Since Japanese weddings are expensive, do you think having a massive wedding like Korea or UAE is a good idea? Eloping? Having it in a foreign location like Hawaii?What is your ideal wedding? What would you definitely do or wear or go to on that big day? Why is that important?
I think having a massive wedding like Korea or UAE is a good idea, but it’s not really important because “wedding” is just a “party”, so to me, if everybody (including groom, and his family and friends) had great time with me I am happy. I don’t care how gorgeous my wedding is. I just want all my family and all my friends to be there for me. That is one of my ideal weddings. And, I definitely would like to wear a white beautiful wedding dress because it’s always a symbol of a bridal suit. I would like to have my wedding in my country, not in a foreign country like Hawaii. If I could have it in a foreign country, it sounds very wonderful and lots of fun, but I don’t think it’s an easy place to everyone come. If I marred a person who is not from Japanese… I hove to think about the wedding place! haha
2007年12月10日月曜日
Superstitions
We talked about many superstitions in many countries, but do you think it is important to talk about them? Why?Is communication affected by superstitions?Do you believe in Japanese superstitions? If so, what superstitions, what do they mean and why do you do,use, or believe in them?
Yes, I think to talk about superstitions of our own countries is important because they came from kind of cultural things, so to tell about superstitions which you believe is the one good way to know or understand each other to me.
Yes, I believe some superstitions, but I am not sure they are Japanese superstitions or not. For example, when I get new shoes, it said “don’t wear new shoes after the sun set or your foot will get hurt with the new shoes.” I have believed it since when I was little, so I don’t go out with new shoes in the evening and when it’s not fine day because my Mom and my Grandmother taught me about that when I was little. I guess my Mom got the superstition from my Grandmother when she was kid. When I wear new shoes after the sun set my toe or leg usually got some hurts actually. I am not sire this superstition is one of Japanese superstitions. Maybe, it’s believed only in my family.
Yes, I think to talk about superstitions of our own countries is important because they came from kind of cultural things, so to tell about superstitions which you believe is the one good way to know or understand each other to me.
Yes, I believe some superstitions, but I am not sure they are Japanese superstitions or not. For example, when I get new shoes, it said “don’t wear new shoes after the sun set or your foot will get hurt with the new shoes.” I have believed it since when I was little, so I don’t go out with new shoes in the evening and when it’s not fine day because my Mom and my Grandmother taught me about that when I was little. I guess my Mom got the superstition from my Grandmother when she was kid. When I wear new shoes after the sun set my toe or leg usually got some hurts actually. I am not sire this superstition is one of Japanese superstitions. Maybe, it’s believed only in my family.
2007年12月9日日曜日
Time
Today we talked about time in different societies and the English words associated with them. For homework, answer the following question:The English language has many proverbs and sayings about time.Please explain what you think are the meanings of each of the 4 expressions.
1. Time is money.
I know this saying form in Japanese, so it is like the person is saying "Don't waste my time, use it wisely." Usually, people who say things like this are people who are really busy, in a hurry and probably over stressed?? haha This saying formed probably because people tend to think that time is limited, important and valuable, so it is like money. Business people tend to say this, because in business, the longer something takes, the more money it costs.
2.A stitch in time saves nine.
We have this saying form in Japanese too. It sounds more like, if you do something now, it will save you a lot more trouble later, so do something now, and don't wait. "It would be in your best interest to do it now, not later. You might regret waiting, later."
Just for a silly example, pretend you have a basket of fruit. And in this basket of fruit, you notice some fungus or mold growing on a piece of fruit. If you take care of just that one piece of fruit, now, the other fruit will stay okay. But if you wait, you'll have to look at all the pieces of fruit and throw away or clean all of them, not just one. So by waiting, you get more trouble.
3.There's no time like the present.
I think we have many (not just one) this kind of saying form in Japanese. The word This means, "If there's anything you want to do, now is the time to do it. There is no better time than now. Why bother waiting? Live every day like it is your last day alive. Don't let anything stop you or hold you back from doing what you REALLY enjoy and want to do."
4. Fashionable late.
I guess we don’t have this kind of saying form in Japanese. If you are fashionably late, you are usually like 30 min-1 hr late?? (maybe later, maybe 15 min) This saying is used as a way to make sound “ok” This is maybe usually used like, "Tom showed up fashionably late at last week's party." Or, if your friend commented that you were late again, maybe you could say, "I'm just fashionably late!" as a joke.
1. Time is money.
I know this saying form in Japanese, so it is like the person is saying "Don't waste my time, use it wisely." Usually, people who say things like this are people who are really busy, in a hurry and probably over stressed?? haha This saying formed probably because people tend to think that time is limited, important and valuable, so it is like money. Business people tend to say this, because in business, the longer something takes, the more money it costs.
2.A stitch in time saves nine.
We have this saying form in Japanese too. It sounds more like, if you do something now, it will save you a lot more trouble later, so do something now, and don't wait. "It would be in your best interest to do it now, not later. You might regret waiting, later."
Just for a silly example, pretend you have a basket of fruit. And in this basket of fruit, you notice some fungus or mold growing on a piece of fruit. If you take care of just that one piece of fruit, now, the other fruit will stay okay. But if you wait, you'll have to look at all the pieces of fruit and throw away or clean all of them, not just one. So by waiting, you get more trouble.
3.There's no time like the present.
I think we have many (not just one) this kind of saying form in Japanese. The word This means, "If there's anything you want to do, now is the time to do it. There is no better time than now. Why bother waiting? Live every day like it is your last day alive. Don't let anything stop you or hold you back from doing what you REALLY enjoy and want to do."
4. Fashionable late.
I guess we don’t have this kind of saying form in Japanese. If you are fashionably late, you are usually like 30 min-1 hr late?? (maybe later, maybe 15 min) This saying is used as a way to make sound “ok” This is maybe usually used like, "Tom showed up fashionably late at last week's party." Or, if your friend commented that you were late again, maybe you could say, "I'm just fashionably late!" as a joke.
2007年11月9日金曜日
The Language of Clothes
1. Do you judge people according to what they wear? Why?
Yes, sometimes I judge people according to what they wear. But I don’t judge if they are nice, smart, or rich from their clothes. I judge their clothes because it helps me understand a little about what kind of person they are, what color the person likes, what kind of design the person prefers, or something like that. From the color or design people wear, we can usually assume many things about the person, but it’s not always right. So I can judge you from your clothes, but I want to talk with you to know why you prefer the color or design of your clothes!
2. Do you think Japanese society puts an importance on clothing when judging other people from another country?
I don’t think so. In my opinion, Japanese people care about only their own clothes, or maybe only care about what clothes Japanese people wear. Japanese people sometimes care about their own clothes too much, so when they judge other people who come from another country, I don’t think they care about other people’s clothes. It’s because Japanese people usually know that some people from other countries don’t care about their clothes as much as Japanese people care about theirs. So I don’t think Japanese society puts an importance on clothing when judging other people from another country.
3. What colors are you wearing now? Do they reflect your mood?
Right now, I am wearing pink. I am not sure this pink reflects my mood today or not because I only hurriedly picked this when I woke up this morning. :o)In my opinion, the colors people choose usually reflect their mood. It’s because everyone has their own favorite colors, and they choose them by themselves. Also, colors have special powers to make us happy or calm. Maybe that’s why sometimes we feel like “Oh I want to wear something red today!”, “I don’t want to wear green today… ”, or something like that. I think we are always considering the color of our clothes when we choose our clothes in order to reflect our mood, and also our clothes’ colors are considering our mood when choosing us. ;o)
Next week we will discuss friends, please prepare by answering the following questions
1. What are some subjects that you will never discuss with a friend?
It’s interesting question. I think it depends on how close we are. I guess I would never discuss weight with friends because Japanese girls particularly hate the topic. We talk about dieting, but we never talk about exactly how much we weigh, like “How much do you weigh now?” It’s always a top secret topic.
But yea, I think it really depends on how close we are because I am a girl, and all girls in the world love talking, as you know.
2. Do you have different friends for different parts of your life? If so, how are they different to you? Do you talk about different things? Go to different places? Give me some examples.
Yes, I think so. I hope I understood this question.
But, I will not choose friends for different parts of my life. I want to let people do whatever they want. For example, I have some friends who like going out at night, like to drink or dance, and they always ask me to go with them. I will go out with them because they want me to go with them and because I want to go out with them too. However one of another my friends, she doesn't like drinking, so she never asks me to drink with her. She loves to go on walks, so she always asks me if I want to go for a walk together. I will go because she wants me to with her, and because I want to go with her, too. I talk with her about drinking, so it's not any secret, even though she doesn't like drinking.
So, I prefer to accommodate myself to my friends rather than to choose friends for myself (or different parts of my life).
Yes, sometimes I judge people according to what they wear. But I don’t judge if they are nice, smart, or rich from their clothes. I judge their clothes because it helps me understand a little about what kind of person they are, what color the person likes, what kind of design the person prefers, or something like that. From the color or design people wear, we can usually assume many things about the person, but it’s not always right. So I can judge you from your clothes, but I want to talk with you to know why you prefer the color or design of your clothes!
2. Do you think Japanese society puts an importance on clothing when judging other people from another country?
I don’t think so. In my opinion, Japanese people care about only their own clothes, or maybe only care about what clothes Japanese people wear. Japanese people sometimes care about their own clothes too much, so when they judge other people who come from another country, I don’t think they care about other people’s clothes. It’s because Japanese people usually know that some people from other countries don’t care about their clothes as much as Japanese people care about theirs. So I don’t think Japanese society puts an importance on clothing when judging other people from another country.
3. What colors are you wearing now? Do they reflect your mood?
Right now, I am wearing pink. I am not sure this pink reflects my mood today or not because I only hurriedly picked this when I woke up this morning. :o)In my opinion, the colors people choose usually reflect their mood. It’s because everyone has their own favorite colors, and they choose them by themselves. Also, colors have special powers to make us happy or calm. Maybe that’s why sometimes we feel like “Oh I want to wear something red today!”, “I don’t want to wear green today… ”, or something like that. I think we are always considering the color of our clothes when we choose our clothes in order to reflect our mood, and also our clothes’ colors are considering our mood when choosing us. ;o)
Next week we will discuss friends, please prepare by answering the following questions
1. What are some subjects that you will never discuss with a friend?
It’s interesting question. I think it depends on how close we are. I guess I would never discuss weight with friends because Japanese girls particularly hate the topic. We talk about dieting, but we never talk about exactly how much we weigh, like “How much do you weigh now?” It’s always a top secret topic.
But yea, I think it really depends on how close we are because I am a girl, and all girls in the world love talking, as you know.
2. Do you have different friends for different parts of your life? If so, how are they different to you? Do you talk about different things? Go to different places? Give me some examples.
Yes, I think so. I hope I understood this question.
But, I will not choose friends for different parts of my life. I want to let people do whatever they want. For example, I have some friends who like going out at night, like to drink or dance, and they always ask me to go with them. I will go out with them because they want me to go with them and because I want to go out with them too. However one of another my friends, she doesn't like drinking, so she never asks me to drink with her. She loves to go on walks, so she always asks me if I want to go for a walk together. I will go because she wants me to with her, and because I want to go with her, too. I talk with her about drinking, so it's not any secret, even though she doesn't like drinking.
So, I prefer to accommodate myself to my friends rather than to choose friends for myself (or different parts of my life).
Death and Funerals
1. Do you have any international friends or a host family? If so, how would you express your condolences to them if a family member died? If not, then how would you express condolences to an American host family if their Grandmother died?
Yes, I have international friends and a host family in the US.
I have no idea how to express my condolences to my friends or to my host family if a family member died because cultures are completely different in the world. For me, words are unable to do anything. I know people can say “sorry” if someone died, but I don’t feel I could express my condolences to them because I am not a native English speaker. When something sad happens to me, I usually cry, so I guess I would cry (not on purpose), and I would give them hugs to express my condolences. It’s the best thing I could do for them.
a. Have you ever been to a foreign funeral?
Fortunately, no, I haven’t. So I will talk about what my friend did for me. When someone in my family died, my best friend was by my side. She is American, not Japanese. I got the bad news from a phone call, so it was just her and me in the room. I couldn’t bear to hear the bad news on the phone, and kept crying. She can speak Japanese very well, but she didn’t say anything in Japanese or anything like what a Japanese person would usually say to express her condolences to me. She hugged me the entire time I cried, and talked to me about death in English. The things she did for me helped and supported me a lot. I could feel her condolences for me.
The language of Clothes (preparation for next week’s topic)
a. Why are Japanese designer label crazy? Why is what you wear so important?
I have no idea about why are Japanese people are crazy about designer labels. Maybe it's because Japanese people like being fashionable??
Why is what I wear so important? In my opinion, clothes are a way of expressing our own personality or individuality, like what kind of person I am. Think about what suit you would wear for an interview. Would you wear a suit someone else picked, or would you wear a suit you chose yourself? Would you pick your favorite design or would you just pick something that you have? Also, some people care about how expensive the clothes are too. Wouldn't you choose a suit that makes you feel confident, just the same way you would wear cute clothes when you want to look nice? So maybe by being particular about designer labels, one can make themselves feel more confident about their selves. So we can also say that Japanese people care about clothes a lot because everybody does care about designer labels. haha
b. What does “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” mean to you?
If you ask me, “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” means don’t decide whether you like something or hate something just by looking at its appearance. For example, we shouldn’t decide if a girl is rich, just because she has a Louis Vuitton bag, or we shouldn’t say he is poor just because he is skinny. Something like that???
Yes, I have international friends and a host family in the US.
I have no idea how to express my condolences to my friends or to my host family if a family member died because cultures are completely different in the world. For me, words are unable to do anything. I know people can say “sorry” if someone died, but I don’t feel I could express my condolences to them because I am not a native English speaker. When something sad happens to me, I usually cry, so I guess I would cry (not on purpose), and I would give them hugs to express my condolences. It’s the best thing I could do for them.
a. Have you ever been to a foreign funeral?
Fortunately, no, I haven’t. So I will talk about what my friend did for me. When someone in my family died, my best friend was by my side. She is American, not Japanese. I got the bad news from a phone call, so it was just her and me in the room. I couldn’t bear to hear the bad news on the phone, and kept crying. She can speak Japanese very well, but she didn’t say anything in Japanese or anything like what a Japanese person would usually say to express her condolences to me. She hugged me the entire time I cried, and talked to me about death in English. The things she did for me helped and supported me a lot. I could feel her condolences for me.
The language of Clothes (preparation for next week’s topic)
a. Why are Japanese designer label crazy? Why is what you wear so important?
I have no idea about why are Japanese people are crazy about designer labels. Maybe it's because Japanese people like being fashionable??
Why is what I wear so important? In my opinion, clothes are a way of expressing our own personality or individuality, like what kind of person I am. Think about what suit you would wear for an interview. Would you wear a suit someone else picked, or would you wear a suit you chose yourself? Would you pick your favorite design or would you just pick something that you have? Also, some people care about how expensive the clothes are too. Wouldn't you choose a suit that makes you feel confident, just the same way you would wear cute clothes when you want to look nice? So maybe by being particular about designer labels, one can make themselves feel more confident about their selves. So we can also say that Japanese people care about clothes a lot because everybody does care about designer labels. haha
b. What does “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” mean to you?
If you ask me, “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” means don’t decide whether you like something or hate something just by looking at its appearance. For example, we shouldn’t decide if a girl is rich, just because she has a Louis Vuitton bag, or we shouldn’t say he is poor just because he is skinny. Something like that???
Wrapping
1. Reflecting about today's class
Today we discussed the Japanese concept of "wrapping". Do you agree with the web site's description? What do you do that can be called "wrapping"? Give examples and reasons for your actions.
I disagree with the opinion of the website we looked at in our class. I thought it was unfortunate that everyone laughed when we were looking at the web site, especially the part about Kimonos and construction sites. If you ask me, I wouldn’t say we’re “wrapping” ourselves with Kimonos, and that people are “wrapping” buildings just because we love “wrapping” something. I know it looks like “wrapping”, but all of these actions have reasons why people are wrapping something. For example, people wrap buildings when we build them because they want to protect citizens from hazards and the noise from the construction. Japanese people wrap something like rope around shrine entrances because they distinguishing the separation of God’s world and the outside world. For me, Tatemae and Enryo ( to refrain, to hesitate) are totally different.
2. Reparation for the next class "Death and Funerals" Answer these questions in your blog.
a. Where do you go when you die?
I believe I will be born again as a new living being, which I haven’t become yet, like a flower, an animal, or a human when I die. I believe everyone and everything was born to learn something they don’t know yet, so I am alive now to learn something as a woman. In Buddhism, people say they will go to heaven or hell when they die. If people did something not good, like crime then they have to go to hell be punished for it. I don’t know what is considered “not good”, but it is said that the great king of the Buddhist Hades (in Japanese he is called 閻魔 Enma ) is in front of the entrance of the hell to judge and give them punishments for what they did when they were alive. Therefore, I think that is why many people say to kids “If you do that again, the great king of the Buddhist Hades in hell will take your tongue away!” when kids did something bad (especially, when kids lie because they can’t speak or lie anymore without their tongues).
b. Explain why do Japanese have death memorial services 1 month, 1 year, 3 years, 7 years, etc. after a person's death?
I think it’s because of the influence from Confucianism in China. I am not sure about that, but I have heard something like that. There is 冥界 (Myoukai) on the way to go to hell. There are about 10 kings (including 閻魔 Enma) in the hell, and all of them judge people after die every 7 days, like 初七日(7 days later), 十四日(14 days later), 二十一日(21 days later), 二十八日(28 days later), 三十五日(35 days later), 四十二日(42 days later), 四十九日(49 days later)…. Plus after that there are 3 more additional judges. That is 一回忌(first year), 三回忌(3 years later), 七回忌(7 years later). So people are judged 10 times and 3 more times from each kings of Myoukai to lighten their sin as much as possible before going to hell. They might change direction from going to hell and being judged to being born again. It called 十三仏信仰in Japanese. (I am not sure how to read it in Japanese because words of Buddhism have sometimes different reading). So I guess that is the reason why Japanese people have death memorial services 1 month, 1 year, 3 years, 7 years, etc. after a person's death.
Today we discussed the Japanese concept of "wrapping". Do you agree with the web site's description? What do you do that can be called "wrapping"? Give examples and reasons for your actions.
I disagree with the opinion of the website we looked at in our class. I thought it was unfortunate that everyone laughed when we were looking at the web site, especially the part about Kimonos and construction sites. If you ask me, I wouldn’t say we’re “wrapping” ourselves with Kimonos, and that people are “wrapping” buildings just because we love “wrapping” something. I know it looks like “wrapping”, but all of these actions have reasons why people are wrapping something. For example, people wrap buildings when we build them because they want to protect citizens from hazards and the noise from the construction. Japanese people wrap something like rope around shrine entrances because they distinguishing the separation of God’s world and the outside world. For me, Tatemae and Enryo ( to refrain, to hesitate) are totally different.
2. Reparation for the next class "Death and Funerals" Answer these questions in your blog.
a. Where do you go when you die?
I believe I will be born again as a new living being, which I haven’t become yet, like a flower, an animal, or a human when I die. I believe everyone and everything was born to learn something they don’t know yet, so I am alive now to learn something as a woman. In Buddhism, people say they will go to heaven or hell when they die. If people did something not good, like crime then they have to go to hell be punished for it. I don’t know what is considered “not good”, but it is said that the great king of the Buddhist Hades (in Japanese he is called 閻魔 Enma ) is in front of the entrance of the hell to judge and give them punishments for what they did when they were alive. Therefore, I think that is why many people say to kids “If you do that again, the great king of the Buddhist Hades in hell will take your tongue away!” when kids did something bad (especially, when kids lie because they can’t speak or lie anymore without their tongues).
b. Explain why do Japanese have death memorial services 1 month, 1 year, 3 years, 7 years, etc. after a person's death?
I think it’s because of the influence from Confucianism in China. I am not sure about that, but I have heard something like that. There is 冥界 (Myoukai) on the way to go to hell. There are about 10 kings (including 閻魔 Enma) in the hell, and all of them judge people after die every 7 days, like 初七日(7 days later), 十四日(14 days later), 二十一日(21 days later), 二十八日(28 days later), 三十五日(35 days later), 四十二日(42 days later), 四十九日(49 days later)…. Plus after that there are 3 more additional judges. That is 一回忌(first year), 三回忌(3 years later), 七回忌(7 years later). So people are judged 10 times and 3 more times from each kings of Myoukai to lighten their sin as much as possible before going to hell. They might change direction from going to hell and being judged to being born again. It called 十三仏信仰in Japanese. (I am not sure how to read it in Japanese because words of Buddhism have sometimes different reading). So I guess that is the reason why Japanese people have death memorial services 1 month, 1 year, 3 years, 7 years, etc. after a person's death.
2007年7月30日月曜日
If you have some time, please answer the following questions in your blog.
1. Concerning Religion:
a) Which religion discussed in class was the least interesting and why?
b) Which religion was the most interesting or changed your attitude? Why?
For me, all of the religions we learned were very interesting! There were no uninteresting religions. It’s because we usually don’t have the chance to see such people, such as Muslims. I had a really good experience listening to the presentations about Buddhism, even though I already knew a bit about it. Learning something new or something I don’t know can’t be uninteresting!
2. Looking back at all the other topics discussed, which one do you remember as being the most interesting whereby you learned a lot?
I liked “politics” especially with watching some movies. It was fun. We found that some people in our class have mind, like American people (including me). And I had a presentation about politics of Italy with my group!
3. Which topic was least important to cross culture discussions?
Nothing. :o)
4. Which speakers were most interesting and what did you learn?
The person who was married to the Australian was interesting to me. Everyone in our class will have a baby sometime in our future, so I was interested by the lecture.
Dear Ms. Meiki
I had wonderful experiences in your class. I really enjoyed it, and liked it very much!!
Thank you. ;o)
1. Concerning Religion:
a) Which religion discussed in class was the least interesting and why?
b) Which religion was the most interesting or changed your attitude? Why?
For me, all of the religions we learned were very interesting! There were no uninteresting religions. It’s because we usually don’t have the chance to see such people, such as Muslims. I had a really good experience listening to the presentations about Buddhism, even though I already knew a bit about it. Learning something new or something I don’t know can’t be uninteresting!
2. Looking back at all the other topics discussed, which one do you remember as being the most interesting whereby you learned a lot?
I liked “politics” especially with watching some movies. It was fun. We found that some people in our class have mind, like American people (including me). And I had a presentation about politics of Italy with my group!
3. Which topic was least important to cross culture discussions?
Nothing. :o)
4. Which speakers were most interesting and what did you learn?
The person who was married to the Australian was interesting to me. Everyone in our class will have a baby sometime in our future, so I was interested by the lecture.
Dear Ms. Meiki
I had wonderful experiences in your class. I really enjoyed it, and liked it very much!!
Thank you. ;o)
Politics and International Relations
The United Nations (UN) is the key organization to promote and maintain world peace. Research the UN in the library or on the internet. If you were working for the UN, which job would like to have using your English abilities? Why?
If I work at the United Nations I would like to work for UNICEF because I want to help children in the world. I want to do everything I can for children. There are many children who don’t have someone to take care of them, and there are always a lot of things people can do for children in this huge world. We can read books for children who are struggling with illness. We can tell funny stories to children who live in hospital. We can draw portraits for children who have never had their face drawn. I want to make them smile.
If I work at the United Nations I would like to work for UNICEF because I want to help children in the world. I want to do everything I can for children. There are many children who don’t have someone to take care of them, and there are always a lot of things people can do for children in this huge world. We can read books for children who are struggling with illness. We can tell funny stories to children who live in hospital. We can draw portraits for children who have never had their face drawn. I want to make them smile.
Dating
Here is my ideal partner chart. For me, just loving me is not enough! My partner must also be loving. Being loving is the most important thing I want my partner to do for me. For me, being loving is being affectionate, devoted and loyal to me. A person who often expresses how much the person loves me is perfect for me because I want to do the same thing for my partner!
Trust is second. I don’t want to worry about my partner flirting and I don’t want my partner to worry about me.
Third, I want my partner to be playful. I need someone who will be silly with me. If my partner holds my hand all the time I will be super happy. If my partner eats something I like with me I will also be super happy!
Lastly, personality and how responsible my partner is are equally important. I need someone who is moral, kind to everyone, honest, and expressive. Most importantly, I need my partner to be a good listener and listen to how I feel. I also like someone who is motivated, even just a little bit, because seeing their motivation will motivate me. Also, being responsible means that my partner will not spend money irresponsibly and will take care of all necessary financial things. It’s not that I don’t want someone who is good looking or rich or with a good job. I value one’s personality more than someone’s looks, wealth or career.
Trust is second. I don’t want to worry about my partner flirting and I don’t want my partner to worry about me.
Third, I want my partner to be playful. I need someone who will be silly with me. If my partner holds my hand all the time I will be super happy. If my partner eats something I like with me I will also be super happy!
Lastly, personality and how responsible my partner is are equally important. I need someone who is moral, kind to everyone, honest, and expressive. Most importantly, I need my partner to be a good listener and listen to how I feel. I also like someone who is motivated, even just a little bit, because seeing their motivation will motivate me. Also, being responsible means that my partner will not spend money irresponsibly and will take care of all necessary financial things. It’s not that I don’t want someone who is good looking or rich or with a good job. I value one’s personality more than someone’s looks, wealth or career.
2007年5月31日木曜日
Family Life
please answer the questions in the textbook on page 14, section 4 a-f. Do not give one sentence answers, but explain them by giving evidence and examples.
a. When do children usually leave home?
I think, it’s after children graduate their high school. After high school everyone does other things, like some people keep studying, some people work.
b. How many people live in your home?
My Mom, my Dad, and my cat live in my home right now. I have 5 members in my family including my Mom and Dad, but my brother and my sister already left home. I live in a dormitory now, so that’s why there are only my Mom, Dad, and my cat in my home right now.
c. Do you have a head of the family?
Not really, but I think my Mom is our head. My Dad usually doesn’t care about anything, so he doesn’t say anything to us. In my family, we always tell Mom when we have something.
d. Who does the housework?
My Mom does. My Dad is trying to help her. He washes the bathtub, takes out the garbage, and takes in the laundry.
e. Who runs the family?
It’s my Mom. I think that’s why my Mom is our head of my family. As I said, my Dad usually doesn’t say anything to as, and we always ask or tell my Mom first.
f. How many rooms do you have to sleep in?
My sister and I used to sleep together when we lived in our home, and my Mom and my Dad always sleep together. My brother slept in his own room, so we have three rooms to sleep in, I think.
a. When do children usually leave home?
I think, it’s after children graduate their high school. After high school everyone does other things, like some people keep studying, some people work.
b. How many people live in your home?
My Mom, my Dad, and my cat live in my home right now. I have 5 members in my family including my Mom and Dad, but my brother and my sister already left home. I live in a dormitory now, so that’s why there are only my Mom, Dad, and my cat in my home right now.
c. Do you have a head of the family?
Not really, but I think my Mom is our head. My Dad usually doesn’t care about anything, so he doesn’t say anything to us. In my family, we always tell Mom when we have something.
d. Who does the housework?
My Mom does. My Dad is trying to help her. He washes the bathtub, takes out the garbage, and takes in the laundry.
e. Who runs the family?
It’s my Mom. I think that’s why my Mom is our head of my family. As I said, my Dad usually doesn’t say anything to as, and we always ask or tell my Mom first.
f. How many rooms do you have to sleep in?
My sister and I used to sleep together when we lived in our home, and my Mom and my Dad always sleep together. My brother slept in his own room, so we have three rooms to sleep in, I think.
Names and Addresses
1. Are feelings emotions and facial expressions universal across borders, happy, sad, etc..?
Yes they are, I think.
We might be able to understand all emotions from facial expressions because sometimes we have our own body language in our country. But when people are happy or sad we usually can see “oh the person is happy/ sad right now” from the person’s face, I think.
2. Try to name as many feelings as possible in Japanese. ( 10 minimum) Now write the English translation.
①嬉しい:ureshii (glad)
②幸せ:shiawase (happy)
③腹立つ:haratatsu (angry)
④ムカつく:mukatsuku (mad)
⑤イライラする:iraira-suru (get irritated)
⑥寂しい:sabishii (lonely)
⑦悲しい:kanashii (sad)
⑧落ち込む:ochikomu (feel down)
⑨楽しい:tanoshii (fun)
⑩おかしい:okashii (interesting/ funny)
⑪うける:ukeru (funny)
3. Are there any feelings in Japanese that cannot be translated into English?
Yes there are. For example, 萌えるmoeru. I don’t know how I can translate it into English. My friend who is studying Japanese asked the other friend who is Japanese “what does Moeru mean??” We were like “hmm...let see…” and my Japanese friend told him “you can’t learn the word from study, you have to feel!!” I laughed.
なつかしいnatsukashii、ないnai、引くhiku、さえないsaenai、やばいyabai、
Yes they are, I think.
We might be able to understand all emotions from facial expressions because sometimes we have our own body language in our country. But when people are happy or sad we usually can see “oh the person is happy/ sad right now” from the person’s face, I think.
2. Try to name as many feelings as possible in Japanese. ( 10 minimum) Now write the English translation.
①嬉しい:ureshii (glad)
②幸せ:shiawase (happy)
③腹立つ:haratatsu (angry)
④ムカつく:mukatsuku (mad)
⑤イライラする:iraira-suru (get irritated)
⑥寂しい:sabishii (lonely)
⑦悲しい:kanashii (sad)
⑧落ち込む:ochikomu (feel down)
⑨楽しい:tanoshii (fun)
⑩おかしい:okashii (interesting/ funny)
⑪うける:ukeru (funny)
3. Are there any feelings in Japanese that cannot be translated into English?
Yes there are. For example, 萌えるmoeru. I don’t know how I can translate it into English. My friend who is studying Japanese asked the other friend who is Japanese “what does Moeru mean??” We were like “hmm...let see…” and my Japanese friend told him “you can’t learn the word from study, you have to feel!!” I laughed.
なつかしいnatsukashii、ないnai、引くhiku、さえないsaenai、やばいyabai、
2007年5月24日木曜日
Name and Address
answer questions in the textbook on page 9 number 1,3 and 7.
1. How do you choose a children’s name in your family?
I think most of families or parents in Japan usually choose a name which they want for them child. In Japan, we have Chinese characters, so they choose Chinese characters carefully, like meaning, sounds, and number of strokes.
Some parents in Japan care about how the sound connects the given name and family name because girls might change their family name when they marry. That’s why some parents choose a name which can connect with any family name.
3. Does your given name or your family name mean anything?
The Chinese characters of my given name means “kind child”. My mother gave me her best friend’s name, so I like it very much. My name is kind of a common name in Japan I think because there are always a few girls who have same name with me in my class at least 3 people, and when somebody calls my name, usually some girls AND I answer.
7. How do you know if names are boy’s name, girl’s name, or both?
I can’t explain how I know a name is for a girl or a boy. If it is a Japanese name, I might be able to guess if that is female or male from the sound of the name. If I could see the Chinese characters of the person’s name, it easier to understand than only hearing the name, I think. I really don’t know why, but there are Chinese characters which look for feminine and look masculine for me.
1. How do you choose a children’s name in your family?
I think most of families or parents in Japan usually choose a name which they want for them child. In Japan, we have Chinese characters, so they choose Chinese characters carefully, like meaning, sounds, and number of strokes.
Some parents in Japan care about how the sound connects the given name and family name because girls might change their family name when they marry. That’s why some parents choose a name which can connect with any family name.
3. Does your given name or your family name mean anything?
The Chinese characters of my given name means “kind child”. My mother gave me her best friend’s name, so I like it very much. My name is kind of a common name in Japan I think because there are always a few girls who have same name with me in my class at least 3 people, and when somebody calls my name, usually some girls AND I answer.
7. How do you know if names are boy’s name, girl’s name, or both?
I can’t explain how I know a name is for a girl or a boy. If it is a Japanese name, I might be able to guess if that is female or male from the sound of the name. If I could see the Chinese characters of the person’s name, it easier to understand than only hearing the name, I think. I really don’t know why, but there are Chinese characters which look for feminine and look masculine for me.
Greeting
How do you greet people in your life? Is it different for different people? Why?
It depends on who I am greeting. When I greet people who are older than me I will try to be polite to show respect. When I greet people who are close to me I will not try to be polite, I will just say what I want to tell them because it is more important to tell them how happy I am to see my friends than to show respect. And I usually say hello to people who I don’t know because we met in my life even we don’t know each other.
I want to treasure our encounter, so I will say hello to everybody I meet.
Do you touch people when you talk to them? Why? Or Why not?
Yes, I touch people when I talk to them, but of course it depends on the person. I do this especially with close female friends. It is because there is no way to show them how happy I am to talk or see them. I have some guy friends who are like brothers to me. I can touch them also when I talk to them, but I usually don’t touch guys. Of course I don’t touch very old people or people who are not close to me. To touch or to do something like that sometimes helps me to tell my feelings for them more than words.
It depends on who I am greeting. When I greet people who are older than me I will try to be polite to show respect. When I greet people who are close to me I will not try to be polite, I will just say what I want to tell them because it is more important to tell them how happy I am to see my friends than to show respect. And I usually say hello to people who I don’t know because we met in my life even we don’t know each other.
I want to treasure our encounter, so I will say hello to everybody I meet.
Do you touch people when you talk to them? Why? Or Why not?
Yes, I touch people when I talk to them, but of course it depends on the person. I do this especially with close female friends. It is because there is no way to show them how happy I am to talk or see them. I have some guy friends who are like brothers to me. I can touch them also when I talk to them, but I usually don’t touch guys. Of course I don’t touch very old people or people who are not close to me. To touch or to do something like that sometimes helps me to tell my feelings for them more than words.
Islam
The referee took out a red card because a lady runs in the soccer game.
http://news.www.infoseek.co.jp/search/story/20070507afpAFP012289/¥¤¥¹¥é¥à/
There was friendly soccer game by the Christian clergy and Islam Imams in the capital of Norway, Oslo. The game was held because the Imams had refused the participation of a female priest.
The friendly match was united as part of council in Oslo. One of the executives of the local Christianity association seemed regretful, said "It seems like everything went well, but it was a shame that the potential body contact with the female priest was too dangerous for the Imams."
According to the local news agency, the Christians made a lot of efforts to allow the female priest to participate in the game. They said if the female priest couldn’t participate, even if she wore pants to prevent direct body contact, then they wouldn’t play the Imams..
However, this resulted in strong objections from the parties concerned. And, the captain of the church team had to resign.
Still one of the executives of the Christianity association said “It is not just a negative thing. We learned to understand each other’s cultures better, and to talk openly. ” They tried to look at the situation positively.
I don’t know a lot of things about Islam, but I had studied about it a little, especially about women. So I have an image of Islam as a strict religion about women. They always have to wear scarf when they go outside, and they have to hide their hair something like that. If I were them, I would feel like this is a suppression of human rights. It is really sounds sad because there are women who can play any sports freely, and women who can’t play any sports because of clothes in the same world. There must be a lot of other things they can’t do because of clothes or religion.
http://news.www.infoseek.co.jp/search/story/20070507afpAFP012289/¥¤¥¹¥é¥à/
There was friendly soccer game by the Christian clergy and Islam Imams in the capital of Norway, Oslo. The game was held because the Imams had refused the participation of a female priest.
The friendly match was united as part of council in Oslo. One of the executives of the local Christianity association seemed regretful, said "It seems like everything went well, but it was a shame that the potential body contact with the female priest was too dangerous for the Imams."
According to the local news agency, the Christians made a lot of efforts to allow the female priest to participate in the game. They said if the female priest couldn’t participate, even if she wore pants to prevent direct body contact, then they wouldn’t play the Imams..
However, this resulted in strong objections from the parties concerned. And, the captain of the church team had to resign.
Still one of the executives of the Christianity association said “It is not just a negative thing. We learned to understand each other’s cultures better, and to talk openly. ” They tried to look at the situation positively.
I don’t know a lot of things about Islam, but I had studied about it a little, especially about women. So I have an image of Islam as a strict religion about women. They always have to wear scarf when they go outside, and they have to hide their hair something like that. If I were them, I would feel like this is a suppression of human rights. It is really sounds sad because there are women who can play any sports freely, and women who can’t play any sports because of clothes in the same world. There must be a lot of other things they can’t do because of clothes or religion.
2007年5月14日月曜日
Buddhism
How is your daily life affected by Buddhism? What do you do and why do you do it?
There are a lot of Buddhist events in Japan. We often go back to Grandparents’ home to see them. I don’t know if this is a Buddhist custom, but I thought it’s interesting.
When there are big events like New Year’s Day, Obon or Omisoka, then also many of my family members go back to my Grandparents’ house. Nobody says “Hey, let's go back to our Grandparents’ house together!” or something like that, but there are always some of my family members when I visit my Grandparents. And they always go back there with souvenirs to put on our family Buddhism altar.
There are a lot of Buddhist events in Japan. We often go back to Grandparents’ home to see them. I don’t know if this is a Buddhist custom, but I thought it’s interesting.
When there are big events like New Year’s Day, Obon or Omisoka, then also many of my family members go back to my Grandparents’ house. Nobody says “Hey, let's go back to our Grandparents’ house together!” or something like that, but there are always some of my family members when I visit my Grandparents. And they always go back there with souvenirs to put on our family Buddhism altar.
This is Cross Culture Communications
During the next week, read the newspaper everyday and find 1 article that has to do with cross culture understanding or differences (English or Japanese newspaper).
Figure skating player Mai Asada and Mao Asada(They are sisters) have been selected to be friendly tourist ambassadors between Canada and Japan.
This year will be the 120th anniversary after the liner route between Yokohama and Vancouver was established,
Both governments in Canada and Japan have decided that ’07 years will be a sightseeing exchange year between Canada and Japan to deepen our sightseeing exchange friendship with Canada and Japan.
The Asada sisters, who were sending overseas the charm of Japan through figure skating, were appointed to be the goodwill ambassadors.
Mainichi-Shinbun, April 6th, 2007
http://www.mainichi-msn.co.jp/sports/graph/2007/0406_2/
I thought this is one example of Cross Culture Communications. I felt that both governments in Canada and Japan have been trying to do something for Cross Culture Communication. The article told me everything can be or everyone can do Cross Culture Communication, even something small. If people can do something with using their own good or strong points for understanding Cross Culture Communication and telling other people about it, then it always will be wonderful, like the Asada sisters.
Figure skating player Mai Asada and Mao Asada(They are sisters) have been selected to be friendly tourist ambassadors between Canada and Japan.
This year will be the 120th anniversary after the liner route between Yokohama and Vancouver was established,
Both governments in Canada and Japan have decided that ’07 years will be a sightseeing exchange year between Canada and Japan to deepen our sightseeing exchange friendship with Canada and Japan.
The Asada sisters, who were sending overseas the charm of Japan through figure skating, were appointed to be the goodwill ambassadors.
Mainichi-Shinbun, April 6th, 2007
http://www.mainichi-msn.co.jp/sports/graph/2007/0406_2/
I thought this is one example of Cross Culture Communications. I felt that both governments in Canada and Japan have been trying to do something for Cross Culture Communication. The article told me everything can be or everyone can do Cross Culture Communication, even something small. If people can do something with using their own good or strong points for understanding Cross Culture Communication and telling other people about it, then it always will be wonderful, like the Asada sisters.
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