07 9月 2014

What happened after TEFL1

ポストした日:⑥-⑦日9月2014年

    Hello again, and it's been a while since I last wrote. Last time, I was still in U.S. and now I'm in Japan. Officially working in Sakahogi, Gifu Japan. Although I like in Minokamo (this is another city; about 20 minutes away). It's a fairly rural area so you have to drive everywhere. Luckily there are certain essential stores that are very close, for example the drug store (a.k.a. pharmacy), McDonalds (apparently it's very common here for people to go study at a fast food place or cafe, so you see a lot of students or working people sitting around studying or on their notebooks, etc.), Apita (this is a mall although I'm starting to realize that there are some things that I need to buy that just aren't available here), 100yen shops, Uniqlo (clothing store; very important for fashionable working clothes that you can also use outside of work if you want), and your supermarkets and some restaurants.

    For the moment, I just wanted to write to make sure I'm still alive. There are TONS of things I need to say that I feel is hard to find online most of the time if you are interested in Japan.

    For example, no one ever tells you that humidity is high here during the summer so all your papers are even more likely to get bent and not so easy to write on. And no matter how many times I use my little towelette to take of the sweat from my forehead, new sweat magically appears somehow. And the mosquitoes here are some furious combat trained mosquitoes that will bite you ANYWHERE!!!!

    I got bitten in the inside of my hand now TWICE.

    But before I jump into all the randomness, I want to rewind a little bit and explain the whole "what happened after the TEFL course" part and how I got to where I am now (of course not on my own; that would be impossible). So let's get to it. *^^*


< < < Presents > > >

    Yea. What was that whole present thing anyway right?
    Basically my BF had started smoking again, and I wanted to make clear that I don't like it. So if he didn't smoke for x amount of time, I would give him a present.
     Actually to this day I keep worrying cuz I'm not really sure if that was just a moment thing or if he's still smoking, so I keep asking him. It's something that I feel both of us don't wanna talk about but I don't want to keep on worrying about something and not knowing about it.

     So, ok. What happened other than that?
     I packed my 2 suitcases (and I still had things that I had to leave behind simply because of lack of space left in my suitcases), bought some last minute things and headed for the airport when the day came. It was quite interesting because I was excited to finally to a one-way trip again but at the same time I was going to miss my mom a lot. And of course my close friends.


< < < Flight and After > > >

     On my flight I learned that I could have more liquids if I ordered either a water bottle or beer or wine. So I ended up drinking one can of beer and two bottles of red wine. I had water too so I don't ruin my liver.

     I had talked briefly with this one woman from Malaysia who had her cat with her suitcases and had studied something Education as her PhD in the US (in Michigan). Who the hell goes to Michigan anyways? There's nothing there. Literally!
     Anyways, then I watched just 3 movies (Amazing Spider-Man 2, Captain America 2, and another superhero movie that I can't remember at the moment). Most of the time I was pretty bored and I did take some naps at the beginning of the flight so by hour 10 I was already in my "let's get there already" mode.

     Once I came here I spent 5 days in Saitama with my boyfriend and his family/friends, and for some reason the whole smoking thing came up again when I was talking to one of his close friends. At that point I just didn't wanna talk about it because I was getting really upset. Plus we were in an Izakaya where people smoke inside (yes. In Japan it's still like the 1930's of US where people smoke inside and don't really have the concept that even though there are parts that are non-smoking, all that smoke from the smoking section will still travel to the non-smoking sections).

     In other words, even though there is this issue, I really enjoyed my 5 days and was sad that it ended so quickly. I was surprised that he didn't cry or try to hug me once I was on the line for the shinkansen.

     I have written enough for now. Let's continue later with this part because there is still so much to say.


15 8月 2014

Preparations

ポストした日:11日8月2014年

     I have officially finished and graduated from my TEFL course and am doing the final preparations for going over to Japan to start working. I had gotten a phone call from Interac yesterday about my placement position (it'll be in Gifu; a rural area in the middle of Japan; at least it's not super cold), and for the first time I feel a little mixed about it:

      I have so many friends I need to say bye (for the time being)
      I'm excited to see my special someone and give my presents to (which I will prepare the second one this week)
      I'm gonna miss my mom
      I'm gonna miss my mom's cooking
      I won't be able to shop easily for shoes (but everything else will have my kind of style)
      etc. . .

     I'll keep reading the emails they gave me regarding the position, and stay excited about what to prepare. I have my first present which I think is pretty cool, but I still need to prepare my second one a little bit more in detail.



30 7月 2014

Stressing out

ポストした日:30日7月2014年

     My bf has started to smoke again.
     I don't like smoking.
     It's selfish and unhealthy for both the smoker and the people around the smoker.
    And there are so many bad things than good things.

     I'm disappointed.
     I think about it everyday, and everyday my sadness and stress just gets bigger.

     Today I'll drink with some friends during lunch.
     Friday is a drinking party.
     Saturday is another drinking party.
     Sunday? Probably recovering from killing my liver.


     I really don't like smoking and I'm not sure how to act if he wants to kiss me without hurting his feelings. I feel like I'm starting to hate him.

     I was talking to one of my guy friends about this yesterday before going to sleep, and it seems like asian girls are really passive about this issue. Even talking to one of my japanese acquaintances, she was super passive even though she herself also doesn't like it.

     Tomorrow will be 10 month anniversary.
     It will be a sad anniversary. He's gonna be drinking and smoking this day too. T_T

     I want to have a happy anniversary again. I want to look forward to kissing the person I like; not avoid it and think how gross it is. . . I want to hug the person and feel comfortable and love them, and them hug me and feel comfortable with me and love me. I love when a guy smells nice and takes care of his health, because then he will care about my health.

     I'm not a strong person, and many times I will not care about my health to the point where it becomes very dangerous and deadly. Of course I haven't told him this side of me nor anyone else, so he may not understand how I think of it.

     I'm just super disappointed and sad.
     I honestly don't understand it.

     Happy sad 10th anniversary. . . .

27 7月 2014

礼儀 Manners

ポストした日:22日ー27日7月2014年

 今、TEFLの授業を取って超ーーー楽しいよ*^^*
新しい友達に会ったり、一緒に遊んだり(食べに行くとか、宿題するとか、等。。。)、クラスには遅くても会話も楽しいと思う。いつも眠くなる。午前3時ぐらい寝て、7時半ぐらい起きて、クラスに行く。クラスにも眠くなちゃった。(笑)信じられる?
 でも内容が面白いから寝たくない。しょうがないね。笑。
 また、この週末、家にアメリカ人のクラスメートと戻ったけどさ、疲れたよ!礼儀やマナーないよ!3日以下、疲れた。日本人もこの気持ちを持ってるかな。例えば、映画館に行った時チップスを食べたいと言われ、母に「この(母の財布のそばに)チップスを食べてもいい」と聞いた。母は「蓋はまだ開けなかった」と言った。

 意識がある人間としてこの場合にどうしたらいいでしょ?


 クラスメートはチップスの蓋を開けて、大声で「エバニ!それが失礼だよ!」と言ったけど、すぐに友達は母の言った事を言い直した。やっぱり母の言ったことを理解しなかった。その後、友達は怒った顔を表して部屋を出て、友達に何も言わなかった。あたしも怒ったけど友達は礼儀の意識がないから気にならなかった。しかしそんなことを忘れない。。。

 じゃ〜英語で説明する。多分ちょっと違うけど、日本語をまだ勉強しないとーー>

 I'm taking a TEFL class now and it's super fun!
I've met new friends and we hang out (going out to eat or doing homework together), and even though the class is long, I truly enjoy it and I think it's fun. I always get sleepy.

 I go to bed around 3am and wake up at around 7am in order to go to class. I also get sleepy in class. Can you believe that? XD
 But I really like the content of the class so I don't WANT to fall asleep. Hmm....what can you do?.

 Also, this week I went back to my house with one of my American classmates but it was so tireding! They don't have manners nor etiquette.No more than 3 days, and it was tiring. I honestly wondered, "Is this how Japanese feel when they bring foreigners into their home?". . . . For example, when we went to the movies she said how she wanted to eat chips and asked my mom if it was ok to eat the chips that were next to her purse. My mom then told her, "well, they haven't been opened yet".

 Now. . . As a human being who has consciousness, what do you think is the best thing to do in this situation?


 My classmate started to open the lid and with a loud voice I told them, "HEY! That's rude!", but she quickly just repeated what my mother said. As I thought, my classmate didn't understand what my mother said, or at least what she meant by it. After that, my friend gave this mean face and left the room and I didn't say anything to them. I also got mad at them but my classmate has no consciousness of manners/etiquette so I didn't care. But,  . . . I won't forget this incident.

___________________________________________________________________________________
 At the moment I have 2 more weeks left of this TEFL course. I think this is the moment when the honeymoon phase ends, and we all start hating each other for the small things we have to put up with.

 As for the job application, everything went well and I am moving forwards with Interac through their alternate program. This means I will go to Tokyo and stay for a few days/weeks but they assured me that it has never been a few months. I'm actually looking forward to it since the BF is close by and I don't have to worry about taking an airplane flight to see him and family, etc. I have confirmed my arrival date (August 24th), but I can only start looking at airplane flights after this TEFL course ends (simply because there is more paperwork to consider, and the date period between me getting my visa and arrival is REALLY tight!).
 Will provide more details as for the email process for Interac soon. *^^*

22 7月 2014

怒る

ポストした日:9日7月2014年
around 10pm

    So I'll write in English just because it's something that upsets me quite a lot. I had made plans with a friend a week in advanced for today (Wednesday), and had to cancel because of studying. When I asked them what were they gonna do today, they mentioned some errands and then hang out with this one person, but that is a maybe.

    I got upset because while I had already gotten out of my way to hang out with this person let alone ask them, this person was already making plans even though we already made plans and then figured to "fit me into their schedule". I feel like I'm being tossed aside. I thought we were closer friends than that, but I guess not. I was hurt because this person wasn't being honest with me and didn't tell me.
    But then again this person isn't even honest with her/himself so how can they be honest with others?

    This person has never made any attempts to hang out with me from their own accord nor talk, so I feel like they don't know how to keep a friendship. I have always been the one to invite them to things. But if it wasn't for me who invited this person to one of my work events, these two would never had met in the first place. This person doesn't even say thank you for that.
    I don't care about their sexual tendencies and constant contradictions, and it's not my issue to deal with. But they weren't thoughtful of my feelings at all. If I had not asked what they were doing for the day, I would have never known. And to me this feels dishonest. I'm not saying you need to tell me every little detail of your life, but some communication would be nice.

    I've had this friend meet all of my friends and the close family that I have here, yet I have never met their friends or family. If it wasn't for the things that have happened in my life so far, what would we have to talk about?

    So I realized that our friendship is not the same anymore. This person isn't a friend. They are more like an acquaintance now. It hurts, but this has happened to me before (where a close friendship turned into 2 acquaintances), so it will take a lot less time to get over.
    I will give them one last chance, but out of their own accord. Regardless of that, our friendship has already changed and will not go back to what it was.



09 7月 2014

暇で安藤ロイド見る

ポストした日:24日6月2014年

クラスには「〜ならなければなりません」と言うけど、それ以外、よく「〜ないといけない」を使ってる。しかし、さっきドラマに「いけない」の部分なし「〜ないと」を聞こえる。「〜ないといけない」の「〜ないと」の部分だけで使ってもいいの?同じ意味を持ってるの?これ私の考えてる事、、、
 とにかく木村拓哉がいる「安藤ロイド」というドラマを楽しみ過ぎてるかな、、笑。でもね、話って絶対面白いよ!これから見続きまーーーーす。



懐かしいな〜

ポストした日:24日6月2014年

じゃあ、
さっき日本語で書かなかったからこっちに日本語で書くよ!!!
始まるーーーー>!

 これからInteracNetworkという会社と日本で働く。絶対に*^^*
Altiaは私を断ったからさ、、、、バカ!
まだ怒るだけど。まず、私に会社はイメールを送らなかった。次、会社に履歴書についてイメールを書いて、会社の返事に「すみません。今は仕事がありませんが、2015年の4月にもう一度アプリケーションを出した方がいいです」と書いてあった!!!!自分で私にイメールを送らなかったよ!プロフェショナルじゃないだろ?!

 とにかく、
 9月に日本で働く生活を始めて、案内するよ!ビーチに行けるかな、、、温かい場所で働けるかな、、、彼氏は留学するかな。その時、、、、、多分すると思う。彼氏の家族や友達に会える?>_<あかん?出来たら、したい!!

 実は働く前に彼氏に会いたいけど私に会いたいかな。。:./
 彼氏と話したけど「イエス」と言わなくて曖昧で答えたが、まだ分かんない。TT__TT

 どうしようかな。TT___TT

断る(ことわる):to turn down
履歴書(りれきしょ):resume


就活お知らせと気持ち

ポストした日:19日6月2014年

    Today is thursday. About 5 days after graduation.
    I got an email from Company A telling me they were not able to continue with my application. And I actually was the one to email Company B about whether I should give them an updated version of my resume. They responded with a "you can give us your updated resume, but unfortunately we were not able to continue with your application". Their reason was because there were more qualified applicants (and not that many positions), but that they would consider me for their positions in April (hence why it would be ok to give them my updated resume). But I just thought . . .

    I really wanted this job! ! ! !
    I know someone who also applied around the same time I did, who is less qualified (compared to my qualifications regarding this specific job) but went ahead to the next step.

    So I believe that it's not because of other "more qualified applicants". I think what broke it was that I got late to my interview, and therefore didn't consider me for positions starting in September-ish. Being late to an interview can either make it or break it.

    But they didn't exactly say 100% no either. . .

    It just pisses me off a bit because I wish they would have been a little more honest with me in regards to why my application didn't make it through. And I was the one to email them. They didn't bother to be prompt and email me. . . (  >_____>)*

    Also I was disappointed that Gaba didn't consider me either, but it's ok. I will apply again for these places, depending on how my current job goes.

    So what will happen from now on is I'll go ahead with the job from Interac which starts in September. They weren't able to find me a specific location BEFORE the departure date, but I was likeable so they put me through their alternate track. Alternate track just means that I will be staying in Tokyo for a few days or weeks (never a few months according to what they told me), and during that time I will go through training, stay in paid accommodations, and fill any substitute positions. They'll be looking for a spot for me also (I would imagine they don't want to keep paying for me staying in Tokyo).

    Once they find the place, I'll go to wherever that is and start working.

    But now more than ever, I feel like my bf doesn't wanna talk to me. . . isn't interested, or just wants his space. I've been wanting to tell him about all this job stuff, and recently I went shopping so I wanted to show him what I bought. He says he wants to see it, but then he goes on to do something else. He told me, when I find out about the job stuff to tell him. . .but it's like. . . . he's always doing something else. Actions are louder than words. So it's like he says these things but doesn't act on it, so I feel like he doesn't want to know as much as I thought he wanted.
    So I'm not gonna press for it anymore. I'm not gonna keep giving hints to call me or whatever. I'm sure if and when he wants to know, he will ask, and I'll tell him.

    Wao- - -
    I felt like my friend Fernanda there for a second. I like her very much. And she's unique cuz she has this policy of "If you don't ask, I'm not going to tell you". And she truly means it. At first it was a bit strange but you get used to it.

    People are different, and I guess I shouldn't be so harsh on him for it.

    I think for me it's just that, when I'm dating a person or when that person is family, I have high expectations for them. Becuz they are special to me and very close in my life. With friends (especially with people that are just acquaintances), I have absolutely no expectations. They can screw up their lives and I'm not gonna care much. I'll care a little bit. You know, try to give good advice so they don't screw it up. But they're not gonna have that treatment from me cuz I don't expect anything.

    It's like hanging out with someone outside: I'm cool with it. Do whatever you want. Doesn't matter.
vs.
    hanging out with someone in my house: there are rules and etiquette that you have to follow. Think whatever you want, but I'm welcoming you to where I live and feel the most comfortable so there are some manners you need to abide by. If you don't like it then don't come.

    Pretty much all the friends I have are from other countries, and somehow they understand what I'm talking about. It's no mystery at all since this is part of daily life. But I seem to have a hard time with the American friends I have managed to keep just because in American culture there aren't any rules. (Correction: there are very few rules.) I have had more Chinese friends now and have come to understand their point of view that people in U.S. are like children compared to what they know. 

    But anyways, another example I can think of is tattoos. If a friend of mine gets it, I don't care. Good for them. I can't impose my beliefs on them. If a family member or person I am dating mentions they want to get one, I'm going to stop them as much as possible. For me? I would never get one. Yea, I've thought about it, but I was indecisive and figured my skin was already pretty. Didn't need another commitment. And I really like sitting in hot water, so I didn't want to have something that wouldn't allow me to enter onsen's or public baths (sentou). 

    Back to what I was talking about: I'm not sure if I can relax on my expectations for him. I'm finding it a bit difficult at the moment with my own feelings. He's young. I dunno if he wants to stay with me. :/

    In the mean time, I found this guy who's pretty awesome. I wanted to share his video. Very good lyrics. It really went to my core.



04 6月 2014

就活お知らせ

ポストした日:3日6月2014年

   So here is a little update in regards to my job offers and what not:

  1. I got a job offer from Interac (but there is a high chance that this job starts in April of NEXT YEAR)
  2. I'm waiting on a reply from 2 other places: one place that teaches/tutors mostly in the Kanto and part of Kansai. Although I am a little worried about living arrangements just cuz' I haven't had time to look at them yet.

    And the other place that teaches around, like south....part of Kanto and mostly in the middle of Japan, and then Hiroshima.
  3. I wasn't accepted by the university that I sent my application to. +_+ Why is it so damn difficult? That will be 300+ dollars I will never see again. (TT_TT )
   The interview for the other two places actually wasn't that hard at all. I'm never worried about one-to-one interviews simply because they always have a routine. It's just a matter of remembering certain answers like "what are your strengths and weaknesses?", and do your research about that company (meaning: read their website, what they are about, their benefits, etc) so that you have something to say when they ask, "why do you want to work with us?".

   Interview process with all these places are a bit long, so make sure you write your answer down and stay consistent. You can add stuff, but don't change your answer. That's when they'll be like. . . ."does she know what she's talking about?". 
   You don't want that.

   Otherwise, gonna enjoy studying on my own for this 1 month. Month 2 I have a TEFL certification class. I need to ask someone if I can stay with them :/. Otherwise I will be sleep-deprived!!!!!! And that shit adds up!

   Still have 2 weeks left, before graduation. In other words = tons and tons and shit-load of work. T_T



   Wanted to give a quick comment:
         I'm very happy that it's been 8 months now! There's still so many things I want to go together that we haven't done. 花火大会. I'm like. . . .itching from excitement to wear my yukata again. :3 And I TOTALLY forgot how to put one on, so I actually found an article that explains how to put it on in one of my magazines. 

   I told my mom she doesn't need to wear a bra since she's big enough (up there. . .) that it will hold her up. 

         There are times though when I'm very confused, so I ask about a lot of things. At times it feels like that 1st week of going out where, it's better if I just don't ask. But then my feelings and thoughts will only grow and grow, if I don't ask. Sometimes I wished I didn't have to ask all the time, and was just told about everything. 

03 6月 2014

彼に確認してみよう。Let's Confirm Him Pt.2

2に関して言えば、「いつも自分だけにお土産をくれる」「皆が知らない携帯の番号を教えてもらっている」「彼の職場に時々連れて行ってもらっている」「クリスマスや誕生日に二人きりで過ごした」「彼が主宰する特別なパーティに、女性として自分だけ呼ばれた」「彼の親に会わせてくれた」ということがあっても付き合っているとは限りません。
  If we talk in regards to number 2 (He treats you special), "He always gives presents only to me" "Everyone tells me cellphone numbers I don't know of" "Sometimes he brings me to his work place" "In christmas and birthdays we spend time together; just the two of us" "As a woman, he invites only me to a special party that he has supervised" "He introduced me to his parents". Even if you have these things it is not restricted to dating.
これらを踏まえ、CHECKで
Based on these things, let's check
A.どうして彼は付き合わないことにこだわっているのか?
    Why ishe being unusually particular about not dating?
B.どうすれば、付き合っているかどうかが分かるのか?
    What would you do if you knew whether or not you are dating?
C.付き合っていないと分かったら、どう対処すれば良いのか?
    If you understand you are not dating, what is a good way to cope?
についてお話しします。
and talk about these things.

CHECK!付き合っている?付き合っていない?
CHECK! Are you dating? Are you not dating?

A.どうして彼は「付き合わないこと」にこだわっているのか?
あたかも付き合っているような二人なのに、どうして彼は「付き合わない」という面倒なことをしているのでしょう?
Why is he fixated over this thing about "not dating"?
Even though it looks like as if 2 people are dating, why isn't he paying attention to this "not dating" concept?

これは、「付き合う」ということが「相手の心と体を自分のものにできる代わりに、自分の心と体を相手に捧げる」という契約だからです。もし、彼があなたと「付き合う」という契約を交わす以前に、既にあなたの心、あるいは心と体を手に入れているなら、自分の心と体を相手に捧げる必要はありませんよね。
Because "dating" is a contract where "instead of the other person giving their heart and body to you, you are offering your own heart and body to the other person". If it's the case where he has already obtained your heart, or your heart and body, before he signed this dating contract with you, it's not necessary to dedicate or offer your own heart and body to him right?!
あなたと付き合わなければ、メリットは沢山あります。ほかの女性とデートをしても責められませんし、結婚を考える必要もありません。プライベートも干渉されません。周りの男友達に恋人を評価されることもありません。
If he is not dating you, you have a lot of advantages. For example, it's also not necessary to think about marriage because he is not criticized even when going on dates with other women. Your privacy is not interfered, and you don't have the situation where a lover is assessed around other guy friends.
たとえば、彼に恋人がいれば、あなたと付き合えば二股になります。これは、本命にもあなたにも不誠実な行動になります。でも、付き合っていなければ、相手にも自分にも言い訳が出来ます。
For example, if he has a girlfriend and is dating you, that becomes two-timing. This certainty turns into a dishonest behaviour to you too. But if you are not dating, both you and the other person have an excuse.

記事はこちら
Part 1 is here.

01 6月 2014

最後の総合練習

ポストした日:31日5月2014年
 これは私の授業の総合練習でーーーーす。間違いを注目しないで下さい。。。。。多分たくさんあるから。>_<


303:9総合練習

「食」に関してあなたの国で問題になっている事

 私の国に大きいな問題は朝ご飯を食べない人が多いわけじゃなくて、テレビを見ながら晩ご飯を食べる人が多いわけじゃなくて、しかも、一人で食事を食べる人が増えるもわけじゃなくて、太る人が多い。実は、「食事」にはお互いによくゆっくり食べながら話していて、ジョークしてます。パーティーだったら踊るのが普通です。「食事」も健康ですけど、デブエットしている場合を増えています。つまり、 皆は食事の量は大きい過ぎて食べ過ぎてデブになることを「デブエットする」と言います。

 戻る時によく相手や家族は「私の見かけがやせている」と言われます。食事を食べる時に「それだけ食べるの?」と聞かれます。一方で、相手や家族はここに来て、皆さんはやせていますので、驚きます。やはりみんなの期待は違うのではないでしょうか。しかし、健康に気にしないと身体が悪い気持ちを持つかもしれません。しかし他者と自分の見かけを比べるのが日常生活のことだと思います。その比べている人は「ダイエットをしないといけないかな」と思われていますけど、時々そ人々のダイエットの方法は大丈夫ですか。正しいの方法ですか。確かにみなさんは良くないダイエットを聞いたことがあります。例えば、エネルギが減るダイエットとか、1日に2回料理を食べるダイエットなどがあります。

 さて、対策に関して自分のゴールを実現できる凄い方法があります。人はダイエットをする代わりに、人に「こうせんじゅう」を使って、小さくなって、食事は大きいみたいですが、同じエネルギがあります。多分世界は食べ物の熱帯雨林のような世界を言われています。それから、食べたら食べ物の量はまだ同じの量ですけど、皆さんが小さいなのですぐにお腹がいっぱいですが、身体はいい気持ちを持ってます。お腹がいっぱいの気持ちほど満足した気持ちはない。ですけど、健康に気にした方がいいです。今でも人が大きくなるのこうせんじゅうをまだ発明しています。

単語リスト
期待(きたい):expectation
こうせんじゅう:ray gun
熱帯雨林(ねったいうりん)

31 5月 2014

確認

ポストした日:31日5月2014年


確認がいる。
まだ続く?
まだ同じやつするの?
解決ために、

別れないために、
何かに信じれることをくれてなさい。

28 5月 2014

分からん

ポストした日:28日5月2014年


焼きもちを持ってるから、
般若面をかかなきゃかな。。。

よく危ういを感じてる


焼きもち(やきもち):jealousy
危うい(あやうい):insecure


自由

ポストした日:26日5月2014年

3月ぐらいだけ。その後、出発!!!
もどかしいや。一人暮らしを通して自由になる。


17 5月 2014

Interview Questions

Interview Questions
17日5月2014年:12:17時

What was the best and the worst times in your life? 
      A stranger gave me his umbrella during a day when the rain was very heavy. I was wearing all white and my hair was already soaked. And another time when another stranger yelled at me, "YOU ARE BEAUTIFUUUUL" while I was walking in my yukata and ready to pass out after a long morning in the Kyoto summer heat.
      Both times I was so worried and wasn't enjoying my time. But when that man gave me his umbrella or the man that yelled at me, I felt hope and like I wasn't alone. Someone else knew I was there and helped me in some way. They went out of their way to do something. I'll never forget these memories.

      Worst time. There's many. I would say in high school and when my dog passed away.


What is the biggest misconception about you?
      I have no idea. I get along with a lot of people. If I don't get along with them, I just ignore them.


How do you want to be remembered?
      If/When I have kids in the future, I want them to remember my love and wisdom to them. I don't have that right now, so I don't want to be remembered.


Finish this sentence: Llesi is . . . 
      human with a heart.







違い : Difference



     Some small differences I noticed since last time. Figured I would make a mini list. Some I have already know, but maybe other people don't, so I've mentioned them anyway. *^^*

  1. Going out to drink.

        In Japan there is a lot more eating involved and you would usually go to an Izakaya, verses in the states it involves drinking and probably just that (if you are going to a pub or like a bar. Irish pubs are my favorite. ^^ Country bars? Not so much . . . ). Oh! And talking super loud! That's the best part! Or if you are going to a sports bar, then you're probably a guy (girls come too but it's mostly guys) talking with other guys about the american football game on the 10 TV they provide, or a baseball game, and then cheering or booing all together.

        I've only been to one Izayaka so far. I SAW another one, but it seemed like that theme: chatting it up with someone while you drink and eat. There's food in US pubs and bars but it's mostly fried food or something to eat really quick (to supplement the drink).
        In Puerto Rico, it's like drinking and dancing, and it's common to bar hop since there can be like 10 bars all on the same street.
  2. After the day is done

        In Japan: go out. Izakaya or just something you and your friends like.
        In US: go home, go sleep. 'Nuff said.
        
  3. Summer heat


        This one really depends on the person I believe, no matter where you are. For me, heat is my friend. No. Change that. Heat is my lover essentially. I LOVE HEAT! My curly hair looks amazing and I don't need much clothes (don't need them), and I'm all prepared to have the sun soak my skin in the warmness and bake like a fish. Give me 15 minutes and I have already tanned.
        Most people complain about it. "Oh my gosh it's so hot!!!! I can't deal with this."
  4. Crowded Trains

        In Japan: It's not that bad since most people ignore your presence or are reading like. . . . a hentai manga (porno looking-manga) and he treats it as if he's reading the newspaper or something. Nobody looks you in the eye, so it's like being in a small closet full of coats. Coats that just finished work and probably are elbowing you all over the place.
        People in US just don't encounter this at all. They're even very cautious of standing too close to you in the train (if you do stand).
  5.  Escalators

        Japan: (Tokyo) People stand on the left side. LITERALLY they will stand there. I barely saw anyone walking up an escalator. (Kyoto) People stand on the right side. You'll see people walking too.
        US: you stand on the right side. people are always walking on the left side. it's an escalator . . .you become impatient when you can just walk. . .
  6. Parking

        Japan: (Tokyo) (I'm not sure about other places yet.) You park your car with the tail inside the parking space first. Pretty much all the time.
        US: both ways to park are used, although parking with the front and not the tail seems to be the more popular choice.
        
  7. Vending Machines


        US: Hardly any. Always inside buildings and limited choices (junk food or soda, sometimes other drinks). Pay for it, and walk away. Maybe start drinking or eating on your way walking to wherever you're gonna go. Always inside a building.
        Japan: All kinds of stuff! Once I saw a banana vending machine. You WILL see them everywhere. Even on a mountain, on the side of a temple. It's gonna be there. Many times you'll see someone just drinking whatever they bought at the side of that vending machine. Everywhere (inside buildings, and the most random street in the middle of rice fields you can think of).
  8. Trash

        US: they're everywhere. But there's a lack of recycle bins. . .
        Japan: they're hard to find. you will carry your own trash with you, and many times you'll just have to wait until you're at a bathroom, or wait until you go back home.
  9. Books

        US: they're huge and they even provide "LARGE PRINT". they can be supper thick or thin, and almost always are bigger than your hand.
        Japan: almost always about the size of your hand and thin. I haven't seen any japanese novel that is thick thus far (comparing with US novels). And you can choose to have a paper wrapping around the cover if you pay for it so no one knows what you are reading.
  10. Revealing Clothes

        US: having short-shorts or mini-skirts, pants, whatever that are waaayyy too high can be considered revealing. Some people also feel younger girls these days wear tops that are too tight and/or reveal their breasts too much.
        Japan and South Korea: it's ok to wear that mini-skirt or high shorts, but apparently showing the slightest cleavage is a big no no.
  11. Speakin' In Subways


        US: it's ok to talk in the train or in a subway or in a bus. There are some designated times when within the day where people expect you to stay quiet (like if you are in a train full of working people at 7am, you shouldn't really talk that much), but as long as you are not totally loud and annoying EVERYONE it's totally ok to talk (whether the person is there with you or you are talking on the phone).
        Japan: it's better to just not talk. If someone calls you, you should quietly whisper to them that you're on the train and will call them later (while covering your mouth. . . .yea. . .like I REALLY didn't see you talking :P). Sometimes you can, but it's not usual.
  12. Foreigners

        This goes for every country. We love it when a foreigner takes the time to learn "our" language, and it's looked as something polite and generous. Not doing so and expecting everyone to speak the foreigners language is just rude, no matter what country you are. So learn the language! Don't be a biatch. :P
  13. Staring


        US: people hide it, or at least think they are hiding it. (they REALLY try to hide the fact that they are staring at some girl or just random stranger.)
        Japan: depending where you are (and who you are), most people won't hide it. For example, if you're in Kyoto and you're a foreigner, people won't hide the fact that they're staring at you like the new animal in the zoo. Say cheese! :D But usually if you're a girl and a guy is staring at you, they try to hide it (but not as much as in US).
        Puerto Rico and Mexico: if you are a girl, you will be stared at! And men have no shame in letting YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE know that they are staring at you! Seriously, no joke. Don't feel uncomfortable. Think of it as you are the goddess walking on this earth whose beauty can only be admired by everyone. :P On the other hand, if you are a foreigner, nobody really cares. Unless it's like a little kid and they're thinking "omygosh it's an american!!!! they're so tall!!! why are they so tall?!!". But they know not to shout this in the air for everyone to hear.     
  14. Driers

        Yes, driers. Dryers? Driers? Hahahaha.
    US: people use them to dry pretty much everything.
    Puerto Rico: depends on the family, but we almost always hang up our clothes to dry. You'll probably use a drier just to dry bed covers or something like towels.
    Japan: no driers.



15 5月 2014

Women and Equality



http://japaneseruleof7.com/japanese-women-and-work/

    I read this post and there were 2 things that stuck out to me. 1) I do believe Americans emphasize "equality" in relationships. 2) Japan as a matriarchial society. 

1) There is no equality in any relationship. In fact, the woman has more power than the guy in any relationship. It just wouldn't work the other way around. In other words, her happiness comes first. If she's happy, then your life will be happy. Yea he should be happy too and they should both consider each others feelings but you know that you should just say yes to what she says. :P

So it's not equality. 
It's like a balance beam. 
Sometimes she shows her strengths and other times he is allowed to show his strengths by her. ^^

2) Japan to me doesn't seem like a matriarchial society. To my understanding, it's still patriarchial. I'm not serving you a drink because I'm a girl. I'll serve you a drink when you need it but out of my kindness. And don't expect me to do it for you all the time. Womens' names are changed in marriage. Children only receive their fathers last name. Women don't have many advancing opportunities at work compared to men.

    There isn't sufficient support for day-care centers. Maternity leave is like one of the worsts I have ever heard. I'm actually really worried that if I have kids in Japan. . . . and cuz I don't have my family around me I can't depend on my brother to babysit for me, so . . . . . . .what do I do? >_<


    If something goes wrong with your child, some women will still comment on how it was the mothers fault. Daughters tend to be spoiled or "very protected", if you want to call it that, verses sons are treated differently. (To me it looks like spoiled.) Many women may feel scared to yell for help when some creepy stranger is feeling up their skirt in a crowded train. (Don't deny it. You know it happens.)

    Ghosts tend to be women (reflected on how badly they have been treated in their living life). There is an ideal age range to get married that is younger compared to western standards of when a woman "should"* marry. (Men tend to prefer younger women.) 

* Using the word 'should' with caution. 

     Then again I'm Puerto Rican and we are VERY matriarchial so my views are not even the same as American standards. 


Reading Response



    I remember when I went back to US after 2010, and thought this same thing. People will actually not just point you the way to what you want to find but also WALK and SHOW you where it is. Verses in US, well, you're lucky if you find even one person willing to do I dunno . . . their job in customer assistance. There's been plenty of times where I find employees chatting it on with a customer that isn't really there to look for something. (Another reason I don't like shopping with my mom. She pretty much demands me to go look for someone. I would rather just look for it myself.)
 
     In Puerto Rico the customer service is even worse. Employees are ALWAYS TALKING TO EACH OTHER. Like a full on conversation. But I don't really care about this. It's your job as the customer to interrupt their conversation and start asking them what it is you want to get.

     One thing I do like about shopping for shoes in US is how the shoes (and all the sizes available) are displayed right under the display shoe. I get annoyed if I have to ask the employee all the time, just to find me the shoe, ask what sizes they have, oh wait, this size is too big or I want to try it in a different color. It's like I'm making them do all this work, and I also don't want to shop WITH them. I just want to do it quick: see the shoe I like, try it on, if it doesn't fit move on, if it does then think a little more.

    And I like shoe shopping. :3 So I want to try in different colors. Depending on the shoe, a different size (bigger or smaller) may be better. It goes on much quicker if I have all the shoes in front of me rather than asking the person to go get them while I wait, etc. I felt like that makes the process longer and more about waiting than actually trying on shoes. . .



    Read this too. Frankly I don't really care about this topic. I'm only interested in blood types from a scientific perspective, and genetics. Otherwise, I can't really be bothered with it. Interesting, but meeeh, just not interesting ENOUGH to me.



    Read this and also thought more or less around the same line as this blogger. You say greetings in Japanese and someone will praise you for it. I understand the whole polite thing but (just my opinion of course) I prefer honesty (in a way where you can tell me and not hurt my feelings or be a total ass about it) rather than politeness. So I always kind of ignore when this does happen to me. When it does happen, I just say "ok" and change the topic. Don't need politeness.



Teaching rant

ポストした日: 22日4月2014年

    I was reading this and it got me thinking about some of the things I am reading for my class. In the readings, they are actually quite long and take forever to get to the point but it did have some interesting stuff. This one reading was trying to figure out a way to figure out how to raise communicative competence in second-language (aka L2) learners, and just arguing about what does this even mean, how can we measure it, and then finally how can we implement it in ESL classes.

    But I was thinking that some of this stuff also depends on what language is being learned and where you teach it. Another reading was talking about a lesson plan where students are instructed to tell stories from their own cultures, share it with a classmate, and then share it with the class (in hopes of figuring out their own cultural identities and how it differs from other people), but then I thought while I really like this plan, it doesn't really work with a group of students that come from the same culture. I mean, you might have like 5 students talking about momotarou.

    So what does this have to do with what I read? That now I really really really want to work in a private place rather than public school (of course with experience), cuz then we don't have to always follow not-so-useful-japanese-teachers and can focus more on students who are motivated and want more communication rather than learning what the hell is a relative clause.

    Like I talk with my JP classmates (classmates of my JP language class) and also students who took spanish classes, I always say it's totally useless to learn linguistic terms like "transitive and intransitive", "progressive" etc. Yea it's nice to tell the kids what these "things" are, but not to focus on that; focus more on its function and use. Face it. No native learner knows all the grammatical rules of their own language. It's good only for organizing grammar in a textbook and just to let students know what it's called, and that's it. Focus more on what it means and how to use it. :P

    Just a small rant for today.
    Otherwise I'm still super nervous about my interview on saturday. Need to practice my demo lesson. So far I'm thinking of two options I want to do.


Resume, Papers, Essays Help

Sample Papers:

(1) Unsuccessful Applicant of JET
(2) Successful Applicant of JET
(3) Successful Applicant of JET (can read below)

Statement of Purpose – JET Program     
     My interest in Japan and Japanese language developed when I lived in Switzerland during middle school, where I had a Japanese friend who taught me a few Japanese words (cold, warm, etc.).  When my family moved back to the US my parents chose where we lived based on whether or not the local high school offered Japanese.  I am very interested in foreign languages, but after four years of studying Japanese it has become my favorite, and my current goal is to become a Japanese-English translator / interpreter.  

     I am also interested in foreign language acquisition, specifically how languages are taught and what problems students have in learning them.  Being an ALT would provide an excellent opportunity to see how English is taught in Japan while at the same time letting me be immersed in Japanese and see Japan.  As I said before my goal is to be a translator or interpreter and in order to gain experience towards this end I would, if accepted into the program, hope to switch to the CIR position after a year when I’ve gained experience in spoken Japanese.  
     In the fourth year language class I took last spring as well as the one I am currently taking we have broken away from textbook Japanese and begun to read actual Japanese texts of varying difficulty.  After a semester of this, I now get concrete images when reading in Japanese as opposed to vague ones.  I need immersion to increase my vocabulary and to help me converse in Japanese more readily.  My Japanese friends say that my spoken Japanese is quite good and have told me that they do not have to dumb down what they are saying when they speak to me.  

     To be a translator or interpreter one needs to be able to wield the languages without hesitation both written and verbally, and this is one of the main reasons I would like to go to Japan.  Having lived in Switzerland and studied French and German there, as well as having seen others studying those languages I have seen the difference that immersion can make and at this point in my study of Japanese the most beneficial thing would be immersion.

     For the past three semesters I have met with Japanese exchange students once or twice a week to help them with their homework, reading comprehension as well as to provide them chances to speak English comfortably, without having to worry about any mistakes that are made.  These experiences as well as those when I was first learning French and German have made me patient when dealing with others in foreign languages because I am not always able to say exactly what I want to and frequently have to reword what I want to say, and the same applies to those I’m speaking with.  
     My interest in Japan does not solely revolve around language, however.  Through friends who have been to Japan as well as through the classes about Japan that I’ve taken I’ve heard and read quite a bit about various famous temples, shrines, monuments and festivals that I would like to see in person.  

If accepted I would hope to increase the understanding of western holidays of those I work with as well as help in their English acquisition.  I hope to have a better understanding of Japanese holidays that I’ve read about, see as many of the famous buildings and areas that I’ve read about, get to know Japanese people’s customs and greatly increase my Japanese language abilities.  


Interview Tips:

Being Prepared for using your white board (for conversation school)

Here: youtube video

Resume Tips

Overall Teaching Information (here)
Free Conversation Tips (here)
Teaching at Private Schools (here)

03 5月 2014

違いますか?


    今日は「メキシコとプエルトリコのスペイン語は違いますか」と先生の問いだった。

「全然違いますよ」を答えた。

    皆さん、違いを知ってますか?

    実は、プエルトリコ人にとってメキシコ人のスペイン語は尊敬語みたい。普通な言葉を使うし、常に別の発言を使うし、「polite」や「おばあちゃんのおばあちゃん」みたいだよ。(笑)  例えば、メキシコで別の発言を表すから私にとって、プエルトリコ人にとって、絶対に遅いと思う。その理由は、プエルトリコで皆さんは短い時間にもっと話せるように、いつも言葉を短くして略する。世の中の一番速くてスペイン語を話す人はプエルトリコ人だよ。💕

    その上、プエルトリコで沢山アメリカから来た言葉があるからあちこち言い回しも違います。プエルトリコで「popcorn」の言葉を使うけど、あんまり食べないのに、メキシコで「palomillas」を使う。ただ、「palomillas」の意味はプエルトリコで全然違う。日本語でこの言葉まだ分からないけど、「palomillas」という意味は「常に公園でいる鳥」ということだ。
    ある友達といた時、私に「palomillasを食べたい?」を問って、「あれ?鳥食べるなの?」を考えて「んん。ちょっと、食べなくてもいい」と答えた。そんな返事と言ったのに友達は見せてくれた。「あああああー!そんなやつ❗️」と言って理解出来た。鳥じゃなくて、ポッポコーンだね。

    パナマから人に会って面白い思い出を思い出せる。ある日「たまごにチンコあるよ!!!」声を上げた。確かに皆さんが変な事だと思ったでしょ?!それで、パナマ人はある人に見せてあげて、その後理解出来た。パナマで「チンコ」という意味は「チンコ」じゃなくて、「虫けら」ということだが、プエルトリコで違う言葉を使う。それで、誤解を上げれる。

     さて、スペイン語は国によって違い、意味も異なる。気をつけてね。(^.^)✨✨




Bananas

Day: ③日⑤月②⓪①④年

    I'm reading, "Found in Translation: How Languages Shape our Lives and Transforms the World" by Nataly Kelly and Jost Zetzsche. 

    Some sections are interesting while others are boring to me. But when it started to mention McDonalds and their different menus across the world, I became envious of what is offered in Brazil and France. I wanna eat the banana pie crust thingy!!!!!! I never liked apple pies. I mean they taste good but I prefer BANANAS. 

    I was talking with my volunteer coworker yesterday about platanos (plantains in English), and how in Brazilian bbq restaurants they serve this friend banana with cinamon and sugar and it's just love in my mouth. So we started talking about all these dishes that had to do with bananas and learned that she loves bananas the same way I do. I told her my bf's mom and sis thought it was funny how many bananas I ate, and she told me how people usually called her monkey (for the same reason). I was thinking in my head, " hmmmm. we should make like . . . a monkey team!".

    So that's my story. Watch out for our monkey team in the future! We will rule the world with bananas. Muahahaha!

    Also happy birthday bro! 💕*\(^o^)/*

01 5月 2014

明日の討論

ポストした日:1日5月2014年

 明日授業には討論する。トピックはこれ:

本文
① 越境文学と翻訳小説と何が違うのか。
     越境文学:文化に新しい言葉を伝える
     翻訳小説:新しい言葉を伝えなく、文化を通して説明するとか

         マンガ:マンガのコンセプトも新しいから、マンガは日本の文化と言い回しを紹介するのしゅだんだ。一方で、日本語から翻訳してるから、意味を変化した言い回しから隠せない。それで新しい言葉を伝えても、翻訳して意味をかわらざるを得ない。

 日本と関係ない物語を外国人作家が日本語で書くことに意味があるか。


読んだ後で
 ① 「広く流通する新しい言葉」と「ただ新しいだけの言葉」の違いは何か。
 ② 「言葉の揺れ」「言葉の変化」は歓迎すべきことか。

新しい文法 
~ (Verb - ない) + ざるを得ない = have no choice but to ~

彼に確認してみよう。Let's Confirm Him Pt.1

翻訳してみよう:3

I'm still practicing, so there still may be some errors.
When I use this ---> ( blah blah ), it means it sounds better in English but it's not said in Japanese because it is already implied. Just like Spanish, Japanese is a high culture language that implies a lot of shit.

Let's confirm/validate with him.

 恋愛相談を受けていて驚くことは、彼と付き合っていないのに、付き合っていると勘違いしている女性の多いことです。彼女達は、自分が彼にとって唯一の恋人で、将来を考えるパートナーの関係にあると思い込んでいます。これは恋愛においては深刻で、彼が思い通りにならずに苦しむ根本的な原因になります。 
 What is surprising and popular in love consultations are the large amount of women who misunderstand men even though they are going out with them. Women are under the impression that there is a connection between (us) being the only partner for our boyfriend, and the partner that thinks about the future. In love, this is serious and it becomes a fundamental cause for suffering from him not becoming the person we like.
 彼と付き合っていないのに、付き合っていると勘違いしている女性は、年齢や職業とは関係がないようです。一流企業でバリバリと働いていても、アラフォーでも、男性に遊ばれていてそれに気付いていない女性を何人も知っています。一方で、そのような女性に共通する特徴は、恋愛経験が少なく、男性の言葉を鵜呑みにするお人好しが多いということでしょう。
 There seems to be no relation with age and occupation when it comes to women who, even though they are not dating, they guess incorrectly that they are dating. Everyone knows a woman who is having a fun time with a man and, moreover, doesn't notice it, even if they are around 40 years old and even if they are working hard at a top company. On the other hand, a common feature of that sort of woman is not that she has little experience in love, but isn't it a the thing of a kind-hearted person who swallows the words of men?

今回は、この問題について考え、その対処法を教えします。
                          Now, while thinking about this problem, I will teach you a coping method.
まず、彼との関係が次のような場合でも、付き合っていないことがあります。
First, even in the next sort of situation where you are in a relationship with a guy, there are times when you are not dating.
1.凄く優しくしてくれる。
    He is immensely sweet.
2.特別扱いしてくれる。
    He treats you special.
3.毎日何度もメールのやりとりや電話をしている。
    He calls and exchanges letters back and forth many times everyday.
4.彼の家に出入りしていて、彼の家の鍵も持っている。
    You (have access to) go in and out of his house, and also have a key to his house.
5.恒常的に彼と体の関係を持っている
    Constantly having a connection between him and his physique
6.毎週のように、遊園地や旅行など、きちんとしたデートをしている。
    Almost every week, you go on real dates such as to the amusement park or (go on) a travel date.
7.彼に「大好き」「大切な人」と言われている。
    He says "I like you", and "(You are an) important person (to me)".

27 4月 2014

Interac Part 2

ポストした日:27日4月2014年

    So the interview/info. session was yesterday. It was all pretty good. I actually messed up on a part that I didn't think I was going to mess up on. (I forgot to introduce what my map was about.) But I did remember to use my one piece image to make the map more interesting.
    So here is how it went:

    I arrive there around 8:05 am.
    I take a 15 minute nap on the car because I'm exhausted!
    I wake up, walk to the hotel where the session was being held, and realize that I forgot to take the pre-interview questions with me. (I left them on the kitchen table.) So I enter the room where we are suppose to be. (I asked the receptionist lady where it was.)
    I go back downstairs to the same receptionist and ask her if there is a way for me to print out a paper.
    She gives me a door key, and I realize it's a room with computers. I quickly post the URL for the PDF file on my facebook, print it, go back to the room, fill it out and give it to the person in charge (Beth).

    A note about Beth: She makes you feel more comfortable and knows what she is doing. Also it's easy to ask her questions. Blonde. Makes jokes.

    So the 2 hour info. session begins, and this is the portion where I was a bit dissatisfied. When she told us that many of their fall spots have been filled already, so we may be starting in April of next year, that is when my heart dropped a bit. . . . ok a LOT. I have heard of this somewhere else before (here specifically) about a person who found out she was given an offer but it would start the next term. When she told us this I was wondering if this happens with the company a lot. I'm not in a rush, but I would have liked to know the probability of starting out in Fall verses Spring.

    With that in mind, I'm still looking for other places. I prefer elementary or junior high school level at the moment, but teaching at an eikaiwakan is fine also. As long as I have a steady income, benefits, and guidance with certain life aspects (finding a place to live, cellphone, bank account, etc).

    After the session we took a quick 5 minute bathroom break. I seriously needed to go! Jajaja. .

    Came back and started our grammar quiz. It has a spell check portion, (I forgot if it was seperate or separate. But I was pretty sure it was separate at the moment), a insert-periods-and-commas-portion, it asked if the sentences were active or passive (I had no idea what this was. . .but neither did another person), another section where you had to circle which phrase or word was wrong in the sentence, circle the right verb that belongs in the blank (very easy), and that was pretty much it.

    Started on demo part.
    I was 5th to go, and it is true that you are doing it in front of other people, but the groups are always fairly small so it's not intimidating. I personally got nervous because I felt I had lack of practice and I just always get nervous before the start of anything. (Although this doesn't stop me from doing it.)

    There were 3 people there who already had some teaching experience (one did an internship, one did JET, and another did Interac so this was their second time applying). The rest of us were either graduating soon or had already graduated but the teaching experience was all the same.

    After this we took breaks. Me and 3 other people were the last to go for our one-on-one interviews, so we went to go have lunch together. Some people had to go early because of flight or bus arrangements.
    This was a fun part for me because we could share our Japan stories that our friends are probably sick of hearing. Plus these are people that have more or less the same interests as you (teaching, traveling, japan, etc), so you can talk about things that your usual posy doesn't really care about.

    The interview session was just like any other interview. She does ask what are your strengths and weaknesses, and preference for where you want to be located.
    I told her I have family that lives in the middle of mountains, but I haven't lived in such a rural place where I have to ride a bike just to go to a supermarket. So I told her, urban is more my style. As long as I am close to transportation where I can be mobile, 30 - 1 hour away from a big city, and a village that has more than 1,000 people, I will be ok. I like cities but I also like quietness, so something in the middle. Kyoto kinda embodies that idea (quiet but also city-like). I did say I was open to other suggestions, and that I was flexible.

    From what I heard based on talking with other people that day, she kinda directs the questions based on what you project. I know there was this one guy who we learned (plus he told us), that he has never lived that far away from his mother and was too chicken to try stuff other than american food when he was in Japan (he didn't really do anything culturally significant either; just kinda went with the flow of things), is a bit too safe to try new adventures, and was very specific on his preferences (like having amenities and transportation at least 30 minutes from where he lived, and a cold place).
    Even I kind of questioned why he was even applying for teaching jobs. . . . I'm not sure.

    Anyways, I would make sure to practice for your demo lesson in front of other people; friends, family, whatever and try to get some feedback. It is pretty common to have to speed things up when you are nervous. She even started all over again for one guy because he was going way too fast. A lot of people did their self-introductions in both Japanese and English (to show whatever Japanese ability they had). I just did mine all in Japanese. The self-introduction part is for the people who will be watching the video (business-lvl people), so that is the person I kept in mind. You can do whatever you want with it though.

    I think all of us except 2 people did the directions demo lesson. I do know that I have to work on my speaking level. I was told to raise my voice but apparently there was no change. . . . I thought I raised my voice but I guess not. (>   3  >)''

    So that's all I have for now. I should get a reply from the 3-4 weeks from now. I like this company, but I don't necessarily want to wait all the way 'till April. . . . I might as well apply for JET. I will be looking at other places. I already sent my application to Gaba (but they are not my first choice at the moment, simply because there is the issue of building up your customer base and finding a place on your own; which is hard. . .), and already beginning other ones.
    In any case, I can accept a placement with Interac and see what happens with other offers. . . You never know, maybe Interac can place me in their Fall openings, maybe not. . .

    

Preparing for Interac Interview/Info Session

ポストの日:24日4月2014年


    Did you see the post date? April 24! In 2 days now (April 26) I will officially have my interview with Interac, and I'm not nervous as I was 2 days ago but still that nervousness lingers. It's a combination of wanting to do well, not wanting to screw things up, and making a good impression. I have already bought (just 1) working attire that I will use for my interview. (Your basic black pants, black flats, white blouse, black jacket) Actually my flats do have bows on them (also black) so I hope that is not a problem. I mean these are feet we are talking about here.

    So I have decided what to do for my task 3 (the elementary demo lesson), which is actually the part I was most nervous about because I do want to teach at this level. Although any level is fine. Even if it's adults, I'll be happy. I'll be doing the "Simon Says. . ." game with body parts and make some flashcards (with pictures) of body parts. Essentially we have to review these words first, for whatever lesson we choose, and then go through the game. MAKE SURE THE GAME WORKS!!!!
    I actually just explained this game to the BF on LINE, and he thought it would be a good idea for younger kids. I also asked a friend and received the same comment.
    So at the moment I am in the mist of creating/drawing flashcards of body parts.

    For the high school intermediate level lesson, I chose directions. Like, "DIRECTIONS - WHERE IS THE TREASURE?". I got this idea from talking with one of my professors yesterday (近松先生). And then I thought it would be great if I could find some pictures from One Piece. I'll have to write down some sample sentences/questions on the board but that's pretty easy. Like,

          Go straight _____ blocks.
          Turn left/right.

    The interview part I'm not nervous at all about it, although I have heard some things from people where they actually leave later than their intended date. I hope that doesn't happen to me. I have also heard some pretty tough words that people will be tested on (for the grammar test they give you), such as "twelfth". I didn't even know how to spell that until someone talked about it (regarding their Interac interview process). I don't have too much confidence on my spelling ability, so I want to practice as much as I can.

    Other things I've heard =

  1. be energetic and cheerful when giving your demo lessons
  2. demo lessons will be performed in front of the other interviewees (so they will act as your students)
  3. they provide a relaxing atmosphere when the day starts so you feel a bit more relaxed
  4. the info session can be quite long but does cover anything and everything (なんでもかんでも)about what you need to know
  5. you'll have a lunch break
  6. some people make new friends/contacts on this day
  7. be prepared and practice your timing. PRACTICE! ! ! ! !
         I'm gonna videotape myself. This is something I did when I took a speech class, but I'll see how "happy" I look, and practice on my timing.

    To go back and explain a little, I initially applied for this company around February (I think). Around that time I had my phone interview, and some information sent to me via emails. Not long after they told me the date for the information session which is super close to O'Hare Airport (at least for this information session - Chicago). Then I went to Saitama in beginning of April and came back more confident in the choice I had made (to move to Japan). 

    Of course I was a little nervous for the phone interview just because I haven't done interviews in a while, but I'm confident to say that they are all pretty standard and once you have done one, you can do pretty much all of them.

    Tomorrow will be Friday so I will be busy doing other things (volunteer work and an event to ask people questions about jobs in Japan. Although the event one I'll just be there briefly because I have to go back home and prepare for Saturday). I live 1 hour away from my school (using shitty public transportation), so I don't want to be at this event too late. Also, I get hungry . . .

    Will post more about the interview after it happens. ^^


17 4月 2014

Names : 論文

17日 . 4月 . 2014年
20時っぽい

     When I first starting having Chinese friends (hmmm. . . basically when I first moved to US), there was the realization that Chinese people have English names. At first I didn't think anything about it. Once I had more friends and met more people, I learned this was their second name. In other words, they change their names.

     It's not a strange thing. Their reason is, "because it's easier for Americans to pronounce an English name".

     After talking with one of my friends (who uses an American name for Facebook), he explained to me how more and more Chinese people are wanting English names because this shows they have higher status; they are more distinguishable in companies, work, etc.

     Then I provided the 'Puerto Rican' view on this phenomenon:

     We (Puerto Ricans) have a lot of pride on our names. Even in Puerto Rico, no 1 person has the same name. At least not the same combination. Of course there are many common last names and first names, but combination is what sets people apart. For us this is a good thing for many reasons.

  1. We can brag about how long our names are. The longer = the cooler you look = the better.
  2. We can explain how we obtained our names, as well as explain all the nicknames we are given.*
  3. When we do find someone with one name that is the same (whether it is a first name, middle name or last name), we can casually joke about our lineages.
    The system is as such:
     Everyone has a first name, and almost everyone has a middle name (there are some people who don't have middle names). After this comes two last names. The first last name is your fathers' last name, and the second last name is your mothers' last name. For example;

     my mothers' name is: Naida Melendez Grei.
     my fathers' name is: Joaquin Campos Freijo.

     So when I was born my mother gave me my first and middle name, and then I received " Campos Melendez " as my last name.** Culturally this is the norm.

     Notice how, even though we receive the fathers' last name first, I mentioned the male second and my mother was the one to give me my first two names. The reason for this is because we value women much more than men. I truly believe that after my experiences abroad (countries outside of Puerto Rico), that Puerto Rico is one of the few places that is very maternal and not paternal in our way of thinking. The role of men is of course understood by everyone, but it is not idealized or magnified as much as women.

     In essence, the woman is the almighty powerful figure that should not be messed with. She does not ask for respect, she demands it. She is a strong person who knows what she wants. While she may know her own strengths, she does not need to use all her strength all the time to get what she wants. She can use her knowledge of manipulation and education, as well as her softness to make others feel good about themselves. 
     Males have delicate egos, and thus need to be nurtured. This woman knows she is strong, but she doesn't need to be strong. The thinking behind this is as follows; a woman who knows when to hold back is powerful in itself, and therefore treated as a king. In other words, the woman will make the man feel good about himself; make him useful to her. Maybe he is more physically stronger her so she lets him do all the physical work. In return the man feels like he is needed and feels good about himself, and because he feels good he will treat her like she is the freakin' goddess walking on water.

     As mentioned earlier, we brag about how long our names are. I used to have a friend whose mother gave her at least 4 different middle names (to what I can recall), and that made me envious. The reason is purely simple: everyone wants a long name. With a longer name, you have more to explain; you have more history and more stories to tell (as well as jokes).

     This is also the time when we can find similarities in our names, and try to see if we can trace back our family history in order to find that one person we have in common. Of course, this task is difficult in itself, but it's still fun to try and imagine.

    So how does this all relate to changing names? Well, the reality is, is that Puerto Ricans don't change their names. We have a lot of pride in our own names, not only because it gives us a small sense of individuality but we can also feel pride in our own ancestry. Secondly, we view our names as something our parents (usually the mother) give us. So it's important to keep this name in respect to our parents (mother), and should be treated as a present. In other words, a lifelong present.
     Seriously, one of those presents that you are grateful for but you literally will take it to your death.

     It is also a name in which we grow with and thus create an image and a personality behind this name. Have you ever had that instance where someone calls you by a different name (maybe as a mistake or an insult), and you were thinking, "wait a second, THAT is not ME"? This is because we associate our personalities with the name that is given to us.

     Another instance where we don't change our names is in marriage. Women don't change their names. Men don't change their names. You have the choice to ADD ON to your name, although it is unspeakable for only the woman to change her name simply because she is getting married. 
     Really? What's the reason behind that? 
     It's just a marriage. You're not running and hiding from the government.

     There was once where an American teacher of mine asked me, "what is your mothers' maiden name?". I just stared at her with this blank face. I had no idea what she meant but I tried to understand her. I figured, "maiden" kind of sounds like "middle", so maybe she is asking about her middle name. 
     "She doesn't have one," I said.
     Then SHE was the one with a blank and confused face. Then she explained to me, 
     "No no. The name your mother had before she got married".

     In my head I was thinking, "why would my mother do THAT?", but I just told her she had the same name. And that is when I began to ask myself, "do American women change their name when they marry?". It's just something that is not even thinkable. Think of it this way: if we are not offered an option, we don't think about it. In a way it is like this. We don't think about it since it's not in our culture.
     Of course now I am more aware that the world is not just Puerto Rico but it's a WHOLE lot bigger with people who do TOTALLY different things from what I do (whether I agree with it or not). There is a lot to learn right? So, to this day I always ask questions regarding culture. I always ask my friends (I wont say "my foreign friends" since I am also considered a "foreigner") if people (not being specific to women or men) change their names when they get married. How people are named. What is the order of names (Is it the last name that goes first, or what other possibilities are out there.) 
     The list continues.

     So the idea of changing my name because it is easier for someone else to say it is just silly. From my perspective, if they can't pronounce my name this is their issue that they will have to overcome. I will teach them how to say my name in the beginning, but as I have learned, EVERYBODY miss-pronounces my name (especially everything that is not my first name).*** I have learned not to expect anyone to pronounce my name correctly, unless they are a spanish speaker. Otherwise I will let everyone say it their own way. 

     If they become my best friend or someone who is closer than an acquaintance that I just say "hi" to, then I will make more effort to teach them how to say it because it is important to me. In order for us to become close friends, we need to know certain things right? Other than that, people can miss-pronounce my name all the time and it's not going to bother me. We all have different native languages, different dialects, different accents even. So it is natural to say the same word in many different ways. 

     It is not about saying a name the 'right' or 'wrong' way, it's about accepting people's differences. I'm always captivated by the Australian accent. Sometimes I think the English (UK) accent is cool, and other times it just bores me. There are some English accents from norther European countries or even the North part of UK that I just don't understand, so I have to ask "what?" a lot of times. The French accent on English sounds very sexy (I'm not sure why). And an Italian accent (on English) is like talking to someone who is always worrying or persuading you to do something. Jajaja. Then there is the Chinese accent on English, where short words (like "bar") are made even shorter.

     With this in mind I believe it's OK to make "mistakes" or "errors". Actually they are necessary for us to make improvements. So a change in our name is not necessary, it is only making it a convenience for others and thus these "others" are not given the change to expand their knowledge nor even learn, make mistakes or improve. By not changing our personal names, we are encouraging international exchange and understanding which is important in our current world.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* We use nicknames for everyone that we know, and for every type of relationship. For example a family to family relationship, a family to friend relationship, an elder to younger relationship, a coworker to coworker relationship, etc. These nicknames signify the closeness of our relationship to that person. (This does not necessarily mean that it is a romantic relationship, only that you are closer to that person.) 

** It is mandatory that the biological father of the child has to be present and has to claim their biological lineage to their child once that child is born. If the father choses not to recognize his child, the child will not have a birth certificate. By law, it is mandated by everyone to have a birth certificate. In other words, either he (the father says yes) or no one is leaving the hospital. Seriously, I'm not joking. This is why we don't have the culture of fatherless children, and thus do not have the word "bastard", since everyone does have a mother and father. 

*** My mom gave me an English first name because it is a name that is not common in Puerto Rico. I was pretty happy with it. It didn't bother me at all Although once we moved to US, I soon realized that this is an EXTREMELY common first name. Many times I had classes with 3 of 4 other girls who had the same name, and it becomes annoying.

**** Here is an article from an undergraduate student regarding Chinese name changes: http://japansociology.com/2013/12/30/globalization-of-names/


Comment

HTML Comment Box is loading comments...