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December 8th, 2005 |
December 8th, 2005 |
| July 14th
2005 Hi Debra, How are you doing?
I have good news and bad news today.
Good news is: I finally finished my study of teaching young children. I got a diploma! yea. I finished my hard studying, so my friend suggested to go for a road trip from Toronto to Ottawa,Montreal, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Halifax, NY,Boston, etc.... Then we first went to Ottawa and enjoyed there. Bad news is: Someone stole all our things next day in Motreal. We kept all bags in the trunk of our car, but someone stole our 4 suitcases. I couldnt understand what was happened at that time. My friends lost passport, computer,credit card, hard disk, camera, air tickets. I kept my important things, passport, phone, camera, etc with me so I was ok, I only had stolen my cloths, which was not expensive, but they were very important to me, so I was really really sad. So we could not continue the trip. Other than topics above: I Worked part time at a cafe and enjoyed working there. It is really nice place, I like the owner, he is very old man from Lebanon, I really enjoying the working. I want to visit you soon. Im thinking what to do from now. I wrote many bad experiences, but Im enjoying everyday. I see many good friends, most of them are Japanese, but we talk a lot, we think a lot, we go out many good places, etc. I want to enjoy this beautiful summer. I know this summer never last. So I will try to enjoy everything. Thank you for reading. I will send more happy email next time.... Take care! Miki |
| July 14th 2005 Dear Miki, I was so shocked to read your e-mail. Today is
the first time for me to check e-mail because I was in Japan. Many
medical things have happened in my family recently. My daughter needs
an operation, now also.
This is so sad to have someone break-in to the trunk of your car and steal your things. I know you feel that you have been personally violated. Someone came in my apartment and took some of my Japaneses dolls and stole some of our medicines. We told police but they said they had many big problems like murders and the goods were not valued over $500.00 I believe theft of goods over $500.00 is a felony (major) crime rather than just a misdemeanor(minor) crime. In your case, the person(s) surely would be charged with felony. Did you go to the police? Do you have traveler's insurance with AIU from Japan? I saw on my policy that a certain amount of coverage is available for stolen suitcases. Have you thought to call them. I know you feel depressed now. This is natural. Try to think how bad it really could have been if you had seen the people in the act of stealing, they may have killed you or your friends! Once when I was traveling, I had all my things stolen from my hotel room. Like you, all I had was what I was wearing, my passport and airline ticket which I always carry with me when traveling ANYWHERE - even in Japan. These days we have more and more crime in Japan, as you know. I wish I could say something to make you feel better. Just remember that things are only things and they can always be replaced. People, however, can not. I am glad you have friends there. I will pray that you will have better days, Miki. I am so sorry for your loss. Your friend, Debra |
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| May 27th 2005 Hi Debra! How are you doing?
I'm in Toronto now. I finished 1 month ESL course at WTC in Downtown, and this term, I'm taking TYC course. http://www.wtccanada.com/ TYC means 'Teaching Young Children'. I'm studying about teaching now. It is so hard for me because I have to do many presentation, homework. After 1 month, I will get diploma, so now I'm trying hard everyday. Miki |
| May 27th, 2005 Dear Miki, When I got your e-mail, I was afraid to open
it. Your address using kanji characters "scrambles" from an
American or Canadian computer and comes to someone with strange symbols
and letters. No one can tell it is you!
I opened the e-mail because the subject said "our working website". I knew then, "Oh, this is Miki!" Your friends in Japan might not know and think they have someone trying to send them a computer virus. It is wonderful to learn your life and school in Canada are going so well. You have already finished one month of very difficult study. I can tell by your e-mail that your English has improved very much. I am very happy for you. I am sure that learning more about teaching children is rewarding. I enjoy teaching children because the learning curve is very sharp. They can absorb new language in a way we adults can not! Sometimes, I wish I was still a girl so I could learn Nihongo quickly. Tell me more about life in Canada. How is the weather? What are your classmates like? Have you made friends that you will continue contact with after you return to Japan? How much longer will you be in Canada? I am waiting for you to write to me again. Fond Regards and my best wishes for good luck! Debra |
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| March 24th
2005
Hello Debra, How are you???
I am so sorry that I didn't email you for such a long time! I'm still
in Japan, and I received your card today.
At last I finished my job, and now I am preparing for going to Canada!
I will leave on April 14th! Ohhhh, very soon....
I am so busy and feeling a little bit nervous about going abroad, but I
was happy to read your card.
Mmmmmm. Maybe it will be fun and a good opportunity to spend a long
time
in Canada. I finished my English lessons last month because
I was busy
at my job. I studied only one
year at EICS, but I enjoyed going there every Tuesday
and Friday ! I want to come back soon. The teachers are very friendly
and very funny (Victor sensei :-) ), and Nagel
sensei's lesson were great.
I was so happy to find EICS !
Well.... I will
stay in Toronto studying English for two months, and then
I will move to Vancouver for a course entitled, 'Teach English for
Kids'.
I like kids and teaching, so it will be very fun!
My host family in Toronto have a baby boy, so I am looking forward to
seeing him!
OK, I will send you a picture with my class mates and Victor sensei
next
time. See you soon! Miki from
Tokai mura ! |
| March 24th, 2005
Dear Miki, I was so happy to
check e-mail today. Is the address below still good in Canada? Will you
have to change it? I hope not. I really want to hear all about your
homestay program and your progress learning to teach English to
children. It is a good thing
my card reached you BEFORE you left Tokai. You must be very excited
with less than three weeks before you leave Japan! If you enjoy
children, would you like to go to our Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday at
Tokai Sister City hall and help our staff? This is a voluntary event we
do each year for children around Tokai to teach western culture. Please
tell me if you would like to join and I will have Mrs. Wakizaka call
you. Or better yet, just print out this e-mail and go to the school in
late afternoon when she is there! I am sure they would love to have
your help. I am looking
forward to our e-mail exchange while you are in Canada. Do you know a
Wednesday night student who also went to Canada to study English for
about one year? We wrote while she was "freezing" until the weather
became warm. Students enjoyed
reading about her progress on the internet. What I did was correct a
little of her writing before we posted her letters and took out parts
that she didn't want to share (very personal things about boyfriends,
etc,) and then sent her letters back to her for approval first. Would
this be o.k. with you? It would really help other students to see the
benefit in going abroad to study. Thanks so much for
writing. I am excited to hear from you again soon. Your friend, Debra |
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