お茶の間留学

One of my favorite pastimes is eating. I love to try new foods, and I especially love desserts. Some people might even say that I’m a gourmand when it comes to desserts.

Recently me and a friend decided to visit Sweets Paradise; a famous dessert buffet restaurant. We don't really have “dessert buffets” in Ireland... even “all you can eat” restaurants are rare. So I was really curious to see what it was like... and whether or not it was really “all you can eat”!

The moment we entered we were hit by the aroma of chocolate. There was a large chocolate fountain beside 2 cases filled with various cakes. We stared in awe for a little while... neither of us had seen so many desserts gathered in one place before!

We each took a plate and began to fill it with small slices of cake. We wanted to try everything! There were fruit cakes, cheese cakes, cream cakes, chocolate cakes...  we were spoiled by all the choices! After we had each filled a plate, we returned to our seats and began our feast. Everything was so delicious. A few of the desserts just melted in my mouth. I felt as though I had died and gone to heaven!

However, after polishing off the second plate of goodies, my delight began to fade. I started to feel rather queasy. I realized there was a limit to how much sugar I could eat in one sitting!

But the cakes were delicious and the whole experience was really fun!

chocoholic = チョコレート中毒

pastimes = 娯楽

gourmand = 食いしん坊

buffet = ブッフェ

all you can eat = 食べ放題

rare = 稀

curious = すごく気になる

we were hit by = ～に襲われる

aroma = 香り

fountain = 噴水

various = いろいろな種類の

awe = 畏怖

spoiled = 甘やかされる

choices = 選択肢

feast = 豪華な食事

melted in my mouth = 口の中でとろけた

died and gone to heaven = 死んで天国に行ってしまった

polishing off = たいらげる

goodies = ごちそう

delight = 喜び

queasy = 吐き気がする

limit = 限界

in one sitting = 一回の食事の席で

When I first arrived in Japan, the thing that excited me the most was the mountains. You see, I come from south Texas, where it is very flat. So, having a mountain just behind my house was very exciting. For the first few days after arriving, every time I stepped outside my house, I would pause for a few brief moments and admire the mountain. A day or so later, I decided to explore the mountain. Its name is Mount Ikoma.

Soon after setting out, I found a small trail extending into the mountain. I decided to follow it and see where it would take me. The trail was a little slippery from the rain a day before. So I walked very carefully. I made sure that I didn't lose my footing and fall down.

The trees towered above creating a perfect canopy which protected me from the heat of the day. Walking along, I was surprised to find a small shrine in the middle of the forest. Hiking on the mountain I saw many beautiful sights. Mountain springs and creeks moved me. The flowers and plants opened my eyes to the beauty of nature in Japan. On the way home I found a large trail ending at a small waterfall.

At several points along the way, the trail split to the right and to the left. I quickly lost my way back. Luckily, I was carrying my GPS to help find the way. I returned home from my adventure hungry and tired, but happy that whenever　I want to, I can take a trip into the mountains of Japan.

first arrived = 最初に来た
excited me = 興奮した
flat = 平坦な
stepped outside = 外に踏み出す
pause = 立ち止まる
brief = 短い
admire = 敬服する
explore = 探検する
setting out = 出発
trail = 小道
slippery = 滑りやすい
lose my footing = 踏み外す
fall down = 転ぶ
towered above = 上にそびえる
canopy = 天蓋
mountain springs = 山の湧き水
moved me = 感動させられた
opened my eyes = 目を丸くした
split = 分かれる
lost my way = 道に迷った
luckily = 幸い
find the way = 道を見つける
adventure = 冒険
tired = 疲れた
whenever = ～する時はいつも