15 days trip

As I mentioned before I'm going to South Island from 22 December.
It's 15 days trip with 24 people including bus driver and guides (Actually they don't seem to be a guide, but I'm not sure. It might be similar to a guide).
The places I'm going to visit are showed below.

Auckland
Wellington
Pinton
Kaikoura
Tekapo
Queenstown
Queenstown Milford Sound
Franz Josef
Fox Glaciers
Motueka

While I'm travelling, I'm not sure that I can use wireless internet, so I may not update this blog for the time being.
When I come back from trip, I can uproad several articles to the blog certainly.
As such I have to tell in advance,
"Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!"

TED talks 4

I'm glad to see the Amy Cardy's presentation.
She told us how body languages can affect us and might have an impact on our chances for success.
I always use negative body language because of my mind, and I don't become confident.
As a result I often fail something.

In her opinion, if we try 2 minutes positive language everyday and keep it, we can change.
The below phrase she said might be true.
"Fake it till you become it"

Amy Cardy: Your body language shapes who you are
http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are.html

Bungy jump

I'm going to 15 days trip to South Island from December 22.
I booked the highest bungy jump in the world.
I'm feeling a little nervous because I've never tried it.
But this must be a tremendous opportunity and I think it has a possibility to change myself.
I've been thinking that the decision to try something new builds myself strongly.
I'm not sure whether I can do such a thing or not, though, I can never know unless I do it.
I'll report it after coming back from trip.
Please wait for a while.

Sailing

 

I'd like to give a describe of today's aftenoon class.
As I mentioned before, we went to the devonport in afternoon class even though our class is conversation.
And also, we went sailing in that class yesterday.

The last week, teacher asked us, "Would you like to go outside? If so, where would you like to go?"
And the one students said, "I want to go sailing."
At that time we thought it was so expensive that we conluded not to go sailing.
After the class, however, the teacher seemed to be looking for how to go sailing cheaply and she finally found out.
Usually we have to pay more than $150 for it, but the one she found out was only $20.
We discussed the fare and decided to go sailing.

Unfortunately it raind a lot, it was a little tough for me.
Although such a bad weather, we could enjoy it and I thought it was a nice experience.

This conversation class is funny, but I have to change the class from next year because I'd like to learn something new.
Actually there are a variety of classes in the afternoon and what I'll try is for those who are interested in looking for job.

I'm sorry, teacher. I have to change.
I appreciate her some suggestions to do activities.
I hope that I'll be able to take her class again.

Takapuna beach

Takapuna beach, which is in north shore in Auckland, is very beautiful.
Many people enjoy wind surfin, football, Frisbee, and so on.
As water is warm enough to swim, some people are also enjoying swimming.
It's the best season to enjoy swimming now, so I will try it in this summer.
Anyway, there are many beautiful beaches in New Zealand.
I hope to visit as much as possible.

Kafka on the shore

I borrowed one book, titled "Kafka on the shore" by Haruki Murakami.
Although I've already read it in Japanese, I wanted to try to read in English.
Fortunately he is famous not only in Japan but also in some other countries, we can read his books in English.

Frankly speaking, I sometimes come across a difficult word but I can guess to some extent.
This kind of difficulties don't bother me so much.
I'd like to read ahead soon.
I think reading books is very useful to increase vocaburaly.
I should make the time to read books as much as possible.

Devonport

Devonport, across the sea from downtown, is great place to enjoy the sightseeing in Auckland.
I went there on Thurthday's afternoon class (actually it was a conversation class) with a teacher and classmates.
It was sunny with a bit wind, and an ideal weather to walk around.
It took approximately 10 minutes from downtown to debonport, and it cost $11.
We can go there at ease.

Anyway, when we went to the summit of mountain, there was amazing scenary.
We could see the city, the beautiful beach, and the other islands.
I thought it was better view than one of Mt. Eden probably because debonport is surrounded by the sea.
I was satisfied with this small trip. I appreciate the teacher for taking us there.

As of now

Two weeks have passed since I arrived at Auckland.
To live here makes me comfortable because of the people's kindness.
As you know, Auckland is the biggest city in New Zealand, I don't have to worry about daily life.
Moreover there are many beautiful places near the city, I can visit everytime I want to go.

Regardless of such a great life, I have the serious problem now - needless to say, it's the English skill.
Even though two weeks have already passed, I can't listen to English well.
Of cource I can't speak well because of the above reason.
Perhaps I'm better at the grammar and reading skills than other countries' students.
As for the listening and speaking skills, however, I can't help having a sense of inferiority.

When I arrived, I was optimistic.
I was thinking as below,
"I've been studying for a long time, let it be if I go."
But I recognized my ability was worse than I expected.
On 4th February, I 'm going to enter in "Travel & Tourism, Airline" cource.
This will be very hard for me because almost students are kiwi (maybe more than 80%).
Now I can manage to some extent because I'm studying "English", but I'm not sure if I could learn the new things "in English".
I'm required to be better at English to be able to catch up with native speed.
It's tough for me, but I must do.
If only I kept having my belief, I would be able to get over.

Coca Cola Christmas Party

The Coca Cola Christmas Party held in the park yesterday.
Some famous singers and bands sang and performed on the stage.
There were extremely many people. It was amazing.
Even though it was enjoyable and people seemed to be happy, I was tired because of too many people and a little cold.
However I could see a night view of Auckland for the first time.
Sky tower, the symbol of the city, was lighted up brilliantly, and it created a kind of unusualness.
I like such a bewitching scene.

 

Mt. Eden

Yesterday I went to Mt. Eden which is the small mountain in Auckland.
It took approximately 30 minutes from city centre, and more 25 minutes from the foot to the summit of it.
The view from the summit was splendid.
I could see the beautiful sea and the buildings in the city at all angles.
There were many people who enjoy the scenery.
Meanwhile there were some runners, and they were running to the summit. Exactly it was a good place to run because the road was well-paved.
As running is very popular sport in New Zealand, we can see many runners in the city.
Because of the changeable weather, we couldn't avoid encountering the sudden strong wind or rain.
But except for that fact, Auckland is wonderful place to enjoy running.
Needless to say, it's also comfortable to live in.

By the way, there's also beautiful place to enjoy the view of the suburbs of the city, named One Tree Hill.
Although it is a little farer than Mt. Eden and I might use bus, I'd like to go there once.

DRESS SMART

I went to DRESS SMART, which is the outlet mall in Auckland, with my friend yesterday.
It took about 30 minutes from city centre.
I think it was a bit far, but we could be eager to go there because a free shuttle bus runs regulary.
In that place, there were many stores and a variety of goods, such as cloths, shoes, accessories, daily necessities, etc. were sold cheeply.
Of cource we can have lunch at a food court.
Needless to say, such an outlet mall is popular in Japan.
Even though kind of shops, prices and assortments were very similar to Japanese ones, I could find out some really cheap goods.
What a great place to buy something with saving money!
We're going to go there again next week because we didn't have enough time to buy yesterday.
I appreciate that my friend took me there.

Account at a bank

Last Friday, I opened up my account at the National Bank.
I can use from now, because I got the cash card yesterday.
Account at a bank is important to receive money from Japan and salary from the working.
As I can do a part-time job from Februaly, I have to get an ERD number so that I work here.

Meiji-Restoration

Can you explain Meiji-Restoration (The big change occured in Japan in 1868) in English?
The day before yesterday, I had an opportunity to explain it at afternoon conversation class.
But I couldn't do that. I could explain only that western culture came and some tiny information.
I think it's very difficult to explain the history.
The other foreigners are intersted in other countries' history or culture, so there are many opportunities to talk about that.

Albert Park

Yesterday I went to the Albert Park which is in the back side of CROWN.
Although wind was very strong, it was very comfortable to walk around.
Therer were many kind of birds in the park. I have never seen some of them.