SunFloweR

Friendship Essay

2006-12-14T20:59:00.000-08:00

Friendship Essay

Friendship is very different from Japan and the United States. White’s comment and information in her book was somewhat out of date for both high school students in both countries however, her idea that Japanese students trying hard to be like others has not changed. It is normal for Japanese student to be in a group where you cannot express yourself and feel uncomfortable. I know everyone has felt this way once in a lifetime but still once you are in a group either you lose friend to be yourself or forget about your individuality and act out for your own safety.
I felt a very big cultural difference when I came back to Japan in 5th grade. In the US I never thought about fitting in with others since I was different already of having a totally different culture from everyone else. I new I was different from my white friends but I felt comfortable that way. However, when I entered Japanese elementary school everyone asked me which Jonny’s Junior boy I liked. I had no clue what they were talking about and I felt like an outsider. I told my mother about that and she taught me and took me to places where I can watch videos about them. I understood that my mother was trying to help me fit in but I could not understand why she was doing that. But now I know that she was afraid that I might be left out from a group. Therefore I noticed that in Japan even the mothers worry about their child’s friendship.
As a result, friendship is a very difficult issue to the Japanese where on the other hand the US students enjoy themselves and find a group that you really feel comfortable in. I tend to think it in the US way since I like to have fun and enjoy myself more.

2006-12-14T20:57:00.000-08:00

2006-12-14T20:55:00.001-08:00

2006-12-14T20:55:00.000-08:00

Friendship essay

2006-12-14T20:50:00.000-08:00

SCHOOL ESSAY and MATERIAL CHILD

2006-11-30T03:43:00.001-08:00

FINALLY IM FREE FROM CHEERLEADING!!!!!!!
there were so many events this month and I hardly had anytime to attend classes... BUT from tomorrow Im going back to my normal schedule.
Well, before I go to school Im going to update my blog with 2 essays that I have procrastinated for so long.....

CHAPT. 4 SCHOOL

Schools differ in a lot of ways in Japan and the US. I have attended both schools from elementary school to high school but everytime my environment changes I feel this cultural difference that confuses me. Japanese school forces you to study and follow strict rules and have few freedom while in the US schools they teach how to be independent and social. They are both very opposite education policy but I like both ideas. I like how in the Japanese education you can only focus on studying since it was the only time in my life that I was forced by the school to study and follow strict rules. However, when I moved to the high school in the US, I was very surprised that I had so much time to spend on other extracurricular activities that I was interested in. My senior schedule started from7:00 in the morning and ended at 12:00 in the afternoon. After school I went home, had luch and went to volunteering or track practice, hang out, or got to work. I liked how I had time to spend time for myself and experience things that I can only experience in the US. THerefore I cannot choose which is good or bad since they have both advantages and disadvantages. I personally think I was lucky that I got to experience both environment!!!!

Chapter 5 Material Child

Im very sure that I was and I am still a material teen. I bet everyone has experienced of wanting or running after a popular trend somewhere in there life. I think it is normal to be a material child these days. There are advertisements of a product on TVs, and advertisements posters, and magazines everywhere. The more we see a product advertised the more it makes us want to have it. I noticed that JApanese tend to like to run after trends more than the Americans. I see people in same fasions and same hairstyles in skinny type boots everywhere when I go to Shinjuku. The magazines shows all sorts of same looking outfits. I think Japanese have an idea that it is better to look like others for there satisfaction. This I believe relate to the way Japanese think of fitting in society is better than going against it. Although Japanese have this idea, they run after trend without consciousness but naturally. It is hard to explain but we do not think about fitting in when following trends. This might be the same in the US but I have an idea that Americans are more independent and does not care about fitting in or not. I would like to ask the students in Colorado, do you care to fit in? Anyways, therefore, since Japanese run after trends a lot, companies put eyes on business that they want to sell thoroughly so that people will consume them. It is a good way to get business on the run but it sounds as if we are mechanical dolls that are controlled by the advertising business. ...

SCHOOL ESSAY and MATERIAL CHILD

2006-11-30T03:43:00.000-08:00

last week's essay!!!

2006-11-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

okay, I had a problem with my blog so I couldn't update my essay homework from last week and this week! but now its solved!!!

Family Essay:

Reading Chapter 3 in White’s book, in some parts I felt the book is out of date but, in most part I agreed with the way Japanese think about their families and siblings. Today, the family size or family environment have changed a lot since this book was published but still, Japanese have a strong original idea from the old days that is known to be “normal” in Japan. For example, Japanese have fixed ideas of how “normal” family should live, how each person should act one’s role inside the family and so on. Growing up in a Japanese household in the US confused me when I was young. My parents, especially my mother, put a lot of pressure to study both languages and I had to ask her if I can do something in every situation. However, my American friends were always able to decide on their own and their parents were very understanding. Even one little thing, such as what to have for dinner that day was on the child’s choice, where I was always given to eat. I thought it was very unfair but the more I revolt the more I was pressured. However, after reading this book, now I understand clearly that Western ideas toward the children are very different from that of the Japanese. Today, Japanese common sense is becoming more Americanized but conservative viewers think that parents are being too nice. I cannot decide whether which is better but I think it is a very interesting point that White has made. This book is very interesting because I can understand both the American and the Japanese cultural ideal differences that has distressed me when I was a child.

Tommmmmorrrrrrrow is Sat. IM going Shopping!!!!!!!>0

Everyone Come to the Baseball Game!!!!!

2006-10-12T07:42:00.000-07:00

hey~ what are you doing this weekend??!?!!!
Come cheer with us to the baseball game at Jingu baseball stadium!!!! If we win against Hosei Unv. then we'll become#1 in our league!!!! Baseball is so- different from the US here in Japan. We cheer a lot and theres noises everywhere. In the US, baseball is more of a quiet sports, I have the image of eating hot dogs and relaxing but no time to sit and enjoy your food in Japan!! We sing, we yell, we dance...etc.. just come!!!! youll love it!!!!
especially to the students abroad!!!! You'll totally feel the Waseda Spirit!!

ayako

My First BLOG!!!!(^o^)/

2006-10-06T06:54:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Nice meeting you all!!!!

I can't believe it's October already! Well school has started and Im a bit tired from the whole school stuff.... But I've met a lot of new students from all over the country and I like all my classes so far!!!
Its been raining a lot this week and Im pretty much sick of it.. My cheer practice was canceled due to the rain..(T0T) Hopefully it'll be nice tomorrow cuz I have Football game to cheer for. We've practiced a lot for this and Im so excited (^-^)/
Well. I have lots of HWs so I guess this is it for now!!!
I'll be waiting for comments from everyone!!!!

ayako