ALT 2024 Journal
Hello! I will be posting monthly updates about American Culture and new Japanese experiences here. Please enjoy and happy reading! :)

March 2024
~Hello March~
Fukuokazeki Sakura Park in Tsukubamirai
Hello everyone and happy March! We are already 3 months into 2024. The months are going by quickly and soon we will be back in the summer heat. However, right now, we are entering Sakura Season! Sakura Season is one of my favorite things about living in Japan. 
Happy Graduation 3年生!
Hello Graduating Class,
　　2 years together went by quickly. I had fun helping you learn English and whether you liked or disliked English, I hope it comes in handy even just a little bit. 
　　I’m sad to see you go but, I’m really excited to see what you do in the future. Congratulations on graduating and good luck on your future endeavors. 
 
卒業生のみなさんへ、
一緒に過ごした2年間はあっという間でした。英語の学習を手伝って楽しかったです。英語が好きか好きじゃないかにかかわらず、少しでもお役に立てれば嬉しいです。
皆さんが去るのは寂しいですが、将来の活躍を本当に楽しみにしています。ご卒業おめでとうございます。これからのご活躍を祈っています。
                          March U.S Holidays
March 17th: Saint Patrick's Day ☘️
March 31st: Easter 🐣🌷
St. Patrick's Day is a holiday that originated in Ireland and eventually started to be celebrated in the U.S. It is a day celebrated with good food, good company, and all while wearing green! If you don't wear green on St. Patrick's Day then you might get pinched! Some cities will dye their main river green, have a parade, and show traditional Irish dancing. 
Please click the play button to watch the video:
In the U.S, we have the Easter Bunny. The Easter Bunny is a character that comes comes to your house in the night and hides Easter eggs everywhere. The Easter eggs are usually hidden in your backyard, but sometimes they will be hidden inside the house. It depends on the weather.
He also leaves you a basket of treats. When you wake up in the morning you hunt for the eggs with your basket. The eggs are usually filled with candy but sometimes they will have money. 
Other Easter activities would be decorating Easter eggs (please use boiled eggs).
After boiling the eggs, you can dip dye them and start decorating with paints . After decorating and taking photos, you can peel the shell and eat a delicious treat.
 
This is Easter Dinner. Easter Dinner can be anything. However, most families like to make ham, macaroni and cheese, vegetables, potatoes, and some desserts. Desserts can also be anything. Some common desserts are apple pie/pie or cakes. 
✨Nia's Recommended✨
   
My favorite book series is Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. Recently, I found that the first book has a Japanese translation so, I bought it. It's very difficult for me but, I will try to read it slowly and use it for studying Japanese. This is an 8 book high fantasy story about an assassin who journeys to save the realm. She goes through many obstacles and will wear many faces but her true self prevails in the end with the help of friends made along the way.
Movie🎞
Wonka 
 
The movie Wonka starring Timothée Chalamet is an exciting and fun retelling of how Willy Wonka became famous. In this movie we watch as Wonka tries to sell his chocolate. However, he has a hard time doing so due to his competitors. You will see how Wonka overcomes these hardships and opens his chocolate shop with the help of friends.
Lastly, thank you for reading and have a great month! 🌺

January and February 2024
Please click on the links to see past months posts. 
January 2024
February 2024

2023 Journals
Please click on the links to see past months posts. 
August : Summer Time in Hawai'i
September : My Hawai'i Summer Vacation
October : Happy Halloween
November : November
December : Merry Christmas
 

April 2024
🌷~April Showers Bring May Flowers~🌷
Hello Spring!
🎉 Join the English Club! 🎉
Hey everyone! Are you ready to level up your English skills while having a blast? Look no further than our English Club!
🌟 What We Do:
- Engaging Activities: From games and role-plays to talent shows and cultural exchanges, we make learning English exciting!
- Friendly Environment: No pressure, just fun! Our club is a supportive space where you can practice speaking English with fellow students.
🌟 Why Join Us:
- Improve Your English: Whether you're a beginner or advanced learner, our club offers opportunities to sharpen your language skills.
- Make Friends: Meet new people, bond over shared interests, and build confidence in using English in real-life situations.
🌟 How to Get Involved:
- Attend Meetings: Join us for our weekly meetings filled with interactive activities and lively conversations.
- Bring Your Ideas: Have a cool activity or topic in mind? We're always open to new suggestions and contributions!
Ready to embark on a language-learning adventure? Come join the English Club and let's make learning English an unforgettable experience together! See you there! 🌟✨
For all the new Students and Staff~
 
My name is Nia and I am from Honolulu, Hawai'i.
I'm the ALT for Taisei Girls' High School and have been teaching here for almost 2 years.
 
My major in college was East Asian Studies with a focus in Japanese Language however, my Japanese skills are very limited. I am studying everyday! (笑) 
 
My hobbies are reading fantasy and romance books. My
favorite book series is Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas.
I also like to play Nintendo Switch games such as, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Animal Crossing, Splatoon 3, and Pokemon Scarlett. 
 
I enjoy traveling to new places and going to cute cafes.
It's nice to meet you!
I hope everyone had a great spring vacation. Next month, I'll post about mine. Let's talk about it!
Lastly, thank you for reading and have a great month! 🌸

May 2024
🌷~May Flowers~🌷
Hello Spring!
Hello everyone! This month I thought I would share some pictures from April, Korea, and talk about English Club. Please enjoy!
"【 英会話部 部員募集のお知らせ 】 今年度から英会話部が発足しました。 Nia先生と英語で楽しく会話したり、ゲームをしたりしています。 立ち上げたばかりの部活ですので、こんなことがやってみたい、あんなことをしてみたいというアイディアも取り入れていきたいと思います。 活動は毎週火曜日16:00-17:00、場所はB15です。 ぜひ一度見学に来てください。"　- Saito先生
April Flowers 🌷
 
Senba Lake 🐟
Hanami 🌸
Korea 🇰🇷
Byeolmadang Library in Starfield COEX Mall
Cafe Onion Anguk
Bukchon Hanok Village and Gyeongbok Palace
The floating 7/11 by the Han River.
Harry Potter Cafe
Myeongdong night market and a Hanok village near my 
hotel.
Lastly, thank you for reading and have a great month! 🌸
(Seoul Tower - night view)

June 2024
Lastly, thank you for reading and have a great month! 🎋

English Club Newspaper: July 2024
Drawing by: Ayaka Kobayashi
Hello everyone! This month the English Club has put together their own newspaper. The students wrote about their summer recommendations. Please enjoy!😁
I recommend going to Hitachi Station. You can see a good scenery from here. - Yuan Suzuki
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I recommend going to Hitachi Seaside Park. You can see a lot of Kokia. - Yuan Suzuki
 
 
 
 
 
 
My recommended summer song is "Talking to the Moon". This song is sung by Bruno Mars. - Iroha Ogura
I recommend listening to "Ikanaide". This song is a love story but, it's about heartbreak. I feel sad when I listen to this song. - Ai Suzuki
 
 
I recommend watching Drowning Love. This is a Japanese movie. This movies cast has Suda Masaki and Komatsu Nana. You can feel the summer vibes. - Ai Suzuki
 
 
 
I recommend this movie called, "Look Back". This movie is very short, about 1 hour. However, the story is very good! This is the same author as "Chainsaw Man". - Tamaki Shuto
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I recommend watching fireworks in the summer. Fireworks are very beautiful. I feel happy when watching fireworks. - Ayaka Kobayashi
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I recommend the Tsuchiura fireworks display. This is a very beautiful show.
When: 2024/11/2
 - Iroha Ogura
 
 
 
 
My recommended summer fruit is pineapple. This fruit is in season during the summer. It's very delicious. - Anri Ishibashi
Summer Crossword
Made by: Ai Suzuki
Disney News
Disney has a new place called 'Fantasy Springs'. There are three new Disney attractions, Frozen, Tangled, and Peter Pan. Also, there is a new hotel. The hotel is very expensive but, it looks like a very good hotel. - Tamaki Shuto
Event in Ibaraki
Mitsukaido Festival
When: 7/13 and 7/14, 2024
Where: Mitsukaido City
Lastly, thank you for reading and have a great month! 🎋
P.S: A Message from Saito先生！

September 2024
☁️~September~☁️
Welcome Back!
Hello everyone! I hope you had a great summer break. This month I want to share some pictures from my summer vacation. Please enjoy!
 
Event: Mito Komon Festival
Location: Semba Lake
 
I went to the Mito Komon Fireworks Festival. The fireworks lasted for about one hour and they were very beautiful. It started to rain heavily, but the show still went on!🎇
 
I wore Yukata for the first time. 🌼
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I went to the Ibaraki Prefectural Museum of History.🏫
 
I ordered the tomato pasta set from Norah's Cafe. It was delicious.🍝
 
The lemonade from Cafe Rin was nice and refreshing.🍋
 
I saw a double rainbow at Ajigaura Beach! It reminded me of home. 🌈
 
This photo was taken at Sakatsura Isozaki Shrine. It was a beautiful shrine with a tree shaded path. 🌳
Lastly, thank you for reading and have a great month! 🎆