November 30th Class Number 8 Weddings

1.Since Japanese weddings are expensive, do you think having a massive wedding like Korea or UAE is a good idea? Why?
I disagree it, because wedding is a time for celebrating two people. I know, sometimes having a massive party in Japan but it is only two or three gorps. Japanese style is expensive. And I would like to spend a lot of money for marriage travel rather than for wedding. Or I want to have it in a foreign location.

2. What do you think about eloping? Is it a good idea or romantic? Why?
I disagree it. I think it is bad idea and not romantic, because it makes my parents sad and confused. So I would like to get married after my parents allow me.

3. Have you ever thought about having a wedding in a foreign location like Hawaii? Would you do it? Why?Or Why not?
Yes, I would like to have a wedding in phi phi Island or England. In phi phi Island, blue sea, tropical plants and white sands is so beautiful!!! After wedding,I want to hold a party on the sea. In England, I would like to have a wedding in an old castle. It's so romantic!!! But it just my dream.

4.What is your ideal wedding?
In my opinion,wedding is a ceremony for starting new life. And it is a opportunity keeping promise and vowing eternal love. So it doesn't matter that the ceremony is big weather not, I think...

5.What would you definitely do, wear or go to on that big day? Why is that important?
Wedding is big big day for them, but I think that we don't need to celebrate very grandly. I wear dress, and then would like to hold a small home party. In this party, I want to invite my family and a few friends. After wedding, I and my partner would like to go the marriage travel.

6. Have you ever been to a foreigner's wedding? What was your impression?
Sorry. I have ever been to a foreigner's wedding, but I would like to participation someday.

November 16th Class Number 7 Superstitions

1.Do you think it is important to talk about superstitions in cross culture communication class? Why?
Yes, because it is different Japan and other countries. For example, a black cat is the symbol of misfortune in Japan, but it have a opposite meaning in Egypt. It is a cross culture!! And I was interested in it in this class.

2.Is communication affected by superstitions?
I don't think so. Because we do not talk about superstitions in every life. And if I happend met that opportunity, I remember it. If the superstitions affect communication, we can have a good relationship. I think the superstitions is one of a culture. So there is no correct or incorrect.

November 9th Class Number6 Time

1. Please explain a time proverb in your culture.
In my culture, a time proverb is known a lot of people, but a few people use in conversation. I think that it is a part of knowledge.

2. What do the following proverbs mean:

a. Time is money.
We say that 「時は金なり」 in Japanese. It means that we don't have to waste of time when we do something. Because time have value equal with money. This time proverb is changing of "Time is Precious".


b. A stitch in time saves nine.
We say that 「時を得た一針は九針を節約する」 in Japanese. It means that we had done anything ahead of time, we could prevent big misfortune. Some people say that it can paraphrase as "A stitch of today saves nine of tomorrow." In Japanese,we say that「今日の一針明日の九針」.

c. There's no time like the present.d.Let's meet at 4. If I'm not there by 5, leave without me at 6, and I'll be there at 7.
I've never hard before it , so I researched it by Internet. However I couldn't find good explains. And then I'd thought myself. In my opinion, it maybe means that let's meet later if I 'm not there on time, so you can go anywhere until we meet again.

d. There's no time like the present.
We say that 「思い立ったが吉日」in Japanese. It mean that now is very important in most valuable time for us. I think that "time" means good opportunity or chance.

e. Fashionable late.
It means that it we should visit house about 15 minutes later of program when we invited someone. Because it is manner to come house 15minutes later in America. Because in Japan, it is manner going to house on time when I am invited someone.

October 26th Friends

1. I will never discuss about religion with friend, I think.
2. Yes, because she have a child. She has been thinking of her child at first EVERYDAY.
And she go to infant school, go to park to play, read some picture books etc.....
We are same age but our life style is quite different.

October 19th Language of clothes

1. Because there are a lot of magazines for fashion, and we can see designers clothes by ease.
2. Wearing is important to express myself. Fashionable clothes makes us happy!!
3. It mean that we have to look the person's inner side.
4. We sometimes judge people in good-looking, and good-clothes but it is strange things.
And we can not understand essential things without talking and communication with each other.
So we have to have a skill to discern what important things is.
5. Yes, I think so. If other people from another country can not speak Japanese, we are only able to judge by clothing.
6. Now....I am wearing a red skirt, white T-shirt and brown tights.
My fashion is really reflect my mood. I wear bright color clothes when I am happy.
The other hands when I am sad and tired, it become dark color one.

October 5th Death and Funerals

1. I agree with some of site's description.

Although wrapping is able to keep food freshness, it is too much....I think.

And it is a waste of natural resource. I also wrap a present when I give someone for special day like Birthday.

Wrapping can make someone happy if we use effectively, I think!!

2. I think that I goes to next stage of life when I die.

In my opinion, even though my body disappear from the world, the soul will not be missing.

3. Because it is for remembering and yearning for that person.

We gather and talk about him. In addition, it is important for us to have opportunity like it for keeping good relationship with their relative.

4. Yes, I have. And it is very difficult for me to express my condolences in English.

If I faced a scene like this, I would be not able to put a sadness into my words.

I probably just cry.

5. No, I haven't ever been to a foreign funeral

If you ware working for the UN.....

If you ware working for the UN, whichi job would like to do using your English abilities? Why?

If I could work for the UN, I would like to do usuing my English abilities for peace activity. I think that maintenance of peace activity is important for us. All over the world, there is many children who suffer roverty because of the war and incident. So I would like to help something in my own way by using my English abilities.

Working with different cultures

If I work in other country, I want to go to New Zealand. Because I am interested in Kiwi style.
It is a life style that we avoid revolving round work and treasure the time with family and then enjoy living in the countryside.
So the work is completely finished by 5 o'clock. In addition, we can rest and relax every weekend.
I think that it is important for us to make a occasion that we spend time for ourself.
And I like this system that I can keep my private life and professional life steadily.
It is my ideal life!!!

My pie chart of ideal partner's characteristics

This is pie chart of my ideal partner's characteristics.
I think that sense of value is most important thing. If I and my partner have different sense of value, I might not spend many time with him, and it makes me feel tired.
And hobby is also important for me. For example, going a trp is one of my hobby, and I usually go somewhere when I hove a vacation. So I think that a person who likes to go on a trip is better. But it is just my ideal, I will go on a trip with my friends if he do not like to do so.
Certainly other characteristics that is job, looks and car is important things for me, but I think these characteristics can be changed. And I consider that the essence of a person cannot change.

Class #7 Feelings, emotions and facial expressions

1.Are feelings, emotions and facial expressions universal across borders, happy, sad, etc..?
I think so.
The smile is universal expression, and it is important to keep good relationship with other country people.

2. Try to name as many feelings as possible in Japanese. ( 10 minimum) Then, write the English translation.
①幸せ・・・happy 　　　　　②悲しい・・・sad 　 　　　③嬉しい・・・glad
④楽しい・・・pleasant 　　⑤退屈・・・boring 　　　　⑥安心する・・・relieve
⑦後悔する・・・regret 　　⑧心配する・・・worry 　⑨イライラする・・・ annoying
⑩興奮する・・・exciting 　⑪好き・・・like 　　　　　　⑫憂鬱な・・・gloomy　　　

⑬ドキドキする・・・beat 　　⑭がっかりする・・・・・・disappointed

3. Are there any feelings in Japanese that cannot be translated into English?
Yes,I think so.
It is difficult to translate subtle shades of meaning.

Class #6 Greetings

1. How do you greet members of your family?
I greet member of my family in not formal way.

2. How do you greet people that are important in society?
I bow politely and make a smile.

3. Do you greet people from the opposite sex in a different way?
No, I do not.

4. Do you hug anyone? If yes, who and when. If no, why not.

I do not hug people when I greet, because I do not have a habit like this.

Class #4 About Greeting

I think that there are many ways of greeting in my life. When I greet people, I usually say "Ohayou" and smile, or just say "Ohayou", bow, wave my hands and so on. And I consider that how to greet is depend on my relationship, situation. I greet more political when I greet senior people, member of part-time job and people who I do not know. The other hands, I greet more familiar when I meet friends. Also, I do not touch people when I talk to them. But I do not know why I do so. I think it is the national character of Japanese.

Class #3 My Buddhism

I thougth about Buddhism of my daily life. I wrote 5 examples and explained why I think so.

1. Before I eat something, I say "Itadakimasu". It is for giving thanks to food, nature, our parents and people who made it.
2. I visit a grave about 5 times a year for accounting of my daily life.
3. When someone die, we perform the last offices. It is for hoping someones soul rest in Heaven.
4. I have the Bon Festival. When this term, I make an offering to Buddhist memorial tablet for greeting our ancestry soul.
5. I have a Syobu bath every 5th may. The stem and leaf of iris is put in the bath, and wish our health.

Class #2 Cross Culture Article

In Australia, the man faces up to life imprisonment on trial March 18. His Charges is what he imprisoned his daughter for 24years and negligent homicide. It was counted for his daughter’s heart-wrenching testimony.
I think that this case is so serious and he caused his daughter extensive damege on her mind. So I consider the man like this is liable to deathe penalty, but it is impossible in Australia. Because there is no death penalty. It was abbolished for all 1985. Japanese thinking is defferent from Austrarian. It is cross culture between Japanese and Austraian people.

Shukan ST: MARCH 27, 2009
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/shukan-st/