Blog post: Sisyphus

Sisyphus is king of Corinth. He is very clever and he liked to trick other people. So he tricked lots of God even Zeus. His father is king of wind, and he is Odysseus father.
When Zeus kidnapped Asopides(God of river) daughter. Sisyphus told to Asopides, and he got water from Asopides for prize. So Zeus was angry because Sisyphus told his secret and bother him. So he called Thanatos (God of Death) and told him "bring Sisyphus to underworld". But when Thanatos came to Sisyphus, Sisyphus tricked to him. So he locked Thanatos, so nobody was died because God of death locked. So Zeus was angrier than before, because Sisyphus bothered God's work. So Ares went to Sisyphus and brought him to Hades where in underworld, and saved Thanatos.
But Sisyphus told to his wife before he went to underworld, "Don't bury me after I go to underworld". So when he met Hades he told his wife didn't bury him so he should go back to bury and come again. Then Hades's wife Persephone released him, but Sisyphus never came back until he died because of his age. After he died, he got punished to Zeus. It was rolled the rock until top of mountains. But when he almost finish, rock fell down so he should do this work infinitely.

Novel study: Treasure Isaland

Treasure Island

Genre: Adventure

Setting: Bristol to treasure islands

Main Character: JIm Hawkins, Long John Silber, Dr. Livesy, Ben Gunn

Author, Robert Louis Stevenson is Scottish. He wrote this book in 1883.

There were Hawkins family managed the bar. One day, stranger guy came to this bar and gave gold coins, and their family called him “captain”. But some pirates comes to captain, and Hawkins family ran away to pirates to bring captain’s treasure map and some money. Hawkins helped by Dr. Livesy, and they are ready to voyage for find treasure with Trelawney, and Captain Smollett. But Trelawney spoke this secret, so some pirates came to ship such as Long John Silber.

But they didn’t know that truth. Pirates stole the ship and Hawkins and another guys escaped the ship. They fought with pirates, and Hawkins abilities were increased rapidly. Finally they got the treasure. But it was Silber’s plan. Reason of Silber helped them because he cherished Hawkins. So lots of pirates were died and Silber also surrender.

Recommendation: This book is very famous book. Maybe lots of people heard this book one time. If you like adventure book, then read this book.

Short passage: ‘You cannot keep silent. We aren’t the only men who know of this paper. Those who broke into the inn tonight want to find the same treasure. We must none of us go alone until we get to sea.’

Thousands flee as central Europe flood waters rise

Emergency operations are under way in Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic to deal with record levels of flooding in some places.

Landslides and flooding have led to the deaths of at least seven people. More than eight people are missing.

In Germany, more than 7,000 people have been moved from their homes in the town of Eilenburg, reports say.

The Czech capital, Prague, is on high alert amid fears that floodwater could swamp its historic centre

Around 3,000 people have been forced to leave their homes across western Czech Republic, including parts of the capital.

Animals from Prague's zoo were also moved to higher ground as flood waters inundated parts of the site.

Underground stations have been closed and schools shut as Prague officials wait and see whether the Vltava River will flood its banks.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas called a special cabinet session on Sunday to co-ordinate the emergency response, and around 1,000 troops were mobilised to help erect metal barriers and fill sandbags.

"We will do everything to protect people's lives and health," he said. "Tonight and tomorrow will be critical."

Main roads in many areas of central Europe have been closed and rail services cut. Thousands of homes are without power.

Czech police said on Monday that at least five people were now known to have died due to the flooding. Two people died after their cottage collapsed on Sunday, and three people had died in separate incidents across Bohemia. Several people are missing.

Summary: In Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic there are heavy rains, so they got emergency operations. So 4 people death, and they moved patient from lower to higher hospital. And stop to use subway. In Germany, more than 7000 people moved from their house. The Czech Republic capital Prague has lots of UNESCO world heritage sites, so there are in danger now. Animals from Prague’s zoo also moved to higher ground. So there schools are cancelled. Some Swiss and Poland’s cities people moved to another city. Also Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria warn of flood because of Danube river.  

Words

- Emergency operations: There country in danger to something, so they need to warn for everybody. That time they use this.

- UNESCO world heritage sites: Purpose is save the world’s important culture and natural site.

- Flood: a large amount rain coming, it cause river overflows.

- Austria: It is located in central Europe. Capital city is Vienna. There language is German.

- The Czech Republic: It is located in central Europe. Capital city is Prague. They usually use Latin, German and English.

Blog post: FIFA world cup

World cup is soccer competition. Every 4 years open this competition. It’s open in summer and during 1 month to play. 32 teams start match in final. And lots of countries participate in preliminary round. So nowadays, lots of world cup in the world, beach soccer world cup, U 17, U 20 World cup, futsal World cup. Also we have practice world cup. It’s named Confederations cup. It participates only few teams, and they get chance to practice before world cup.

First world cup was held in Uruguay, in 1930. But that time, Uruguay was so far because transportation was poor. So very few team enter that competition. Also they stop twice because of world war. In 1998, 32 teams play in final. Brazil won 5 times in world cup, and Italy 4 times won in world cup.

How many teams playing in world cup

In preliminary round Europe= 53 Africa= 55 Asia= 46 Oceania= 13 North America= 40 South America=10

In final round Europe=13 Africa= 5 Asia= 4.5 Oceania= 0.5 North America=3.5 South America= 4.5 like that, lots of countries playing, also this number is still increasing. And host country doesn’t need to do in preliminary round. 2014 world cup held in Brazil, so Brazil doesn’t need to do preliminary round. Host country is always Europe- non Europe- Europe- Non Europe like that, but this time, this rule is broken. But in 2022 will Qatar, so another Asia countries need lots of time, if they want to held the world cup. But I hope Korea held World cup again. 

Novel reading: The Prisoner of Zenda

The Prisoner of Zenda

Main character is Rudolf, Flavia, Fritz and Sapt, Black Michale. Main events are Rudolf changed to King. Genre is adventure. Rudolf did not have job. So his brother’s wife Ross, hated him. So he tried to do traveler. His hair was red and he had Elphberg nose. And he went to the Ruritania. But King has red hair also. So lots of people wondered for his hair. However, there kingdom was fighting in King’s family.  Someday, black Michale kidnapped the King. So Rudolf should to do the king’s work. So Fritz and Sapt helped him, but he fell in love to princess Flavia, because she was too pretty. And he needed to choose, staying the palace or go to save the King, if he staying he still fell in love to Flavia, but if he goes to save the King, he lost his job again. But he chose, trying to save the King. So he saved the King.

Recommendation: It is similar story when I was watching movie in Korea, but movies have lots of action and less love story, but this story is love story. But it’s still fun. So maybe lots of people are like this book.

Short Passage: I live quietly now, but every year Fritz and I meet in a little town outside Ruritania. There, he gives me news of the Queen of Ruritania, the wife of King Rudolf the Fifth. And every years he brings me a red rose and a note with the words written: Rudolf- Flavia- Always. And I send her a red rose with the same message. Shall I ever see her again Who knows?

Blog post: David Beckham

David Beckham

He is very famous soccer player. Even anyone who do not know about soccer, know the Beckham.

His position in the soccer is midfielder. He was played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Milan, Los Angeles Galaxy, Preston North End, Paris Saint Germain. He debut in the Manchester United, and he won 6 times about league title, 2 FA cup title and one time to win in Champions league. Then he moved to Real Madrid, because Alex Ferguson and David Beckham had big trouble. He won La Liga championship cup, and then he moved to Los Angeles, MLS(U.S.A). He moved to AC Milan twice to use loan. At the national team in England, he debut 1996, when his age is only 21. He got twice about FIFA world player of the year.

He was first British player who played 100 matches in the Champions league. David Beckham was famous free kicker. Also his technique is great, so lots of children want to do same play like Beckham. He married to Victoria Beckham who is the famous entertainment, and they have 4 children. His son enters the Q.P.R children soccer team in 2013. His appearance was so handsome, so he got lots of advertisement. So he got the title of who is the richest sports player.   

Current events: Australian politician injured in kangaroo attack

Australian politician injured in kangaroo attack

An Australian politician suffered gashes to one of his legs when a close encounter with a kangaroo during his morning jog turned violent.

Shane Rattenbury, a minister for the local government that manages the territory around the Australian capital, Canberra, said he bumped into the animal early Thursday as he was running along the side of a hedge in a suburban neighborhood.

"I didn't see the kangaroo, and it didn't see me," he said by phone on Friday. "It started hopping around, it was a bit panicked. I ducked for cover and ended up on the ground. The kangaroo jumped on me in its attempt to get away."

The claws on its powerful hind legs dug into the back of Rattenbury's left leg.

Shan Rattenbury's injured leg

It then bounded away in the direction of a nearby nature reserve, leaving Rattenbury lying dazed in the street with deep cuts in his leg.

"Like most animals, when frightened, they'll lash out quite hard," he said.

Eastern Grey Kangaroos, the species he encountered, are common in the suburbs of Canberra, especially at this time of year when the dry weather brings them searching for grass and water on people's lawns.

"I see kangaroos here all the time when I'm running," Rattenbury said. "But I've never actually crashed into one before."

He said that after the skirmish, he hitched a ride home and then went and got his wounds cleaned and bandaged at a walk-in medical center. A nurse also gave him a tetanus shot.

His injuries didn't stop him from going on to attend a sitting of the local assembly, where some colleagues couldn't resist humoring him about his experience.

A run in with a 'roo has left the municipal services minister ruing his choice of route for a morning jog.

"There have certainly been a lot of kangaroo jokes and kangaroo puns in the parliament," he said.

Australian media outlets also saw an opportunity for word play.

"A run in with a 'roo has left the municipal services minister ruing his choice of route for a morning jog," an anchor on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation saidas she introduced Rattenbury's story.

Although kangaroos don't usually pose a threat to humans, authorities in the Canberra area have undertaken annual culls to control the animals' numbers for environmental reasons. Rattenbury's political party, the Greens, doesn't oppose the policy.

"The cull has been very controversial," he said. "It's undertaken on the basis of science that indicates there is an overabundance of these kangaroos in the region."

The Greens "continue to monitor that science and look at whether this cull has delivered the desired impacts," he added.

On Rattenbury's Facebook page, one person sought to draw a link between the program and the minister's unfortunate experience.

"Perhaps the kangaroos are trying to tell you something about the culling program," wrote a user named Rick Collins.

It is estimated that there are around 50 million kangaroos in Australia, according to the national government.

Rattenbury says his alarming experience hasn't deterred him from continuing to run in the same neighborhood as he trains for triathlons in the coming months.

Summary: An Australian politician Shane Rattenbury was jogging on the morning along the side of a hedge in a suburban neighborhood. Kangaroo attacked him and run away. So his leg injured because of that happening. He said “I didn’t see the kangaroo, and it didn’t see me.” Kangaroo was frightened, so it attacked to Shane Rattenbury. Usually he jogging with kangaroo, but he never crashed to kangaroo. But this time they crashed so that happen was occurred. Shane Rattenbury went to the medical center. Nurse gave him a tetanus shot.

Vocabulary

1.     Politician: Person whose job is in politics

2.     Suburb: Part of the city, outside its centre.

3.     Kangaroo: Live in Oceania, they carry their baby on their stomach

4.     Tetanus: Painful disease, Getting into wounds.  

5.     Hedge: Small trees, usually along the garden, road.

Novel reading: Frankenstein

Frankenstein

This story’s genre is horror story, drama, fiction story. Main character is Dr. Frankenstein,

Frankenstein is the scientist, he wanted to know how to make living thing, and then he knew how to change the dead person alive, so he brought the dead person’s body, and combined all of them. But it looked ugly and horrible, so he ran away. But this monster followed him and killed people who Frankenstein loved. And monster met Frankenstein and he told the story to Frankenstein. When he went to the village all people shouted and some people threw the stone to him, so he was sad and angry, so he hate creator. So he asked favor to Frankenstein make a girlfriend, and he promised, he doesn’t kill any person and live where no people. So Frankenstein made a girl monster, but he felt these monsters don’t keep their promise, so he broke that one. Then the monster saw that, and he planned to kill Frankenstein’s family. Monster killed the Elizabeth who ready to marry with Frankenstein at the wedding night, also Frankenstein’s father dead because of Elizabeth dead. So he decided found the monster and killed. But he couldn’t and he met the ship, when he almost dying. And he asked to the captain when captain meet the monster, don’t believe and killed. After he dead, his monster coming to the ship, but he  didn't kill monster. Monster is poor guy, if you want to know the reason, read the book.

‘You have destroyed all my hopes of happiness,’ ‘You have left me with one feeling – hate . . . and with one wish – to destroy your happiness. You will be sorry that you were ever born. Remember this: I shall be with you on your wedding night.’

Blog post: Hakone

Hakone

Hakone is near the Mt. Fuji, less than 100km from Tokyo.

We can use the Odakyu line or Romance Car in Sinjuku or Tokyo.

We arrive at Hakone Yumoto, and need to change another train.

It named Hakone Tozan railway. This railway has switchbag, so the railway is switching infront and back. In the miyanosita station, there has Japan first resort Hujiya Hotel. In the Gora we need to transfer to cable car. And most people go to Sounzan, and transfer to railway, to eat black eggs. So we arrived at Owakudani. And watching the warm river, eggs are inside the river. But only outside is black, inside is same. Owakudani is the crater created during the eruption. And that place we can see the Mt. Fuji, when is the good view.

And we can ride course in the Togendai Station. It took us to go Hakonemachi-ko.

Current events:Alex Ferguson retires as Manchester United manager

Alex Ferguson retires as Manchester United manager

                                                                            Daeyoung Roh

English soccer's most successful manager -- Manchester United's Alex Ferguson -- is retiring at the end of the season after more than a quarter of a century at the helm, the club announced Wednesday.The 71-year-old Scot has managed the English club, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and loved by millions of fans around the world, from Manchester to Manila and Montreal, since 1986.Everton manager David Moyes is the bookmakers' favorite to succeed his compatriot, and the 50-year-old will be confirmed as the next United boss on Thursday according to widespread British media reports.During his 26 years in charge, Ferguson -- a supporter of Britain's Labour Party who's renowned for dressing down players with the "hairdryer treatment" -- has won more than 30 trophies, including 13 league championships.Many fans took to Twitter to voice their appreciation, using the handle #thankyousiralex. He became Sir Alex when knighted by the queen more than a decade ago for his services to the game.

'Thank you for everything,' say Manchester United fans

As well as dominating on the pitch, Ferguson has helped build the century-old soccer club into a huge business operation whose progress is followed on stock exchanges around the world.Its shares dipped nearly 5% in early trading Wednesday.The Old Trafford club is owned by the American Glazer family, who oversaw the club's listing on the New York Stock Exchange last August.For the 2011-2012 season, United increased revenues by £14.2 million to £117.6 million ($182.4), the highest of any club in the Premier League.But it lost the top spot as the world's most valuable sports franchise in this year's Forbes list to Spanish soccer club Real Madrid. Forbes valued Manchester United at $3.17 billion, still ahead of Barcelona, another Spanish soccer club, and two U.S. outfits, the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball and the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL.Ferguson will bow out after the club's last game of the season, an away match against West Bromwich Albion, on May 19, according to a statement from Manchester United.

Watch: Alex Ferguson's legacy

Before then he will have one more home game for the "Red Devils" at Old Trafford on Sunday, against Swansea City.'A bright future'It's not clear who the club will choose to replace him. Ferguson will join the club's board as a director and "ambassador," Manchester United said."The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about and one that I have not taken lightly. It is the right time," Ferguson said."It was important to me to leave an organization in the strongest possible shape and I believe I have done so."The quality of the team, the balance of the players' ages and its upcoming youth squad will contribute to its continued "success at the highest level" and "ensure that the long-term future of the club remains a bright one," he said.

Seven moments that defined Ferguson's managerial career

Ferguson paid tribute to the club's "players and staff, past and present," thanking them "for a staggering level of professional conduct and dedication that has helped to deliver so many memorable triumphs. Without their contribution the history of this great club would not be as rich."He also expressed gratitude to his own family, the Glazer family, and the club's many supporters, at home and abroad."Alex has proven time and time again what a fantastic manager he is but he's also a wonderful person. His determination to succeed and dedication to the club have been truly remarkable," Joel Glazer said.The club also quotes former Manchester United and England captain Bryan Robson as saying Ferguson is the "greatest there has ever been."Alex Ferguson's Man U trophies collection

Premier League: 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013FA Cup: 1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004League Cup: 1992, 2006, 2009, 2010Champions League: 1999, 2008Cup Winners Cup: 1991Fifa Club World Cup: 2008Uefa Super Cup: 1991Inter-Continental Cup: 1999FA Charity/Community Shield:1990 (shared), 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011
'Vision, energy, ability'David Gill, who will step down as chief executive of Manchester United in June, said it had been a "tremendous pleasure" to work alongside Ferguson over the past 16 years."We knew that his retirement would come one day and we both have been planning for it by ensuring the quality of the squad and club structures are in first class condition," he said."Alex's vision, energy and ability have built teams -- both on and off the pitch -- that his successor can count on as among the best and most loyal in world sport."Ferguson began his career on the soccer pitch, playing for Scottish clubs Queen's Park, St. Johnstone, Dunfermline, Glasgow Rangers, Falkirk and Ayr United.But it was when he returned to the game as a manager, working at East Stirlingshire, St. Mirren and then Aberdeen that people really began to take notice.He led Aberdeen to three Scottish titles, four Scottish cups, one League Cup and one European Cup Winners' Cup before moving to Manchester United in November 1986 following the dismissal of former manager Ron Atkinson.It didn't take long for the Scotsman to start turning things round at a club that was then near the bottom of the league.Since then, Ferguson has dominated the English game -- his string of victories making him, according to the Manchester United website, "the most successful manager in British football history."

Summary: Alex Ferguson is retiring his soccer coach’s life when the soccer season finished. 
He is Scottish person, and 71 years old, and he is leading Manchester United during 26 years. 
He won 30 trophies about lots of league and cup.  
He reached Manchester United to most valuable sports club. 
David Gill Manchester United owner thought, Alex Ferguson’s vision, energy, ability built this team.  Lots of fans are sad because of his retire, and his last home match’s tickets price is very expensive however the tickets were all sold out, and more people wanted to buy that ticket. Ferguson got the name from England, it is sir. 
So everybody called Sir Alex Ferguson when called Ferguson. He grew lots of famous soccer player, such as Wayne Roony, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs etc. And he released lots of player, did not care about famous. Example of that case is David Beckhem. He was very famous soccer player that time, but Ferguson did not care of that and he won that season. So lots of people sad and admire Sir Alex Ferguson’s retire and achievement.

Words

1.       Retire: Leave the job, or stop the job, usually old people do.

2.       Achievement: Someone doing succeed thing.

3.       Scottish: Scotland people

4.       Trophies: When won the competition, we can get trophies.

5.       Ability: Your skill, it makes possible to do something

Blog post: Gallery 2 in Sibuya

Gallery 2 is located on Shibuya and Shinjuku. It's a sport shop. It is 10 minutes to Shibuya station. But Shibuya has lots of people so need to take more times. In the shop, First floor there have soccer and futsal prices. Example of  there are soccer or futsal shoes, soccer ball, shirts, shorts etc. And second floor is basket ball prices,example of there are basketball, basketball shoes etc. And we can buy the wallet or pencil case, something like that of soccer teams.
They're cheaper than another shop. And they do lots of sale events, too. And 2013 April fourth Thailand sepaktakraw player came. He is world champion. And they have more lots of events for customers.
I went to Gallery 2 this week in Shibuya. I bought a new futsal shoes in there. It's name of mercurial victory 4. It's design is good and comfortable. I wanted to buy something more like shirts, but I didn't have money to buy another things. Next time I want to buy a basketball shoes and another things. And when we bought something a lot or more than 5000 yen. We get vinyl bag. It is very useful to bring something.

Current event: Nigeria fighting 'kills scores' in Baga

Nigeria fighting 'kills scores' in Baga

Name: Daeyoung, Roh

  From: BBC

Intense fighting between the military and Islamist militants in northern Nigeria is reported to have

killed at least 185 people, however the army has disputed this figure.

Rocket-propelled grenades and heavy gunfire bombarded the remote town of Baga near the border with Chad for hours on Friday evening, officials say.

Some 2,000 homes were reportedly destroyed, causing many of the deaths.                

Nigeria faces a long-running insurgency in its predominantly Muslim north.

The Boko Haram insurgency has left thousands of people dead since 2009.

'Markets burnt'

Residents of Baga fled into the bush and only returned on Sunday afternoon to find much of the town destroyed and human and animal corpses strewn through the streets.

It is very difficult to establish the number of casualties exactly”

Isa Umar GusauAdviser to Borno state's governor.

One local journalist said this marked a significant escalation in the insurgency in the area, with the militants using heavier weapons than in previous attacks.

One resident, Bashir Isa, told Associated Press: "Everyone has been in the bush since Friday night; we started returning to town because the governor came.

"To get food to eat in the town now is a problem because even the markets are burnt. We are still picking corpses of women and children in the bush and creeks.''

Residents said most of the bodies had been burned beyond recognition in blazes that had destroyed much of the town.

Bodies are still being found and buried on Monday, two of the town's inhabitants told BBC Hausa.

Local official Lawan Kole said that 185 people - including civilians, members of the security forces and attackers - had been buried.

However, Borno state military spokesman Lt Col Sagir Musa told the AFP news agency that such a high number of deaths was "unthinkable".

"On my honour as an officer, nothing like that happened."

Correspondents note that the Nigerian military often plays down the number of people killed in clashes with militants.

An unnamed local official told AFP that dozens of people had been killed in the fighting.

Communications with parts of northern Nigeria are difficult since mobile phone masts were destroyed by militants.

Isa Umar Gusau, an adviser to Borno state's governor, told BBC Hausa: "It is very difficult to establish the number of casualties exactly. "The figure of casualties given might not be correct, but we value human life. We regret the loss of even one live of any human being in Borno state."

Boko Haram wants to carve out an Islamic state in northern Nigeria.

Its name in the local Hausa language means: "Western education is forbidden".

Summary: In the Nigeria, military and Islamist militants fought in Baga on Friday to until today.  So many houses were destroyed (almost 2000), causing many of deaths almost 185 people. 

And they can’t find the girl and residents corpses. 

Because Islam’s custom is when people died, bury immediately. 

And they can’t distinguish the military and residents, and lots of corpses are burn. And there weapons are Rocket-propelled grenades and heavy gunfire. And in the street there are lots of human and animal corpses. 

But reason of many residents died, because military and Islamist militants fire on the residents houses calculatedly. 

And best problem is they can’t find the food.

Because lots of shops are destroyed from the war, so they don’t have a way to find the food.

5 VOCA

1.     Military: Armed force of the country. Usually using the weapons. And depend the country Ex: Solider.

2.     Islamist: Believe Islamic idea and laws. Islam is a type of religion.

3.     Resident: In the house or country who are live in there

4.     Corpses: Dead body.

5.     Weapon: It is used on the war or fight, ex is gun, knife, bomb.

Novel reading: Sherlock Holmes Short Stories

Sherlock Holmes Short Stories

This book has three stories. There are “The speckled band”, “A Scandal in Bohemia” and “The five orange pips”. This genre is mystery genre. This is outbreak in London. Whole story’s main character is Sherlock Holmes and Watson.

First story is “The speckled band”. Main character is Helen Stoner, Dr Roylott. Holmes. Helen has stepfather Dr Roylott. And her sister died in her room. And when her sister died, her sister said” It was band! The speckled band! ”. But now Helen needs to move to her sister’s room. So Sherlock Holmes goes to the Helen’s house. In her sister’s room, there is air vent and bell-rope. But it isn’t work. And night, Holmes heard whistle, and something came from air vent. So Sherlock hit that. Then Dr Roylott died. It’s is Indian sneak. Dr Roylott wants money so he tries to killed Helen and sister. So he spends the snake but Holmes hit so sneak angry and it killed Dr Roylott.

Second Story is main character is king of Bohemia and Iren Idler. King of Bohemia and Iren Idler loved before. And they have each photograph. But they break. So king need to take her photograph. Because she shows this photograph to anybody, King’s reputation is decrease. So Holmes changed the servant and he talked to Idler. And he said “fire!” So he knows where is the save hers important paper. But Idler send letter to them. She leaves this country. And she said never show this photograph, this story is ended.

Last story’s main character is Openshaw, Elias. Elias came from USA. And he lived with Openshaw. Someday he got some letter. It has 5 orange pips. Then he is very afraid. Few week ago he died under the river. So Openshaw’s father came to that house. And someday he got same letter. 3 days ago he died too. Now Openshaw got letter. So he ask for help to Holmes. But Openshaw died. And Holmes knew who write letter. So he sent to them. But they can’t get that letter. Because they are stay the ship but ship sank. I like the mystery book. So I like this book.

Interesting passage: "It was band! The speckled band!" [p.12]

Blog spot: Matsumoto

Matsumoto is located in Nagano.
Matsumoto streets are clean and the people are friendly. In spring, watch cherry blossoms complement the black roof of the 400-year-old castle (Matsumoto castle) with a backdrop of snowy mountains.  In summer, enjoy the cool breeze of a day hiking in Utsukushigahara Heights and an evening watching Seiji Ozawa conduct at the world class Saito Kinen Festival. In autumn, go apple picking or watch the leaves change while hiking through Kamikochi in the Central Mountains National Park. . In winter, enjoy skiing at the three high altitude resorts before relaxing in one of the many fine onsens.There is Matsumoto castle. It is known as the "Crow Castle" because their exterior is black. And Matsumoto castle's singularity resides in its black and white colour, a unique contrast with other Japanese castles which are all white. And it built more than 400 years ago. It displays various artifact and others related to folklore, history, archeology of the Matsumoto region.And there is Kaichi school museum. It is the first junior high school in Japan. The school is now a museum displaying some of Japan's best collection of education documents and historical material. Ukiyoe museum is located in Matsumoto, too. Ukiyoe museum has representative works by all famous and less famous artists, from early masters to modern days.

"Current events: New bird flu well-adapted to infect people"

New bird flu well-adapted to infect people

Name: Daeyoung

From: CNN

Date: April 13 ,2013

A new variation of bird flu that the WHO says has caused at least 11 deaths in China has genetic characteristics that make it well-adapted to infect people.

In a report published late Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine, samples from three patients -- all of whom died -- had mutations that have previously been shown to increase transmissibility, and to help the virus grow in a mammal's respiratory tract.

The analysis comes amid a modest but steady stream of human cases since the end of March. Saturday, China reported a 7-year-old Beijing girl is the latest person to become infected with the H7N9 flu strain, bringing the total to 44.

The strain is normally found in birds, and until last month was never known to infect people.

"The H7N9 situation is evolving very quickly," said Nancy Cox, director of the Influenza Division at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "One thing of concern is the pace at which we are seeing the identification of cases."

Another death in China bird flu crisis as Hong Kong goes on alert

On a more reassuring note, investigators have found no evidence that the virus has passed directly from person to person. More than a thousand "close contacts" of the patients are being monitored by Chinese health officials, according to the World Health Organization.

One concerning mutation, known as "Substitution Q226L," was found in two of the first three victims. Past experiments have shown it to make viruses -- including the H5N1 bird flu virus -- more likely to infect ferrets, which are commonly used in flu research. The same mutation was also found in the viruses that caused the 1957 and 1968 flu pandemics.

A second mutation, known as "PB2 E627K," was found in all three virus samples.

According to Dr. Ron Fouchier, a Dutch virologist, this mutation allows the virus to reproduce at much lower temperatures than a standard avian influenza virus. The change lets it grow in a human respiratory tract, which is cooler than the virus' natural home: a bird's gastrointestinal tract.

In mice, Fouchier said, the mutation makes the infection as much as 1,000 times more virulent.

A number of other mutations were found as well, including changes that are characteristic of viruses found in mammals.

China's bird flu mystery

"Known normal bird viruses have to adapt substantially to infect people, but not these," said Fouchier, who said the changes are enough that he would no longer call the H7N9 strain "bird flu."

The first three patients to be identified are an 87-year-old man and a 27-year-old man from Shanghai, and a 35-year-old housewife from Anhui.

The woman had visited a chicken market about a week before falling ill. The younger man was a butcher who worked in a market where live birds were sold, although he did not butcher any birds. The 87-year-old had no known exposure to live birds.

All three died after suffering severe respiratory symptoms, including acute respiratory distress syndrome and eventually septic shock and multiple organ failure.

In a commentary that ran with the article, Cox and Dr. Tim Uyeki, a physician with the CDC, noted that patients were not given antiviral medication until their illness became severe.

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) should be administered as soon as possible to patients with a suspected or confirmed H7N9 infection, the two wrote.

Cox said it remains unclear whether the severe illnesses are typical of H7N9 infection or simply the tip of a large iceberg in which a large number of mild cases are going unnoticed.

"As surveillance has expanded, we're also seeing individuals with milder cases," said Cox. "We're still seeing very severe disease in some cases, but overall I think it's somewhat reassuring."

The CDC is in the final steps of refining a diagnostic test to identify H7N9 in patients, and Cox said it should be available for distribution in a matter of days. A widely available diagnostic test would allow faster identification of patients who actually have the infection, and would also help disease detectives zero in on how people are being exposed.

Work has begun on a vaccine, although Cox and others said that even if it is eventually needed, a vaccine likely won't be available for several months.

While the overall picture is concerning, flu experts urged calm.

"I wouldn't say a pandemic is more likely than it was a year ago," Fouchier said. "The only thing we can do as virologists right now is to point out the interesting characteristics of the virus, try to get to the bottom of this story and try to stop further infections."

Summary: A new variation of bird flu killed at least 11 people in China. Experts have found no evidence that the virus has passed directly from person to person. And the mutation makes the infection as much as 1,000 times more virulent. The first three patients to be identified are an 87-year-old man and a 27-year-old man, and a 35-year-old housewife. The woman had visited a chicken market about a week before falling ill. The younger man was a butcher who worked in a market where live birds were sold, although he did not butcher any birds. The 87-year-old had no known expose to live birds. All three died after suffering severe respiratory symptoms, including intense respiratory distress syndrome and eventually septic shock and multiple organ failure.

Words
-Respiratory: Must have to do this when you live life, it gives lots of energy. same meaning of breathe
-butcher: It is a person who slaughter animals, and they sell the pork or beef, and another lots of things.
-virulent: It's same meaning of poisonous, they stay in posionus snake, some mushrooms. They can use to kill something.
-illness: same meaning to disease, it's include sick, stress, obstacle.
-mutation:It's wrong in the DNA or RNA. So looks different thing is appear. Including cancer.