The Day I Lost

I lived with my parents, grandmother, uncle, two aunts and two cousins to six. There were many people in our house. But I was always alone, because my father, uncle and two aunts went to work, and two older cousins went to school. My mother had a weak constitution, so she was entering hospital. My grandmother was only in our house, but she did all the household chores in large house by herself. Though I was little, I knew that she is so busy. So, I couldn't say any selfishness. To tell the truth, I wanted to spend with someone much more time. But I couldn't.

I had one more family. It was a cat named Mi. Mi was beside me for as long as I can remember. When I was playing house alone, before I know, Mi was sitting beside me quietly. I was glad that very much, because I got a guest to entertain with dishes I prepared as playing house. And I often had to go to bed alone. It was the loneliest time in a day. But in morning, I awoke to find Mi was sleeping in a same bed.

I have never thought that Mi is a pet. Mi is my older sister. Mi is precious figure for me. But one day, Mi ceased to be suddenly. Mi was killed in a car accident. It was just in front of our house. I was overwhelmed with terrible grief. I lost kind, gentle sister. I became real alone.

I'll never forget about Mi. She is my precious family member.



(266words/total 8123words)

My Family

I have a younger brother. He is now 15 years old and I'm 21 years old. We have six ages difference. To tell the truth, I have an older brother and a younger sister. But they are not here. They couldn't live only a few times. My mother had my older brother born dead and she miscarried my younger sister. Of course I don't remember about that. But I sometimes dream about my older brother and younger sister since I was told about that from my mother. In my dream, I can't see their faces, but somehow I feel warmed.

Several years ago, I visited their grave for the first time. In Japan, an aborted fetus and a miscarried fetus is called "mizuko". Mizuko is held a memorial service with other babies who lost their lives. And there is "mizuko-zizou" with them. Mizuko-zizou is a guardian deity for the spirits of mizuko. I was surprised to see the place. There were many many confectioneries, toys, tricycles... All of them are present for the babies. Mizuko is gathered together, so we can't find the personal space for each babies such as ordinary graves. But I was glad see them very much. I felt just as I could see my older brother and younger sister. On the point of going home, I told myself that "I'll visit here again."

Young people today don't visit graves of their ancestor or their relatives very much. And I also one of them. But I think that it is very important to express our gratitude to them.



(270words/total 5496words)

Pretty Animal For Me

I have so many favorite animals. But especially I like lizards. Some people don’t like the reptiles, but I like them. I think female like them rather than male. I really want to have some lizards, but I can’t because my family doesn’t like them. And most of them grow up so big! So, breeding them costs a lot.

The reason why I like them are some facts. First one is their eyes. I think their eyes are so pretty! I went to a pet shop before, I saw one lizard. I gazed at it all the way. Then, the lizard began to doze. The eyes was about to close entirely, but kept at it to be awake. The lizard repeated that over and over looked very pretty for me.

But to tell the truth, I have favorite animal better than lizards. It’s dinosaurs. I like them very much since I was little. But you know dinosaurs don’t exist now, so I can’t see real dinosaurs. Therefore, I like lizards. I think lizards look like dinosaurs very much. Actually, “saurs” means “lizards”. Do you know that?

I can understand people say lizards are unpleasant. But I hope that such people try to see lizards even just a little moment when they go to a pet shop. Perhaps they can find some good things about them or understand what I said. First of all, please see their round eyes fixedly. You may be surprised at they have beady and pretty eyes.



(256words/total 4205words)

My Precious Treasure

The essential thing for my life is one book. It was written by one Japanese actor. He is an actor, but recently he is also energetic in a singing idol. He and his fellows released four CDs. And he released one CD as a soloist. Every CDs hit it big! Of course I bought all of them.

He is very good at playing baseball. He has special talent of a catcher. He was elected as a Japanese representative of baseball in his elementary school and junior high school days. After that, he entered a high school which is well known as distinguished for its record in baseball tournaments. In his high school days, he formed the battery with one great pitcher. The pitcher is actively involved in the major leagues as a leading Japanese professional baseball now.

His rare attraction is not only that point. He has so many friends everywhere because he has incredible power which attract many people. For example, when he worked at serving trays of food in a hall of ceremonies as a part-time job, he received a tip about tens of thousands yen in a day. Other his part-time job episode is as a complaints clerk. Other workers forced an annoying claimer on him in spite of he was fresh started the work. The claimer had distressed every workers, so everyone didn't want to helping any more. But after talking with him, the claimer said "Hey! Come on over my house sometime! I will cook the great dishes to the best of my ability for you!!" Actually, after that he visited her house. She is no longer an annoying claimer. She is a friend of him now.

But even such him, he had so many hardships. In the book, there are such troubles or his strong faith. When I am troubled or depressed terribly, I open his book. And I get answer and mettle from his words. So, his book is essential, or more HE is absolutely precious for me and my life forever.



(342words)

For My Host Family

Hello! My name is Miki O. At first, I will introduce myself briefly. I am 20 years old now. But my birthday is May second, so I am nearly 21 years old. My favorite things are chocolates, rock music, coffee, baseball, sunflowers and so on. As I just said, I like baseball very much, but I especially like Japanese professional baseball. There are twelve ball clubs in Japan. Of all the ball clubs, I have been supporting on team, the Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS. Fukuoka is the home of the team and Kumamoto where I live borders on Fukuoka. I will bring the uniform of my most favorite player, Munenori Kawasaki. But I don't know about the major leagues very much. If someone likes the majors in your family, please tell me about it.

I want to know more about your country, other things. For example culture, tradition, the present fashion. I want to learn so many things. Do you have any questions or interests about Japan? If you do, please ask me before my leaving for your country. I will go to your place after I learn about your questions properly because I know only few things about Japan. I will be able to answer your all questions by the time I meet you.

Actually, it is my first trip to your country. Indeed, I have never been abroad. So, I feel nervous very much before my stay. But this stay is good for me and my future, so I will enjoy this stay with you.


(257words)