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.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
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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