Friday, July 17, 2009
July 6th BBQ
Thank you very much to everyone who came and helped out at the BBQ! I really appreciate it!
Homework - Personal Spaces
1. You’re talking to a co-worker. How close do you stand?
I would probably stand about two to three feet away.
2. You’re talking to a friend. Do you touch each other?
Depending on what we are talking about, we may touch each other. I think it is more common for me to have physical contact when I am talking to a female rather than to a male.
3. Look at the diagram of a waiting. Where do you sit when you enter?
I usually sit in a seat that is not next to someone else.
4. You’re in a crowded elevator. Where do you look?
I usually look straight or up at the numbers. If I am with a friend, I look at them and continue our conversation.
5. You’re standing in line. How close do you stand to the person in front?
I usually stand about two feet away from the person in front.
6. You get on the bus. There is an empty row of seats at the back, and an empty seat close by. Where do you sit?
I would sit in the empty seat close by. I do not like sitting in the back of the bus.
7. You’re in a library and there’s an empty seat beside you. Do you want to stop someone sitting there? If so, how?
Yes, I would put my bag on the seat next to me and leave my things all over the table.
8. You’re going to the beach. Do you like to see lots of people or very few?
I like to see very few people. Sometimes it is fun to go to a crowded beach but sometimes I just like to go to the beach and relax without hearing too much noise.
9. When you’re talking to someone, do you look them in the eye?
Yes, I look people in the eye when I talk to them although in Japan I think it makes people uncomfortable.
10. You’re on a train. Do you talk to the other passengers?
No, I do not talk to other passengers.
I would probably stand about two to three feet away.
2. You’re talking to a friend. Do you touch each other?
Depending on what we are talking about, we may touch each other. I think it is more common for me to have physical contact when I am talking to a female rather than to a male.
3. Look at the diagram of a waiting. Where do you sit when you enter?
I usually sit in a seat that is not next to someone else.
4. You’re in a crowded elevator. Where do you look?
I usually look straight or up at the numbers. If I am with a friend, I look at them and continue our conversation.
5. You’re standing in line. How close do you stand to the person in front?
I usually stand about two feet away from the person in front.
6. You get on the bus. There is an empty row of seats at the back, and an empty seat close by. Where do you sit?
I would sit in the empty seat close by. I do not like sitting in the back of the bus.
7. You’re in a library and there’s an empty seat beside you. Do you want to stop someone sitting there? If so, how?
Yes, I would put my bag on the seat next to me and leave my things all over the table.
8. You’re going to the beach. Do you like to see lots of people or very few?
I like to see very few people. Sometimes it is fun to go to a crowded beach but sometimes I just like to go to the beach and relax without hearing too much noise.
9. When you’re talking to someone, do you look them in the eye?
Yes, I look people in the eye when I talk to them although in Japan I think it makes people uncomfortable.
10. You’re on a train. Do you talk to the other passengers?
No, I do not talk to other passengers.
Homework - Dating Practices
Appearance – I think that it is important to be attracted to your ideal partner.
Personality – Personality is another very important characteristic. My ideal partner would have to be someone that I can trust and someone that will be honest with me. I also like someone with a sense of humor and someone that can laugh at my jokes…even if they aren’t funny.
Hygiene – Bushing teeth, showering, etc… very important.
Lifestyle – Preferably someone who is a non-smoker. My ideal partner does not have to share the same lifestyle as me but our lifestyles have to somewhat match to a certain extent.
Family and Friends – These are the most important people in everyone’s lives. I have to be able to get along with my ideal partner's family and friends.
Homework - Family Life
1. When do children usually leave home?
I think that this answer differs from person to person and family to family. My guess is that children usually leave home at about age 18 or when they graduate from high school. My sister and I both moved away from home when we entered college. At the same time, I have many friends in Hawaii that stayed in Hawaii for school and never moved out from their parent’s house.
2. How many people live in your home?
Right now, only my mother and father live at my home in Hawaii. Although, I will move back home soon so it will be three people.
3. Do you have a head of the family?
Yes, my father is the head of the family. He works very hard and handles all of the financial business for my family.
4. Who does the housework?
My mother does all of the housework. She cooks, cleans the whole house, works in the garden, etc. Although, since a few years ago, she has made my father start washing dishes, haha.
5. Who runs the family?
I think my father is the head of the family but my mother is definitely the person who runs the family. My mother is retired but she is quite busy. She does all of the grocery shopping and errands and also all of the housework like I mentioned above. She also cooks for my grandmother and drives her to her appointments.
6. How many rooms do you have to sleep in?
There are five rooms to sleep in. My parent’s room, my sister’s room, my room, the guest room, and an extra room with a bed (I am not really sure what to call this room.)
I think that this answer differs from person to person and family to family. My guess is that children usually leave home at about age 18 or when they graduate from high school. My sister and I both moved away from home when we entered college. At the same time, I have many friends in Hawaii that stayed in Hawaii for school and never moved out from their parent’s house.
2. How many people live in your home?
Right now, only my mother and father live at my home in Hawaii. Although, I will move back home soon so it will be three people.
3. Do you have a head of the family?
Yes, my father is the head of the family. He works very hard and handles all of the financial business for my family.
4. Who does the housework?
My mother does all of the housework. She cooks, cleans the whole house, works in the garden, etc. Although, since a few years ago, she has made my father start washing dishes, haha.
5. Who runs the family?
I think my father is the head of the family but my mother is definitely the person who runs the family. My mother is retired but she is quite busy. She does all of the grocery shopping and errands and also all of the housework like I mentioned above. She also cooks for my grandmother and drives her to her appointments.
6. How many rooms do you have to sleep in?
There are five rooms to sleep in. My parent’s room, my sister’s room, my room, the guest room, and an extra room with a bed (I am not really sure what to call this room.)
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
July 6th BBQ
Hello everyone, I am very sorry but I have misplaced the sign-up sheet with the volunteers names and email addresses on it. If you signed up to make potato salad, set-up, cook/serve food, or clean up, please leave me a comment!
For those volunteering to make potato salad, you may bring it to my office anytime from 9:00. If I am not in my office, you may leave it in the refrigerator in my office. My office is in the Bungakukan on the 3rd floor next to Walmsley senseis office.
For those volunteering to set-up, please meet at my office at 10:15.
For those who signed up to cook/serve food, please leave me a comment and I will let you know where to meet.
For those who signed up to clean up, please stay at the BBQ and help Jennifer and I clean up from 1:00.
Thank you very much!
For those volunteering to make potato salad, you may bring it to my office anytime from 9:00. If I am not in my office, you may leave it in the refrigerator in my office. My office is in the Bungakukan on the 3rd floor next to Walmsley senseis office.
For those volunteering to set-up, please meet at my office at 10:15.
For those who signed up to cook/serve food, please leave me a comment and I will let you know where to meet.
For those who signed up to clean up, please stay at the BBQ and help Jennifer and I clean up from 1:00.
Thank you very much!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Homework - Names and Addresses
1. Are feelings, emotions and facial expressions universal across borders, happy, sad, etc..?
I am not sure but my guess is that no, feelings, emotions, and facial expressions are not universal. I think that in some cultures, people do not show emotion easily.
Try to name as many feelings as possible in Japanese.
うれしい - happy
かなしい - sad
さびしい - lonely
うらやましい - envious
ねむい - sleepy
いたい - pain
つかれた - tired
げんき - energetic/spirited
きもちわるい - feel bad
おなかがついた - hungry
I had to use my dictionary! haha.
3. Are there any feelings in Japanese that cannot be translated into English?
I am not sure, what does everyone think?
I am not sure but my guess is that no, feelings, emotions, and facial expressions are not universal. I think that in some cultures, people do not show emotion easily.
Try to name as many feelings as possible in Japanese.
うれしい - happy
かなしい - sad
さびしい - lonely
うらやましい - envious
ねむい - sleepy
いたい - pain
つかれた - tired
げんき - energetic/spirited
きもちわるい - feel bad
おなかがついた - hungry
I had to use my dictionary! haha.
3. Are there any feelings in Japanese that cannot be translated into English?
I am not sure, what does everyone think?
Homework - Greetings
1. How do you greet members of your family? (mother, father, older sister, grandparents, etc.)
I greet all members of my family the same. After I wake up, if I see a member of my family, I say, "Good morning". Otherwise, I usually just say, "Hi". I do not give them a handshake or hug.
2. How do you greet people that are important in society?
If I am meeting someone important in society, I do not change my greeting much. If the person offers their hand for a handshake I will shake their hand but it really depends on the situation. My verbal greeting is the same for everyone though, I say, "Hi" or "Good morning".
3. Do you greet people from the opposite sex in a different way?
I generally greet males and females the same way but there are certain greetings that I would not do to women and vise versa. For example, sometimes when I meet a male friend, we shake hands. If I shake hands with a female friend, I think it is very strange. Also, sometimes when I see a female friend, we will hug and cheek kiss. If I did that with a male friend it would be awkward.
4. Do you hug anyone? If yes, who and when. If no, why not?
Yes, I hug my family and friends. I actually do not hug my family members very often. We usually hug when I leave or go back home to Hawaii. If I have not seen my friends (male or female) for a long time, we hug. Sometimes my friends and I hug even if we saw each other the day before.
I greet all members of my family the same. After I wake up, if I see a member of my family, I say, "Good morning". Otherwise, I usually just say, "Hi". I do not give them a handshake or hug.
2. How do you greet people that are important in society?
If I am meeting someone important in society, I do not change my greeting much. If the person offers their hand for a handshake I will shake their hand but it really depends on the situation. My verbal greeting is the same for everyone though, I say, "Hi" or "Good morning".
3. Do you greet people from the opposite sex in a different way?
I generally greet males and females the same way but there are certain greetings that I would not do to women and vise versa. For example, sometimes when I meet a male friend, we shake hands. If I shake hands with a female friend, I think it is very strange. Also, sometimes when I see a female friend, we will hug and cheek kiss. If I did that with a male friend it would be awkward.
4. Do you hug anyone? If yes, who and when. If no, why not?
Yes, I hug my family and friends. I actually do not hug my family members very often. We usually hug when I leave or go back home to Hawaii. If I have not seen my friends (male or female) for a long time, we hug. Sometimes my friends and I hug even if we saw each other the day before.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Homework - World Religion
1. How do you greet people in your life?
There are various ways I greet people in my life. Sometimes I just say, "Hello" or "Good morning", or other times I wave, shake hands, or hug.
2. Is it different for different people? How so and why?
Greeting are definitely different for different people. When I am here at HJU, I usually greet people by saying, "Hello", waving, or sometimes bowing slightly. When I greet my good friends, we usually hug or shake hands. Depending on my relationship with the person and depending on the situation, greetings are different.
3. Do you touch people when you talk to them? Why? Or Why not?
I generally do not touch people when I talk to them. Depending on my relationship with the person I am talking to or the subject, I may make physical contact while talking. For example, if I am talking to a good friend and they are feeling sad or crying, I may try to comfort them by hugging them.
There are various ways I greet people in my life. Sometimes I just say, "Hello" or "Good morning", or other times I wave, shake hands, or hug.
2. Is it different for different people? How so and why?
Greeting are definitely different for different people. When I am here at HJU, I usually greet people by saying, "Hello", waving, or sometimes bowing slightly. When I greet my good friends, we usually hug or shake hands. Depending on my relationship with the person and depending on the situation, greetings are different.
3. Do you touch people when you talk to them? Why? Or Why not?
I generally do not touch people when I talk to them. Depending on my relationship with the person I am talking to or the subject, I may make physical contact while talking. For example, if I am talking to a good friend and they are feeling sad or crying, I may try to comfort them by hugging them.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Homework - Buddhism
I had a difficult time thinking of ways my life was affected by Buddhism because I do not know much about it. Here are five things that I thought of.
1. Since I was a child, my family always says "itadakimasu" before eating. I am still not sure what the meaning of it is. My parents and grandparents taught me to say it so it is just a habit for me.
2. In my home, my family has a "hotokesama". Whenever my mother cooks rice or gets fresh fruit, we put it in the hotokesama. It is for my sister.
3. When I was younger, my mother told me to never stick my chopsticks straight up into my rice bowl. She said that this is the way the rice is presented at funerals.
4. This does not affect my everyday life but my family has memorial services for my grandfather. The services are held after one year, three years, seven years, etc.
5. Lastly, when I lived in Hawaii, every new year, my family and I would go to a Buddhism temple for the new year service.
1. Since I was a child, my family always says "itadakimasu" before eating. I am still not sure what the meaning of it is. My parents and grandparents taught me to say it so it is just a habit for me.
2. In my home, my family has a "hotokesama". Whenever my mother cooks rice or gets fresh fruit, we put it in the hotokesama. It is for my sister.
3. When I was younger, my mother told me to never stick my chopsticks straight up into my rice bowl. She said that this is the way the rice is presented at funerals.
4. This does not affect my everyday life but my family has memorial services for my grandfather. The services are held after one year, three years, seven years, etc.
5. Lastly, when I lived in Hawaii, every new year, my family and I would go to a Buddhism temple for the new year service.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Homework - Newspaper Article
Here is the link to an article I found from the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/24/world/asia/24jackie.html?ref=world
This article is about comments made by the actor Jackie Chan about Chinese people. Although Jackie Chan is from Hong Kong, he stated that, "“Chinese need to be controlled”. This caused many people from all over China and Taiwan to speak out against him. A Chinese professor is organizing a boycott of Jackie Chan's concert in Beijing on May 1st.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/24/world/asia/24jackie.html?ref=world
This article is about comments made by the actor Jackie Chan about Chinese people. Although Jackie Chan is from Hong Kong, he stated that, "“Chinese need to be controlled”. This caused many people from all over China and Taiwan to speak out against him. A Chinese professor is organizing a boycott of Jackie Chan's concert in Beijing on May 1st.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Homework - Reflection
What Women Want
What Women Want was actually a pretty fun movie to watch. I thought about what life would be like if I could hear women's thoughts. There are good and bad points about it but if I had a choice, I would not want to hear women's thoughts. I think it would be overwhelming to hear every single thing all women think, especially because I am at Jogakuin!
My favorite scene was when Mel Gibson's character took his daughter to find a prom dress.
I would like to see the rest of the movie sometime.
What Women Want was actually a pretty fun movie to watch. I thought about what life would be like if I could hear women's thoughts. There are good and bad points about it but if I had a choice, I would not want to hear women's thoughts. I think it would be overwhelming to hear every single thing all women think, especially because I am at Jogakuin!
My favorite scene was when Mel Gibson's character took his daughter to find a prom dress.
I would like to see the rest of the movie sometime.
Homework - Education
1. Do you think Japan should give more students options to study more languages (other than English) in Junior and Senior High School?
From what I have heard, English is a requirement at schools in Japan. I am not sure how common other language classes are but I think it is a good idea to have more than one language class available for students. For people interested in learning languages other than English, mandatory English classes will be troublesome and students will have no motivation to learn.
2. Read this interesting opinion from the Mainichi newspaper. Do you agree with the author? Is being fluent in English a waste of time?
I do not think that being fluent in any second language is a waste of time. Being bilingual can help a person in a lot of ways but, I do not think that it is necessary for many Japanese people to be fluent in English. Unless a person would like to get a job dealing with English such as a flight attendant or hotel worker, English is not something that will be used often in their daily life. I think that for someone living in Japan, speaking English is not a necessity.
From what I have heard, English is a requirement at schools in Japan. I am not sure how common other language classes are but I think it is a good idea to have more than one language class available for students. For people interested in learning languages other than English, mandatory English classes will be troublesome and students will have no motivation to learn.
2. Read this interesting opinion from the Mainichi newspaper. Do you agree with the author? Is being fluent in English a waste of time?
I do not think that being fluent in any second language is a waste of time. Being bilingual can help a person in a lot of ways but, I do not think that it is necessary for many Japanese people to be fluent in English. Unless a person would like to get a job dealing with English such as a flight attendant or hotel worker, English is not something that will be used often in their daily life. I think that for someone living in Japan, speaking English is not a necessity.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Homework - Men and Women
Do you agree or disagree with the author (who is Japanese)? Please explain why in your blog.
I disagree with certain parts of the article and agree with other parts. To be honest, I do not think that it is just men who are "retreating" from loving relationships, I think women are as well. I know quite a few of my guy friends and girl friends that want to have a long-term, steady girl/boyfriend but they cannot seem to find one.
In the article, the writer brought up a story about Michiyo and how she confessed her love to her co-worker only to be turned down. The article said that, "Michiyo is smart, attractive and sexy." I do not think Michiyo's co-worker disliked her, I think that he did not want to mix his personal life with his professional life. For example, I have a Japanese friend working for a company in Kyoto. He said that he does not want to date or have a relationship between anyone in his office because if things do not work out, they would have to see each other everyday and it may cause problems at work.
I am not sure about in Japan, but in Hawaii, it seems like women are always being pursued. Maybe American people are more open when it comes to relationships/dating? I am not sure.
As it said in the article, They (men) live for "shigoto (jobs)" and "shumi (hobbies)." This seems to be true. Before getting married, having kids, etc. many of my friends, myself included, want to enjoy going out and hanging out with friends, and having fun. As we get get older, I think everything will settle down.
There was a quote from a man that was interviewed for the article and it said, "Girls are a hassle, they expect me to call, I have to buy them gifts and that would cost money." Men should not be generalized from that one person. Not all men would consider those things as being a hassle and not all women expect those things.
Also, the article was written three years ago, I was wondering if things have changed since then?
I disagree with certain parts of the article and agree with other parts. To be honest, I do not think that it is just men who are "retreating" from loving relationships, I think women are as well. I know quite a few of my guy friends and girl friends that want to have a long-term, steady girl/boyfriend but they cannot seem to find one.
In the article, the writer brought up a story about Michiyo and how she confessed her love to her co-worker only to be turned down. The article said that, "Michiyo is smart, attractive and sexy." I do not think Michiyo's co-worker disliked her, I think that he did not want to mix his personal life with his professional life. For example, I have a Japanese friend working for a company in Kyoto. He said that he does not want to date or have a relationship between anyone in his office because if things do not work out, they would have to see each other everyday and it may cause problems at work.
I am not sure about in Japan, but in Hawaii, it seems like women are always being pursued. Maybe American people are more open when it comes to relationships/dating? I am not sure.
As it said in the article, They (men) live for "shigoto (jobs)" and "shumi (hobbies)." This seems to be true. Before getting married, having kids, etc. many of my friends, myself included, want to enjoy going out and hanging out with friends, and having fun. As we get get older, I think everything will settle down.
There was a quote from a man that was interviewed for the article and it said, "Girls are a hassle, they expect me to call, I have to buy them gifts and that would cost money." Men should not be generalized from that one person. Not all men would consider those things as being a hassle and not all women expect those things.
Also, the article was written three years ago, I was wondering if things have changed since then?
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Homework - Table Manners
1. Have you ever eaten in a foreign restaurant? Where? What did you eat? Did you make any mistakes? Please explain your experience. Did you learn anything?
Yes, I have eaten in restaurants in Japan. I have eaten at various kinds of restaurants in Japan, some very inexpensive and a few very expensive. I have eaten all kinds of food here in Japan, such as, ramen, fried chicken, okonomiyaki, etc. At certain restaurants I was a bit confused because my meal came with a small dish with many kinds of sauce in it and I had no idea what sauce to use with what food. Another example is when I go to an izakaya, someone else usually orders the food so I do not what what each type of food is. I do not eat beef so I usually have to ask someone if there is meat in the food.
As far as table manners go, much of what I learned, I learned in Hawaii. From the time I was a child, my mother told me not to pass food chopstick to chopstick and also do not stick my chopsticks straight up in my rice. When I got to Japan, I was at a restaurant and I moved a bowl closer to me using my chopsticks. My friend told me that doing so is bad manners!
Yes, I have eaten in restaurants in Japan. I have eaten at various kinds of restaurants in Japan, some very inexpensive and a few very expensive. I have eaten all kinds of food here in Japan, such as, ramen, fried chicken, okonomiyaki, etc. At certain restaurants I was a bit confused because my meal came with a small dish with many kinds of sauce in it and I had no idea what sauce to use with what food. Another example is when I go to an izakaya, someone else usually orders the food so I do not what what each type of food is. I do not eat beef so I usually have to ask someone if there is meat in the food.
As far as table manners go, much of what I learned, I learned in Hawaii. From the time I was a child, my mother told me not to pass food chopstick to chopstick and also do not stick my chopsticks straight up in my rice. When I got to Japan, I was at a restaurant and I moved a bowl closer to me using my chopsticks. My friend told me that doing so is bad manners!
Reflection #2
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
1. Do you think this is a true story?
Yes, I think this is a true story. Before, I think that it was normal for Greek people to marry only Greek and Japanese people to marry only Japanese, but now things are changing. Also, factors other than ethnicity and culture come into play during marriage. In the movie, religion was a big part of marriage. Things like eating habits were also important. The man was vegetarian and he was marrying into a meat eating family!
2. Can this really happen in today's modern times?
I think that this could really happen in today's society. I am not sure but in my opinion, people today are much more accepting of intercultural and interracial marriages.
1. Do you think this is a true story?
Yes, I think this is a true story. Before, I think that it was normal for Greek people to marry only Greek and Japanese people to marry only Japanese, but now things are changing. Also, factors other than ethnicity and culture come into play during marriage. In the movie, religion was a big part of marriage. Things like eating habits were also important. The man was vegetarian and he was marrying into a meat eating family!
2. Can this really happen in today's modern times?
I think that this could really happen in today's society. I am not sure but in my opinion, people today are much more accepting of intercultural and interracial marriages.
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