Classes I'm taking

They are hard.
I'm not suffered from a lot of assignments or readings, but I'm suffered from the lecture or discussion itself.
Today, I had two classes Neurobiology and African American History.
Honestly, I don't know how much I understood the class.

I majored in biology in Japan. So, I have fundamental knowledge of biology.
However, I don't know the terms in English.
I learned them in Japanese. Therefore, I need to translate everytime.
In the class, the professor uses lots of biological terms.
It is so hard to catch up with what he is saying.

And, African American History
I learned little about American History itself.
I learned world history in freshman year in high school.
But, that's all. Therefore, it might be the hardest course for me.

BUT, I decided not to make excuse for my English ability and lack of knowledge.
I'm telling to myself that I'm studying in America like other students.
So, I keep doing my best and have to catch up with the classes. In the end, I'm happy if I could get A grades from those classes.

Now, I start studying.

Many works...

I had a high fever the last night. My body temperature was 38.3 degree celsius.....
My body was hurting and I had a headache...
But, I got over the cold and am ok now.

However, I have a lot of tasks today.
I have an exam tomorrow... It's for Environmental Science Course.
Also, a paper....

Moreover, I need to keep Obama Journals, which is for African American History class.
The weight of this task is 20% of grade.
Actually, I need to read newspapers and keep the journal every day.
The last week I just started. So, I'm reading past newspapers....

About the History class;
Today's topic was Abraham Lincoln.
But, I couldn't understand the discussion in the class at all today...
I need to get knowledge of Civil War and slaves more.
So, I should read something book which gives me general knowledge.


And more,
The organization in which I will work volunteer in this summer has already assigned tasks to me. So, I need to work on it.
and, I should check the information of the volunteer.


Anyway, work hard today. I don't know my health is completely ok, though..

Slumdog Millionaire

I watched "Slumdog Millionaire" the last night.
Actually, it was a great movie.

I watched "Benjamin Button" and "Gran Torino" over the winter break.
However, Slumdog Millionaire is the best movie in those three.

First, the movie shows the real India with special effect.
Houses are packed and they are dirty.
It is the real India.
We are absorbed in the movie from the first.
Of course, the story itself is amazing.

Moreover, I was thinking about Indonesia where I'm going in this summer.
Scenes in the movie were shocking. As I wrote, there are too many houses and people, and the city is dirty.
I know the situation is similar in developing countries.
I need to make myself prepare before I go to Indonesia.


The movie Slumdog Millionaire is produced by a British filmmaker. The total budget is only $15 million.
On contrast, the total budget of Gran Torino is $33 million and Benjamin Button is $150.
However, Slumdog Millionare is the best in those movies.
How they could make such a good movie with a low budget! amazing!!

Volunteer in Jakarta!!

Good news! I got an acceptance from a volunteer organization, IHF this morning.
I'm going to work volunteer from May 20th to September 20th, just for 4 months!!

Maybe, I will teach math to poor children there.
Not only teaching math, but also I have many tasks in that volunteer program.
I will work with advertising, looking for new sponsers, keeping touch with sponsers, etc.


About the organization;
The organization is non-profit one. The government admits the organization, but doesn't support it.

Life there;
I'll live in a facility in which poor children and staffs are living.
Most children have sponsers in the country or other countries.
I'll pay $50 per week, which covers accommodation and every meal.
So, in total, I pay $200 per month.
In addition, I have to buy the air ticket by myself.
It is because the organization itself isn't getting profits.


Work;
I haven't known exactly about my work there yet.
As I wrote above, probably I'll teach math to children.
Therefore, I might need to study math a little bit before I go there.


By the way, I checked the information of Indonesia and air ticket.
Probably, I will go back to Japan on May 14th.
My last final exam finishes on May 13th.
I will stay in Japan only for 4 or 5 days, and leave for Jakarta on 19th or 20th.
Schedule is so tight...

But, I haven't decided yet.
I might go to Jakarta directly from America.
Actually, it's so cool. But, at the same time, I want to see my friends in Japan and relax in my house...

Anyway, I'll have been busy by September 20th, though I will be busy even after I'm back to Japan....

It has passed 5 months since I came to America. But, I have another 7 months before I'm truely back to Japan.
So Excited!!

Spring Break

I'm working volunteer in spring break.
I could get the chance the last night.

Fortunately, my friend who applied to at the same time could also get it.
So, we can work together.

I'll work volunteer whole spring break, on March 7th to 15th.
The place is Petersburg, VA. Petersburg is located 30 minutes drive south from Richmond, which means it's close to Williamsburg where I am.
We will stay in a house in Petersburg, not going back to Williamsburg. The activity is establishing houses for poor people there.
I heard Petersburg is the most devastated city in Virginia.

However, the volunteer is not so serious.
Of course, we work for them. However, we can enjoy after the work with other 10 members.

We have meetings 4 times before we go there, and we have a first meeting next week.



At the same time, however, I abondoned to go to California in spring break.
I really want to visit West Coast cities, especially Los Angels and San Francisco.
And, I'd like to meet my friend with whom I became friend in Chicago. He is in Stanford.
But, I go there and meet him while I'm in America. Maybe when I leave America, I will drop by California.


I believe I can have a great experience there.
It is a good opportunity to work with other members, and I can see the social problem with my eyes. Also I will be able to get a fulfilment.
And, I can save money, though I paid $250 for the program.

Anyway, I have so many things to do this semester.....
Write down what I do in my last semester.
The number is priority.


1. Study for classes (of course!!!)
I really try to get straight As' in this semester!!
Now, I'm completely used to the system here and I can concentrate on my study.

2. Apply for internship abroad or volunteer abroad
Now, I'm contacting both.
And, I'm waiting for reply from volunteer organization.
I applied for 4 months volunteer program in Indonesia or Thailand.
I sent application form on Monday. My friend and a professor in my college could become a reference and recommend me for that program.
I appreciate them.

3. Activity in investment club
I joined an investment club.
The club seems so interesting!!

4. Volunteer in spring break

5. Activity in entrepreneurship club
Also, I joined entrepreneurship club from this semester.
I talked with president of the club, and he asked me to become an excutive after our conference!
But, I don't know how much I'll be absorbed in this club.
The word "Entrepreneur" is very attractive to me.
But, I didn't feel the club is appealing...


There are many things to do....
I believe I can make it all of them!!!!

sleepy....

So sleepy...

I was sleeping a little bit in psychology class.....
Today, I have a lot of things to do.

Now, I start study for environmental science class at 3:30.

At 7 o'clock, I'm going to an investment club.
This is my first meeting.

At 8, I go to check my lottery which is for volunteer in spring break.
Today, I can know how I will spend spring break.
I can volunteer in whole spring break if I can get the chance.


ok, start studying

Windows 7!?

Did you know Microsoft is planing to sell a new version of Windows in a year.
That is Windows 7.
I did know by reading New York Times Online.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/technology/personaltech/22pogue.html?em

However, this new version will not be changed as much as XP to Vista.
In short, Windows 7 is a fixed version of Windows Vista.

The main reason that Microsoft releases Windows 7 is Vista couldn't get popular by a lot of incomvenience.
Now, Windows 7 is available as a free download on Microsoft website.


Some people have said XP users don't need to change to Vista. They have said XP users should buy the next version of Vista. So, it's Windows 7.

Nobody can predict how much this Window 7 becomes popular.
Now, we are in recession and many people have refrained their consumption.
Moreover, the importance of OS is getting low because of the development of internet.


Personally, I don't like the name "Windows 7."
It seems old.... I feel Windows get back to the time of Windows 95 or 98......


Now, I'm going to be back to my room and go to bed 'causeI have to wake up by at 8 tomorrow.
I'm going to join a social service that my roommate is doing.


See you.