugiresort.com/restaurant3.htm

Registration for a test

I went to the Extension Center to register for the TOEIC the day before yesterday(^_^) Last time, I didn't have enough time to answer all questions, so I wanna be able to do it within 90 minutes!(^^)! The TOEIC will be taken place on February 7 this time, so I don't have so much time to study for it(>_<) However, I think I'll do my best for it(^^♪ [68 words]

A lucky direction

A lucky direction is south-southeast in 2008(^^)/ I didn't know it until I saw what the left picture shows(>_<) Did you know it(?_?) If you want to be happy this year, though I ain't a fortune-teller, it may be good for you to remember the direction(#^.^#) Incidentally, I took the left picture at Hirai, a lunch shop(^.^) [57 words]

Hirai

I came home early after a long time on January 9, so my father and mother said 'Let's go get something to eat for dinner!' I agreed to the idea, and we went to Hirai(^.^) I was very hungry then, so I ordered curry and udon topped with deep-fried shrimp（*^_^*） I can't finish everything usually when I order 2 dishes. However, I could do the curry and udon then♪ They were tasty(*^^)v [72 words]

The nightmare day came again↓↓↓

Today, I did a trial lesson on the fourth period(^_^) This was the second time for me to do it. It was more difficult than the first trial lesson because I had to do it almost in English!! Since I didn't practice it at all, I couldn't do it within 10 minutes of course(>_<) After that, I regretted making a lot of mistakes on it(-_-;) However, all I should do now is keep making efforts than before by taking advantage of this experience(^^)/ [83 words]

Portfolio

beginning of template [copy from here] /////

Student ID: 06118
(last five digits of
your student no.)

Writing IVc: Portfolio
(See: Note 1, below)

0.0. Overview

Reviews, Posts, and Words

(See: Note 2, below.)

Months	08	09	10	11	12	01	Totals	fn	Indices
Book reviews	0	0	3	1	8	6	18	2
Blog posts	11	13	16	17	31	14	102	1.36
Words	712	797	3718	2321	7353	3462	18363	4.8968
TOTAL	723	810	3737	2339	7392	3482	18483	---

1.0. Essays

(See: Note 3, below)

1.1. Showcase	Short titles [+ links]	Dates (yy.mm.dd)	¶	W	C	L	P	M	Notes
Mega- essay 07.10.12	Good information about Kumamoto	07.10.10	17	999	1	15	0	0
Favorite place(-s) 07.10.26	My favorite place	07.10.26	5	390	1	0	0	0
Movie review 07.11.11	Toy Story (the first story)	07.11.11	4	312	0	1	1	0
Community life 07.11.25	♪Community life♪	07.11.25	5	435	2	0	0	0
TV in Japan 07.12.09	TV in Japan	07.12.09	5	330	0	4	1	0
Learning w/ computers 07.12.21	Learning with computers	07.12.21	6	522	0	1	1	0
Totals	---	---	42	2988	4	21	3	0	---

Key:

¶: number of paragraphs three or more sentences in length

W: number of words

C: number of comments

L: number of links

P: number of photos or other graphics
M: number of other media included

1.2. Best Essay

Selection and Assessment: Which of those essays do you feel is the best that you've written this semester, and why? Please remember that a complete answer is better than a short answer, and give at least two reasons to support your assessment.

• I feel the fifth essay is the best of all my essays in the fall semester. There are 3 reasons why I feel so. First, it was easy for visitors to see, and it concluded the moderate number of sentences in length in each paragraph. Second, it might be able to please visitors thanks to 4 links and a graphic. Finally, I could write about advantages and disadvantages of digital broadcasting adequately.
  

2.0. Comments

Showcase	Titles of posts with links	Dates of comments (yy.mm.dd)	Numbers of words in comments	Qualities of comments**
2.1. Your first comment on your instructor's blog*	Kenji & pab in Seattle	07.09.26	24	a little bad
2.2. Your best comment on a classmate's blog*	Movie Review: Toy Story	07.11.14	32	good
2.3. Best comment by a classmate on your blog*	A passion fruit	07.11.14	42	very good
2.4. Most comments on:	Titles of posts with link	Dates of posts (yy.mm.dd)	Total number of words in comments	Qualities of comments*
2.4.1. Any one of your essays*	♪Community life♪	07.11.25	47	good
2.4.1.1. When did you respond to those comments?	---	07.12.07	---	---
2.4.1.2. How did you respond to those comments?	---	---	51	so-so
2.4.2. Any of your other posts*	Learning with computers	07.12.12	63	good
2.4.2.1. When did you respond to those comments?	---	07.12.19	---	---
2.4.2.2. How did you respond to those comments?	---	---	106	good

----------
* Current semester comments on essays and other posts
** Please list the most important qualities of comments on each type of blog post.

2.5. Recent comments display

Does your blog display recent comments from blog visitors in a prominent location, for example in a sidebar, header, or footer widget? Where or why not?

• Yes, it displays them at the top of the sidebar, because it is easy for visitors and me to see what recent ones there are on my blog.
  

2.6. Additional reflections on comments

• I made comments on blogs such as my friends', teacher's and classmates' ones. Wholly, I think I couldn't make good comments on them. However, I wrote only easy words when I made comments on them. Therefore, this was the only my good point about comments.
  

3.0. Typing Speed Trials

Showcase	Numbers of words	Dates (yy.mm.dd)
3.1. Worst typing speed trial*	63	07.09.06
3.2. Best typing speed trial*	158	07.12.19
3.3. Improvement (best minus worst)	95	---
3.4. Average speed for three (3) most recent speed trials**	112.3	07.12.19 07.12.05 07.11.21

----------
* Current semester typing speed trials (five minutes)
** Please list all three dates.

4.0. Book Reviews

4.1. Showcase	Short titles with links	Dates (yy.mm.dd)	Words	Comments
Example:	Vampire Killer	07.05.16	39	1
2-01	The Barcelona Game	07.10.09	367	0
2-02	GIRL meets BOY	07.10.22	398	0
2-03	JENNIFER LOPEZ	07.10.30	485	0
2-04	Karen and the ARTIST	07.11.30	585	0
2-05	The Call of the Wild	07.12.06	1006	0
2-06	ISLAND FOR SALE	07.12.17	626	0
2-07	BROWN EYES	07.12.18	583	0
2-08	Julia Roberts	07.12.26	394	0
2-09	THE TROY STONE	07.12.27	385	0
2-10	Marcel and The White Star	07.12.28	324	0
2-11	MAISIE AND THE DOLPHIN	07.12.30	474	0
2-12	THE LONG ROAD	07.12.31	492	0
2-13	Kim's Choice	08.01.01	480	0
2-14	WHO WANTS TO BE A STAR?	08.01.02	435	0
2-15	Freckles	08.01.04	454	0
2-16	Tom Cruise	08.01.05	400	0
2-17	Newspaper Chase	08.01.07	404	0
2-18	PELE	08.01.08	383	0
---	---	TOTALS:	8675	0

Note: Please calculate book review words and comments totals without the example (above).

4.2. Best Book Review

Selection and Assessment: Which of those book reviews do you feel is the best that you've written this semester, and why? Please remember that a complete answer is better than a short answer, and give at least two reasons to support your assessment.

• The book review about Freckles is the best of all my book reviews in the fall semester. There are 3 reasons why I think so. First, I could summarize the story of it briefly. Next, I wrote my thoughts about it concretely. Finally, I could write an introduction better than other book reviews.
  

5.0. Blog Layout, Labeling, Linking, & Media

Showcase	Yes	No
5.1. Does your blog have an archive?	○
5.1.1. Does the archive display the titles of posts?	○
5.1.2. Is the archive organized by month?	○
5.1.3. Is the archive at or near the top of the sidebar?	○
5.2. Does your blog have labels displayed in sidebar?	○
5.2.1. Do your labels include these required labels (typed accurately):	---	---
"books" (plural) AND "reviews" (plural)	○
"essays" (plural) AND "portfolios" (plural, without "proto-")	○
"quickposts" (plural, with no space between quick and posts)	○
"links" (plural) AND "media" (plural)	○
"movies" (plural) AND "photos" (plural)	○
5.2.2. Does your sidebar display other labels?	○
How many other labels have you attached to three (3) or more posts? 3 other labels attached to three or more posts	---	---
Which labels, and to how many posts each? Please list those labels instead of www, xxx, yyy..., and list numbers of posts instead of n, m, o... (in parentheses), below. books (32) diaries (64) essays (12) graphics (5) links (24) media (2) movies (1) photos (130) portfolios (5) quickposts (46) reviews (33) typingtests (21)	---	---
5.3. Links & media	---	---
5.3.1. Does your blog include pictures or other graphics?	○
Does your blog profile include a picture or graphic representation?		○
How many of your blog posts this semester include pictures or other graphics? 97 posts including pictures or other graphics	---	---
5.3.2. Does your blog include posts with multiple links?	○
How many of your posts this semester include three (3) or more links?* 4 posts including three or more links (including this portfolio!)	---	---
5.3.3. Does your blog include other media?	○
How many of your blog posts this semester include other media? 2 posts including other media	---	---
What kind(-s) of media have you included in posts this semester? Please list them here: I have included a medium about a song which I downloaded from YouTube. I have included a medium about a comedian which I downloaded from YouTube. ...	---	---

5.4. Overall presentation

What have you done to enhance the overall presentation of your blog? List and explain the three most important content, formatting, layout, or other presentation changes or enhancements that you have made on your blog this semester.

1. I have posted more pictures I took by my cell-phone on my blog than the number of them which I posted them on it in the spring semester. I hope it was interesting for visitors.
2. I have started to use 'words' in order to check sentences and count how many words I wrote on my blog. To do so was very important for me to let visitors know what I wanted to say rightly.
3. I didn't use media from YouTube until a friend of mine told me how to post videos on blogs. I wish videos which I posted on my blog were interesting for visitors to see.
   

6.0. Additional reflections on your blog writing

• I posted various things on my blog in the fall semester. It was difficult for me to write 'mega essay' and a movie review. In order to please visitors, I posted videos which I downloaded from YouTube on it for the first time. Then, I checked sentences which I wrote by 'word' in the fall semester. Thanks to that, I think I could find mistakes on them soon. Of course, however, I am still poor at writing English sentences. Therefore, I will have to make a lot of efforts to be able to write them. In order to achieve it, I think I will restudy English grammar first.
  

7.0. Suggestions for your peers and successors

• At first, you should write your blog regularly and finish all assignments such as essays and book reviews punctually. Then, if you have time after you get them done, I suggest that you check sentences which you wrote by 'word' to improve your writing skill. I also propose that you try to write your good blog. It may be easy for visitors to see it. In my case, I changed fonts, or I posted pictures and videos to please them on my blog. Moreover, you should practice typing in English. I feel it is necessary to pass tests of typing. What is the most important for you is that you mustn't be lazy. Even if you have little knowledge about computers and blogs, I think you'll be able to get Writing III and IV's credits if you make efforts.
  

____________________
Notes:

1. This portfolio template amplifies the template for Writing IIIc portfolios.
2. The overview section (0.0. Overview, above) derives from Proto-Portfolio 2-01.
3. This essays section (1.0. Essays, above) derives from Proto-Portfolio 2-02.

///// [copy to here] end of template

Book Review 2-18: PELE

I read PELE. This book is written about a famous soccer player's background. He plays soccer well. Then, he joins some soccer clubs. One day, he is selected for the member of Brazilian World Cup. Can his team win the games?

Edson Arantes do Nascimento was born in 1940. His family called him Dico. They lived in Brazil. In 1944, the manager of Bauru Altetico, a big soccer club, asked him to join the club. Then, the family accepted his offer and moved to Bauru. Little Dico played a lot of soccer at the club. Since the family didn't have enough money, he worked at Bauru station in 1948, and he cleaned shoes. Later that year, Dico started school. In 1951, his friends began to call him Pele. Pele played soccer well. In 1955, he joined Santos, a famous soccer club in Brazil. After some weeks, he had a good friend, Zito, on his team. Pele scored his first goal in a game in 1956. After that, he got to score many goals for the team in many games. Amazingly, late in 1957, he was selected for the member of the Brazilian World Cup! Then, Brazil was the champion in 1958, 1962 and 1970. After the 1970 World Cup, Pele said goodbye to World Cup soccer. By the way, in 1958, one day, he saw a young white girl, Rosemeri, at the ball game. She looked at him many times and he looked at her. Then, they got friends. After that, Pele had gone out with her for 7 years, and they married in 1965. In the end, he stopped playing soccer in 1974. He went to New York for a job with an American team, New York Cosmos. He stayed with the team for 3 years. After that, he worked for UNICEF and talked with governments about the problems of the world's children.

I knew about soccer just a little, but I didn't know Pele until I read PELE. I think he had a talent for soccer. He couldn't have won the World Cup when he was a rookie as a professional otherwise. Then, he was a great person because he played not only soccer for his team, but he also worked for UNICEF. Pele seemed to be diligent, kind and thoughtful. [383 words]

Book Review 2-17: Newspaper Chase

I read Newspaper Chase. A thief steals a painting from a house. However, he breaks an expensive blue glass vase in the house and trends the pieces of glass when he runs away from there. Can he really make it in stealing the painting perfectly?

The time is in one o'clock in the morning. The place is the Ritesville town art gallery. Harry Black, a thief, comes in a house by opening a window. He finds a painting soon in a room. Then, he takes the painting from its frame. However, on the way to the window, he breaks a beautiful blue glass vase on a table! He runs across the pieces of glass to the window. After that, Harry goes to his room in Mrs. Allen's rooming house and puts the painting in a newspaper. Then, he places the newspaper under his bed. In the morning, a reporter is at the art gallery and he is talking about the painting on the TV. Moreover, he is talking about the blue glass vase. On Friday, Janey, Mrs. Allen's daughter, is looking for old newspapers to throw them away in the house after the newspaper recycling truck arrives. She takes all old newspapers including the newspaper under Harry's bed to the truck. Shortly after she finishes doing it, he chases after the truck to get back the painting. 'What is he doing?' she thinks. When he looks for it, she sees his shoe. Amazingly, there is some blue glass in his shoe! Suddenly, Janey remembers the photo of the blue glass vase on the TV. She goes back to the house and calls the police. Then, some policemen arrive and check Harry's shoe. One of them takes the glass from it and says 'This is an expensive piece of glass.' The piece of glass becomes a conclusive evidence of theft against him, and he is arrested by them in the end.

There was an interesting scene for me in Newpaper Chase. It is that Harry believed he could steal the painting perfectly. Till I finished reading this book, I didn't think the piece of glass became a conclusive evidence of theft against him. However, I could know he was arrested in the end before I finished reading it. Although Janey saw the conclusive evidence at his shoe by accident, she did a great thing. Personally, I thought her good memory led the case to solve. [404 words]

An unexpected souvenir

One of my friend who is from Yamaguchi prefecture gave me 'furikake' the right picture shows today(^_^)v I had seen various 'furikakes', but I saw it for the first time(>_<) I think I will have it when I have breakfast(^_^) Then, I hope it is delicious(^^♪ [46 words]

Book Review 2-16: Tom Cruise

I read Tom Cruise. This book is written about a famous actor's background. He has many various experiences such as moving many times, his parents' divorce and being famous as an actor. In other words, he doesn't always have a happy life.

On July 3, 1962, in Syracuse, New York, Thomas Cruise Mapother is born. His family calls him Tom. In photos, young Tom has a happy smile, but he moves many times in eleven years. Therefore, he can't make good friends. At school, there are problems. He can't read or write very well! Tom's mother and father divorce in 1973, and she marries again in 1978. The new family moves to New Jersey. Tom is a good actor, and he is a big success in a movie. 'This is the right job for me,' he thinks. Then, he moves to New York in 1980. Tom appears on some movies. Among them, Top Gun makes him a big star. His girlfriend at this time is the actress, Mimi Rogers. In 1987, they marry. For Born on the Fourth of July in 1989. Tom gets a Gloden Globe award, newspaper people give it to actors. Unfortunately, they start to lose their love. Then, they divorce. Tom finds new love with Australian actress, Nicole Kidman. He wants a family, but he and Nicole can't have children. From 1993 to 1996, Mission Impossible, one of his movies, is very popular. He gets another Golden Globe award. In 1997, Tom and Nicole appear on Eye Wide Shut. It is the first time for them to appear on movies together. He gets another Golden Globe award in 1999. The year, 2000, is the happy year for them. They have 2 children at last! They have expensive cars, airplanes and so on in the United States and Australia. However, their happy life doesn't last for a long time. Early in 2001, they divorce. After that, Tom continues appearing on movies.

Though I had heard the name, Tom Cruise, many times, I didn't know his past until I read Tom Cruise. I think he had a stormy life. I think he had a stormy life. In addition, I think he had a strong will that he wanted to be a star. If he hadn't had the strong will, he must have stayed in New Jersey, not in New York. Tom may be happy now because a lot of people like him and his movies. [400 words]

Book Review 2-15: Freckles

I read Freckles. A girl has a complex about her freckles. Boys don't like her because of them. A pretty girl, the girl's good friend, has a beautiful face, so she can go out with any boy. The girl who has the complex always fells envious about it. One day, a boy who takes history with them gets to like one of them. Which girls does he like?

Susie has freckles and she hates them very much. Donna, her good friend, has pretty hair, blue eyes and nice teeth. Therefore, she can go out with any boy. Susie always feels envious about it. One day, they see a boy in a school cafeteria. He is Jack. He takes history with them, but they have never talked with him. Since he is looking at them, Donna thinks he likes her. After that, she asks Susie to talk to him about what he likes or dislikes some times. Then, they know he likes dancing and writing poems, and he dislikes sports. Amazingly, Susie writes poems too! From the day when they know Jack writes them downward, Susie and Jack get to talk more than before each other. Next day, Donna tells her to ask him to go to a disco at school with Donna. Susie says so to him, but he can't decide to go to the disco with Donna then. She gets angry about it. One day, Jack calls Susie. He wants her advice. She gets happy because people don't usually ask for her advice. 'Hi. I like a girl at school, but I can't tell her. I think she likes me. However, am I right, and how do I know?' he says. She thinks it is Donna. 'You have to see and tell the girl. She likes you very much, so don't be afraid!' Susie answers. 'I see. I will ask her to go to a disco with me tomorrow. Thank you,' he says. However, she is mistaken about the talk. It is Susie that Jack likes. Tomorrow, she knows it by talking with him. After Donna knows he likes Susie, she gets very angry because she believes he likes her. Then, Jack and Susie get great friends. She thinks her freckles are great since they get so.

Freckles included an impressive scene. It is that Jack could go out with Susie. Although I thought she was mistaken about him, and he couldn't go out with her, he could clean up the misunderstanding easily. Therefore, I was a little surprised at it. Just a random thought, but I thought Donna tended to get the wrong idea about love because she believed Jack liked her very much with only being seen for a few seconds. [454 words]

Table tennis

I went to SPOLA, a game arcade, with my friends. After we played some games, we played table tennis. We played it after a long time, so we couldn't do it well for an hour. However, I enjoyed playing it very much. Next time, I wanna play table tennis with many friends. [52 words]

Book Review 2-14: WHO WANTS TO BE A STAR?

I read WHO WANTS TO BE A STAR?. This book is written about a girl. She is a star, but she wants to disappear to the countryside to see new things. Her mother wants her to continue being the star, so her mother brings up her strictly. Then, she gets to dislike her mother because of this. Well, what does she do?

Tina Daniels is 13 and she is a star. She can sing and dance, and everyone knows her. They call her Curls because she has beautiful curly hair. She can have anything she wants. However, is she happy and does she want to be a star? One day, Mrs daniels, her mother, tells her not to eat chocolates. 'Why did you tell me such a thing?' she says. 'A fat girl doesn't get lots of money in Hollywood,' Mrs Daniels answers. Tina is very sad because she doesn't want to be a star. A day later, she decides to go to Mrs White's house in the country in Stonechurch. Mrs White is a grandmother for Mary, Tina's friend. After hours, she arrives at Mrs White's house. She tells her the reason why she came here. Mrs White understands her situation and decides to put her up for a week at Mrs White's house. For 6 days, Tina enjoys living in the country and talking with her. However, the last day, the postman gives Mrs White a letter. Then, he sees Tina and realizes she is a star, Curls. 'Why is she here?' he says to them. 'I don't understand...' Mrs White says. 'I'm sorry, but please don't send me home,' Tina says. 'I'm coming with you to see your mother. I've got a good idea,' Mrs White says. Then, she explains the idea to Mrs Daniels. It is that Tina can go to her friend's school on the island of Guernsey, between England and France, and she can have friends there who do not know she is Curls. At first, her mother doesn't agree to it, but she allows Tina to go there finally. Then, Tina is at school in Guernsey. She has new friends and new interests. At last, she gets happy!

WHO WANTS TO BE A STAR? depicted Tina's heart. I can agree with her. It is natural that she gets to dislike being stared with curiosity. I think Tina could make a fatal decision in this book. If she had obeyed Mrs Daniels, she might have had a different life in the country. In that sense, I think Mrs White lead her to have a happy life in the country. [435 words]

A beautiful view

This picture shows a view of Shimasaki, a country town of Kumamoto. One of my relatives lives there, so every year I go to the relative's house on New Year's Day. Of course, I went there on January 2 this year. I saw such as the sky and trees from there. They were beautiful, so I took the upper picture. What do you think about it? [66 words]

Book Review 2-13: Kim's Choice

I read Kim's Chioce. A girl runs well and wins some competitions. Her father wants her to continue running and be famous as a runner. However, one day, she thinks she never goes out with her friends. Then, they quarrel about her thought which she wants to stop taking part in competitions. What does she do in the end?

Kim goes to Allen's Athletics Club every Saturday. She runs very well and likes here. George, her father, takes her to the athletics club every week. Races are often held here, and Kim sometimes wins them. He is happy then. After 6 weeks, 'There's a competition at Barton Athletics Club on Saturday. Can you go?' the coach says. She says yes. That afternoon, her friend Hannah asks 'Come shopping with me on Saturday!' Kim wants to go with her, but she has to take part in the competition on the day, so she declines her offer. On Saturday, Kim has 3 races. She only wins in the third race. In the first and second race, Nicole, a tall and strong girl, wins. After races, George says 'You can run faster than Nicole. Go for it!' In the winter, there aren't any competitions, but Kim trains at the club every week. For 3 years, she trains 2 or 3 times every week. Then, she wins competitions at school and with the club. She gets some beautiful trophies. However, 'I never go out with my friends and only go to the club,' she thinks. Then, Kim has a difficult year at school and is 16. 'I can only train on one evening,' she says to George. 'The competitions this year are very important. Go to the club 2 or 3 evenings,' he answers. However, she doesn't listen to him. One evening, 'There's an important competition on June 30th. Can you go?' the coach says. 'Sure,' she answers. 2 days later, Curtis, her boyfriend, asks Kim 'Can you come to the school disco with me on June 29?' 'Yes!' she says. At home, George gets angry about it. On the day, 'Go to the disco, and you can't come back!' he says. However, she doesn't listen to him at all. Then, she dances all night with Curtis. She stays the night with Hannah. In the end, she doesn't go home again. At home, George looks at her trophies every day. 'Come back! You can be famous,' he thinks.

I could understand the meaning of the title, Kim's choice, when I finished reading this book. Kim seemed to be a normal girl in it. I think it was natural that she started to want to play with her friends because she had never gone out with them till she was 15. On the contrary, George looked a little strange in it. If I were him, I would allow her to play and go out with them. [480 words]

Happy New Year!!!

Every year, I go to Kumamoto Inari Shrine with my family on January 1. What do you do on the day every year(?_?) This year, I also did New Year's visit to the shrine on the day（*^_^*） First, I bought a charm. Then, I made a wish in front of the wooden box. I do hope good things happen to me in 2008(^o^)／ [63 words]