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Word Count

Total words: 12647

Post Counts

September/October: 20
November: 21
December: 31
January: 34

Book Reviews

Total so far: 28

Pod cast

Podcast Episodes: 11
Scripts: 11

Typing

Total so far: 16

Podcast episode: How Zebras Got Their Stripes

Please enjoy the story.

listen to ‘How Zebras Got Their Stripes’ on Audioboo

Podcast episode: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Please enjoy the story.

listen to ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’ on Audioboo

Podcast episode: SURVIVING a Tsunami

Please enjoy the story.

listen to ‘SURVIVING a Tsunami’ on Audioboo

Podcast episode: Village in the Snow

Please enjoy the story.

listen to ‘Village in the Snow’ on Audioboo

Podcast episode: A Monster Mistake

Please enjoy this story.

listen to ‘A Monster Mistake’ on Audioboo

Scripts: How Zebras Got Their Stripes

    Why does Zebras have had black stripes and Baboons have red bottoms?

12 words

Scripts: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

 Goldilocks is a naughty child. She went to the dangerous woods, then she came back her home. "I'll never, ever be naughty again" said Goldilocks. Why?

27 words

Scripts: SURVIVNG a Tsunami

   In December 2004, a tsunami hit many places in Indonesia. If a tsunami hit my town, what should we do?

21 words

Scripts: Village in the Snow

       The magic key began to glow. Then the key took the children to village in the snow. They played with snow, but came out bad boys. So the children exterminated.

31 words

Scripts: A Monster Mistake

   Grandmother wanted to play a joke on daughter, so  she made a imitation monster. Then everyone were surprised the monster, so Grandmother was famous person. 

28 words

The differences in communication between Japan and US "Conclusion"

     Conclusion　

I found the differences in communication between Japan and US through my experience and research. Also, my perception of American communication changed. Furthermore, I was able to reconfirm the facts about Japanese communication while also changing my general thoughts on how we communicate.  During my home stay I came across many positive variations of communicating, which I would like to continue using here in Japan, while using typical Japanese communication techniques, of course. However, I do believe we need to be less vague about how we really feel. Japanese people have the ability to conjecture other people’s thinking, and I think it is important to understand communication, so we should use the ability efficiently. I want to use the new American characteristics I learnt during my home stay to improve my communication with other foreigners and exchange students. To conclude, I believe people shouldn’t posess general stereotypes of how others communicate, especially if they are planning on communicating with other nationalities. And I think that I have to come together with many exchange students and take on a student studying abroad in my house. And in the future I want to go many abroad, then I want to communicate with many people. And I want to come back MN again and meet my host family, and learn more about US. Thank you. 

226 words

The differences in communication between Japan and US "In US"

      In US

Before leaving for Minnesota, I had an image of American communication. For example, Americans frequently communicate with those they do not know, they can be very talkative and confident, and they also use big gestures and over the top reactions. I also thought they often kissed and hugged each other. However, during my stay I discovered that these stereotypes weren’t all true.

During my first day I hesitantly introduced myself to my home stay family. However, my host sisters were not as I had imagined. This was a big shock. In addition to that my host sister and her boyfriend spoke openly amongst themselves whilst sat around the table. She also spent most of her day with her boyfriend, which was surprising to see. If I had a host sister I would limit the time I spent with my boyfriend out of respect. This is because I like to think I would be expected to be their first new friend. This next situation was a positive experience. One day I went to Duluth with my host parents. A girl I never knew approached me and said “Your one-piece is nice, I like it!” It was surprising to hear, but I was pleased. This type of situation rarely happens in Japan, so I believe that from now I should pay compliments to other people. My host parents were also incredibly kind people. As they realized my English wasn’t perfect, they began to speak more slowly and clearly so that I could understand. Contrary to my former beliefs, my host parents were very calm and serene people.

 Next is some research on American characteristics with communication. For example, when Americans negotiate or debate they use many expressions which suit the situation. Sometimes it could be as simple as a smile, but it changes according to the situation. They use these techniques skillfully in order to sway people’s minds on certain subjects. In addition to this, Americans use an abundant number of variations of words meaning ‘to agree’. For example, they use the words “I see”, “That’s right” and “Good idea” etc. To create a closer communication tie, they use these words whilst the speaker is talking. I think Japan should begin using more responsive words.    

378 words

The differences in communication between Japan and US "In Japan"

     In Japan 　

I researched certain words which are indicative of the common Japanese personality. For example I researched ‘conjecture’, ‘reserved’, ‘KY’, ‘indirect’, ’saving face’ and how the listener is the most important person.

 First, the word ‘KY’, which was first used in Vogue Japan. KY is the oppotsite of being able to conjecture. Simply put, it is the ability to read peoples mood and feelings in certain situations. It is said that many people in America follow an individualism type of society, whereas those is Asia prefer a groupism society. With this, it is important to consider other peoples feelings. In America, using American English can seem very direct. However, Japanese as a language is very vague and indirect in meaning. In Japan it is considered a good quality to be able to conjecture people’s moods. I believe we should speak what is on our minds; therefore we can understand each other. Those who can’t read others’ feelings often feel anxious and it can break down good Japanese communication and create a loss of generosity between the two. “Atmosphere of the place” means considering the feelings of those in the group or knowing the situation. “Conjecture the mood” criticizes individuals who cannot conjecture and assume that these people cannot socially interact with others. It is strange to have built a society where everyone has the same thoughts and beliefs.

 I carried out some research on unique Japanese communication. For example, Japanese often nod, whereas Americans do not.. The Japanese nod while talking, but Americans rarely nod at all. Japanese nodding gives a visual flow to a conversation. Consequently, Japanese very possibly have a strong tendency to give consent to the speaker. Other characteristics of Japanese communication include how Japanese use creative expressions and gestures during speech, they do not often state the truth and they’re vague in most expressions and gestures. 

314 words

The differences in communication between Japan and America "Introduction"

Introduction

This paper aims to compare the difference in communication between Japan and US. I had preconceived notions about how Americans communicated. I found they were truthful and blunt, and discovered other communication techniques when I visited Minnesota as part of my homestay program. And I could take an objective view of a matter of Japan as a result of staying US. Consequently, I came to realize the pros and cons of Japanese communication. The differences in communication between Japan and US will be shown below, grounded on experience and research.   

93 words

BR 2-28 How Zebras Got Their Stripes

    I read"How Zebras Got Their Stripes", so I will talk about the story. Long ago, there were a greedy baboon, a giraffe, an elephant and the very first zebra. Greedy baboon lived by a pond. He wanted the pond all to himself. But everyone was thirsty. One day a giraffe and a elephant went to pond, but baboon roared, so they fled. One day zebra walked up. Baboon roared, but zebra stamped his hoof. So few days latter, baboon got lots of sticks and lit a big fire. But zebra wasn't scared the fire, so he ran at baboon, he kicked out his legs. Baboon flew into air. The sticks landed on Zebra and Baboon landed on his bottom. So ever since then, Zebras have had black stripes and Baboons have red bottoms.

USBORNE FIRST READING. Retold by Lesley Sims. First published in 2009

146 words

BR 2-27 The Genie in the Bottle

    I read "The Genie in the Bottle", so I will talk about the story. There was a fisherman. He fishes everyday. One day, he thought the he could fish a big fish! But it was an old bottle. He pulled out the stopper and looked it. Suddenly, smoke poured out and BIG bad genie appeared. The fisherman was very surprised! The Genie wanted to eat the fisherman because he was very hungry. Then the fisherman stuffed the Genie into the old bottle and he pushed the stopper in hard.

USBORNE FIRST READING. Retold by Rosie Dickins. First published in 2009

100 words

BR 2-26 Goldilocks and the Three Bears

    I read "Goldilocks and the Three Bears", so I will tell you about the story. There was a family. The family's daughter is Goldilocks. Goldilocks is so naughty. So her mother, father and brother were always troubled her. One day, she went to the woods. There is so dangerous. Then, she found a pretty little cottage. She knocked on the door, but there was no answer. So she came into the house. She threw into confusion the house. For example, she ate the meal, broke the chair and she slept the bed. Then, three bears came back to the house. They were so surprised and angry. And they found Goldilocks sleeping on the little bear's bed. Goldilocks opened her mouth and screamed. She ran out of the house as fast as she could go. Then "I'll never, ever be naughty again" said Goldilocks.

USBORNE FIRST READING Series editor: Lesley Sims First published in 2007

154 words

Juppun ha Juubun Stats

April 16th: 100

September 24th: 135
October 22nd: 123

January 7th: 106
January 21st: 92

First 1: 100
Middle 2: 258
Last 2: 198

My speed went down a bit over the first semester, but rose during the final semester.

Saturday

I  went to lesson of Koto by car. I practice two pieces of music for February's concert. After that, I went to my aunt' house. I got some souvenir from my aunt. Because she went to Miyazaki these days. I got Nanjakorya daifuku, locally produced poultry, summer orange's cookies and mango pudding. Daifuku is a soft rice cake filled with sweet bean jam. Nanjakorya daifuku was a strange daifuku. I thought that the daifuku is a strawberry daifuku, but cherry tomato and cheese was covered. I was so surprised it!!

92 words