Lovely days with my family

Yes!!!! My mum and sis came to England for a week. (7th~12th)
I was happy to spend time with them at the weekend and the last day.

First of all, I missed all classes afternoon, and went on see them to Heathrow airport. Despite I met for the first time in three months, I didn't feel like long time no see. I don't know why, though. They looked so tired because of the long flight, which was total 14 hours. After meeting up with them, we went to the hotel where we had stayed for nearly a week. Then we went to Pizza express to have supper. It was the first time to visit there, but food which we ordered, the atmosphere, and staff were perfect!!! Oh my goodness such a heavenly time^^

On second day, we joined one of the tour for Japanese which took up to Cotswolds. I did have no idea about Cotswolds, but now I have known. All houses in region of Cotswolds are made of the stone which is called Cotswolds. That's why that region is called Cotswolds. I mean all creamy colouring houses are very pretty. I came in almost all of souvenirs shops, but there are huge amount of pretty things. I actually couldn't choose which one is the best!!hehe We had Fish and chips, seasersalad, and Beef pie for lunch. It was apparently heavy lunch, but quite good!!!! It was to my test!!Really!!

On third day, I joined the London tour in the morning. We went around Greenwich, the city of London, and London by bus. Actually, I hadn't been to Greenwich before, so I really enjoyed to get there. I stood across the line which is called "First meridian" for the first time. There was a great view, and also it was cloudless, so I could see all of London. After going down the hill, we went on watch "Changing the guard" in Buckingham palace because fortunately, the parade was taken place!!!!! I was soooo happy to watch it because I had never seen it before. Guys who were playing instruments individually and wore a official red uniform were so cool!!!! They caught my heart... Why are they such a cool????? Please tell me, Somebody~~~~~!! In the afternoon, we wandered around London. I led my family to various places to have them got an enjoyable time.




















On the last day, they came to Winchester where I have lived. I introduced them my uni. and the town. Moreover, I recommended them have Pasty!!!!! Yes! I love Pasty. They seemed to like Pasty. At last, I saw them off at the bus stop. It was so sad to say goodbye in a half year, but I charged energy!!! Actually, they gave me amount of energy to spend happily for another 6 months. I cried after they headed off to the airport. I couldn't get used to say goodbye for good...

I had fabulous days with them!!! Thank you!!!!!! See you in 6 months!!!!!

The Newforest Show

I went to The New Forest Show yesterday with my teachers and friend. It was a cloudless sky in the morning, but end up a cloudy one. Unfortunately, it got overcast, but quite nice day out!! It is said that this festival is very traditional English one. I don't have any sort of festival in Japan, so it was quite interesting to wander around. Obviously the place was enormous, and there was a massive crowd of people. When I learned that this festival was originally held in the first World War to produce many bins of jam and that it represents a respect for women, I thought it is a great culture and a way of thinking because Japanese people still respect women, but this sort of event haven't been held before. However, many farmers who is not only women but men join it now, though. I believe this big event is a very good opportunity to show audience their effort and much work. I wish Japan would have similar one...

Animals, Vegetables, flower arrangements, arts, wood sculptures, and something like that are very popular in Japan, but the dancing sheep show which one group of sheep dances rhythmically with music, horse jump time racing, and dressage are not. Three of them are much popular than Japan, so it was so fascinating. However, I have never seen such huge vegetables in front of me before. How huge it is, I thought. I wondered how they looked after. Unless they look after very constantly, vegetables died very quickly, so I think it is apparently great work. I cannot do that, though. Horses are seem to be one of a symbol in UK, and are worth being treated very nicely. Animals zones, especially cattle's one, were stinky, but they were so cute. I held a one-week-old chick. I wanted to squash it. Oh my gosh... I could keep it safe anyway...hehe

I ate many pieces of food testing and traditional pie; Curried Lamb, for lunch. It was not warm, but tasty!! I enjoyed it. All of food testing were made in UK and very fresh. It was quite nice. I found that traditional food in UK is almost covered with a pie and has many ingredients in a pie. It's more complicated than Japanese traditional food. I can eat it without a fork and knife everywhere even if I don't have a seat. Traditional food with a pie is more to my taste than flied food.

After that, I visited my host family's house. Even now, they have provided me a meal sometimes. Moreover, mum cooked Cottage pie and Samosas which both of them are my favourite food. It was so yummy. I was happy to see them indeed.

The Making Of Harry Potter

"Warner Bro.
Studio Tour in London
The Making Of Harry Potter"

I went to the studio tour at the weekend. First of all, I have to appreciate for giving me a chance to get there to my teachers. Massively thank you.xx

The studio tour was amazing!!!!! It's definitely excellent!! The studio itself was enormous.  It was beyond my expectation. The tour guides gave us the explanation about the tour and the process of all of films simply with humorous talking beforehand. It made me excited more and more, pushed my emotion. I didn't know how effort hundreds of specialists having artistic and creative talent made and how huge time they spent even earlier first film came, but I appreciated all of it while I was walking and looking around inside the studio. Almost all of stuff, such as sculptures, portraits, furniture, equipped machines, dresses, and hair wigs, were handmade. There were hundreds of thousands of stuff, though. I'm sure that all of Harry Potter are the supreme magical films. Moreover, Thanks to the special short movie and photos which is set throughout the studio, I could hear their real voice as I watched it, and I saw the warm face of Professor. Moody for the first time. Many character's photo from the first one to the last one showed me how long it took to shoot all of films, and how big they were getting for 10 years. It was also fascinating.

I cannot chose the best section, so I put on many pictures anyway.
There are many real sets like these there.

 

I drank a cup of butter beer with white moustache.

This is 1/24 scales of real one in the film. If I treated it, I would give up making...

I bought lots of souvenirs for me. They vacuumed my money. hehe
I originally loved Harry Potter, but I loved more and my perspective for it changed afterwards. It is interesting because I can completely realise how this machine is moving when I watch it next time.
This was a precious experience. One of my dream came true. I recommend everyone go there, and I would absolutely go in the near future when I come to England again.


The best walking studio tour ever!!!!

Stonehenge and Bath tour

I went to Stonehenge and Bath with Shoei students from Japan, teachers, and my friend.




Stonehenge

I have never been there before. The first impression of Stonehenge was spiritual stones and smaller than I expected, but it was still huge. Nothing is around it. Only huge green field was present. I mean Stonehenge is surrounded by lots of green field and nature, and one of the spot which gives me a power. I like it. We don't have anything but seeing it there, though. Can you imagine that one architect built it 2000 years ago? It is probably easier to built now, but 2000 years ago, they should not have any useful tools. They might be very clever. We don't have any spot like it in Japan, so I cannot see similar one!! It was very precious experience for me.




Bath

I also have never been there. I went to the Roman Baths, Royal crescent, and the circle. The Roman baths were amazing!!!! We had been wandering inside for an hour by the time I met up with each other outside. Even now, the spring hot water is coming out from the bottom of it. I was surprised!! I ran towards there, and I thought it is very close to Japanese style natural spa. Water was dusty, though.It made me miss my bath in Japan. hehe Moreover, I wondered one thing that why English people today don't have a habit taking a bath. Basically, they take a shower. The ancient people took a bath, though. At the end of the Roman bath tour, I drank a small cup of spring water. To be honest, the taste was not good... I couldn't drink over. I don't know how I should explain about how it was, but it was awful for me...

The town was also great!!!! I thought here is very at home. Time goes very slowly, and it was opposite from the middle of London. When I saw Royal crescent, I was surprised that how enormous it is because normally the apartment has two levels or less, but it has 4 levels each including under ground. I couldn't say nothing but "Wow"!!! Probably my mouth would keep opening for a bit while. I wish I could live there...


After that, I ate the big ice cream; double scoop waffle corn, mint choco chip and strawberry. It was awesome!!!! I was getting cold, but I was happy to eat it, so that was alright.

I had a lovely weekend!!

On Saturday
  I went to the town to post the postcard to one of my friends and wandered around there. The weather was pretty good to go for a walk. I saw many stuff which looks so delicious on the high street while I was walking along there. However, I already had had breakfast, so it was hard to stand from lots of temptation. When I go there next time, I mean to be hungry for them. After I came back to my room, I had been watching You tube for an hour by the time I did Skype with my family. You tube made me watch for a long time because You tube has many relative channels on the side of screen. I was supposed to stop watching in 30 minutes and have lunch, but I found myself that I was absorbed in it. Then, I had been doing Skype with my family for 1h30m until they went to bed. There are big time difference(8 hours) between Japan and England(Japan is ahead and England is behind), so it is a little difficult to do Skype at the same time when both of us are free. They seemed fine!!!! We planed their visit to England in 3 weeks. It was so excited, because I will be able to spend with them during their visit. Apparently I miss my family, but Skype with my family always cheers me up.


On Sunday
 I woke up a bit late and did my homework in the morning. After lunch I did Skype with my mother again because she fell asleep very early on the half way through Skype yesterday. Whenever I Skype with my mother, lots of topics pop out comparing in Japan. I mean when I was in Japan, I talked to her everyday, but I obviously cannot do now. So, Skype is very good opportunity to communicate with my family and friends. When I did Skype, I called my dogs, but they didn't notice my voice! I was very sad... They reacted to something...but they didn't find it was my voice! They ignored my voice! hehe When I go back to Japan, I will definitely ruffle and play with my lovely 4 dogs!! I will be having lovely time with my 4 dogs after 7 months. hehe I look forward to seeing them!

I went into the celebrity worlds.

I went to Westminster Abbey last Wednesday with my teacher and friend. I have known it, but I went there for the first time. Westminster Abbey stands strongly as if it is a symbol in London. Westminster has the deeply history, and the King has buried under it for about 1000 years. Inside of it, the oldest coronation chair, which is likely to be broken if someone sit down on, is displayed. Before I came to England, I didn't know about gothic architectures very well because Japan doesn't have any gothic architectures, but I have thought they are very cool since I started learning about British history and those sort of things. It is very good for me.


After that, I went to Carnaby Street, Harrods, and Fortnum & Mason. Carnaby street is actually not so expensive, basically cheaper than another two department stores. Another two department stores are ridiculously expensive!!!!  Actually, Carnaby is for younger people, and another two are for tourist and older people, I thought. Moreover, Carnaby has individual shops, and I can shop slowly because it is very calm. However, another two have lots of different types of shops, so I cannot shop nicely because there are very busy, crowded, and noisy. Therefore, they don't have any wall between shops. However, the products are very nice. They are incredibly nice!!! There are very expensive brand cloths, dresses, bags, accessories, cosmetic things, perfumes, and so on.  I have watched a kind of mega expensive thing on TV, but I actually saw such an expensive thing for the first time. I have similar department stores in Japan, but British one is much more expensive. When I saw the guy who has 3 big bags of Dior, I could not believe that view. I cannot imagine. If I have enough money, I could buy...I will need to work hard and earn in the future...

The most expensive wine in England in Fortnum & Mason
 It says £1650.00 . I would like to drink just a shot of glass.

The most expensive LEGO in England in Harrods
 I guess this is the most expensive LEGO(£65.000) not only in England but also around the world. I haven't seen more expensive LEGO before.

A piece of soap in Fortnum & Mason
 I cannot imagine I would use this sort of soap(£30). It is very pretty, but too expensive. Moreover, it is too beautiful to use. Who would use this ?


The very gorgeous tea pot set in Harrods
 It is marvelous and quite valuable one.(£4.250)

I also liked pretty things in Carnaby street. Especially, I liked these cooking goods. It is very pretty, isn't it? If I have these, I would feel like cooking every single meal...hehe

The laziest weekend ever.

I had the laziest weekend ever since I came to England cause I didn't want to do anything... I hope everyone has the same situation at least one time...
Anyway I watched two films; Tangled which belongs to Disney, you know though, and Terminator genesis. I obviously love Disney, so I actually have watched it many times, but I'm not fed up with it. It is the lovely film. Terminator is also very famous around the world and one of my favourite SF film. I watched in English. Sometimes I couldn't catch the conversation but I can say absolutely my listening is getting better comparing with 2 months ago. I'm glad to be cause my listening is the most horrible of 4 English skills, so I would like to boost the listening up the most. It is a good practice to learn a language.




Then, the local festival which is called Yamakasa was taken place this weekend. It is one of the important festival; When Buddhist is taken from one Shinto shrine to the other one, we protect it as a protector pushing the mood up with a voice, whistle, and Japanese drum. As you can see, It is decorated with lots of Japanese dolls, many pieces of colourful triangle papers, warm lights, and some objects. It is awesome!!!!! Many area have this festival in Summer, and Hakata(it is our county's capital) is original, but I believe my area is the best!!^^

 I have joined it every year, but I couldn't this year, so I asked my childhood friends to send me some photos and movies. Thanks to that I could enjoy that. I got a homesick and wanted to go back, though. Then I thought I should once go back to Japan because of a homesick. However, that turned into my power to do my best in England in another months. I believe I will have twice as much enjoyable time as usual to fill this year's gap. I already look forward to joining.