Haruna Watanabe

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My Photo Album
LIBR500 Foundations of Information
Technology January 2004

• Haruna Watanabe
• harunan_at_milk.freemail.ne.jp

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contents

• My Name
• My Family
• My Home Town
• Japanese Culture
• Kimono
• Dance
• Festivals

• To Canada
• My Homestay Family
• My Homestay Kids

This is a brief introduction of myself, my
families and my country. I hope you will enjoy it!
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I am
Haruna Watanabe

• I was born on May 28th, 1979
• I was named Haruna
• Haru means spring, in Japanese
• Na is Nanohana, a name of a flower

These are the flowers
My dad and me
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My Family
My Dad Haruo He is a high school teacher,
teaching Japanese literature. He likes to write
haiku.
My Mom Yuuko She volunteers as a story-teller at
schools and libraries. She also has a story-time
for kids at home every week.
I love you!
Me!
My brother Yuuki He is an undergraduate student,
majoring in engineering. He helps me out with
computers.
My sister Momo She is a high school student. She
was named after Momo of Michael Endes Momo.
We are a tightly-knit family. Since I am here in
Canada, I miss them so much!
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My Home Town -
Fujinomiya
My home town sits at the foot of Mt. Fuji

• Mt. Fuji -Fujisan is
• located almost the middle of Japan
• the highest mountain in Japan and also known for
  its beauty
• 3,776 meters high above sea
• one of Japans sacred mountains

Mt. Fuji and green tea fields
This photo is from Mr.Suganumas homepage, Fuji
of the four seasons (in Japanese). Thank you!
More about Fujinomiya click here!
Click on the photo to see more photos of Mt. Fuji.
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Lets get a glimpse of Japanese culture
from my album! - Kimono
Kimono and Hakama are traditional Japanese
clothes, worn on formal occasions such as

• Shichi-Go-San
• The festival day for children aged seven, five
  and three
• In November
• This is the day to wish childrens health and
  growth

• Seijin-no-Hi
• Coming of Age Day
• In January
• We celebrate this day for people who have turned
  20, because it means that they have reached
  adulthood

• Graduation ceremony
• Generally in March
• Many girls wear Hakama or Kimono on graduation
  day.

My mom and me
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Lets get a glimpse of Japanese culture
from my album! - Dance
Its me!

• Classical Japanese Dance-Nihon-Buyo
• My sister and I have studied Classical Japanese
  Dance!

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Lets get a glimpse of Japanese culture
from my album! - Festivals

• There are several festivals to pray to gods or
  thank gods for good harvest

wearing a special costumes and leading a float
called Dashi
wearing Yukata, an informal cotton kimono for
summer, and visiting a shrine
wearing Happi, a type of coat, and carrying a
portable shrine called Omikoshi
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To Canada
I have left my country and come to Canada with
both hopes and fears.

• Now, I love this country
• Home of wildlife
• Wonders of nature

There are squirrels everywhere!
Look at this amazing color of the lake The
Rocky Mountains
I fell in love with this flower path of golden
chains. VanDusen Botanical Garden
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My Family in Canada
I live with my homestay family in Vancouver

• Homestay parents
• Mark and Gail
• Homestay kids
• Eleanor (4), John (2), Alexandra (0)
• Cats
• Simon, Oliver and Molly
• Housemates
• There are always 4 students from various countries

• We are good friends and family.
• We spend a lot of time chatting together.
• A good thing is that we can learn about each
  others countries.

A little more about my homestay family Click
here!
Yes, this is a busy house!
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My Homestay Kids
But not always!
They are like angels
Diapers!!
We made a big mess!!
DiapersWhat a mess!
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My Homestay Kids
Their new baby sister!
The third baby was just born The home will be
busier and noisier, but sure much happier! I wish
the house lots of childrens laughter, always and
forever!
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I cherish both of my families and I would like
to thank them for always supporting me and making
me feel happy!
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Thank you!
Bye-bye
Haruna Watanabe