How Can I Enjoy Minnesota?

Now summer is leaving and autumn is coming. I'm little sad because I like to play outside. I really enjoyed camping this first summer in Minnesota. Minnesota has a lot of state parks, which I love! I enjoyed canoeing, camping in tents and campers, and the beautiful views. My favorite season, autumn, is now coming. I love to see the leaves change colors and feel breezes. Minnesota is a such wonderful state has many things to do in nature, so I can really enjoy it here.

I came to Minnesota late in March. So I don't know how cold here in winter time. But everyone told me that the winter in Minnesota is very cold and dark. But I played curling for 5 years, when I was University student. I know Saint Paul has a big and old curling club. I want to join them. I think it is the best way to enjoy winter in Minnesota for me!

Camping at State Park

I went camping with my friends this weekends!　It was my first time for me to camp in United States.

First, we went to Inter state state park and canue down a St. Croix river. This two hours ride gives me a beautiful moment.

Friend from Chicago

My friend from Chicago came to Minnesota last week to see me. She sent me some pictures today which were so cute, so I decided to put some of them on my blog.

She is an Aupair at Chicago same as me and we were on same airplane to come to United States. She arrived at Minneapolis/St. Paul airport on 18th (Sat) morning and left Sunday night.

Being a Twin is Difficult!

I have two sisters and a brother. One of my sisters and I are identical twins. Her name is Nodoka which means 'peace'. Mine stands for 'happiness'. I was born 15 minutes after her. We were always together since before we were born.

Some people say that twins have a special ability. I don't know if it is true or not, but we have several experiences being twins. One time when I was singing a song in my mind, my sister came over to me and sung same part of same song! It happen several times.

We were interested in the same things when we were elementary school students. Our favorite subjects were paints and science, especially we were interested in animals and nature things. We liked same cloths, food, color, toy, and boys! Our interests, faces and shapes were so similar. Because of this reason, we fought a lot of times. And what's more, everyone around us compared us. The scores of our tests were especiallyour huge stress. We cannot mark the same score. So there was always a winner and looser. We hated that. So my mother decided to separate us. We went to different junior high and high school. Then everything have changed. Our characterestics and interests became different. I'm now studying animal science and Nodoka is studying German history.

But still the root of our interest is the same. I'm now coming to United States as an Aupair and she was Aupair in Germany two years ago. We are so interested in other cultures and curious about all different kind of things. When I face the torouble, I send e-mail to her and she gives me advice. Her advice encourage me a lot! Because she was an Aupair. My twin knows both preasure and difficulties being Aupair.

We are far from each other now because I'm here in Minnesota, but I believe our hearts are very close! Just because we are twins!!!

The Most Beautiful Sight

I have several beautiful sight I can't forget. One of them is a beautiful snow in Hokkaido.

I was a student in Hokkaido for 5 years. Hokkaido is a nothern island of Japan. The winter in Hokkaido is very cold and we have heavy snow in winter time. I am from Shizuoka and we don't have snow there, so my first winter in Hokkaido was wonderful and surprising for me.

One my first winter morning in Hokkaido, I woke up with surprise.Everything around my house looked different. Everything was white, but they had colors until the day before. Andthere was silence. there were no car, no people, nothing was moving. I didn't have any class that day, so I called my friend and drove to Furano, which is famous for beautiful view. Getting out from the car, and we couldn't talk. We saw white fields against a backdrop of the blue sky, and white trees on the horizon. Mt. Taisetsu stood behind us. The view was huge and we were tiny. We just stood in silence.

My Sweet Home

I live with my host family. They let me use one room with a bed, desk, and TV. My room is small, but I like my room. I didn't know why I like my room until I traveled to MoMA in New York last week. The museum has some Henri Matisse. He is my favorite painter. I was so impressed when I saw his 'the blue window' and 'the red studio' because they have beautiful blues and reds. I noticed I have these two colors in my room! My room has Matisse blue walls, curtains, and sheets. I also have Matisse red carpet candy jar, and candles. They mach the white desk and shelves. So I really love my room now!

Another space I like in the house is the backyard. Taking care of children is my job. I like to play with kids in the backyard because I can feel the time pass quickly. We choose what we do everyday. Basket ball, golf, soccer, bicicle, swimming pool, sand box, slide, or swing. Whichever we choose, we can really enjoy! I think the backyard has a magical power to make us happy.