Love dancing
1.27.2008
Education
Education
After listening to today’s presentations and reading what the new Minister of Education in the newspapers. Please read the opinion in the December 6th International Herald Tribune. http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/12/06/opinion/edkumiko.php Do you agree with the writer? Why? Give at least 3 examples to support your answer.ATTENTION: Do not forget that we have class next WEDNESDAY (January 23rd) and MONDAY (January 28th) Same time, 1:00 and same place. Wednesday's class will be a reflections class which means all blogs must be updated and 5 comments on another persons blog must be done by JAN 23rd.Monday January 28th will be a food class. Your group must bring to class a kind of food from the country you are studying. Bring a "how to make it" presentation and enough small portions for the whole class to taste. This should be fun!
Yes, I agree with some points. There are many Japanese people who cant speak English fuluently. we Japanese have English class 6 years(from junior high to high school) at least. but, many students cant speak, listen and reaing. that is a serious problem i think. Students at high school often ask me "Why am I study English?" "Why do we study the phrase that is neve used among native people" "Is it important for us to learn it?" I did not know what to say to them. I mean, In the present high school student, there are a lot of children who have the doubt and uneasiness for learning English at the school. Some students cant feel the "Native English" from their teachers and texts. that is becasue Japan neede to change the guiding principle as soon as possible.
1.10.2008
Happy New Year!
Welcome back to class! I hope all of you have had a good rest and ready to finish this semester with some interesting ideas and discussions.I apologize for not being able to have 2 presentations (from Mongolia and Germany) about table manners last class. My computer actually burned up! I had to buy a new one over the vacation. So, let's have the presentations on January 7th.After the presentations, we will have a small discussion about Men and Women issues, then presentations by Brazil and Phillippines.This week's homework is to read an article from the Japan Times and give your opinion. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/member/member.html?ek20060110ks.htmDo you agree or disagree with the author (who is Japanese). Please explain why in your blog.
Yes, I agree with that. Sometimes, women tend to get many things from men too much. The most is accessories such as necklaces and rings. Also, telling thier feelings to men is very important for women. For, example, some of my friends say "I want you to careful about your appearance" or another girl always says "Give me an e-mails!! I wanna know where you are now" like that. thta is the very girl isnt that? If i were a man, I would be annoyed. that is painful for me.
1.05.2008
Table Manners
Class #10 Table Manners
Today we discussed table manners from all over the world. Please answer the following questions in your blog.
Have you ever eaten in a foreign restaurant?
Yes, I have.
Where?
Singapore, Australia, and America.
What did you eat?
In Singapore, I ate some Chinse foods at a restaurant. and Australia, I often ate ram. That was good.
Did you make any mistakes? Please explain your experience. Did you learn anything?
When I was at a restaurant in Singapore, there was a small bowl which has water on the table. I didnt know why such a bowl was on the table. In the beginning, I got the idea that it was something to drink, but my host family suddenly wash their hands in that bowl . I almost drink the water. Then, I learned that was not drink.
12.03.2007
Class #8 Homework
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 it is a good "economically" idea, but I dont like it. Wedding is a kind of biiiiig ivents in my life, so I dont want to be obstructed by others. Eloping is okay, but their family might be not happy. Having a wedding in a foreign location is good for the person inquestion, but it might be a trouble for bride and bridegroom' relative and friends. because they have to pay lots of money (traveling expenses, some gifts and so on) Thats pain!! but, I yearn to it a little. Whats my ideal wedding? I really want to be celebrated by my family and friends. Thats the biggest point for me. Also I want to wear both wedding dress and kimono(shiromuku). The wedding day is memories at life isnt it? I will make the day the most happiest wedding in my life. As I told, wedding is one of the most important ivents in whole life, so we need to celebrate them solemnly so that suitable clothes and right behavior are demanded to us on that day. If someone who is drunky man spoil the party or wreck the happy mood, the day might be the worst day for bridal couple. Thats why, wedding is important.
11.29.2007
Superstitions Homework
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?Next class is weddings, presentations by Philippines and Mongolia.
Do you think it is important to talk about them? Why?
Yes, There are a lot of superstitions in our life. we often hear about that from our grandparents or parents. some of supersitions are very connected with nowadays so its important for us.
Is communication affected by superstitions?
Yes, sometimes.
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 do. When you dream on December 31th, if you have the dream of white snake, you would be rich in that year so I try do that the end of years, but I never dreamed of white snake.
11.04.2007
Homework #3
Homework #3
Questions
1. Do you judge people according to what they wear? Why?
Yes, I do. I think cloth is a part of identity. When you meet the person who has never seen ,
how can you judge him? Perhaps you will see his cloth or what he has. if he wear the dirty cloth, you try to wrap it up the situation. if he has a Rolex, you think he must be rich definitely. this is why what you wear is a kind of information for making a decision.
2 Do you think Japanese society puts an importance on clothing when judging other people from another country?
It depends on the person. I have no idea. But I dont make up my mind the person's personality by clothing
3. What colors are you wearing now? Do they reflect your mood?
RED and BLUE
Yes, they do. But I like black very much, because black color makes me slim haha!
1. What are some subjects that you will never discuss with a friend?
Parents income. I dont have good sujects now...
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 have. They are completely different from me. Age, fashion and lifestyle etc, so I choose topics very carefully and use polite words when I talk with them, because most of them are much older than me. And also they go to different places. I sometimes enjoy playing golf, fishing, party, windsurfing with them. these are really great experiences for me.
10.27.2007
Homework #1 #2
There are 2 topics for homework. Both must be answered in your blog: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.2. Preparation for the next class "Death and Funerals" Answer these questions in your blog;a. Where do you go when you die?b. Explain why do Japanese have death memorial services 1 month, 1 year, 3 years, 7 years, etc. after a person's death?
Question2
A: Where do you go when you die?
I want to go to the heaven. but some people say ''when we die, we go over the Sanzu liver.'' Maybe the reiver is called in English ''Acheron'' However, we dont know much about the Hereafter. It is one of the most mysterious things and nobady know the truth. It is very difficult question for me to answer, because I've never died. haha!!
B: Explain why do Japanese have death memorial services....?
I do not think that it is only in Japan. Perhaps other countries also have similar services.
I guess, such service is to respect the ancestor at bottom. I think the reason with only the odd number at the cycle, it is a figure that cannot be divided any further. we are always connected with the ancestors, so as not to forget the ancestor, we do the service.
Homework #2
Please answer the following questions in your blog:1.Death and Funerals:a. 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 consolences to an American host family if their Grandmother died?b. Have you ever been to a foreign funeral?2. The language of Clothes (preparation for next weeks topic):a.Why are Japanese designer label crazy? Why is what you wear so important? b.What does “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” mean to you?Good Luck!
Question 1
A: Do you have any international friends or host family? If so how would you express...?
Yes, I have host mother in America. Perhaps I will pass on the bare fact. I just want her to know.
B: Have you ever been to a foreign funeral?
No, I haven't. I dont want to attend it, because funeral is always sad.
Question 2The language of clothes
B1:Why are the Japanese designer label crazy?
I think Japanese yearns to English. we just have a simple image"English logo is cool than Japanese one" As an example, years ago, ''I LOVE NY ''T-shirt temporarily became popular among young women even though they did not love NY very much. Besides many Japanese dont know about the meaning of English logo. One day, one of my acquaintances wore nice T-shit with English logo,and it says "twinkle twinkle twinkle stars" but he is over 30 years old man, I couldnt help laughing. I guess that such a lot of people are in Japan. The label's meaning is not so important for such Japanese. A sense of values like that might be a cause of crazy label.
B2:Why is what you wear so important?
Because what you wear is a part of idenity. Also it becomes a kind of judging material when we try to know each other. Especially, the fashion occupies the key role to the student of the pubescence like us. In Japan, you can see the person who walks with brand-name goods(Gucci, Prada, Luis Vuitton, and so on ) here and there. Many Japanese think having a brand goods is cool. Brand has a strong power in Japan.
B3: What dose "Dont judge a book by its cover " mean to you?
I like this phrase. It is one standard for me to judge things without prejudice. (To see through the essence of things. )