Hello all! How are you liking this beautiful spring weather?! (ok, I am being sarcastic.. typical American style of making a joke) In fact, it seemed too cold and windy to view the cherry blossoms with a nice picnic.. and now this week has become little warmer, but we are losing the blossoms due to the rain.. Oh well, we always have next year! :)

April Fools Day is coming up. Although not celebrated so much in Japan, I still hope someone plays a good joke on me.. But please don't be cruel, ok? :D

Hi there! How are your English studies coming along? Well, we sure had a productive week last week, that’s for sure.. I had the chance to conduct some English lessons for the nursing students – and they are all so lively and kind! Thanks to them, I could smile just a little more last week.

The end of the fiscal year is nearing its end, and I had the chance to meet and talk with many of my children’s parents. There is a lot of paperwork around this time of year, and everyone here has been so busy. So I would like to say THANK YOU for everyone that works in the offices at YMCA. My hats go off to you!

The spring weather is slowly making its way here.. I hope the weather cooperates so that the cherry blossoms are in the best condition possible to view at the end of the month! Let’s cross our fingers, Ok? :)

TOEICミニクイズ NO.2

問題：（　　　　　）に入る最も適切な単語を(A)～(D)の中から選びなさい。
　　　　　　

My fridge broke down. I want it ( ) as soon as possible.

(A) repairing　 (B) repaired 　 (C) to repaired 　 (D) being repaired

　　The answer is ↓

　　　　　　　　　　　↓
　　　　　　　　　　　↓
　　　　　　　　　　　↓
　　　　　　　　　　　↓

(B) が正解です。「want + ０（目的語） + P.P.(過去分詞形)」で 「OをP.P.してもらいたい」となります。目的語と分詞の関係をよく考えましょう！

If you have any questions, feel free to email me at yano@k-ymca.or.jp
I will be more than happy to help you !
See you next time !

Greetings! Just when I thought it was becoming warmer and spring was officially on its way, the weather report said that it may snow this week! Wait a second.. aren’t the cherry blossoms in Japan supposed to be in bloom in just a few weeks time?! Well when they are, I would sure like to stop by Kokura Castle this year. Most of my students have recommended that area for viewing the cherry blossoms. Do you have any other recommendations for the Kokura area? Shoot me an email if you do!

Hello everyone !
My name is Akiko and I teach TOEIC classes here at YMCA. I would like to help you study for the test by providing you with mini-quizzez.
Remember, practice makes perfect !

TOEICミニクイズ NO.1

問題：（　　　　　）に入る最も適切な単語を(A)～(D)の中から選びなさい。
　　　　　　

( ) the efforts she made to get a job, she was not successful.

(A) Although　 (B) Despite 　 (C) Even though 　 (D) Besides

　　The answer is ↓

　　　　　　　　　　　↓

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(B) Despite「～にもかかわらず」 が正解です。訳は「彼女は仕事を得るために努力をしたにもかかわらず、不成功に終わった。」となります。
Despite はIn spite of より堅い語ですが、使い方は同じです。今回の問題では前置詞で使われていますので、そのすぐ後には名詞（ここではthe efforts）が来ています。

If you have any questions, feel free to email me at yano@k-ymca.or.jp
I will be more than happy to help you !
See you next time !

Hello all! I hope you can excuse my late post – had lots going on, and I have to face the facts - my life is full of happiness and joy, which in turn, makes time fly! (you know the saying, right?) It’s business as usual here at your Kitakyushu YMCA. For those that know me, you may have realized that I have an eye for noticing small details around me. Recently I am looking around the YMCA buildings, and I have some nice ideas to make some of the rooms feel warmer and cozier. So be prepared to see some changes in the appearance of our buildings! Do you have any recommendations? Please feel free to drop me an email and share your ideas on how we can make improvements at YMCA. I can’t promise that every recommendation will be done, but I will try my best with what we have!

My email: sam@k-ymca.or.jp

Hello everyone! It's hard to believe that a whole week has passed since I posted my last blog. The highlight of this week MUST be Valentines Day, right?! Last Friday I received chocolates from my students, and also from the staff here at YMCA! Then on Valentines Day, I was honored to join my friend's wedding after-party in Tenjin. Don't you think it is a lovely idea to get married on February 14th?! One thing's for sure - you would never forget your wedding anniversary!

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentines Day. If you have time, please drop me a line and tell me what you did – shall we compare Valentines Day in different countries?

Hello everyone! It's hard to believe that a whole week has passed since I posted my last blog. The highlight of this week MUST be Valentines Day, right?! Last Friday I received chocolates from my students, and also from the staff here at YMCA! Then on Valentines Day, I was honored to join my friend's wedding after-party in Tenjin. Don't you think it is a lovely idea to get married on February 14th?! One thing's for sure - you would never forget your wedding anniversary!

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentines Day. If you have time, please drop me a line and tell me what you did – shall we compare Valentines Day in different countries?

Hello everyone! It's hard to believe that a whole week has passed since I posted my last blog. The highlight of this week MUST be Valentines Day, right?! Last Friday I received chocolates from my students, and also from the staff here at YMCA! Then on Valentines Day, I was honored to join my friend's wedding after-party in Tenjin. Don't you think it is a lovely idea to get married on February 14th?! One thing's for sure - you would never forget your wedding anniversary!

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentines Day. If you have time, please drop me a line and tell me what you did – shall we compare Valentines Day in different countries?

Another productive week has passed here at YMCA! I hope for you also. Last week I was really happy to see some students join my classes again, and I will be as equally happy to see even more join next week.

Every day I am reminded how 'international' the YMCA organization really is.. Last week, it was the sweet smell of Chinese dumplings! (there was a large gyouza cooking party) I am just one of about three Americans that are actually affiliated with the YMCA in Kokura. So I wonder, how many people would join me if I organized a "hamburger" cookout?? Would you like a REAL Texas-style burger, made by a REAL Texan? I can assure you that it wouldn't taste like fast-food.