Tottori-Vermont Youth Environmental Exchange

yeah :)

2012-02-08T02:59:00.000-08:00

Hi＼(^o^)／This is Reiko.
Nice to meet you .

I'm second　grade student.
My hobby
①　playing the piano.
※ and I can play the saxophone.

②　watching movie.
Especially　korea movie<3

③ my favorite songs
Kiss N tell/KA$HA
I want you back/The jackson　5
only if/enya

I am being able to meets everyone.
I am looking forward to it　(´・ω・`)

Thank you !

Self-Introduction Yujiro

2012-02-05T03:25:00.000-08:00

Hello. I'm Yujiro.
I love Animetion. Do you like Japanese Animetion? I hope you like it.
In next week,Japanese famous anime " magical girl Madoka Magica" can be seen on this site."Mado Magi" If you want to see it, you have to make an account of "Nico Nico douga".
I'm looking forward to seeing you all in VT.

Self Introduction -- Hiraga Katsumi

2012-02-04T17:52:00.001-08:00

Hello, I'm Hiraga Katsumi in Tottori.
I'll participate in the Tottori-Vermont Exchange in March, 2012.
I hope to see you soon.

I'm a 17 year-old boy. I have interests for many things.
My school is Yonago National College of Technology. I'm in the 11th grade of my school.
I live in the dormitory of my sxhool, so I'll show you not only Japanese lives, but also a DORMITORY life.

This is the first time I go abroad, so I'm very excited to see foreign lives.
Soon I'll upload my photo onto this blog, so please be patient!

I'm sorry that I am able to access the Internet on only Thursdays and Sundays, not everyday.
I may be able to post only few times. When I can, I'd like to post as much as I can.

Thank you in advance! Let's enjoy it together!

Departure- Burlington International Airport

2011-04-05T11:10:00.000-07:00

Matsuri

2011-04-05T11:09:00.000-07:00

Closing Dinner- Harwood Union HS

2011-04-05T11:06:00.000-07:00

Friday, 25 March- Jericho

2011-04-05T11:03:00.000-07:00

Thursday, 24 March- Jericho

2011-04-05T10:45:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, 23 March- Waterbury/Burlington

2011-04-05T10:41:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, 23 March- Montpelier

2011-04-05T10:32:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, 22 March- Middlebury

2011-04-05T10:26:00.000-07:00

Monday, 21 March- Mt. Abraham Union HS

2011-04-05T10:20:00.000-07:00

Welcome Dinner- Mt. Abraham UHS

2011-03-20T20:07:00.000-07:00

Arrival- Burlington International Airport

2011-03-20T20:04:00.000-07:00

Hello/Ohayou

2011-03-15T16:17:00.000-07:00

My name is Derek Lowe and I am very excited for this exchange!

I enjoy skiing, biking, and reading, though not at the same time.

I am a senior at Harwood Union.

I hope to study law next year at any of my top choice colleges.

2011-03-08T12:50:00.000-08:00

Hi, My name is Sophie, I live in Warren, Vermont and I am so excited to be apart of this trip. I have two older sisters, one lives in Costa Rica and the other goes to college in Vermont. I have two dogs, one named Toto and the other named Iggy. I also have a cat named Granger.

I love sports, I play Field Hockey, Tennis and I Ski. I also run on occasion and love to swim.

I like to watch movies, play games, do crafts like sewing and knitting. I like watching TV and cooking. My favorite foods are chicken, Bread, Rice, Chicken Pot pit, Macaroni and cheese, and dumplings.

My favorite Topics in school are science, and art. I also like languages, like spanish and french, Hopefully I can learn some Japanese too!

My topic for the project i think is wind energy, or food. I am so excited and hopefully the project that we make will be great!

I can't wait for all of you to come! see you soon!

हेल्लो

2011-03-07T05:16:00.000-08:00

Hi...

2011-03-02T13:08:00.000-08:00

Hi, My name is Spencer, I am in tenth grade at Mount Abraham Union High school and am 15 years of age. I live with my Mother; Dawn, my younger Brother; Patton, My Father; Bret, My dog; Ozzie, and my cat; Bumper. I enjoy listening to music, watching movies, playing video games, talking with friends, running (during the summer), playing card games, and swimming. I am a part of the Mount Abe rowing club. We start the the season only a week before you will arrive. I also like topics like astronomy and biology, but my favorite is mathematics in general. I did this project last year and I'm looking forward to meet you. I'd like to work on a project based around aquatics, specifically how the local in-water ecosystems exist and function, as well as how they are influenced by man and other ecosystems.
I'd also love to learn more about speaking Japanese, I know very little at this time, perhaps only 20 or so words.

There should be a previous post from me REALLY far back on the blog if you want to check that out.
I can't wait to meet you!

Hello!

2011-02-28T00:19:00.000-08:00

Hi! My name is Haruka Sasano. Nice to meet you　:)

I'm in the second year in Tottori Nishi high school.

I belong to the alpine club. I like drawing weather maps.

I live with my parents and two goldfish.

My favorite color is green. I like collecting various green items.

My favorite subject is science, especially chemistry and physics.

I have been to Europe several times, but this is my first time to visit America.

So, I'm really looking forward to visiting Vermont and seeing you in March　:D

Hi

2011-02-27T11:52:00.000-08:00

I'm Forrest, I posted farther down about myself. I have now figured out which topic I'm interested in, and thought I should post that. I'm mostly interested in Energy, specifically renewable energy and domestic-scale solar/wind projects. I hope there's someone else with similar interests!

Hello!!!

2011-02-26T04:35:00.000-08:00

My name is haru.

I'm 16 years old.

I'll introduce my favorite things.

I like English.(especially I like pronunciation! but it's difficult for me...) And I like talking.
So, I'm looking forward to going to America!
And I want to become friend with many people☆

I like sweets. Especially I like cake which called monburan(Mont Blanc) in Japan.
　　　　　　　　　like this picture→
I like cooking. I'll try to cook Japanese sweets!
I like pink.I like cherry flowers.

I live with my father ,mother, my gland father gland mother and my sister.
I live in Mochigase, East tottori.
Mochigase has a lot of mountains .Mochigase is country.
I love my hometown.
I want to like Vermont as well.

Do you have favolite things similar to me?
I'm glad if you have!

By the way, I'm interested in wild animals problem!
Because wild animals frighten our lives.

hello☆ミ

2011-02-25T21:12:00.000-08:00

Hello!!　my name is moeko. I　am 16 years old.

I like playing the violin and reading comics.

My family is father, mother and two sisters.

I like English ,so I　want to become good at English !

This is my first time to visit America,

so I am looking forward to go to America.

I want to interact with many people and make

many friends!!

Hello everyone!

2011-02-24T05:09:00.000-08:00

My name is Rie .
I live in Tottori Prefecture, Japan.

I like to watch American dramas and movies.
Especially, I like PRISON BREAK , gossip girls and Desperate Housewives.
It's very interesting!

I like to study English.
And I am interested in American culture.
So I want to experience life in America!
And I want to communicate with many people.
My dream come true because of GATP.

I'll go to Vermont in March.
And I'm going to learn about the environment in Vermont .
I will learn about wind power.
And I want to learn what do they do in Vermont to protect the environment.

I appreciate this generous opportunity to visit your beautiful country.

I look forward to working with Tottori as a international partner.

Nice to meet you : )

Hello :)

2011-02-23T03:09:00.000-08:00

Hi,everyone!
Nice to meet you :)

I'm Saki. I'm a girl who is a high school student. I'm in the 2nd grade.

My hobby is reading books, watching American movies, listening to music, seeing stars, and so on!!
Especially my favorite artists are Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, and Dong Bang Shin ki :)

I live in Kurayoshi.
My family is father, mother, and two younger brother and sister.

I look for partner who can spend happily together.
I'm happy that I can meet you soon!

Hi

2011-02-21T12:52:00.000-08:00

Hi, my name is Forrest Wallace. I'm 15 years old. I like to listen to music, read, play soccer, lacrosse, bike, and do just about anything outside. I love the mountains and scenery in Vermont, and especially winter. I live with my parents and sister in Monkton, Vermont.

Hello!!

2011-02-21T03:47:00.000-08:00

Hello☆
My name is Yukino.
I'm 17 years old now.
Nice to meet you!!
My hobby is watching movies, listening to music, knitting and playing the piano. I live in Tottori City with my parents and my sister.
This is my second time to visit Vermont, so I think I know some of you from last year's exchange program.
I'm really looking forward to seeing you all soon♪

Greeting

2011-02-17T22:30:00.000-08:00

Hello,everyone. I'm Kazuhiko Takeneka.
Let's introduce yourself and find partners !

Getting Started in 2011

2011-02-17T17:49:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone-

I am very excited about getting the 2011 program and blog started!

Contributors: please begin by posting a brief introduction. What are your hobbies and interests? Why are you participating in this exchange? What would you like to share about your home region? Over the next week, please post images of the environment in your home region. Please also go to www.gatp.org and register as a student.

My background: I am the Executive Director of Green Across the Pacific (GATP). We organize and implement Environmental Leadership Exchange Programs, in North America and Asia. I have a background in biology and education. I taught in public and private high schools for 20 years. I founded GATP in 2000, and now work both for GATP and Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont. My wife and I are raising two boys. One is a junior at the University of Vermont, and the other is a sophomore at our local high school. In addition to my work, I enjoy music, reading, biking, cross-country skiing, gardening and cooking.

I'm really looking forward to working with all of you!

-Peter

It's winter, and that means my sons are cross country skiing. Ian is approaching the finish line at Trapps in Stowe, Vermont, several weeks ago.

2010-05-10T17:00:00.000-07:00

Everyone looks relax before a courtesy visit with Gov. Hirai

Everyone strain with the tension with Gov. Hirai

Mr.Kobayashi tell Gov. Hirai about this exchange program.

Ayaka explain this exchange program with sample pictures.

Group photo with Gov.Hirai.

Yukihiro accept an interview

Shinji Hirai
Shinji Hirai (平井伸治, born 1961) is the governor of Tottori Prefecture in Japan, first elected in 2007. He graduated from the University of Tokyo in 1984 and joined the Ministry of Home Affairs upon graduation.
(From Wikipedia)

2010-04-04T20:08:00.000-07:00

This is a picture which was taken at The Empire State Building in NYC

by the way I cannot use Facebook
sorry

17 Syllables

2010-04-01T07:19:00.000-07:00

Naka ni midori yama to uchi kon'i me ga deru.

Among green mountains and green houses,

new friendships emerge

like the Spring buds.

Departure

2010-03-29T19:12:00.001-07:00

Exhibit & Farewell Dinner

2010-03-29T19:09:00.000-07:00

Studio Hours

2010-03-27T09:13:00.000-07:00

Field Day 3

2010-03-25T20:23:00.001-07:00

Field Day 2

2010-03-25T20:20:00.001-07:00

looks like fun!

2010-03-25T16:00:00.000-07:00

konichiwa,

my name is yumiko virant and i am a japanese-american architect living in north carolina. i've very much enjoyed looking at everyone's posts and especially the pictures of the festivities that have been going on this week. my husband and i design and build sustainable homes. i'm sorry that i cannot participate in the vermont activities as we are in virginia working on a small (1000 sf !) and beautiful house. our website is www.virantdesign.com if anyone is interested and i would be happy to help with specific questions that might come up. my email address is yumiko@virantdesign.com. hope that everyone has a wonderful time and hope to hear from some of you.

matta ne,

yumiko

Field Day 1

2010-03-23T18:50:00.001-07:00

Welcome Dinner: Mount Abraham Union High School

2010-03-21T09:48:00.001-07:00

2010-03-19T21:11:00.001-07:00

Hi from Vermont

2010-03-18T09:02:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,
I'm an architect working for myself in Cornwall, VT, near Middlebury. I design green homes as well as additions and renovations like new kitchens and screen porches. I like the thought being put into these projects and will comment individually. If you would like to see some of the work I do you can look at my website: www.jeanterwilliger.com. I'm looking forward to meeting the Mt. Abe group next week!
Jean Terwilliger

Weather & Matsuri

2010-03-17T18:27:00.000-07:00

Hello again,

Tonight I was looking back at the early messages. Ayumi asked about the weather. Kyou: hare, 13 degrees celsius. Raishuu: yuki. Bring clothes for all kinds of weather!

Yukihiro asked about festivals. Every two years there is a Matsuri (Japanese cultural festival) in Burlington. It is sponsored by the Japan-America Society of Vermont and is held at St Michael's College. If you like Japanese food, martial arts, bonsai, flower arranging, music, etc, you should go. There is also a Burlington Taiko group. You can find 2 videos of them performing at Matsuri on YouTube.

Paul H

My program statement

2010-03-17T06:09:00.000-07:00

←This is a rough sketch of my dream house.

☆My ideas☆
1　Double window...
(we can keep the house warm in winter, and cool in summer)
Let us suppose we use heater 15 hours a day during winter (5months)
We can reduse kerosene consumption by 60 % if we adopt the double window.
This means, we are able to cut down heating and lighting expenses greatly.
Also, it prevents the dewfall which cause the house going moldy.

2 Exterior thermal insulation...
It keeps the house warm. / It prevents the dewfall.
It prevents the deterioration caused by strong sunlight, ao the house lasts long.

3 Double door...
It prevents the air come into the house directly. It is useful to keep the temperature inside the house comfortable.

4 No snow avalanche roof...
It prevents the the damage of snow avalanche.
We can collect the melted snow on the roof through the pipe inside the house and use it to flush toilet, wash clothes, and so on. (We can also use this water to melt the snow around the house. This is popular in Hokkaido lately.)
Hoever, we have to make the roof very strong in order to put up with weight of heavy snow.

・We can grow plants in the porch.
・We can trail kind of ivy by the window facing the west in order to prevent the strong 　sunlight comes into the house during summer.

My Design

2010-03-17T00:07:00.000-07:00

Hi! This is my statement.

1.Building a small and black house. I've seen such as this,but it was very cute. The reason why I chose small is that it enables the family to warm the air in the house easily and black is that it absorbs a lot of solar heat.

2.Having a kitchen garden. It enables the family to bring food without going shopping.

3.Planting trees in the house. It's good to clean the air in the house. Also it plevent the house from drying up thanks to steam transpired from leaves. I want to plant trees next to the Living room,Dining room and kitchen because these place are easy to polute the air.

Solar Decathlon

2010-03-16T09:45:00.000-07:00

Hello Eco-tects,

I forget to say in my last posting that architecture students from several universities are now competing in the Solar Decathlon, where they design and build energy-efficient houses. The finished houses will be on display in Washington, DC. Here is the website address: http://www.solardecathlon.gov/. You can find more information from Wikipedia. There are also some good videos on YouTube - just search for Solar Decathlon. Check it out!

Paul H

Greetings from Vermont

2010-03-16T07:48:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

My name is Paul Hanke. I volunteered to be one of the architect/mentors for the project. I teach house design classes at Yestermorrow Design/Build School here in the Mad River Valley. I used to teach carpentry at YouthBuild in Burlington. I was assigned to work with Noa, Takoda, Madoka, Naoya and Ayaka, but since there is a shortage of mentors, I have volunteered to work with all the Harwood groups, so send me your designs and questions if you want feedback.

My wife and I have one son who was home-schooled. He was in the Vermont Youth Orchestra and participated in many musical events at Harwood. He graduated from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.

For 15 years I have practiced the Japanese martial art of Aikido. If anyone is interested (and if there is time in the schedule) I would be glad to teach an introduction to Aikido class at Harwood after school or in the evening for you all (and host families). I love everything Japanese (except wasabi!), so I am happy to be part of this project. I understand that Tottori is famous for its dunes. My favorite Japanese movie is Suna no Onna (Woman in the Dunes). Maybe it was filmed in Tottori?

Konnichi wa,

Watashi no namae wa Paul Hanke desu. Kenchikuka to Aikidoka to Zen Bukyouto wa desu. Nihon no bunka to tabemono to kenchiku-youshiki wa suki desu. Watashi no Nihongo wa sukoshi desu. Wakari masuka.

I look forward to seeing your projects and to meeting you in Vermont soon.

Paul H yori

Japanese old house

2010-03-16T03:47:00.000-07:00

This is my grand mather's house.
It is very old Japanese house.
The house is surrounded by a lot of nature.
It has tradetional japanese design"ENGAWA" and"TOKOMOMA".

my conceptual design

2010-03-14T22:46:00.000-07:00

Hello!
This is my 1st draft design.(I'm improving this now...)
As you look, there are many windows face to South.
So we can get sun light and warm.

And top of roof, set up solar panels.
It can do photovoltaic generation, I think.

I heard that winter in Vermont is so cold as you feel some tired and insulation is a problem.

so I choose pair glasses for windows(of course, it doesn't means "Microsoft":).

I want to hear your ideas and answer your questions.
anything is Ok!

Best regard.

Rough Idea

2010-03-14T16:29:00.000-07:00

-I've done a floor plan and a 3-veiw sketch, I tried to make this house small, as smaller houses use less materials to make, thus costing less money to build, and are generally more energy efficient than large houses.

-In the little inlet of the house, I apologize for it not being bigger, I have directed the rooftops to pool rain water which can be harvested through a drain, it's too small to be seen

clearly, I apologize again. I also have designed the roof to provide space for 23, maybe 24, 3-by-5 Feet solar panels.

-Also I am considering integrating a green switch into every room. It basically cuts off power to idling electronic devices, it can save alot of energy.

-Something that I know alot of Vermonters do is using compost to fertilize soil, so I will also incoperate that.

-In addition to passive solar heating methods, I intend to incorperate a pellet stove.

I'd really appreciate any comments or suggestions. See you all soon

★MY PROGRAM STATEMENT★

2010-03-14T08:16:00.000-07:00

I noted a lot of points.
They are the skylight, solar system,greenery, the big pair glass, the small house, the big living room, and the square house.

1.The skylight can take in the sunlight. And the house is getting warmer and brighter. So, cut down the light and heat consumption.

2.The solar system keep saving electricity.

3.Greenery make clean and cool air. It cut down the air conditioner consumption.

4.The bi pair glass take in the cool wind, and it is been well ventilated. Also it can change the air. This big pair glass take in the wind, circulate it in the house, and skylight emit it.

5.Also, if you build too large house, nearby houses don't shine the sunlight. So, I thought the small house.

6.Construction of the room is big living room. If we spend there almost time, we can cut down various energy.

7.As soon as you can built it square. Because, if you build it circle, probably you make it difficult, and lumber is so useless that it is straight line.

That's all.

Can you understand my English?
If you read my program statement, please contribute your estimation and question.

Thank you :)

Eco House

2010-03-14T07:31:00.001-07:00

This is the eco-house that I propose here. Now I’ll explain inventions with some examples.
① Double doors
② Solar panels
③ Insulating material
④ Utilizing of the geothermal enegy
⑤ Windows

① Double doors are not for the entering the cool air.
The advantages of double wall are not to let the warm air come out of the room and not let the cool air come into the room.
And we make ways for air in the whole room to circulate, with which we can make progress of performance of insulation.
② Solar panels are used to make energy with sunlight. And we can supply with electricity.
③ Insulating material is used to let it hard for the heat for insulation and keeping the humidity to convey through. That enables us to decrease the amount of electricity we use in our houses.
④ Regulation of the temperature both in winter and in summer can be made by opening and closing the device attached underneath the window. Easily speaking, we make air well ventilate indoor.
⑤ I set a little more windows at the directions of east, west, and south, which enable us to use less electric light during the day.

Of coure it is valuable to generate electricity, but it is also important to reduce the amount of electricity used.
These efforts enable us to create our own future, I’m sure

My Dream House☆

2010-03-14T05:20:00.000-07:00

Sorry：（

It is not easy for you to see this picture.

I want the house that long time can be used.

My idea will not be able to be told in this picture.

Please tell me if you haze some questions.

Hello everyone♪

2010-03-12T02:27:00.000-08:00

Hi, nice to meet you! I'm Nana Fujimoto. I live in Tottori.

My hobby is playing badminton, talking with friends, singing, reading comic books. My favorite singer is Ringo Shena. She is beautiful and makes good songs!(ж＾ω＾ж)

If you want to know Japanese culture, feel flee to ask me. I like to study and talk about cultures.

I can't speak English fluently, but I want to enjoy talking with you!

One of activities in high school☆

2010-03-11T02:46:00.000-08:00

Our school has some clubs.

I belong to a club.It is baton twirling.

This picture when we participate in a cultural festival of the high school students in Japan.

To Nick and all of Vermont student

2010-03-10T18:20:00.001-08:00

I made a question at march 7.

"I have a question! Is there the season event in Vermont? What kind of event is there in Vermont?"

I want to know all a season affecting things. It is not only a festival.
For example… If, it snowed. What you should do by life after snowed. etc…What you can do? What you should do? Please teach me a lot of things in Vermont.

Tottori Viewpoint Part 1

2010-03-10T02:55:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of Japanese food"SOBA".

This is a picture that "Tottori Sakyu(Dune)" light up.

It's held during winter.

2010-03-09T13:28:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone I'm Noa Shems. I'm 15 years old and a freshman at Harwood. I've lived in Vermont my whole life and have an 18 year old sister Sophie, and a 5 year old brother Elan. I love to listen to music, play guitar, hang out with my friends, ski, and dance. I've done ballet and other types of dance for a few years. My dad's family is from France and other parts of Europe, so I have traveled a lot. I also am really into art, drawing, and design. I'm really excited to meet all of you! :)

Noa

ﾟ+. Nice to meet you .+ﾟ

2010-03-09T01:19:00.000-08:00

Hi ! My name is Mika.

Please call me Mika（●´∀｀）σ

I'm a Japanese high school student,16years old.

Walking is my hobby.
I enjoy going to the Japanese sweets store

in the way back from a school recently.

I attach two pictures which are in my house.

←I have two goldfishes.
Black's name is Kotetsu,
red's name is Suzu.

←They are called Hina-Ningyo.

Japanese wish girl's happiness to them.

I'm looking forward to seeing you ;)

-Mika

Hello☆

2010-03-09T00:35:00.000-08:00

Hi!Nice to meet you:)
My name is Ririka.Please call me Ririka♪
I'm a high school student and 17 years old.
My hobby is going shopping, watching DVD, listening to music and dressing up;-)
I like to look at clothes very much☆
I often watch a foreign movie.
My favorite is Bride wars and BONES.

I want to make a lot of friend!!!!!

Nice to meet you!

2010-03-08T06:53:00.000-08:00

Hello,I'm Momoko,17 years on the day after tomorrow(March 10th).
"momo" means peaches and "ko" means children or girls in Japanese,
so my name means "peach child."This might sound funny,I think...

Well,I'm shy a little.
But I'll talk with you when you speak to me(^ω^)
Does anyone　like NARUTO,a Japanese Ninjya comic?

It's 12P.M. now in Japan.
Then,I'll go to bed.Good night☆

Introduce

2010-03-08T05:56:00.000-08:00

hello!
my name is Shieri Okawabata
My nickname is "Butter"
it comes from my family name

I am a second-year student of Yonago Higashi High School
I belong to the tea-celemony club,LAC and JRC
My hobbies are reading and knitting

I'm looking foward to meet you

Hi!

2010-03-08T01:20:00.001-08:00

Nice to meet you!
My name is Takafumi Horio. I'm a high school student.

My hobby is playing sports. Especially I like swimming. Also I like planting flowers in my room. So I like cleaning my room to protect flowers against dust.You may think that "You are a strange boy!",but it's right(^0^). I am strange!

I'm so excited because I can meet you ten days later.
I'm looking forward to meeting you all.

Hello!!

2010-03-07T23:04:00.000-08:00

My name is Yukihiro Kawamoto.I'm 20years old.　I'm a university student. I live in Tottori now. But, I lived in Osaka till I graduated from high school.
I am not good at English. I am weak in English, may be right. But I love that I interchange with a person. And I study an environmental problem. I intend to cover the language barrier with a feeling.

I have a question! Is there the season event in Vermont? What kind of event is there in Vermont? please teach me a lot of event　in　Vermont, with the natural, with the local culture and other!

Hello☆

2010-03-07T12:18:00.000-08:00

My name is Mayu Hasegawa.Please call me "Mayu".

I'm 16 years old.I live in Japan.

I have many hobbies.

For example dancing,cooking,playing piano,swimming,skiing

and making sweets.

I belong to tea ceremony club,calligraphy club

and baton twirling club.

I'd like to learn practical English.

I try to communicate with a lot of people in English.

I'll do my best energetically!!

I'm looking forward sharing this

wonderful chance with you.

↓My hobbies pictures

Hello!!

2010-03-07T04:45:00.000-08:00

My name is Ayaka Kawakita.
I'm 17.I live in Tottori in japan.
I like dancing and rhythmic gymnastics.
I like making sweets , too.

I love speaking English,
so I'm looking forward to
meeting and talking with you.

Let's be friends (*´∇｀*)

sand statues☆

2010-03-06T09:26:00.000-08:00

This is Saki♪

2010-03-04T05:43:00.000-08:00

Tottori Sand Dunes!!!!!(＾∀＾)

These are the largest sand dunes in Japan.
They stretch 16km east to west, and 2km north to south.

How beautiful!
How do you think?

Saki

hello there

2010-03-03T07:40:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone I'm Takoda Edlund. I'm 16 years old. I've lived in Vermont for about 10 years and before that in Arizona. I have one brother, Dillon, who lives in Arizona. I love listening to music and just hanging out with friends. I also like playing just about any sports but mainly skiing and tennis. I'm a tennis instructor as well. I've studied some alternative design in the past and I hope to learning even more. I'm really looking forward to meeting you all. Cheers.

Kind Regards,

Takoda

Hi☆

2010-03-03T06:03:00.000-08:00

My name is Ayumi ♪
Nice to meet you !!
I'm 17.

I love Michael Jackson and AKB48(≧ε≦)!!!
AKB48 is Japanese idol group★
and…I like Macross Mrontier.
It is Japanese animated cartoon.
You should search it on YouTube ^^b

I warry about weather in Vermont ；；
What kind of clothes I should preparation??
Please tell me (・∀・)

byebye~

Sorry About my Short Post

2010-03-02T12:25:00.000-08:00

Hello again. I have 5 siblings. 2 older brothers and an older sister. I also have 2 younger sisters. I love to hang out with friends. I am 15 years old. My birthday is October 17. Me and my older sister have been snowboarding for 4 years. Before that we use to ski.

Hello[:

2010-03-02T12:21:00.000-08:00

Hi. My name is Marley I love to take pictures and horseback ride. I also like to snowboard.

2010-03-02T04:04:00.000-08:00

Hi everybody! My name's Spencer, I am the eldest child of two. I've lived in vermont all my life, with some small exceptions to Michigan. I'm really interested in meeting and working with you all, I know a thing or two about Architecture, and Ive done reasearch on green power in the past. My hobbies are Playing video games, swimming, reading, drawing, listening to music, sledding (in the winter months) Hanging out with friends, playing tennis, playing my trumpet and watching TV.
Hope to meet you soon!
-Spencer-

Hello☆

2010-03-02T02:09:00.000-08:00

Hello!
My name is Yukino.
I'm 16 years old.
Nice to meet you（*^^*）

My hobbies are shopping, watching movies, and a little bit of dancing.
I also like playing the piano. I have been playing the piano since I was 5 years old.

I look forward becoming a friend to all of you through this program☆彡

Greetings and Salutations (▲_▲)

2010-03-01T13:48:00.000-08:00

Hello All! my name is Nicholas, or Nick for short. I have lived in Vermont for most of my life, with the exception of Pennsylvania for a little bit, so I believe that Ive seen the city and the country living in America. My hobbies are video games, Computers, Ice skating, a little bit of Hockey, camping, Anime, and engineering.

Glad to meet you all.

--Nick

hello!

2010-03-01T13:00:00.000-08:00

Hello!
My name is Sarah, I've lived in Vermont all my life and love everything about this place except for the cold! I've also lived on a horse farm my whole life.
I love just hanging out with friends, and having fun. I'm interested in doing track and feild or other sports, drawing, juggling, reading and am up for doing almost anything, I like doing new things.

I'm excited to get to meet everyone and to learn or teach new things about each others culture
--Sarah :)

Hi(^^)

2010-02-28T07:46:00.000-08:00

Hello,
my name is Saki('∀')
I'm 16 years old.
Nice to meet you all!!

My hobby is snowboarding.
I've snowboarded since I was 8 years old.
I do love it!
And,
I'm looking forward to visit Vermont:)

Thank you.

Saki

Nice to meet you!

2010-02-28T03:03:00.000-08:00

Hello（・ω・）ノ
My name is Madoka. Nice to meet you.
I like sports very much. Badminton, skiing, swiiming,and so on.
I want to challenge various things and to make a lot of friends when I go to Vermont.
I'm looking forward to traveling there.

Thank you!

a little bit about myself, and where i live.

2010-02-24T13:21:00.000-08:00

I have lived in Vermont for my whole life ( 17 years.) I am a junior in High school, and I really enjoy playing field hockey, swimming in the summer time and baking desserts. I am not a huge fan of the snow, and I don't like artichokes. I thought that by joining this program I would have a chance to see another persons perspective and their ideas. I am super excited and can't wait to meet everyone!!

-Sophia

Intro

2010-02-24T13:20:00.000-08:00

I like to listen to music, draw, read, go shopping, ride horses, and hanging out with my friends. I also like staying up late and watching movies. This exchange intrested me a lot because I want to get a chance to work with people on the other side of the world. I am also intresed in the culture of Japan and their way of living. This exchange project is an amazing oppertunity, and I am very thankful that I am getting the change to participate in it.

Housing and Environment of Vermont

2010-02-24T12:17:00.000-08:00

Downhill shot of a road.

Me enjoying two feet of snow!!

Horse field.

Neighbor's blue chalet.

Old Vermont farmhouse!

Cornerstone house of our neighborhood!

Heavy, snowy branches over my road.

Home sweet Home

My introduction

2010-02-24T00:12:00.000-08:00

Hi! I'm Japanese high school student.
Nice to meet you!　(。・_・。）ノ
I will tell you hobbies and why I took part in this program.
I like listening to music, watching movie, playing sports,
talking with my school friends(everyone is so crazy）. (*^^)v

The reason why took part in this program is I thought it is big "chance".
I will be able to think more deeply about environmental problems.
Also I can communicate with American students.
I like talking and English, so I am exciting!! ((o(^-^)o))

Interests and hobbies

2010-02-23T13:31:00.000-08:00

I like writing, listening to music, hanging out with my friends, reading(love manga), exploring, swimming(in the summer obviously). I also enjoy sleeping and staying up late. I entered into this program because the environmental aspect of the project interested me a great deal. I also thought that meeting people from the other side of the world would be fascinating. Learning about their culture and maybe seeing Japan outside of pictures got me very excited.

I have also taken it upon myself to learn some Japanese before the program gets going at full speed.

Getting Started

2010-02-21T11:09:00.000-08:00

Mt. Mansfield from Vermont's Champlain Valley

Hi everyone-

I am very excited about getting this program and blog started!

Contributors: please begin by posting a brief introduction. What are your hobbies and interests? Why are you participating in this exchange? What would you like to share about your home region? Over the next week, please post images of housing and the environment in your home region.

My background: I am the Executive Director of Green Across the Pacific (GATP). We organize and implement Environmental Leadership Exchange Programs, primarily in North America and Asia. I have a background in biology and education. I taught in public and private high schools for 20 years. I founded GATP in 2000, and now work both for GATP and Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont. My wife and I are raising two boys. One is a sophomore at the University of Vermont, and the other is a freshman at our local high school. In addition to my work, I enjoy music, reading, biking, cross-country skiing, gardening and cooking.

I'm really looking forward to working with all of you!