One time, I went to Mino to learn about paper. We visited a center where we could make our own paper. I really enjoyed it. I laid designs and a wire mesh over my paper and showered it with water. After it dried, it looked almost like lace.

Someday I hope to go again.

Have you ever made paper? Did you enjoy it?

I was so proud of my suede shoes. I wore them everywhere.

Do you like suede shoes? Do you like Elvis? What was fashionable when you were in junior high school?

When I got in the car my hands were numb.

I wonder if it will snow here. Recently there was snow in a neighboring town.

I like snow, but it can be dangerous.

Do you like snow? How do you stay warm in the winter?

For example the rabbit and the hare. The hare is usually larger and has very powerful back legs. Also, the hare’s ears are usually larger than the rabbit’s ears.

Turtle and tortoise are another example. Generally, a tortoise lives only on land and a turtle lives in and near lakes and streams. Often the tortoise lives in a desert and their shell is very round. Turtle shells are usually flatter so they can move fast in the water.

Also crocodiles and alligators are very similar. The crocodile is usually larger, but the alligator has a very strong, square jaw.

Have you ever seen a rabbit? How about a hare? Have you seen a turtle? How about a tortoise? Have you seen alligators or crocodiles?

Recently a friend said he didn’t like the harpsichord very much. He prefers the piano. Of course I like the piano very much, too; however, I really like the harpsichord.

A harpsichord looks similar to a piano, but the inside is a little different. A piano strikes wires with small wooden hammers. A harpsichord plucks wires with small picks. I really like the plucking sound. Perhaps I find it light and fun, like a banjo or the Okinawan sanshin.

Have you ever heard a harpsichord? Which do you prefer: the piano or the harpsichord?

That may seem very strange, but it was very convenient. Our site had more than a hundred buildings. He would ride the unicycle to get to meetings in other buildings.

Ever since then, for 26 years, I have wanted a unicycle. Finally, this year, Santa Claus brought me a unicycle for Christmas! Now I am learning how to ride a unicycle.

Can you ride a unicycle? Do you own a unicycle?

We sang the school song and listened to the Principal talk about the importance of making a good plan for the year.

The students had meetings about the new term. After that, they went home early.

There is no school lunch today. Unfortunately I forgot to bring a box lunch, so I’m a little sad.

Do you have a good plan for the year?

In America we consider people adults at 18 years of age, but it is very complicated. We consider people under 21 years old to be minors. Americans can vote and smoke when they turn 18, but they can’t drink until they turn 21 years old.

Ancient Jewish tradition celebrates coming of age at 13 years old.

Many Latin American families celebrate a woman’s coming of age at 15 years old.

Different cultures have different ideas about passing into adulthood. When do you think children become adults?

I like many different flavors, so I enjoyed the porridge. This morning we ate the leftover porridge and added Japanese plum.

Japan is a country with many, many traditions. Some of these traditions are disappearing. I think nanakusagayu is a disappearing tradition.

What do you think? Do you eat it every year?

In Japan there is a tradition on the solstice. If we eat squash and take a hot bath with citron, people believe we won’t get sick. Of course squash is healthy and the citron fragrance in the tub is good for our mental health. I really enjoy this tradition.

Have you heard of this tradition? Do you soak in a citron bath on the solstice? Do you eat squash on the solstice?