野菜・総菜を充実・韓国の化粧品も
Replenishment of vegetables and side dishes, even Korean cosmetics
コンビニエンスストアの売り上げが大きく伸びている。
Convenience store proceeds have greatly increased.
20日の日本フランチャイズチェーン協会の発表による、昨年の売上高は計8兆6769億円にのぼり、前年より8%増えた。
On the 20th, according to an announcement by the Japan Franchise Association, last years planed sales volume climbed to 8 trillion 676.9 billion yen , an increase of 8% when compared to the previous year.
野菜や総菜など女性向けの商品を増やし、店に呼び込んだ効果が出たようだ。
Increasing products such as vegetables and side dishes geared towards women, it seems the results a store planned on are actually happening.
川崎市の住民街にある、ローソン川崎神木本町4丁目店。
That store is the Lawson's convenience store in Kawasaki city's residential area.
19日午後4時過ぎ、客の大半は主婦だった。
On the 19th a little after 4pm, more than half of Lawson's convenience store customers were housewives.
「生鮮食品がなければ、店は立ちゆかないかも知れない」とオーナーの鈴木俊昭さん(30)は言う。
"If we didn't have fresh food products, we might not be able to keep the store running" says owner Suzuki Toshiaki.
店内には菓子や飲料だけでなく、ネギやホウレンソウ、小松菜、白菜など150円均一の野菜が数種類ならぶ。
Within the store, lined up on the shelves are not only candy and beverages but also several kinds of vegetables such as onions, spinach, Japanese mustard spinach and Chinese cabbage all around an average of 150 yen.
その隣の棚には卵や納豆、豆腐、空揚げ粉と並び、まるでスーパーだ。
On the next shelf over are eggs. natto (fermented beans) tofu and flour for deep frying which basically makes it a supermarket.
「野菜は利益は薄いが、一緒に加工食品や生鮮食品を買ってもらうきっかけになる。」と鈴木さんは言う。
"Vegetable profits are low but bought together with processed foods and fresh food products, profits will have an opportunity to grow" says Mr. Suzuki.
協会によると、コンビにーの店舗は増え続け、2011年末時点で4万4403店になった。
According to the previously mentioned Association, convenience store numbers have continued to increase and at the end of 2011 convenience stores reached a store count of 44,403.
客を呼び込める商圏の大きさを考えると、「採算がとれるのは5万店が限界」と言われ、それに近づいている。
When you think about the large marketing areas attracting customers it is said that "the limit on how much commercial profit one can take has a limit of 50,000 stores. Convenience stores are getting close.
だが、昨年のコンビにーの来店者数は前年より3.3%伸び、1人の客が使った金額も平均604円と4.7%増えた。
However, the number of times customers visited convenience stores last year, when compared to the previous year increased by 3.3%. Per customer, the average amount spent was 604 yen, a 4.7% increase.
拡大のカギを握るのが女性だ。
Women are the ones that made the key to that increase.
もともと、コンビにー客は7割が男性と言われてきた。
Originally, it was said that men made up 70% of convenience store customers.
それに対して、業界最大セブンーイレブンの幹部は「昨年、増えた客の7~8割は女性ではないか」と分析する。
In response to this, industry giant Seven Eleven's executive analyzes,"Last year, wasn't it women customers that increased by 7-80%"
セブンーイレブンはここ数年、主婦などを呼ぶ込もうと総菜や野菜、日用品の品ぞろえを増やしてきた。
For the past few years, Seven Eleven has been trying to attract housewives and make more available daily living products such as vegetables and side dishes.
それが東日本震災を機に起きた物不足の中でコンビにーを訪れた女性客に評価され、女性僧につながったとみる。
It seems that the increase in women is linked to the Great Kanto Earthquake. As products fell into shortage, convenience stores evaluated the number of women customers visiting.
野菜や総菜だけでなく、新商品で差をつけようという動きも出ている。
Not only increases in vegetable and side dishes, but there is also movement in increasing the number of new products.
ファミリーマートーは昨年秋から、1人暮らし女性向けに少量のおかずの販売に力を入れている。
Since the fall of last year, Family Mart has targeted single women and are putting energy into selling small portioned side dishes.
ミニスットプも昨年8月女性に人気の料理家、青山有紀さん監修の総菜やお弁当を売り出し、目標の2倍近い売上になった。
In August of last year, Mini Stop started selling Aoyama Yuki's compilation of side dishes and lunch box recipes and being very popular with women sales were nearly twice the target sales.
サークルKサンクスは昨年春から、韓国で人気の女性用化粧品ブランドを店内に置いている。
Since the spring of last year, Circle K Thanks have been putting popular Korean brand cosmetics in their stores.
同社は「おかげで化粧品が好調だ」と手応えを語る。
"Thanks to its implementation out stores, cosmetic sales are doing well"says store officials.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
銃とアメリカ
最近アメリカで想像がつかないほどの恐ろしい事件が起こってしまいました。コネチカット州にある小学校で狂った男性が入って銃で子供20人、大人6人を殺しました。アメリカは今悲しみでいっぱいで、このような恐ろしいことを防ぐために何をしたらいいのかという深刻な問題が話題になっている。こんなことは起こるべきではありません。銃は普通の生活に必要ではないと思っています。この深刻な問題を解決するにはある人々はもっと銃の立法を厳しくするべきだと考え、他の人は全員が持つべきだという考えもあります。
個人的な意見ですが、アメリカは日本の法律を模倣すべきだと思います。確かに「Right to bear arms」という条項はアメリカの憲法に書かれているが、それはその時代だから書かれたのだと思います。今警察以外に銃を持つ必要は全くないと思っています。普通の人に銃を持つことが許可されたら、こんなことが起こるに決まってるじゃないですか！
私は仕事のため、3月に日本に行く予定ですが、家族をこんな危ない国に残すのは心苦しいです。私はアメリカで生まれて今まで育っててきて、こんな恐ろしいことが起きたら「この国にいられない」と人生で初めて考えた。私は家族の安全を毎日一日に何度も絶え間なく考えます。
個人的な意見ですが、アメリカは日本の法律を模倣すべきだと思います。確かに「Right to bear arms」という条項はアメリカの憲法に書かれているが、それはその時代だから書かれたのだと思います。今警察以外に銃を持つ必要は全くないと思っています。普通の人に銃を持つことが許可されたら、こんなことが起こるに決まってるじゃないですか！
私は仕事のため、3月に日本に行く予定ですが、家族をこんな危ない国に残すのは心苦しいです。私はアメリカで生まれて今まで育っててきて、こんな恐ろしいことが起きたら「この国にいられない」と人生で初めて考えた。私は家族の安全を毎日一日に何度も絶え間なく考えます。
Monday, December 10, 2012
翻訳者
将来は、翻訳者になりたいんだ。経験がほとんどないけど夏にフリーランスで翻訳の仕事を試してみた。その経験で分かったことには、日本語から英語に変えることが私にとってより簡単だ。でもどちらかというと分からないことはまだいっぱいあって、今のレベルでJ-Eの翻訳はかなり時間かかって、逆の方(E-J)は今の知識では無理だと思う。
しかし、J-Eの翻訳仕事においては電子辞書があればなんとなくできるけど、もっと早くて、正しくしたいんだ。でも、それは経験のものだね。経験を積んで、たくさん英語に翻訳すれば上達するはずだね。今の練習は日本語の新聞記事を英語に翻訳して、私の個人ブログに乗せることだけど、仕事が始まったらそれをする時間がなくなる気がした。でも仕事は日本にあるから別の方法で練習できると思う。
とにかく、もっと練習して、経験を積むことしかできない！頑張らなきゃ～
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Skin Care
最近顔に少し吹き出物ができた。ストレスや食生活などの要因もあるけどスキンケア用品も少し変えてみようと思っている。
今使っているのは3点、「Neutrogena Skin ID」のクレンザーと「Neutrogena Skin ID」のにきび治療薬とプロアクティブのトナーだ。長期間そのアイテムを使っていたら、顔のにきびが消えたけど、最近就職活動のストレスがあって、また吹き出物ができやすくなってしまった。
彼氏が、お勧めの韓国の化粧品「The Face Shop: Clear Face Spot Treatment」を一つくれて、一週間使ってみたらいい感じだったから、そのシリーズを買おうと思っている。
私は脂性肌なので乾燥しすぎないように気をつけなければならない。今使っているのはにきびが治るし、顔がそんなに乾燥しないから好きだけど、飽きちゃったというか最近効かなくなっている感じだからそろそろ他のものに変えた方がいい気がしている。
仕事が見つかったら、彼氏のお勧めを試してみようと思う。
Friday, December 7, 2012
お正月
そろそろお正月だね！アメリカではお正月に「今年はダイエットをする」や「きちんと運動を毎日する」など「New Years Resolutions」を誓う。
誓ったら、一所懸命誓ったことを一年間でするはずだが途中でやめる人が多い。今年の私の「New Years Resolution」は、3月に日本に行って新しい仕事を始めたら、毎月三万円を貯めるということだ。「Student loans」という’ことが多いけどできる限りお金を貯めて、帰国してから十万円を貯めたい。
今年の仕事は一年間の契約だけど、延長することができる。もしも、新しい仕事が好きだったら二年間日本に働こうと思っている。でも、その二年間の後、帰国してから何をするかさっぱり分からなくて、それがとても怖いんだ。将来には翻訳者になりたいけど、もっと学習する必要があって、大学院に行くお金は全然ないから仕事を通して経験を積むことしかできない。
とにかく、3月にある仕事を頑張って、お金を貯めて、1~2年間で帰国する予定だ。
誓ったら、一所懸命誓ったことを一年間でするはずだが途中でやめる人が多い。今年の私の「New Years Resolution」は、3月に日本に行って新しい仕事を始めたら、毎月三万円を貯めるということだ。「Student loans」という’ことが多いけどできる限りお金を貯めて、帰国してから十万円を貯めたい。
今年の仕事は一年間の契約だけど、延長することができる。もしも、新しい仕事が好きだったら二年間日本に働こうと思っている。でも、その二年間の後、帰国してから何をするかさっぱり分からなくて、それがとても怖いんだ。将来には翻訳者になりたいけど、もっと学習する必要があって、大学院に行くお金は全然ないから仕事を通して経験を積むことしかできない。
とにかく、3月にある仕事を頑張って、お金を貯めて、1~2年間で帰国する予定だ。
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Decision
Well, I have made a decision to go to Japan and take the Amity offer. All the jobs I've interviewed for here have been rejection after rejection...and to put it frankly, a job is better than no job so I decided to go. Plus I'll be able to gain more experience with my Japanese so I guess that's a plus. Being by myself will be a challenge but hopefully I'll be able to get myself busy and disciplined enough to save money and not go crazy. The offer is only for a year but I can extend it if given the opportunity to do so. Right now I'm just thinking about getting through the year and if I feel I can handle another year, then I'll stay for one more year before heading back to the US.
What's kind of scary for me though is coming back and trying to find a job over here again. I have had horrible luck thus far trying to find a job in the US and after I teach in Japan for one or two years...what am I going to do with my loan payments and everything else when I come back and don't have a job...I don't have money to go to graduate school...even though I know I need more training to become a translator like I want but the only thing I can do now is learn through work experience. However, most jobs don't want inexperienced people but people that actually know what they're doing ...so I'm kind of in a bind. Right now I'm just thinking about surviving the year and getting settled in to life in Japan but I can't help but think about what I'm going to do afterwards.
Maybe another one of my new years resolutions should be to pass the MVA drivers test and get my license before I go to Japan in March. Even though I know when I get back I won't have had enough driving experience to commute on my own...at least it'll be a little step to becoming more independent. In the meantime, I guess I have enough time to figure what I'm going to do when I get back to the states...plus in the time that I'm gone my dad might move to PA and have a different job so I might have to move out on my own and try to find a job that can sustain me and the loans I'm paying. Ah! Thinking about the future always makes my head hurt =(
What's kind of scary for me though is coming back and trying to find a job over here again. I have had horrible luck thus far trying to find a job in the US and after I teach in Japan for one or two years...what am I going to do with my loan payments and everything else when I come back and don't have a job...I don't have money to go to graduate school...even though I know I need more training to become a translator like I want but the only thing I can do now is learn through work experience. However, most jobs don't want inexperienced people but people that actually know what they're doing ...so I'm kind of in a bind. Right now I'm just thinking about surviving the year and getting settled in to life in Japan but I can't help but think about what I'm going to do afterwards.
Maybe another one of my new years resolutions should be to pass the MVA drivers test and get my license before I go to Japan in March. Even though I know when I get back I won't have had enough driving experience to commute on my own...at least it'll be a little step to becoming more independent. In the meantime, I guess I have enough time to figure what I'm going to do when I get back to the states...plus in the time that I'm gone my dad might move to PA and have a different job so I might have to move out on my own and try to find a job that can sustain me and the loans I'm paying. Ah! Thinking about the future always makes my head hurt =(
ロンドンハーツネットムービー
最近YouTubeで面白い動画を見つけた。ロンドンハーツという番組で、コメディの芸人が彼女がいた場合浮気するかどうか確かめるという番組だ。番組は三つの部分に分かれている。
最初は「マジックメール」という計画だ。「マジックメール」にホストが狙ったコメディの芸人にメールを送って、芸人は有名な美人だと思いながら返事をする。
次の計画は「アイドルトラップ」という計画だ。その計画においては、有名な女性がいてその女性は狙った芸人と恋に落ちたふりをする。
最後の計画は「悪魔三角関係」という計画だ。その計画には芸人の彼女が必要だ。それだ、トラップガールという女性がいて、もしも芸人がトラップガールに惚れちゃう場合、芸人の彼女はトラップガールの知り合いのふりをして、あるシナリオで三人で会う。
妹がこの番組を探し出したのだが、結構面白いので、暇だったらおすすめ～リンクは下記：
http://www.youtube.com/user/londonhearts
最初は「マジックメール」という計画だ。「マジックメール」にホストが狙ったコメディの芸人にメールを送って、芸人は有名な美人だと思いながら返事をする。
次の計画は「アイドルトラップ」という計画だ。その計画においては、有名な女性がいてその女性は狙った芸人と恋に落ちたふりをする。
最後の計画は「悪魔三角関係」という計画だ。その計画には芸人の彼女が必要だ。それだ、トラップガールという女性がいて、もしも芸人がトラップガールに惚れちゃう場合、芸人の彼女はトラップガールの知り合いのふりをして、あるシナリオで三人で会う。
妹がこの番組を探し出したのだが、結構面白いので、暇だったらおすすめ～リンクは下記：
http://www.youtube.com/user/londonhearts
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
アメリカの通勤
アメリカは日本と違って、車で通勤する。父も母もそうだけど私は大学の勉強が忙しくて運転免許を取る時間が全然なかった。卒業してから、運転コースを取ったが必須されたMotor Vehicle Association にある運転試験を受けるのは全然自信がないんだ。試験を受ける前に両親と練習しなければならないけど、二人は忙しくて教える時間がほとんどない。
アメリカで就職活動中だが、運転免許がなくて本当に不便だ！英語の先生通して3月に来日する。その間に派遣社員やバイトの仕事を探しているけど、車がないと困難な状況になる。
「Ride Share」や「Carpooling」ということがあるけど、他人のスケジュール、時間や場所などをあわせることが難しいから、もしも仕事を見つけた場合には適当な人を見つけて、「Ride Share」することはかなり時間かかりそうだ。しかし、DCで4時に終了する仕事があったら、父と通勤することができる。12月のはじめなので、適当な仕事が’あるかどうか熱心に探している。
アメリカで就職活動中だが、運転免許がなくて本当に不便だ！英語の先生通して3月に来日する。その間に派遣社員やバイトの仕事を探しているけど、車がないと困難な状況になる。
「Ride Share」や「Carpooling」ということがあるけど、他人のスケジュール、時間や場所などをあわせることが難しいから、もしも仕事を見つけた場合には適当な人を見つけて、「Ride Share」することはかなり時間かかりそうだ。しかし、DCで4時に終了する仕事があったら、父と通勤することができる。12月のはじめなので、適当な仕事が’あるかどうか熱心に探している。
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
恥ずかしくて犯しやすい間違い
どの外国語う習っても気をつけなければならないことがある。気をつけないと、恥ずかしい間違いが起こっちゃう！私はそういう間違いをしたことがある。
ある日、日本語の授業で戦国時代についての問題を答えていた。問題用紙で「どうして戦国時代から安土地桃山時代までヨーロッパの影響を強く受けるようになったか」という問題があって、私はテキストでの問題の答えを覚えていたので書いた答えを復習する必要がないと思った。
次の日先生が前の日に出した問題用紙を返してくれた。私はいい点を取ったが、先生が用紙にメッセージを書いてくれた。上に書いた問題に対して私はこう書いた。「キリスト教の布教やぼっきを目的で日本に訪れるようになったから。」先生から書いたメッセージには大笑いを示す字を書きながら、「ぼっきじゃなくてぼうえきだよ、笑わせてくれてありがとう！でも次回から気をつけましょう」って書かれた。
調べたところ、自分の間違いを理解してから本当に恥ずかしくなって次の日に先生と目をあわせることがまったくできなかった。または「これから気をつけましょう」ってこのことを通して身につけた。
このような失敗はもう一つある。
日本語を正式に習い始めるとき、「子供の時、何が一番好きでしたか」という質問を先生に聞かれた。「おやつが一番好きでした」と言いたかったが、日本語を習い始めてほんの3ヶ月だったので「Candy」の言葉を覚えてなくて「おなら」って言っちゃった。
何で私が「おやつ」のことを「おなら」って言ったか今でも分からないけど、先生が大笑いをしながら「えっと、どいうことですか。説明してくれない？英語でもいいから」って言った。
本当に言いたっかたのは「Candy」のことだと先生に説明して、先生に理解してもらった。
日本語を学ぶときにいろんな失敗や間違いをするけどその間違いを通して知識が少しずつ増えていく。だから間違うこと自体は役に立つが、恥ずかしくならないように気をつけるべきだ！
ある日、日本語の授業で戦国時代についての問題を答えていた。問題用紙で「どうして戦国時代から安土地桃山時代までヨーロッパの影響を強く受けるようになったか」という問題があって、私はテキストでの問題の答えを覚えていたので書いた答えを復習する必要がないと思った。
次の日先生が前の日に出した問題用紙を返してくれた。私はいい点を取ったが、先生が用紙にメッセージを書いてくれた。上に書いた問題に対して私はこう書いた。「キリスト教の布教やぼっきを目的で日本に訪れるようになったから。」先生から書いたメッセージには大笑いを示す字を書きながら、「ぼっきじゃなくてぼうえきだよ、笑わせてくれてありがとう！でも次回から気をつけましょう」って書かれた。
調べたところ、自分の間違いを理解してから本当に恥ずかしくなって次の日に先生と目をあわせることがまったくできなかった。または「これから気をつけましょう」ってこのことを通して身につけた。
このような失敗はもう一つある。
日本語を正式に習い始めるとき、「子供の時、何が一番好きでしたか」という質問を先生に聞かれた。「おやつが一番好きでした」と言いたかったが、日本語を習い始めてほんの3ヶ月だったので「Candy」の言葉を覚えてなくて「おなら」って言っちゃった。
何で私が「おやつ」のことを「おなら」って言ったか今でも分からないけど、先生が大笑いをしながら「えっと、どいうことですか。説明してくれない？英語でもいいから」って言った。
本当に言いたっかたのは「Candy」のことだと先生に説明して、先生に理解してもらった。
日本語を学ぶときにいろんな失敗や間違いをするけどその間違いを通して知識が少しずつ増えていく。だから間違うこと自体は役に立つが、恥ずかしくならないように気をつけるべきだ！
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
JLPT: N2
今週末JLPT: N2の試験を受けます。試験を受けることについては複雑な心境です。漢字や語彙の知識は低くも高くもないので、今の知識で試験を合格できるのかが今ちょっと心配です。
特に心配な部分は読解です。試験は時間が設定されており、私は文書を読むのがとても遅いので、かなり不安です。試験は五つの部分に分かれています。漢字・語彙・文法・読解・リスニングです。漢字と語彙とリスニングは少し自信がありますが、文法や読解のほうはまったく自信がないんです。
このテストについては7月から少しずつ勉強してきましたが、勉強方法が効果的ではなかったのかなと思っています。でも試験は日曜日なので少し復習する時間がありますね。本当に合格したいのですけど、今回試験に落ちても来年また受けられるので、もし落ちてしまっても、もっと勉強してまた受けるつもりです。
特に心配な部分は読解です。試験は時間が設定されており、私は文書を読むのがとても遅いので、かなり不安です。試験は五つの部分に分かれています。漢字・語彙・文法・読解・リスニングです。漢字と語彙とリスニングは少し自信がありますが、文法や読解のほうはまったく自信がないんです。
このテストについては7月から少しずつ勉強してきましたが、勉強方法が効果的ではなかったのかなと思っています。でも試験は日曜日なので少し復習する時間がありますね。本当に合格したいのですけど、今回試験に落ちても来年また受けられるので、もし落ちてしまっても、もっと勉強してまた受けるつもりです。
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
「May Queen」という韓国のドラマ
私は高校時代から韓国と日本のドラマを見ることが趣味の一つです。今放送している「結婚しない」という日本のドラマと同時に「May Queen」という韓国のドラマも見ています。韓国のドラマを熱心に見るのはずいぶん久しぶりでしたが、やっと面白くて興味が続くドラマを見つけました！
このドラマは韓国にある「ウルサン」という町が舞台です。船を造ることに興味がある「Hae Joo」という女性が主人子です。彼女のお父さんは彼女が赤ちゃんであったときに殺されました。犯人はお父さんの親友です。殺した動機を説明するのは難しいですけど、主な理由はお金と、当時の恋人であった彼女のお母さんと結婚したいということで、それでお父さんを殺し、Hae Jooを誘拐して、ある家族の養子にさせました。彼女のお母さんは取り乱して消えた我が子を探していました。探しに探したが、親友が、誘拐したHae Jooの死を偽装し、本当のことをごまかしました。その上、親友から結婚してくれないかというお願いがきて、お母さんはその人の罪を全然知らずに結婚しました。しかし、お母さんは娘が本当に死んだということを信じずにずっと娘のことを探したいました。
27年がたって、亡くなったお父さんの弟がやっと真実を知りました。弟は検事で、正義をもたらすために、真実を公式に明らかにすると誓いました。もちろん、弟はHae Jooの叔父さんであり、それで感激させるシーンもありました。第30話ではHae Jooの叔父さんから全てを聞かれ、そしてDNA鑑定を通して、27年間娘を探していたお母さんも真実を知りました。さらに元主人を殺した人と娘を誘拐した人が27年連れ添ってきた夫であったことはお母さんにとって大変辛いことでした。一緒に住むのずいぶん難しくなりました。しかし、お母さんと結婚した親友はかなり恐ろしい人で、誰かが真実を見つけ出そうとしたら、その人は事故に遭います。Hae Jooを守るためにお母さんも叔父さんも何も言わず、その親友を禁錮刑にする方法を探しています。
次の話は土曜日に放送するので私はすごくわくわくしています。Hae Jooと彼女の家族はどうなるだろう？このドラマは韓国でとても人気があるので、全32話が延長して38話のドラマになりました。延長については複雑な心境です。このドラマは面白いですが、ダラダラと引きずらずにそろそろ終わりにして欲しい気持ちがあります。とにかく次の話はとても楽しみにしています！
このドラマは韓国にある「ウルサン」という町が舞台です。船を造ることに興味がある「Hae Joo」という女性が主人子です。彼女のお父さんは彼女が赤ちゃんであったときに殺されました。犯人はお父さんの親友です。殺した動機を説明するのは難しいですけど、主な理由はお金と、当時の恋人であった彼女のお母さんと結婚したいということで、それでお父さんを殺し、Hae Jooを誘拐して、ある家族の養子にさせました。彼女のお母さんは取り乱して消えた我が子を探していました。探しに探したが、親友が、誘拐したHae Jooの死を偽装し、本当のことをごまかしました。その上、親友から結婚してくれないかというお願いがきて、お母さんはその人の罪を全然知らずに結婚しました。しかし、お母さんは娘が本当に死んだということを信じずにずっと娘のことを探したいました。
27年がたって、亡くなったお父さんの弟がやっと真実を知りました。弟は検事で、正義をもたらすために、真実を公式に明らかにすると誓いました。もちろん、弟はHae Jooの叔父さんであり、それで感激させるシーンもありました。第30話ではHae Jooの叔父さんから全てを聞かれ、そしてDNA鑑定を通して、27年間娘を探していたお母さんも真実を知りました。さらに元主人を殺した人と娘を誘拐した人が27年連れ添ってきた夫であったことはお母さんにとって大変辛いことでした。一緒に住むのずいぶん難しくなりました。しかし、お母さんと結婚した親友はかなり恐ろしい人で、誰かが真実を見つけ出そうとしたら、その人は事故に遭います。Hae Jooを守るためにお母さんも叔父さんも何も言わず、その親友を禁錮刑にする方法を探しています。
次の話は土曜日に放送するので私はすごくわくわくしています。Hae Jooと彼女の家族はどうなるだろう？このドラマは韓国でとても人気があるので、全32話が延長して38話のドラマになりました。延長については複雑な心境です。このドラマは面白いですが、ダラダラと引きずらずにそろそろ終わりにして欲しい気持ちがあります。とにかく次の話はとても楽しみにしています！
Monday, November 26, 2012
料理し始める
就職活動でいつも忙しかったのですが、最近、時間がたくさんとれるようになってきました。そのため料理をし始めようと思いました。今日パスタを作ってみたんですけど、予想したよりも上手くいきました！ガーリックを少し入れすぎましたが、これは私にとって大成功だったと思います。次回はスープを作ってみたいです。スープはどんな食事にも合うので大好きです。パンと一緒に食べるのは好きな食べ方の一つです。一番好きなスープはトマトですが、ブロッコリーチェダースープも好みます。でもスープを自分で作るのはちょっと怖いです。時間がたくさんかかりそうだし、作ったことがないから、その分失敗しやすいと思います。でも暇だから何回でも失敗してもいいですようね・・・練習ですから！がんばります！
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Lang-8 website
Hi~
So the JLPT N2 exam is this weekend and needless to say I'm really not ready to take it...but I decided to give it a shot anyway. While studying for the test I came across this site called "Lang-8" where you write in the language you're studying and a native person will check your grammar and sentence structure for you. In return you also check there passages they wrote so it's like a writing exchange. When I came across this site at first I thought it was too good to be true but it's really real! lol I try to write on it everyday now! From now on, on this blog as well along with my translations of the Asahi shimbun newspaper I sometimes write on here, I'll also write the corrected versions of the writings I posted on the site. I highly recommend the site to anyone learning a new language that's having a hard time trying to find a native to help them out!
Post 1:
就職活動の苦労
私は今就職活動中です。5月の終わりにジョージタウン大学を卒業し、今6ヶ月にわたって仕事を熱心に探しています。アメリカは今不景気なので仕事を見つけるのは大変難しいです。最初は「何で面接がたくさんくるのに失敗ばかりするのか」と自問しました。ちゃんと会社のことを調べて準備したのに、何で数週間後、その会社から「今回はあなたを採用することができません」というメールが来るのだろう。大学を卒業してから正式な契約で会社に勤めた経験がありませんでした。インターンシップやバイトの経験ならあったが、専門的な業務経験がないという理由でどんな会社に応募したところで、きっとだめになると思っていました。
しかし、面接はいっぱいありました。面接があるならその会社はきっとあなたからの応募に興味があるはずでしょう！私はそうであって欲しかった。でも、何回も面接に行って、何回もだめになって自信はどんどんなくなりました。アメリカがそんな状況なのか、個人的な問題なのか、もう分からなくなちゃった。
就職活動、本当はあきらめたいが父は私が大学に行くために色んな苦労していたので諦められない。その上、学費を払うためにお金を借り、今学生借金いっぱいあり、父が今払ってくれています。父を手伝ってあげるためにも必ず仕事を見つけなければならない！
Post 2:
冷え性
今日インターネットで調べたところ、いつも手足が冷たい人は体の血液循環が悪いということが分かりました。血液循環が悪いのはビタミンB欠乏症が原因です。私は寒いときでも、暑いときでも、手足が冷たいときがあります。このことが分かる前に最初に思った理由は寒いときは気候が原因で、暑いときはエアコンのせいだと思いました。
しかし、インターネットで調べた後、私もビタミンB欠乏症かもしれないと思いました。ビタミンB欠乏症にはもっと全粒穀物や小麦を食事に組み込み、また、ビタミンBのサプリメントを飲むと簡単に直せると書かれていました。私も食事をそろそろ変えようかな～健康は大事なことですもんね～
So the JLPT N2 exam is this weekend and needless to say I'm really not ready to take it...but I decided to give it a shot anyway. While studying for the test I came across this site called "Lang-8" where you write in the language you're studying and a native person will check your grammar and sentence structure for you. In return you also check there passages they wrote so it's like a writing exchange. When I came across this site at first I thought it was too good to be true but it's really real! lol I try to write on it everyday now! From now on, on this blog as well along with my translations of the Asahi shimbun newspaper I sometimes write on here, I'll also write the corrected versions of the writings I posted on the site. I highly recommend the site to anyone learning a new language that's having a hard time trying to find a native to help them out!
Post 1:
就職活動の苦労
私は今就職活動中です。5月の終わりにジョージタウン大学を卒業し、今6ヶ月にわたって仕事を熱心に探しています。アメリカは今不景気なので仕事を見つけるのは大変難しいです。最初は「何で面接がたくさんくるのに失敗ばかりするのか」と自問しました。ちゃんと会社のことを調べて準備したのに、何で数週間後、その会社から「今回はあなたを採用することができません」というメールが来るのだろう。大学を卒業してから正式な契約で会社に勤めた経験がありませんでした。インターンシップやバイトの経験ならあったが、専門的な業務経験がないという理由でどんな会社に応募したところで、きっとだめになると思っていました。
しかし、面接はいっぱいありました。面接があるならその会社はきっとあなたからの応募に興味があるはずでしょう！私はそうであって欲しかった。でも、何回も面接に行って、何回もだめになって自信はどんどんなくなりました。アメリカがそんな状況なのか、個人的な問題なのか、もう分からなくなちゃった。
就職活動、本当はあきらめたいが父は私が大学に行くために色んな苦労していたので諦められない。その上、学費を払うためにお金を借り、今学生借金いっぱいあり、父が今払ってくれています。父を手伝ってあげるためにも必ず仕事を見つけなければならない！
Post 2:
冷え性
今日インターネットで調べたところ、いつも手足が冷たい人は体の血液循環が悪いということが分かりました。血液循環が悪いのはビタミンB欠乏症が原因です。私は寒いときでも、暑いときでも、手足が冷たいときがあります。このことが分かる前に最初に思った理由は寒いときは気候が原因で、暑いときはエアコンのせいだと思いました。
しかし、インターネットで調べた後、私もビタミンB欠乏症かもしれないと思いました。ビタミンB欠乏症にはもっと全粒穀物や小麦を食事に組み込み、また、ビタミンBのサプリメントを飲むと簡単に直せると書かれていました。私も食事をそろそろ変えようかな～健康は大事なことですもんね～
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Amity Placement
Well the email has come from Amity on a job offer where I would be leaving to go to Japan and teaching in Utsunomiya-shi at the beginning of March of next year. While I am grateful for this wonderful opportunity I do have some doubts about just up and leaving to go to Japan. At first...I wouldn't have hesitated to take the job but now that I have a lot more obligations and commitments here...it's a really hard call to make. First and foremost I'm worried about my loans. Although even if I find work in DC (which seems really dismal and an impossible task at the moment) I would only be able to take on one or two loans at a time if I wanted to pay them off faster. This being considered I would pretty much be only allowed to do the same thing if I took this teaching job but I wouldn't be able to save as much because I would have to pay for rent and other such obligations that living on your own entails. Living at home and commuting to work I could save more and not have to dump all my savings I have now on preparation to live and work in Japan.
My original plan was to maybe work in DC for a year and save while trying to at least pay off one of my loans before I made a commitment to go and teach in Japan. I would be able to save money and by the time I was ready to make the commitment I would have money to spend on the commitment while also having a little in my savings so I wouldn't have to come back home broke...seeing as how I won't be able to save that much in Japan just because all my money would be going to loans and living expenses. I know if I budget right I would be only to save a little...like maybe around $50~$100 a month but I don't want to blow all the savings I have now and go to Japan and have loans up to my neck only to come back a year later with no more than $200 in my savings.
That being said financially it would be more beneficial for me to stay in the states...however, finding a job here has been increasingly challenging seeing as all the interviews I have been on only lead to a rejection email reiterating "Thank you for your time" I am losing hope and feel that I might have to take this job whether I'm ready for it or not. I can't just sit around and wait for a job here knowing that nothing is completely certain when I could have a job in 4 months in Japan...
Not only am I weighing my money woes...I'm also thinking about what leaving here will mean for me personally. I am getting better with being alone and I feel that I might be able to handle living in Japan on my own and figuring out a life for me there. Although I know it will be a lonely one I feel that the job and other activities I find to supplement my life will keep me busy enough to not go insane. I do think about my relationship...but I feel like he doesn't really care that much about whether I go or stay and since he's been through the heart break thing before I don't thing it'll affect him as much as it will for me. Going away and not talking on a regular basis will put a strain on the relationship and I don't know if we're going to break up or not...but he has he's friends and his job to occupy his time so I don't think it'll be that much of a heartache for him.....*sigh* I really have no idea what's going on in my life right now...I really want to just stay here and save money...and be more prepared for this kind of commitment but there's nothing I can do if no one wants to give me a chance and allow me to work. I also have to think about my loans and the sacrifices my dad is making right now in paying some of the payments while I'm looking for a job...I absolutely just HAVE to find a job so I can help pay these things off...I just have to.
My original plan was to maybe work in DC for a year and save while trying to at least pay off one of my loans before I made a commitment to go and teach in Japan. I would be able to save money and by the time I was ready to make the commitment I would have money to spend on the commitment while also having a little in my savings so I wouldn't have to come back home broke...seeing as how I won't be able to save that much in Japan just because all my money would be going to loans and living expenses. I know if I budget right I would be only to save a little...like maybe around $50~$100 a month but I don't want to blow all the savings I have now and go to Japan and have loans up to my neck only to come back a year later with no more than $200 in my savings.
That being said financially it would be more beneficial for me to stay in the states...however, finding a job here has been increasingly challenging seeing as all the interviews I have been on only lead to a rejection email reiterating "Thank you for your time" I am losing hope and feel that I might have to take this job whether I'm ready for it or not. I can't just sit around and wait for a job here knowing that nothing is completely certain when I could have a job in 4 months in Japan...
Not only am I weighing my money woes...I'm also thinking about what leaving here will mean for me personally. I am getting better with being alone and I feel that I might be able to handle living in Japan on my own and figuring out a life for me there. Although I know it will be a lonely one I feel that the job and other activities I find to supplement my life will keep me busy enough to not go insane. I do think about my relationship...but I feel like he doesn't really care that much about whether I go or stay and since he's been through the heart break thing before I don't thing it'll affect him as much as it will for me. Going away and not talking on a regular basis will put a strain on the relationship and I don't know if we're going to break up or not...but he has he's friends and his job to occupy his time so I don't think it'll be that much of a heartache for him.....*sigh* I really have no idea what's going on in my life right now...I really want to just stay here and save money...and be more prepared for this kind of commitment but there's nothing I can do if no one wants to give me a chance and allow me to work. I also have to think about my loans and the sacrifices my dad is making right now in paying some of the payments while I'm looking for a job...I absolutely just HAVE to find a job so I can help pay these things off...I just have to.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
サンタさんの優しい贈り物：集団避難先を訪問 Santa's kind gifts: A visit to the affected areas
フィンランドの「サンタクロース財団」公認のサンタが7日、東京電力福島第一原発事故後に福島県双葉町の住民が集団避難している埼玉県加須市の旧騎西高校にやってきた。
On the 7th [December, 2011] Finland's Santa foundation sent a certified Santa to Kisai High School located in Kazo, Saitama when residents living in Fubata, Fukushima had to evacuate after the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident.
サンタは「みんなさんが東北に戻れることを願っています」と通訳を介してあいさつし、カレンダーとお菓子が入ったプレゼントを渡した。
Through an interpreter, Santa gave greetings stating, "I wish for everyone to be able to return to the Northeast region [of Japan] and handed out presents containing sweets and calenders.
4年生の章野里名ちゃん(10)は「うれしかった。ひげが長くてびっくりしたが手はとても温かかった」と感激していた。
4th grader [Mei] (10) movingly stated, "I'm happy. He beard was long and it surprised me but his hands are really warm."
On the 7th [December, 2011] Finland's Santa foundation sent a certified Santa to Kisai High School located in Kazo, Saitama when residents living in Fubata, Fukushima had to evacuate after the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident.
サンタは「みんなさんが東北に戻れることを願っています」と通訳を介してあいさつし、カレンダーとお菓子が入ったプレゼントを渡した。
Through an interpreter, Santa gave greetings stating, "I wish for everyone to be able to return to the Northeast region [of Japan] and handed out presents containing sweets and calenders.
4年生の章野里名ちゃん(10)は「うれしかった。ひげが長くてびっくりしたが手はとても温かかった」と感激していた。
4th grader [Mei] (10) movingly stated, "I'm happy. He beard was long and it surprised me but his hands are really warm."
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Update: Interviews
Hi Everyone,
Well I have an update on my interview status and unfortunately I wasn't extended an offer with the Legal Assistant job I interviewed for before going on my Amity interview. Mixed feelings right now because I was excited about working for them and being able to have the chance to use my Japanese...but I had a feeling that the interview didn't go as well as I would have hoped. I really tried hard though and sent a follow up thank you email and an email stating that I really wanted to work for the firm and that it was my first choice. I guess maybe that turned them off a little bit...I really don't know. However fortunately since that interview I've been on a couple others so that job wasn't the sole one I was counting on before packing up my things and just going to Japan. Hopefully something will come up before December...because that's when all my first loan payments are due...all $1211.02 of them.
Well I have an update on my interview status and unfortunately I wasn't extended an offer with the Legal Assistant job I interviewed for before going on my Amity interview. Mixed feelings right now because I was excited about working for them and being able to have the chance to use my Japanese...but I had a feeling that the interview didn't go as well as I would have hoped. I really tried hard though and sent a follow up thank you email and an email stating that I really wanted to work for the firm and that it was my first choice. I guess maybe that turned them off a little bit...I really don't know. However fortunately since that interview I've been on a couple others so that job wasn't the sole one I was counting on before packing up my things and just going to Japan. Hopefully something will come up before December...because that's when all my first loan payments are due...all $1211.02 of them.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Hurricane Sandy
So guys, I am one of the more fortunate ones to have regained power the next day (Tuesday 10/30) One hell of a storm. This just goes to show what climate change really does people! It's so important now then ever that we not turn a deaf ear to this. How can we as people living on this Earth just ignore all the signs that say "Hey! Change your ways or your going to be living on the next Venus" Hurricanes like this have never and I mean never happened like this in my 23 years of living and if nothing is done, I might see even worse than this.
Right now I do feel powerless to help because I have a crap load of burdens and worries I'm facing myself right now. Student loan debt and debt collectors calling asking if I have a job yet and if I'm going to have trouble paying...I mean these people are crazy. If I tell you I don't have a job yet with no money coming in, then yes, yes I will have a problem making payments. It's just insanity. Discover student loans has called me twice already, PNC three times and countless emails, welcome to hell Asheli =)
If having a massive debt isn't stressful enough, I have yet to find a job which has it's on tolls on your psyche. I'm still looking and hopefully will hear back from somewhere soon.
My relationship with my boyfriend isn't the best. My body is doing all sorts of weird things since I've been sexually active for the first time in my life and sometimes it really scares me. I have no idea what's going on and I don't want to scare him too but I feel like I need to talk to someone about it...I feel like if I talk to my mom about having pregnancy-like symptoms she'll freak out and tell me I told you so. We're very responsible though and always always use protection so I know I shouldn't worry, but there's always the what if and this is my first time being active so I don't know what the hell I'm feeling or what my body is telling me. It's just scary sometimes because everyone says you are the one that knows your body the best...but lately I've been feeling kinda distant and unsure about what the hell my body's been telling me. For the past couple of weeks I've been feeling nauseated, since yesterday I've been peeing a lot and cramping.
Most of these symptoms probably mean that my period's coming and I've probably been peeing a lot because I've been wearing pants that put pressure on my lower abdomen but if you haven't known by now I'm the epitome of a hypochondriac so it goes without saying that urinary tract infection, cervical cancer, uterine cancer, pregnancy and everything in between pop into my head...
sorry I kind of got off track about my relationship...well I guess with me being scared and unsure, mood swings and both of us still trying to figure out our place in each others lives...it goes without saying that our relationship isn't stellar. We fight, talk, worry, fight some more, I feel like he doesn't care about me one minute and feel like he's the best thing since slice bread the next, it's just an emotional roller coaster but in the end, when I think about it I wouldn't want to be riding this ride with a complete ass that didn't give to shits about the way I feel and think, and he is the furthest thing from that so I guess that's all I can ask for. We're both in transitional phases in our lives and it goes without saying that uncertainty, fear, anger, aggression, and all that other stuff comes with dating and life in general...so I'll just have to ride it out...just like people are doing with this storm!
Everyone, please be safe and let's start listening to our surroundings! I pray for all the people in New York and New Jersey who have been flooded and have power outages. We all have struggles some more serious than others but struggles nonetheless. We all are not weak though! We can get through this. I will be strong and brace another day just like everyone else should because the human race is a strong willed and powerful people.
Right now I do feel powerless to help because I have a crap load of burdens and worries I'm facing myself right now. Student loan debt and debt collectors calling asking if I have a job yet and if I'm going to have trouble paying...I mean these people are crazy. If I tell you I don't have a job yet with no money coming in, then yes, yes I will have a problem making payments. It's just insanity. Discover student loans has called me twice already, PNC three times and countless emails, welcome to hell Asheli =)
If having a massive debt isn't stressful enough, I have yet to find a job which has it's on tolls on your psyche. I'm still looking and hopefully will hear back from somewhere soon.
My relationship with my boyfriend isn't the best. My body is doing all sorts of weird things since I've been sexually active for the first time in my life and sometimes it really scares me. I have no idea what's going on and I don't want to scare him too but I feel like I need to talk to someone about it...I feel like if I talk to my mom about having pregnancy-like symptoms she'll freak out and tell me I told you so. We're very responsible though and always always use protection so I know I shouldn't worry, but there's always the what if and this is my first time being active so I don't know what the hell I'm feeling or what my body is telling me. It's just scary sometimes because everyone says you are the one that knows your body the best...but lately I've been feeling kinda distant and unsure about what the hell my body's been telling me. For the past couple of weeks I've been feeling nauseated, since yesterday I've been peeing a lot and cramping.
Most of these symptoms probably mean that my period's coming and I've probably been peeing a lot because I've been wearing pants that put pressure on my lower abdomen but if you haven't known by now I'm the epitome of a hypochondriac so it goes without saying that urinary tract infection, cervical cancer, uterine cancer, pregnancy and everything in between pop into my head...
sorry I kind of got off track about my relationship...well I guess with me being scared and unsure, mood swings and both of us still trying to figure out our place in each others lives...it goes without saying that our relationship isn't stellar. We fight, talk, worry, fight some more, I feel like he doesn't care about me one minute and feel like he's the best thing since slice bread the next, it's just an emotional roller coaster but in the end, when I think about it I wouldn't want to be riding this ride with a complete ass that didn't give to shits about the way I feel and think, and he is the furthest thing from that so I guess that's all I can ask for. We're both in transitional phases in our lives and it goes without saying that uncertainty, fear, anger, aggression, and all that other stuff comes with dating and life in general...so I'll just have to ride it out...just like people are doing with this storm!
Everyone, please be safe and let's start listening to our surroundings! I pray for all the people in New York and New Jersey who have been flooded and have power outages. We all have struggles some more serious than others but struggles nonetheless. We all are not weak though! We can get through this. I will be strong and brace another day just like everyone else should because the human race is a strong willed and powerful people.
Friday, October 26, 2012
宿題もタブレット Even homework on a tablet
So since I haven't done a lot of Japanese study because of all the craziness in my life I've decided to do another news paper article. Even though this time instead of translate it word for word I'll just summarize what it says in English under the Japanese:
宿題もタブレット
－デジタルが来た Digital has Arrived
11月28日、山形県寒河江市立高松小学校。2年生の算数の時間、那須美和子(54)は言った。「みんなが学校の中で見つけた四角形です」その瞬間。
On November 28th in Sagae, Yamagata prefecture Nasumi Kazuko (54) stated during a second grade math class at Takamatsu municipal elementary school, " These are quadrilateral shapes everyone found around the school." At that moment...
水槽、コンセント、トイレのタイル、ポスター、げた箱・・・。窓際の電子黒板に、子どもらがタブレットパソコンのカメラ機能で撮った写真が映し出された。「おっ、俺んだ」「え、どこで撮ったの」「先生、僕の出してぇ」。教室は一気にわいた。図形の特徴を考える授業だ。
Fish tank, electrical outlet, bathroom title, poster, shoe box... On the electric blackboard next to the window, pictures that students had took with a tablet PC's camera function were being shown. "Oh, that's me!" "Hey! Where did you take that?" "Teacher I want to submit mine!" The classroom was suddenly filled with excited. This was a lesson that considered the characteristics of different shapes.
－国際交流 International Exchange
29日、北海道石狩市立浜益小学校。過疎地にある学校の児童は60人。世界をもっと広げたいと、総合学習で4年生がカナダの交流へのメセッジを書いた。
On the 29th at Hamamasu's Municipal Elementary school in Ishikari, Hokkaido, a region that is underpopulated with only 60 children enrolled in the school, decided to broaden their global spectrum and along with comprehensive integrated learning, 4th graders wrote messages to exchange with Canadian students.
「児童は少ないけれど、明るくて、いつも元気」「いろいろなくだものが作られています」子どもたちは12人の机に1台ずつ置かれたタブレットパソコンにメセッジを打ち込んだ。その瞬時に、子どもの顔写真とともに電子黒板に表示された。石狩国際交流協会の人に英語に翻訳してもらい、郵送する予定だ。
"There aren't many children but the one's we have are bright and healthy" Sitting at a desk that holds 12 people with a tablet PC for each child placed on the table, the children typed their messages. At that moment, the messages along with pictures of the children's faces were displayed on the electric blackboard. The school has plans to mail the messages after receiving a translation of the messages from the Ishikari International Association.
－比較一瞬 Let's compare for a moment
30日、大阪府箕面市立萱野小学校。4年2組の国語の授業。教材はテレビの撮影手法を説明した教科書の文章だ。
On the 30th, at Kanayo municipal Elementary school in Minoo, Osaka, a 4th grade language class uses a textbook describing how to shoot television footage as learning material.
山田陽亮教諭(25)が教科書の文章を電子黒板に映し、サッカー場の写真を拡大した。「このシーンについて書いてある部分に青色マーカーを引きましょう」31人の机の上にあるのはパソコンとマウス、筆箱だけだ。児童が線を引いたのはパソコン画面にあるデジタル教科書だった。画面のマーカーボタンを押して青色を選び、専用のペンやマウスを使って線を引いた。
Instructor Yamada, Yosuke(25) displays the textbook on an electric blackboard and enlarges a picture of a soccer field. " Let's underline with blue marker the part that talks about this scene" A desk holding 31 students only contains computers, mouses and pencil cases. The children drew their lines on a computer screen's digital textbook by pressing the screen's marker button and choosing the blue color and using a specialized pen or mouse.
山田教諭は3人の画面を順に電子黒板に映し出した。「あっ、僕のと違う」「同じです」。あちこちから声が上がった。
Instructor Yamada, one by one displayed on the electronic blackboard three student's screens. "Ah! That's different from mine." "It's the same." Student's voices are heard from every inch of the classroom.
学びのデジタル化を進める先端校の光景である。
This is a depiction of an advanced high-tech school promoting learning digitization.
超大型のテレビのような電子黒板、それとつながるタブレット型端未、画面上でページがめくれ操作できるデジタル教科書。いわば「三種の神器」だ。
A digital textbook that includes an electronic black board on a super big scale connected to a tablet and a screen that has the ability to turn pages. It's like a god-send so to speak.
それだけではない。
And that's not all.
東京都港区立青山小学校の子どもたちが、かけ算の式を使う文章題をつくる授業で使ったのはデジタルペンだ。専用の紙に絵や文字を書くと、先端の小型カメラがペンの位置情報を読み込む。無線でパソコンに飛び、大型テレビに画像として投影される。
At Aoyama Elementary School in Minato, Tokyo, a class that uses multiplication formulas to create word problems uses digital pens. When pictures or letters are written on specialized paper, a small advanced camera reads the pen position's information. The information is sent to the computer through a wireless connection and projected on a big TV as an image.
態本県山鹿市立来民小学校の百田氏水教諭(45)は、かけ算、速さなど算数の約30のデジタル教材を開発、活用してきた。「デジタルの良さは比較したり、変化や動きを見せたりできること」と話す。
In Kumamoto, Yamaga, Kudami Municipal Elementary School's Instructor Momoda Shisui (45) has developed and utilized around 30 multiplication and speed math digital education materials stating, "The good thing about digital when comparing it is that it has the ability to show change and movement [in the student's progression]"
－指で四択 Four choices at your fingertips
電子機器を使った学習は、さらに教室から家庭に広がろうとしている。
Learning using electronics is trying to spread from the classroom to the home.
授業と連動して家庭で学習する試みを、NTTが9月から順次、全国七つの公立小で5年生を対象に始めている。
In an attempt to see how learning at home in conjunction with the classroom has [on students] NTT sequentially from September are beginning to make 5th graders subjects at seven public elementary schools nationwide.
鹿児島県与論島の町立与論小学校はその一つ。久留晴美さん(11)は11月中旬、指で画面を操作するタブレット端未を持ち帰り、居間で宿題をしていた。
(Town Municipal) Yoron Elementary school in Kagoshima, Yorontou is one of these schools. In the middle of November, Harumi brings home a tablet operated by one's finger and does her homework in her living room.
社会の問題で主な工業地帯や地域の生産額を示す棒グラフを読み取る4択問題出できた。数字を指で選ぶと、すぐに○がつき、解説が現れた。
4 choice questions arise where [students] read bar graphs about societal problems pertaining to most industrial areas or a region's amount production. When you select a number with your finger, a circle pops up right away along with the answer's explanation.
与論島では、この取り組みに3校が参加。NTTは対象の約40世帯のうち、ブロードバンド回線を引いていない11世帯に新たに敷設した。
In Yorontou, three schools are participating in this exchange. Out of the 40 households participating in the study, NTT laid down new connections for the 11 households that didn't have broadband connection.
日本でコンピューターが学校に入り始めて四半世紀余り。「子ども1人1台」時代をにらみ、総務省が昨年からモデル校で技術面の実験を、文部科学省が同じ学校で今年からデジタル教科書の研究を始めた。対象校は20校に増えている。未来の教室はどう進化するのだろうか。
In Japan, computers began implementation in schools around a quarter of a century ago. Looking towards the "One child, one computer" generation, METI is now beginning research on the electronic textbook at the same school where technology-based experiments were carried out in a model school that the Ministry of Internal Affairs started last year. The subject schools [for the research] are over 20 schools. How will the classroom evolve in the future?
11月14日、総務・文部科学省副大臣共催の協議会。スクリーンに映されたのは、小学生がパソコンの画面にペンを当て、ゲーム機のニンテンドーDSのように文字を書き込む教室の映像だった。大型テレビのような電子黒板で学ぶ場面もあった。
Displayed on the screen at the November 14th Ministry of Internal Affairs/METI's Co-Deputy Minister's council meeting was an image of elementary school student with a pen at hand, imputing letters on what seemed to be an electronic gaming device such as the Nintendo DS. There was also an instance where a big screen used as an electronic blackboard for learning was displayed.
総務省が昨年度から始めた「フューチャースクール推進事業」の対象校の一コマだ。全国の小中、特別支援の計20校で、子どもが1人1台のパソコンを待つ。文科省のデジタル教科書の実証実験も兼ねている。
This is one way of promoting a "Future School" started by the Ministry of Internal Affairs last year. With a special support plan, nationally 20 elementary and middle schools are waiting for a personal computer for every child. This also serves as a demonstration for METI's electronic textbooks.
この日の協議会の傍聴希望者は100人近くで、抽選となった。「いま、教育の情報化に熱い視線が注がれている」と文部科学省の伊藤賢・情報政策室長は言う。
On the day of the council meeting, there were nearly 100 people that wished to sit in on the meeting and thus the selection became a lottery drawing [for who got to sit in] METI 's policy director Ken Ito states, " Right now, there's a lot of concentration put on computerizing education."
親の期待も大きい。ベネッセの2006年のネット調査では、小中学生の保護者1800人の88％が「パソコンは学習に設立つ」と答えた。
Parent's expectations are also big. In a 2006 Benesse internet survey, 88% of 1800 parents of elementary and middle school students answered, "Computer's are beneficial to learning."
－あくまで道具 The only/sole tool
一方、当の学校はデジタルの大波を冷静に見極めようとしている。フューチャースクールの一つ、愛知県大府市立東山小学校の小竹紀代子校長(52)は「デジタル機器を使うこと自体が授業の目標になっていないか、一番心配している」と語る。
On the other hand, this same school is trying to calmly ease its way into the wave of digitization. Principal Kotake, Kyoko at one of the future schools, Higashiyama Municipal Elementary School located in Aichi, Obu states, " I'm most worried about if just using this digital equipment will perhaps become the goal of the class."
事業が始まって約1年。
It's been around 1 year since the project began.
子どもも先生も、機械の操作には慣れてきた。パソコンが自動採点する漢字ドリルで自習したり、電子黒板で図形を自由に動かしたり。だが、「デジタルはあくまで道具。ノートと黒板の方が分かりやすいなら意味がない。」と言い切る。
Children as well as teachers have gotten use to operating the machines. While studying on your own, personal computers will automatically grade Kanji drills and on the electronic black boards figures and shapes are able to move around freely. However others assert, "Digitization being the sole tool, if using paper and a chalk board make the concepts more easy to understand there's really no point."
すべての小学校に2人に1台のパソコンを配備した態本県人吉市。7校が一つのネットワークでつながり学校の垣根を越えた授業を実現している。東間小学校ではこの秋、5年生が水俣病を学び、班ごとにパソコン上で新聞を作った。それデジタル教室の風景が変わりつつある。子どもたちは既に携帯電話で、見知らぬ人々と瞬時につながり合う。ネットで結ばれた若者の行動が世界を揺るがす時代。コンピューターやネットを使いこなす力を育てる教育は欠かせない。
All elementary schools in Kumamoto, Hitoyoshi have deployed a computer for every two students. Schools are realizing that seven schools connected under one network, there will inevitably be some classes will be out of the network's reach. At Azuma elementary this fall the 5th graders are learning about Minamata disease (Mercury poisoning) and as a group using a computer made newspaper articles. With this the feel of the digital classroom is changing. Children can already in an instant look up people they aren't familiar with on their cell phones. This is an age where the behavior of young people connected to the internet are dramatically changing the world.
ただデジタルは手段に過ぎない。注目したいのは、学びに変革を起こすかどうかだ。デジタル機器は、子どもが膨大な知の海から情報をつかみとり、考えを交流する学習に適している。
However digital is not the only means. What I want to bring attention to is if this is really revolutionizing learning. Digital equipment is perfect for connecting children to information overseas and allowing for an exchange of ideas.
1人の教師が多くの子に同じ知識を考える「一斉授業」だけでなく、一人ひとりに合った「個別学習」や教え合い学び合う「協働学習」を広げたい。検討すべき課題もある。電子機器が人間の身体や思考に与える影響の研究を急がなければならない。五感を働かせ、紙をめくりノートに書くのがふさわしい学習も多い。どの場面で何を使うかの吟味が大切だ。
I want to spread not only a "cohesive classroom" where one teacher and his/her students learn while thinking about the same knowledge but also "Individualized learning" that meets a student's individual needs and "Collaborative learning" where everyone helps to teach each other. There are also other issues that should be considered. We have to hurry with research to figure out the impacts of giving electronic devices human intelligence.There's also various suitable learning methods such as just turning a page and writing notes that move the five senses. It's important to examine under what circumstances something should be used.
TCT(情報通信技術)の議論はコンピューターか人間か、デジタルかアナログかといった二項対立に陥りがちだ。そうならないために、「紙と鉛筆」の世代がデジタルの世界をもっと知る必要がある。これからを生きる子どもの視点で、この連載では、新しい学びの可能性を考えていきたい。
The TCT (Information and Communication Technologies) discussions tend to fall into the computer or human, digital or analog type of dichotomy between the two. In order for that not to happen, it's necessary for the "pen and paper" generation to learn more about the digital world. From the perspective of children living today, in this news paper I'd like to move forward and create new learning possibilities.
I think there's a lot of progress going on in the field of education and technology is another learning tool being introduced in schools since a lot of technology most kids use at their house anyway. Kids nowadays have ipads and iphones, computers and other digital devices already so I don't think it's such a bad idea to implement them into the classroom as well. Although I can see the worry some people have about making that be the sole priority and how other more traditional methods of learning maybe be more suitable to students. I think the author of the article was right in thinking that it's important to really find when it's appropriate to use what kinds of materials.
宿題もタブレット
－デジタルが来た Digital has Arrived
11月28日、山形県寒河江市立高松小学校。2年生の算数の時間、那須美和子(54)は言った。「みんなが学校の中で見つけた四角形です」その瞬間。
On November 28th in Sagae, Yamagata prefecture Nasumi Kazuko (54) stated during a second grade math class at Takamatsu municipal elementary school, " These are quadrilateral shapes everyone found around the school." At that moment...
水槽、コンセント、トイレのタイル、ポスター、げた箱・・・。窓際の電子黒板に、子どもらがタブレットパソコンのカメラ機能で撮った写真が映し出された。「おっ、俺んだ」「え、どこで撮ったの」「先生、僕の出してぇ」。教室は一気にわいた。図形の特徴を考える授業だ。
Fish tank, electrical outlet, bathroom title, poster, shoe box... On the electric blackboard next to the window, pictures that students had took with a tablet PC's camera function were being shown. "Oh, that's me!" "Hey! Where did you take that?" "Teacher I want to submit mine!" The classroom was suddenly filled with excited. This was a lesson that considered the characteristics of different shapes.
－国際交流 International Exchange
29日、北海道石狩市立浜益小学校。過疎地にある学校の児童は60人。世界をもっと広げたいと、総合学習で4年生がカナダの交流へのメセッジを書いた。
On the 29th at Hamamasu's Municipal Elementary school in Ishikari, Hokkaido, a region that is underpopulated with only 60 children enrolled in the school, decided to broaden their global spectrum and along with comprehensive integrated learning, 4th graders wrote messages to exchange with Canadian students.
「児童は少ないけれど、明るくて、いつも元気」「いろいろなくだものが作られています」子どもたちは12人の机に1台ずつ置かれたタブレットパソコンにメセッジを打ち込んだ。その瞬時に、子どもの顔写真とともに電子黒板に表示された。石狩国際交流協会の人に英語に翻訳してもらい、郵送する予定だ。
"There aren't many children but the one's we have are bright and healthy" Sitting at a desk that holds 12 people with a tablet PC for each child placed on the table, the children typed their messages. At that moment, the messages along with pictures of the children's faces were displayed on the electric blackboard. The school has plans to mail the messages after receiving a translation of the messages from the Ishikari International Association.
－比較一瞬 Let's compare for a moment
30日、大阪府箕面市立萱野小学校。4年2組の国語の授業。教材はテレビの撮影手法を説明した教科書の文章だ。
On the 30th, at Kanayo municipal Elementary school in Minoo, Osaka, a 4th grade language class uses a textbook describing how to shoot television footage as learning material.
山田陽亮教諭(25)が教科書の文章を電子黒板に映し、サッカー場の写真を拡大した。「このシーンについて書いてある部分に青色マーカーを引きましょう」31人の机の上にあるのはパソコンとマウス、筆箱だけだ。児童が線を引いたのはパソコン画面にあるデジタル教科書だった。画面のマーカーボタンを押して青色を選び、専用のペンやマウスを使って線を引いた。
Instructor Yamada, Yosuke(25) displays the textbook on an electric blackboard and enlarges a picture of a soccer field. " Let's underline with blue marker the part that talks about this scene" A desk holding 31 students only contains computers, mouses and pencil cases. The children drew their lines on a computer screen's digital textbook by pressing the screen's marker button and choosing the blue color and using a specialized pen or mouse.
山田教諭は3人の画面を順に電子黒板に映し出した。「あっ、僕のと違う」「同じです」。あちこちから声が上がった。
Instructor Yamada, one by one displayed on the electronic blackboard three student's screens. "Ah! That's different from mine." "It's the same." Student's voices are heard from every inch of the classroom.
学びのデジタル化を進める先端校の光景である。
This is a depiction of an advanced high-tech school promoting learning digitization.
超大型のテレビのような電子黒板、それとつながるタブレット型端未、画面上でページがめくれ操作できるデジタル教科書。いわば「三種の神器」だ。
A digital textbook that includes an electronic black board on a super big scale connected to a tablet and a screen that has the ability to turn pages. It's like a god-send so to speak.
それだけではない。
And that's not all.
東京都港区立青山小学校の子どもたちが、かけ算の式を使う文章題をつくる授業で使ったのはデジタルペンだ。専用の紙に絵や文字を書くと、先端の小型カメラがペンの位置情報を読み込む。無線でパソコンに飛び、大型テレビに画像として投影される。
At Aoyama Elementary School in Minato, Tokyo, a class that uses multiplication formulas to create word problems uses digital pens. When pictures or letters are written on specialized paper, a small advanced camera reads the pen position's information. The information is sent to the computer through a wireless connection and projected on a big TV as an image.
態本県山鹿市立来民小学校の百田氏水教諭(45)は、かけ算、速さなど算数の約30のデジタル教材を開発、活用してきた。「デジタルの良さは比較したり、変化や動きを見せたりできること」と話す。
In Kumamoto, Yamaga, Kudami Municipal Elementary School's Instructor Momoda Shisui (45) has developed and utilized around 30 multiplication and speed math digital education materials stating, "The good thing about digital when comparing it is that it has the ability to show change and movement [in the student's progression]"
－指で四択 Four choices at your fingertips
電子機器を使った学習は、さらに教室から家庭に広がろうとしている。
Learning using electronics is trying to spread from the classroom to the home.
授業と連動して家庭で学習する試みを、NTTが9月から順次、全国七つの公立小で5年生を対象に始めている。
In an attempt to see how learning at home in conjunction with the classroom has [on students] NTT sequentially from September are beginning to make 5th graders subjects at seven public elementary schools nationwide.
鹿児島県与論島の町立与論小学校はその一つ。久留晴美さん(11)は11月中旬、指で画面を操作するタブレット端未を持ち帰り、居間で宿題をしていた。
(Town Municipal) Yoron Elementary school in Kagoshima, Yorontou is one of these schools. In the middle of November, Harumi brings home a tablet operated by one's finger and does her homework in her living room.
社会の問題で主な工業地帯や地域の生産額を示す棒グラフを読み取る4択問題出できた。数字を指で選ぶと、すぐに○がつき、解説が現れた。
4 choice questions arise where [students] read bar graphs about societal problems pertaining to most industrial areas or a region's amount production. When you select a number with your finger, a circle pops up right away along with the answer's explanation.
与論島では、この取り組みに3校が参加。NTTは対象の約40世帯のうち、ブロードバンド回線を引いていない11世帯に新たに敷設した。
In Yorontou, three schools are participating in this exchange. Out of the 40 households participating in the study, NTT laid down new connections for the 11 households that didn't have broadband connection.
日本でコンピューターが学校に入り始めて四半世紀余り。「子ども1人1台」時代をにらみ、総務省が昨年からモデル校で技術面の実験を、文部科学省が同じ学校で今年からデジタル教科書の研究を始めた。対象校は20校に増えている。未来の教室はどう進化するのだろうか。
In Japan, computers began implementation in schools around a quarter of a century ago. Looking towards the "One child, one computer" generation, METI is now beginning research on the electronic textbook at the same school where technology-based experiments were carried out in a model school that the Ministry of Internal Affairs started last year. The subject schools [for the research] are over 20 schools. How will the classroom evolve in the future?
11月14日、総務・文部科学省副大臣共催の協議会。スクリーンに映されたのは、小学生がパソコンの画面にペンを当て、ゲーム機のニンテンドーDSのように文字を書き込む教室の映像だった。大型テレビのような電子黒板で学ぶ場面もあった。
Displayed on the screen at the November 14th Ministry of Internal Affairs/METI's Co-Deputy Minister's council meeting was an image of elementary school student with a pen at hand, imputing letters on what seemed to be an electronic gaming device such as the Nintendo DS. There was also an instance where a big screen used as an electronic blackboard for learning was displayed.
総務省が昨年度から始めた「フューチャースクール推進事業」の対象校の一コマだ。全国の小中、特別支援の計20校で、子どもが1人1台のパソコンを待つ。文科省のデジタル教科書の実証実験も兼ねている。
This is one way of promoting a "Future School" started by the Ministry of Internal Affairs last year. With a special support plan, nationally 20 elementary and middle schools are waiting for a personal computer for every child. This also serves as a demonstration for METI's electronic textbooks.
この日の協議会の傍聴希望者は100人近くで、抽選となった。「いま、教育の情報化に熱い視線が注がれている」と文部科学省の伊藤賢・情報政策室長は言う。
On the day of the council meeting, there were nearly 100 people that wished to sit in on the meeting and thus the selection became a lottery drawing [for who got to sit in] METI 's policy director Ken Ito states, " Right now, there's a lot of concentration put on computerizing education."
親の期待も大きい。ベネッセの2006年のネット調査では、小中学生の保護者1800人の88％が「パソコンは学習に設立つ」と答えた。
Parent's expectations are also big. In a 2006 Benesse internet survey, 88% of 1800 parents of elementary and middle school students answered, "Computer's are beneficial to learning."
－あくまで道具 The only/sole tool
一方、当の学校はデジタルの大波を冷静に見極めようとしている。フューチャースクールの一つ、愛知県大府市立東山小学校の小竹紀代子校長(52)は「デジタル機器を使うこと自体が授業の目標になっていないか、一番心配している」と語る。
On the other hand, this same school is trying to calmly ease its way into the wave of digitization. Principal Kotake, Kyoko at one of the future schools, Higashiyama Municipal Elementary School located in Aichi, Obu states, " I'm most worried about if just using this digital equipment will perhaps become the goal of the class."
事業が始まって約1年。
It's been around 1 year since the project began.
子どもも先生も、機械の操作には慣れてきた。パソコンが自動採点する漢字ドリルで自習したり、電子黒板で図形を自由に動かしたり。だが、「デジタルはあくまで道具。ノートと黒板の方が分かりやすいなら意味がない。」と言い切る。
Children as well as teachers have gotten use to operating the machines. While studying on your own, personal computers will automatically grade Kanji drills and on the electronic black boards figures and shapes are able to move around freely. However others assert, "Digitization being the sole tool, if using paper and a chalk board make the concepts more easy to understand there's really no point."
すべての小学校に2人に1台のパソコンを配備した態本県人吉市。7校が一つのネットワークでつながり学校の垣根を越えた授業を実現している。東間小学校ではこの秋、5年生が水俣病を学び、班ごとにパソコン上で新聞を作った。それデジタル教室の風景が変わりつつある。子どもたちは既に携帯電話で、見知らぬ人々と瞬時につながり合う。ネットで結ばれた若者の行動が世界を揺るがす時代。コンピューターやネットを使いこなす力を育てる教育は欠かせない。
All elementary schools in Kumamoto, Hitoyoshi have deployed a computer for every two students. Schools are realizing that seven schools connected under one network, there will inevitably be some classes will be out of the network's reach. At Azuma elementary this fall the 5th graders are learning about Minamata disease (Mercury poisoning) and as a group using a computer made newspaper articles. With this the feel of the digital classroom is changing. Children can already in an instant look up people they aren't familiar with on their cell phones. This is an age where the behavior of young people connected to the internet are dramatically changing the world.
ただデジタルは手段に過ぎない。注目したいのは、学びに変革を起こすかどうかだ。デジタル機器は、子どもが膨大な知の海から情報をつかみとり、考えを交流する学習に適している。
However digital is not the only means. What I want to bring attention to is if this is really revolutionizing learning. Digital equipment is perfect for connecting children to information overseas and allowing for an exchange of ideas.
1人の教師が多くの子に同じ知識を考える「一斉授業」だけでなく、一人ひとりに合った「個別学習」や教え合い学び合う「協働学習」を広げたい。検討すべき課題もある。電子機器が人間の身体や思考に与える影響の研究を急がなければならない。五感を働かせ、紙をめくりノートに書くのがふさわしい学習も多い。どの場面で何を使うかの吟味が大切だ。
I want to spread not only a "cohesive classroom" where one teacher and his/her students learn while thinking about the same knowledge but also "Individualized learning" that meets a student's individual needs and "Collaborative learning" where everyone helps to teach each other. There are also other issues that should be considered. We have to hurry with research to figure out the impacts of giving electronic devices human intelligence.There's also various suitable learning methods such as just turning a page and writing notes that move the five senses. It's important to examine under what circumstances something should be used.
TCT(情報通信技術)の議論はコンピューターか人間か、デジタルかアナログかといった二項対立に陥りがちだ。そうならないために、「紙と鉛筆」の世代がデジタルの世界をもっと知る必要がある。これからを生きる子どもの視点で、この連載では、新しい学びの可能性を考えていきたい。
The TCT (Information and Communication Technologies) discussions tend to fall into the computer or human, digital or analog type of dichotomy between the two. In order for that not to happen, it's necessary for the "pen and paper" generation to learn more about the digital world. From the perspective of children living today, in this news paper I'd like to move forward and create new learning possibilities.
I think there's a lot of progress going on in the field of education and technology is another learning tool being introduced in schools since a lot of technology most kids use at their house anyway. Kids nowadays have ipads and iphones, computers and other digital devices already so I don't think it's such a bad idea to implement them into the classroom as well. Although I can see the worry some people have about making that be the sole priority and how other more traditional methods of learning maybe be more suitable to students. I think the author of the article was right in thinking that it's important to really find when it's appropriate to use what kinds of materials.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Amity General Offer...and other job interviews
So I just received an email giving me a general offer to pursue employment with Amity. While I am excited about this, I do have my worries because at this point in my life where my debt is so huge and I have so little saved, I don't think it's the best decision to go over to Japan right now. With Amity, you have to bring at least around $1500~$3000 with you to start up with because you won't be getting paid when you first start and there will be bills to pay. I don't have that kind of money right now and on top of that I have loans to pay off. If push comes to shove I will have to somehow get around $1000 working part-time somewhere and then go...and have to live off the salary that they give only being able to save maybe $50 a month.
However, I have been on two more interviews and hopefully I'll here back from one of them by the end of next week sometime. My thinking now is that if I can work here and get a pretty decent salary and study Japanese on my own for around a year in a half, then I would be ready to go over to Japan. I would be able to bring the amount of start up money I need and I would have more experience in a working environment that I could add to my resume and help me find another job when I get back to the states. I really feel that staying here is the best thing for me right now, not only financially but emotionally as well. I feel that I'm not ready to go back to Japan after my study abroad experience and to tell the truth I feel like my relationship with my boyfriend isn't strong enough for me to be that far away from him yet. There are just so many factors financially and emotionally that I don't know if going to Japan is the best thing for me right now.
I still do want to go back and I still want to study the language because it is ultimately my dream to become a translator. I love to connect different languages together and I love Japanese. I feel that after I study a little I have completed my day. It's a challenging language and at my level I am on the cusp of becoming an advanced learner. I feel that if I stay here and find a job or even if I go abroad to Japan, I will still have to put in extra time to studying, even though it will be a little easier going to Japan because I will be immersed in it. However, I think that even here I can still do a language exchange during the weekend and study while working in the states. I'm not going to give up on Japanese because I really find it rewarding in more ways than one.
Right now, I'm in a waiting period. Still waiting on some jobs I interviewed to get back to me and still waiting on what my next move will be post graduation. I'm still trying to look for jobs here in the states because I feel that will be my best bet before I try and make a year commitment to go back to Japan. However nothing is certain so I still have to keep Amity and teaching in Japan a viable option right now.
However, I have been on two more interviews and hopefully I'll here back from one of them by the end of next week sometime. My thinking now is that if I can work here and get a pretty decent salary and study Japanese on my own for around a year in a half, then I would be ready to go over to Japan. I would be able to bring the amount of start up money I need and I would have more experience in a working environment that I could add to my resume and help me find another job when I get back to the states. I really feel that staying here is the best thing for me right now, not only financially but emotionally as well. I feel that I'm not ready to go back to Japan after my study abroad experience and to tell the truth I feel like my relationship with my boyfriend isn't strong enough for me to be that far away from him yet. There are just so many factors financially and emotionally that I don't know if going to Japan is the best thing for me right now.
I still do want to go back and I still want to study the language because it is ultimately my dream to become a translator. I love to connect different languages together and I love Japanese. I feel that after I study a little I have completed my day. It's a challenging language and at my level I am on the cusp of becoming an advanced learner. I feel that if I stay here and find a job or even if I go abroad to Japan, I will still have to put in extra time to studying, even though it will be a little easier going to Japan because I will be immersed in it. However, I think that even here I can still do a language exchange during the weekend and study while working in the states. I'm not going to give up on Japanese because I really find it rewarding in more ways than one.
Right now, I'm in a waiting period. Still waiting on some jobs I interviewed to get back to me and still waiting on what my next move will be post graduation. I'm still trying to look for jobs here in the states because I feel that will be my best bet before I try and make a year commitment to go back to Japan. However nothing is certain so I still have to keep Amity and teaching in Japan a viable option right now.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Amity Interview (part 2) and going back to Maryland
So, if you've read my first post on Amity you know that I was invited for a second personal interview the next day. When I got the call me and my mom started jumping up and down because we accomplished what we came to this gnarly city to do. So the next day I wake up around 6:30 and get ready.
At the hotel where the interview is taking place, my administrator was waiting in another conference room different from the one we had the group interviews in. I walk in and she first asks me what I thought I did well about my lesson plan. I told her that I thought I did the visuals well and the repetition I incorporated into the lesson plan was also a plus. She agreed and said that I was also energetic and had a simple lesson that the kids could grasp onto. Also she said that my preparation for the lesson was phenomenal because of my props (my weather flash cards) which is a plus for me because I'm also able to draw and was able to create them. So, for anyone out there ready to do an Amity interview these are the things I would recommend.
1) Be energetic!! This goes a long way when if your lesson stinks. Also hope you get a group that's friendly and participates in your lesson. I was lucky enough to get a group that was very inviting and we supported each others lessons.
2) Be prepared and put time into your lesson. This is a big one. The more the recruiter sees that you put time into your lesson, the more she/he will see that you care and are motivated to continue on with the process if selected.
3) Make your lesson plan simple! This one is also a biggie. No need to make elaborate games or anything like that. The recruiter is looking for a lesson that teaches kids a simple phrase along to with 5 or 6 vocabulary words to accompany the lesson. Make sure you have a teaching element to your lesson. Games and activities are important to keep the kids attention but the most important is the teaching aspect of the lesson and this part you should show during your 5 min demonstration. So make it simple! For example: Create a lesson that has one central theme. Make some flash cards that have 5-6 vocabulary words on it and then try and incorporate a phrase that can be practically used in a real life situation.
4) Repetition and gestures. Although Amity loves songs, they also love repetition and gestures to try and get the kids to remember the material. Try and incorporate gestures and repetition like saying a vocabulary word three times and doing a gesture that can be associated with that word.
5) Be open. This job is no joke. It is very time consuming and being in a totally different culture also takes a toll on you. The recruiter wants to see that you are open to new experiences and willing to work hard for Amity. It's just like any other company that you apply to whether in the United States or in Japan. The company wants to see how hiring you will benefit the company and its ideals. So show that you are willing to work hard no matter what the situation and that you are open to a new culture and new experiences although you know that there will be hardships.
Well, that's all I can think of for the demonstration. So going on, I had to also do another lesson in the personal interview but this one wasn't nearly as nerve racking as the first one because the recruiter pretty much tells you what they expect you to do...I guess you can say guidelines and they give you 10 min to prepare and create the lesson. It doesn't have to be perfect because the recruiter understands that you only have 10 min to prepare and if you're like me you have pretty much no ESL teaching skills. Just try and incorporate as much as the recruiter tells you and pretend that the recruiter is the child your teaching. This isn't too hard because when the 10 min are up the recruiter actually comes into the room acting like a 5 year old Japanese kid. LOL Although this part is funny, you have to hold in your laughter and act professional.
After the lesson, we talked about any questions that I might have and about the dress code and the cost of starting up and living in Japan. She also quizzed me on some of the things we went over in the Amity presentation yesterday so during that presentation try and take notes, but if you remember one or two things you should be good. After that I handed her my references and she told me that I would hear from them in about a month or so about an opportunity for placement and that was the end. At first the interview process from reading it online was a little daunting but going in there and actually doing it made it seem not so bad! So just relax and go in there with a positive attitude!
So after everything was over, it was time for me and my mom to get out of this damn city!! We couldn't wait to get back home to Maryland...and I feel I can truly say that I am from Maryland now lol It's amazing what going to another state can do to change your perspective. I really felt that I was in a foreign county lol Our flight wasn't until 8 that night but we decided that going to the airport early, we could get put on standby and maybe have the chance to get put on an earlier flight. However, getting to the check in counter, I can't check my bag because you can only do that 4 hours before a flight. Since the next one leaving for Baltimore is not until 6 pm and we're there literally at 9 am it's pretty much impossible. I have to check my bag because I have my proactive toner and night toner in my bag all over the legal limit you can bring onto a plane...but of course my mom being the person she is makes me dump my face stuff into these bottles she was tucked away into her suitcase because she doesn't feel like waiting outside of security. I was a little mad at this and I did have a moment..and my mom calls me a bitch lol (this is the kind of relationship we have) but going through security and eating and being able to watch the football game, we made up and it was all good.
We wanted to get on the 6 pm flight back but the people at the counter were a little skeptical because the flight seemed full but we would be able to go on standby anyway. Waiting all that time at the airport and 6 pm finally rolls around and the people line up to get on the plane, we loose hope because it does seem like everyone is there and the plane would be full. There was even this other person on standby that tried to sneak on the plane lol As we're sitting there with no hope, our names are called to board and we spring up like giddy school girls that just won the lottery lol However, on the plane, since there wasn't enough room we had to check our bags anyway...but at no cost to us...I was kind of mad about that but if I hadn't gone through security and we hadn't been put on the waiting list early we would have never gotten the last two seats on the plane! So I guess my sacrifice wasn't for nothing.
Making it back to good ol' warm Maryland me and my mom were happy to be back...and hopefully I'll be employed by the end of this month so I can start paying my student loans T_T
At the hotel where the interview is taking place, my administrator was waiting in another conference room different from the one we had the group interviews in. I walk in and she first asks me what I thought I did well about my lesson plan. I told her that I thought I did the visuals well and the repetition I incorporated into the lesson plan was also a plus. She agreed and said that I was also energetic and had a simple lesson that the kids could grasp onto. Also she said that my preparation for the lesson was phenomenal because of my props (my weather flash cards) which is a plus for me because I'm also able to draw and was able to create them. So, for anyone out there ready to do an Amity interview these are the things I would recommend.
1) Be energetic!! This goes a long way when if your lesson stinks. Also hope you get a group that's friendly and participates in your lesson. I was lucky enough to get a group that was very inviting and we supported each others lessons.2) Be prepared and put time into your lesson. This is a big one. The more the recruiter sees that you put time into your lesson, the more she/he will see that you care and are motivated to continue on with the process if selected.
3) Make your lesson plan simple! This one is also a biggie. No need to make elaborate games or anything like that. The recruiter is looking for a lesson that teaches kids a simple phrase along to with 5 or 6 vocabulary words to accompany the lesson. Make sure you have a teaching element to your lesson. Games and activities are important to keep the kids attention but the most important is the teaching aspect of the lesson and this part you should show during your 5 min demonstration. So make it simple! For example: Create a lesson that has one central theme. Make some flash cards that have 5-6 vocabulary words on it and then try and incorporate a phrase that can be practically used in a real life situation.4) Repetition and gestures. Although Amity loves songs, they also love repetition and gestures to try and get the kids to remember the material. Try and incorporate gestures and repetition like saying a vocabulary word three times and doing a gesture that can be associated with that word.
5) Be open. This job is no joke. It is very time consuming and being in a totally different culture also takes a toll on you. The recruiter wants to see that you are open to new experiences and willing to work hard for Amity. It's just like any other company that you apply to whether in the United States or in Japan. The company wants to see how hiring you will benefit the company and its ideals. So show that you are willing to work hard no matter what the situation and that you are open to a new culture and new experiences although you know that there will be hardships.
Well, that's all I can think of for the demonstration. So going on, I had to also do another lesson in the personal interview but this one wasn't nearly as nerve racking as the first one because the recruiter pretty much tells you what they expect you to do...I guess you can say guidelines and they give you 10 min to prepare and create the lesson. It doesn't have to be perfect because the recruiter understands that you only have 10 min to prepare and if you're like me you have pretty much no ESL teaching skills. Just try and incorporate as much as the recruiter tells you and pretend that the recruiter is the child your teaching. This isn't too hard because when the 10 min are up the recruiter actually comes into the room acting like a 5 year old Japanese kid. LOL Although this part is funny, you have to hold in your laughter and act professional.
After the lesson, we talked about any questions that I might have and about the dress code and the cost of starting up and living in Japan. She also quizzed me on some of the things we went over in the Amity presentation yesterday so during that presentation try and take notes, but if you remember one or two things you should be good. After that I handed her my references and she told me that I would hear from them in about a month or so about an opportunity for placement and that was the end. At first the interview process from reading it online was a little daunting but going in there and actually doing it made it seem not so bad! So just relax and go in there with a positive attitude!
So after everything was over, it was time for me and my mom to get out of this damn city!! We couldn't wait to get back home to Maryland...and I feel I can truly say that I am from Maryland now lol It's amazing what going to another state can do to change your perspective. I really felt that I was in a foreign county lol Our flight wasn't until 8 that night but we decided that going to the airport early, we could get put on standby and maybe have the chance to get put on an earlier flight. However, getting to the check in counter, I can't check my bag because you can only do that 4 hours before a flight. Since the next one leaving for Baltimore is not until 6 pm and we're there literally at 9 am it's pretty much impossible. I have to check my bag because I have my proactive toner and night toner in my bag all over the legal limit you can bring onto a plane...but of course my mom being the person she is makes me dump my face stuff into these bottles she was tucked away into her suitcase because she doesn't feel like waiting outside of security. I was a little mad at this and I did have a moment..and my mom calls me a bitch lol (this is the kind of relationship we have) but going through security and eating and being able to watch the football game, we made up and it was all good.
We wanted to get on the 6 pm flight back but the people at the counter were a little skeptical because the flight seemed full but we would be able to go on standby anyway. Waiting all that time at the airport and 6 pm finally rolls around and the people line up to get on the plane, we loose hope because it does seem like everyone is there and the plane would be full. There was even this other person on standby that tried to sneak on the plane lol As we're sitting there with no hope, our names are called to board and we spring up like giddy school girls that just won the lottery lol However, on the plane, since there wasn't enough room we had to check our bags anyway...but at no cost to us...I was kind of mad about that but if I hadn't gone through security and we hadn't been put on the waiting list early we would have never gotten the last two seats on the plane! So I guess my sacrifice wasn't for nothing.
Making it back to good ol' warm Maryland me and my mom were happy to be back...and hopefully I'll be employed by the end of this month so I can start paying my student loans T_T
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Amity interview (part 1) and Boston
Well, I have completed the first day of the group interview for Amity. I feel it went pretty well. There was only nine of us and for the first part it was a presentation about Amity, the company, what to expect salary wise, challenges, life in Japan ect. Before the presentation we did an ice breaker exercise just to get everyone used to each other. The presentation did take a couple of hours but there were breaks in between to make it more bearable and the administrator was very nice and welcoming so that made the interview and the presentation go a lot faster and there wasn't as much stress and tension.
After the presentation, we had a short test that tested our grammar skills. I won't lie, the spelling part was kind of challenging because I rely on spell check so heavily that my spelling skills have gone to shit but I got through it. There's also a sentence part were you have to circle what part of the sentence is grammatically incorrect and explain how some words are used in English like the difference between "Put on" and "wear"
After the quiz we had a break for lunch after we broke up into two groups for presentations. I was in the group that went first and everyone in my group was really friendly and showed a lot of energy. We all helped each other out with our presentations and I felt that the environment was really inviting and friendly. I felt my presentation was average and I could have done more to make it more interactive in order to get the kids moving more and keep their attention but all in all I felt because of the energy of my group and my preparation it went pretty well. After your group is finished presentations you are allowed to leave and wait for a phone call that night to see if you are invited to a personal interview the next day.
I got the call for the personal interview and I will have that at 8 am tomorrow.
For Boston, I feel that the weather is really cold here...and the drivers are really aggressive. They do come of as rude in some instances and I feel that's a real turn off for me. I'm sure a lot of other people have had very nice experiences with the people here in Boston but for me personally I don't really care for the city that much. Even though the whole experience isn't so bad because I'm here with my mom and she always has a good time where ever she is and has the ability to put a smile on your face. I'm really glad I came here with her.
After the presentation, we had a short test that tested our grammar skills. I won't lie, the spelling part was kind of challenging because I rely on spell check so heavily that my spelling skills have gone to shit but I got through it. There's also a sentence part were you have to circle what part of the sentence is grammatically incorrect and explain how some words are used in English like the difference between "Put on" and "wear"
After the quiz we had a break for lunch after we broke up into two groups for presentations. I was in the group that went first and everyone in my group was really friendly and showed a lot of energy. We all helped each other out with our presentations and I felt that the environment was really inviting and friendly. I felt my presentation was average and I could have done more to make it more interactive in order to get the kids moving more and keep their attention but all in all I felt because of the energy of my group and my preparation it went pretty well. After your group is finished presentations you are allowed to leave and wait for a phone call that night to see if you are invited to a personal interview the next day.
I got the call for the personal interview and I will have that at 8 am tomorrow.
For Boston, I feel that the weather is really cold here...and the drivers are really aggressive. They do come of as rude in some instances and I feel that's a real turn off for me. I'm sure a lot of other people have had very nice experiences with the people here in Boston but for me personally I don't really care for the city that much. Even though the whole experience isn't so bad because I'm here with my mom and she always has a good time where ever she is and has the ability to put a smile on your face. I'm really glad I came here with her.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Interviews...Interviews and more Interviews
Onto my next interview which is an interview with Amity. I'm here in Boston right now with my mom for two days ready to undergo this two day interview process. It's really cold up here! I've read online that the interview process is pretty rough but if you take it one step at a time, have confidence and a lot of energy you should be able to do fine. I always thought I wanted to teach English in Japan after I graduated...felt that it was my only choice. But after going though all these interviews...and failing miserably at them, I first thought that maybe teaching English isn't the only thing I can do with my Japanese. There's other options out there. However after failing on each of the interviews I've went to thus far...I'm starting to get that feeling back again. On top of that I'm also scared that maybe I won't be able to even teach English because these people won't be able to see my potential either because of my poor interview skills. I try to be enthusiastic but not over the top. Interested but not obsessive. It's hard to find the right balance...not just in interviews but with everything in life I guess.
Anyway, I hope all goes well with this Amity interview and I get an offer with them...and with the other law firm people I interviewed with. I hope I'll have luxury of being able to decided one or the other...but if that's not the case then I have the back up-back up plan of applying to the JET program again and looking for anything else I can find in the classified section. I really hope things start to look up for me soon...I really want to be able to have a chance to prove myself and my abilities.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Fighting...again
So I just had a fight with my boyfriend and we are really in a love hate relationship right now. Recently it's been more about the fighting and hate. It started off as something small and just exploded into something huge. I was jealous of him because of the way things are just handed to him. He has never worked a day in his life and his parents spoil him to the max. No debt, no worries, found a good job...the life right? On top of that his parents get him a brand new phone as a "going away present" How could I not be jealous of his life right? I feel anyone would. I know it was selfish of me to wear my emotions on my sleeve and act shitty to him even though he did nothing wrong to me personally and only has shown me unconditional love but it's just part of my nature show my emotions. If I'm jealous, I'm jealous it doesn't matter who it is. My mom, my sisters, my dad, my boyfriend, it doesn't matter.
Of course when we get on Skype I'm a bitch because all I can think about is how this spoiled brat gets everything and I have to work just to get a crumb in this world and at first I didn't want to tell him, but him being the god boyfriend that he is wants to know what's bothering me so I tell him. I tell him I'm jealous and that I'm starting to feel negative feelings toward him. That maybe we should call it quits because we live in two different worlds. I come from a background where you basically have to work for everything and he comes from one where everything is handed to him. I was angry at this fact and hurt. I felt conflicted inside because the one man that I've ever adored is the one man that I'm beginning to detest because he's the spoiled rich kid. Of course he says "what can I do...I didn't do anything to bring this about ect..ect.." and I kind of feel bad for even bringing it up in the first place but since it's out in the open might as well clear the air...or make it even more filthy.
We start fighting at this point and I'm trying to tell him that I told him how I felt because he asked and that even though I felt that way it would pass and I hoped that we would give my some reassurance about the whole situation and my feelings at the time. Instead, he agrees with me and says that whatever makes me happy and this got me even more upset because when he was wavering about out relationship when his parents were telling us to break up, I soundly and surly told him that we were going to make it through and that anything he was feeling now was temporary. That even though he had he's doubts now, I would stay with him and we would be together another day. I tried to reassure him that things were going to work out, that it was going to be ok. I was looking for that from him when I was telling him about my feelings tonight...but that didn't happen.
He made me question whether or not he really wanted to be with me because not once did he state that he wanted me to stay with him. That he wanted me by his side regardless of what I was feeling because feelings will past and love will remain. He didn't say any of that. He was complacent and ambivalent to the whole thing. When I started to tell him about why I was even more upset with him, he says that he's not going to say that he'll die without me and beg me to stay while putting a ring on my finger. At this point I can't believe he's saying any of this because I wasn't eluding to any of that nonsense. All I wanted was a little bit of reassurance and not a whole fiasco about you're right I'm wrong, let's break up and forget about each other type of fight.
He continues to say that what am I going to do when he starts working 9-10 hours a day and comes home tired and I start complaining about how there's not enough communication. I tell him that I only complain about that now because when we talk is so precarious I don't know if I'll even get a good morning or a hi that day. I told him that we need consistency and that we should plan to Skype every night at 10 until otherwise noted. After that we kind of made up but I can still feel the tension with him. I hate to have to go to bed fighting because I never like fighting with no resolve. I do admit I can be clingy at times and over jealous and I'm trying to work on that but he also has his faults that I put up with too...so I guess we just have to work on it one day at a time. There's a lot of time an effort that needs to be put into relationships and there are a lot of different emotions involved.
At this stage in our relationship and the hardships that we've faced thus far with his family not wanting him to see me...to this transition period in both of our lives from school to work, the road ahead is so bleak and bumpy I have no idea where it leads to. In my mind I want and believe...I have faith that it will work out with him but sometimes I also need reassurance that he has the same faith that I do. It's all any girl really wants right? Reassurance that the guy she's with has the same faith in the relationship that she does. Is that too much to ask for? I hope not because with so much uncertainty ahead its impeccable that we both have faith in each other and ourselves. For my relationship it's not a question of being faithful to each other...it's of being faithful in one another and in our relationship. Maybe in addition to I love you...we should also say I have faith in you...
Of course when we get on Skype I'm a bitch because all I can think about is how this spoiled brat gets everything and I have to work just to get a crumb in this world and at first I didn't want to tell him, but him being the god boyfriend that he is wants to know what's bothering me so I tell him. I tell him I'm jealous and that I'm starting to feel negative feelings toward him. That maybe we should call it quits because we live in two different worlds. I come from a background where you basically have to work for everything and he comes from one where everything is handed to him. I was angry at this fact and hurt. I felt conflicted inside because the one man that I've ever adored is the one man that I'm beginning to detest because he's the spoiled rich kid. Of course he says "what can I do...I didn't do anything to bring this about ect..ect.." and I kind of feel bad for even bringing it up in the first place but since it's out in the open might as well clear the air...or make it even more filthy.
We start fighting at this point and I'm trying to tell him that I told him how I felt because he asked and that even though I felt that way it would pass and I hoped that we would give my some reassurance about the whole situation and my feelings at the time. Instead, he agrees with me and says that whatever makes me happy and this got me even more upset because when he was wavering about out relationship when his parents were telling us to break up, I soundly and surly told him that we were going to make it through and that anything he was feeling now was temporary. That even though he had he's doubts now, I would stay with him and we would be together another day. I tried to reassure him that things were going to work out, that it was going to be ok. I was looking for that from him when I was telling him about my feelings tonight...but that didn't happen.
He made me question whether or not he really wanted to be with me because not once did he state that he wanted me to stay with him. That he wanted me by his side regardless of what I was feeling because feelings will past and love will remain. He didn't say any of that. He was complacent and ambivalent to the whole thing. When I started to tell him about why I was even more upset with him, he says that he's not going to say that he'll die without me and beg me to stay while putting a ring on my finger. At this point I can't believe he's saying any of this because I wasn't eluding to any of that nonsense. All I wanted was a little bit of reassurance and not a whole fiasco about you're right I'm wrong, let's break up and forget about each other type of fight.
He continues to say that what am I going to do when he starts working 9-10 hours a day and comes home tired and I start complaining about how there's not enough communication. I tell him that I only complain about that now because when we talk is so precarious I don't know if I'll even get a good morning or a hi that day. I told him that we need consistency and that we should plan to Skype every night at 10 until otherwise noted. After that we kind of made up but I can still feel the tension with him. I hate to have to go to bed fighting because I never like fighting with no resolve. I do admit I can be clingy at times and over jealous and I'm trying to work on that but he also has his faults that I put up with too...so I guess we just have to work on it one day at a time. There's a lot of time an effort that needs to be put into relationships and there are a lot of different emotions involved.
At this stage in our relationship and the hardships that we've faced thus far with his family not wanting him to see me...to this transition period in both of our lives from school to work, the road ahead is so bleak and bumpy I have no idea where it leads to. In my mind I want and believe...I have faith that it will work out with him but sometimes I also need reassurance that he has the same faith that I do. It's all any girl really wants right? Reassurance that the guy she's with has the same faith in the relationship that she does. Is that too much to ask for? I hope not because with so much uncertainty ahead its impeccable that we both have faith in each other and ourselves. For my relationship it's not a question of being faithful to each other...it's of being faithful in one another and in our relationship. Maybe in addition to I love you...we should also say I have faith in you...
Monday, October 1, 2012
Luv Naturals...hair and skin care
So, today I was looking on YouTube and one of my favorite YouTube personalities kim luvnaturals has created a hair care product line! I have to say I am thoroughly impressed with her. I had been watching her YouTube channel since I went natural and all of her videos really show her trying to work hard to learn, educate and help black women manage the hair that grow out of their head. It's hard out there since most products are only geared and marketed towards people with straight hair and those marketed to blacks are predominantly in chemically straightened out hair to conform to the "straight" haired market. Products that are good for and actually work for natural haired blacks is far and few between and thus I'm so amazed that luvnaturals took the opportunity to make a product line geared toward the natural black community. From the reviews I've seen off YouTube, this product smells great, has a slip factor that detangles hair and especially with the shampoo doesn't leave the hair feeling stripped or dry because of the sulfates shampoos often contain. Although the product line is $13 for each product (a steep amount for some that are on a VERY strict budget) The bottles should last at least for a couple months so the money that you do spend goes a long way. I'm very excited to try luvnaturals product line and hopefully it will give me the results everyone else is getting.
I also wanted to talk about skin care. As fall approaches and the weather chills, my face has been having some problems to say the least. During the summer I really didn't have a problem with acne but as fall came around pimples just start popping up like daisies. I have to admit I have had boyfriend stress, stress from loans, not being able to find a job, emotionally feelings, and everything that have been taking a toll on me and I feel my body is also reacting to it. I do try to eat healthy and I drink water on a regular basis, absolutely no soda and I do try to have three balanced meals but I feel that because it's getting colder my pores are shrinking because its getting cold. In the morning, when I wash my face my pored open up a little but not enough to the point where I can clean them and seal in what I need. I figured that I need to open my pores more so I can wash and clean the dirt and grim and not have anymore pimples come up. I decided that I need to put a steamy wash cloth over my face for around 5 min and then go on with my regular routine. I have tried this method today and I have to say my face does feel a lot different and cleaner, so I think I will stick with this and see how the results pan out.
I also wanted to talk about skin care. As fall approaches and the weather chills, my face has been having some problems to say the least. During the summer I really didn't have a problem with acne but as fall came around pimples just start popping up like daisies. I have to admit I have had boyfriend stress, stress from loans, not being able to find a job, emotionally feelings, and everything that have been taking a toll on me and I feel my body is also reacting to it. I do try to eat healthy and I drink water on a regular basis, absolutely no soda and I do try to have three balanced meals but I feel that because it's getting colder my pores are shrinking because its getting cold. In the morning, when I wash my face my pored open up a little but not enough to the point where I can clean them and seal in what I need. I figured that I need to open my pores more so I can wash and clean the dirt and grim and not have anymore pimples come up. I decided that I need to put a steamy wash cloth over my face for around 5 min and then go on with my regular routine. I have tried this method today and I have to say my face does feel a lot different and cleaner, so I think I will stick with this and see how the results pan out.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Broccoli and cheese soup
1/2 medium onion chopped
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups half and half
2 cups chicken stock
1/2 pound fresh broccoli
1 cup carrots
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon pepper
8 ounces grated cheese
Directions
-Saute onions in a little butter in a small sauce pan (set aside)
-In a large stock pot, slowly add half and half mixing the entire time
-Melt butter and add flour and mix for three minutes.
-Slowly add chicken stock mixing the entire time.
-Let simmer on low for about 20 minutes
-Add broccoli, carrots, onions and cook on low for 25 min.
-Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg
-Place soup in a blender or use an immersion blender and puree
-Heat over low heat and add cheese, mix until melted
For this recipe I've read that some people thought the nutmeg and pepper were a little too over powering and I would have to agree. My soup came out thick but not as thick as I would have liked. Next time I think I will skip over the nutmeg, use only a pinch of pepper and add some garlic to it instead. For the thickness, I read that before letting the initial broth simmer for 20 min, you should let it come to a boil and get nice and thick ( I feel the flour is what makes it that way) But anyway on the whole, this soup came out pretty well for me. I will be trying it again and seeing if I can't improve on anything I messed up on the first time =)
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Feelings..as of now
Today I went to buy a suit with my mom for my upcoming interview. After deciding on what to get I tried to present my lesson to my sister and mom today. For some reason I couldn't really enthuse myself and gain the courage to present in the way I know that I should to get the job. It's like I'm holding my own self back from being what I know I can be.
I did get through the presentation though and took the feedback from my mom and sister. I just wish I could get out of this shy period in my life and just break out of my shell. It's just like something in my mind is holding me back. I hope I'm able to gain enough courage to really deliver on the 13th and get a call back.
That being said, today I looked online to see what other people in my situation (BA in Japanese) were doing. Of course I found the JET program and teaching English in Japan to be the number one choice but some of the results I found and what people were saying about language majors really shocked and depressed me. Some said that a BA in Japanese was totally useless, or that you should couple it with something else to try and get your "real career" on track. When I look at myself, I had changed my major from French to Japanese, and I never really had an interest in business or finance... foreign policy or politics to really concentrate on any of them. I had liked studying Japanese...and although it became and still is a little overwhelming at times, I do still like to learn about the language. I feel that I don't really have a real career path that a BA could have started my life on. I don't regret my decision to major in Japanese...because it was pretty much the only thing that I had that much of a passion for to study and read about. Everything else just seemed like a chore with no means to an end.
I think about my debt and would it have changed or gotten less massive if I hadn't majored in Japanese...and to tell the truth it probably would be, but I wouldn't have been able to experience everything I had up until now if I hadn't transferred. I wouldn't have been able to go to ICU, I wouldn't have been able to get my Japanese to a N2 level proficiency and I wouldn't have met the love of my life. Even though I made a mistake and hadn't borrowed as smart as I should have, I'm glad I was able to experience what I did. I wouldn't be the person I am at this moment if I hadn't went through those experiences, so I don't regret my decision. There are days when I feel like I'm going to break down but in those times, by boyfriend and my family raise my spirits back up and help me through the hard times. I am so blessed to have them.
My dad, when he was young had us and my mom to take care of. He would go to school and have dead end jobs working at a factory, Sears and other places just to get by. I remember him waiting at the bus stop everyday because he didn't even have a car. He had two children to take care of, working on a degree and yes loans to pay off too. He didn't roll over and die though. He kept pulling through and to this day it's made him what he his today. Adversity brings out the character in all of us. Looking at my situation now, I just have to fight like my dad did. I have to continue on. This is what I chose and this is what I have to deal with right now. If my dad can do it with two kids and a third on the way and overcome all of that to get to where he is, then I can get through what I'm going through right now and come out even stronger. I'm glad I talked to my dad today. He really motivates me to move ahead and I love him.
I did get through the presentation though and took the feedback from my mom and sister. I just wish I could get out of this shy period in my life and just break out of my shell. It's just like something in my mind is holding me back. I hope I'm able to gain enough courage to really deliver on the 13th and get a call back.
That being said, today I looked online to see what other people in my situation (BA in Japanese) were doing. Of course I found the JET program and teaching English in Japan to be the number one choice but some of the results I found and what people were saying about language majors really shocked and depressed me. Some said that a BA in Japanese was totally useless, or that you should couple it with something else to try and get your "real career" on track. When I look at myself, I had changed my major from French to Japanese, and I never really had an interest in business or finance... foreign policy or politics to really concentrate on any of them. I had liked studying Japanese...and although it became and still is a little overwhelming at times, I do still like to learn about the language. I feel that I don't really have a real career path that a BA could have started my life on. I don't regret my decision to major in Japanese...because it was pretty much the only thing that I had that much of a passion for to study and read about. Everything else just seemed like a chore with no means to an end.
I think about my debt and would it have changed or gotten less massive if I hadn't majored in Japanese...and to tell the truth it probably would be, but I wouldn't have been able to experience everything I had up until now if I hadn't transferred. I wouldn't have been able to go to ICU, I wouldn't have been able to get my Japanese to a N2 level proficiency and I wouldn't have met the love of my life. Even though I made a mistake and hadn't borrowed as smart as I should have, I'm glad I was able to experience what I did. I wouldn't be the person I am at this moment if I hadn't went through those experiences, so I don't regret my decision. There are days when I feel like I'm going to break down but in those times, by boyfriend and my family raise my spirits back up and help me through the hard times. I am so blessed to have them.
My dad, when he was young had us and my mom to take care of. He would go to school and have dead end jobs working at a factory, Sears and other places just to get by. I remember him waiting at the bus stop everyday because he didn't even have a car. He had two children to take care of, working on a degree and yes loans to pay off too. He didn't roll over and die though. He kept pulling through and to this day it's made him what he his today. Adversity brings out the character in all of us. Looking at my situation now, I just have to fight like my dad did. I have to continue on. This is what I chose and this is what I have to deal with right now. If my dad can do it with two kids and a third on the way and overcome all of that to get to where he is, then I can get through what I'm going through right now and come out even stronger. I'm glad I talked to my dad today. He really motivates me to move ahead and I love him.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Debt Reduction
So...I graduated from Georgetown this May and have been trying to find a job in the US pertaining to my major. Something related to Japanese studies where I can improve my language skills. However, America isn't the most lucrative place for this and with the current job market, I can't say that it will be an easy task of finding something at this point...however time is not on my side financially. After I graduated from Georgetown, I have over 100K worth of student loans to pay off. I have monthly bills that combined reach a little over $1000 a month and they start coming next month. Luckily I have a dad that is willing to carry the burden (hopefully) until I land a job and I am so blessed because some people don't even have parents to help them during times such as this. I'm really grateful for that.
My boyfriend however has found a job and starts working next month. He had his grandmother to pay for his tuition and everything so he is one of the lucky few to exit college debt free. In some ways I'm jealous of that but I'm not going to feel remorse for something I can never obtain. This is my situation and it could be worse. Even though my boyfriend was lucky enough to escape the woes of debt, his family is overbearing and very controlling. They don't want him to date and we're pretty much sneaking behind there back to be able to be together. When I look at how he has to live, I do feel better I have parents like mine. I don't feel constricted and although they didn't have the money like his family does, I do have the freedom that he doesn't.
Although you can say this freedom is hindered in a way because of my debt and you may be right. There are a lot of things I can't do because of this debt but I try to find ways around it. Right now I have an interview to teach English in Japan. If this works out I will have the chance to live in Japan again, be immersed in the language and live under a financially strict budget to try and reduce this massive debt. I hope that by the time I leave, I will have eliminated all the government funded debt that I had accrued throughout my school career and just have my private loans to deal with when I come back. However, the one thing that scares me the most is the loan I took out with discover that makes up around half of the debt that I owe. Trying to knock that out will be a challenge but I feel that with my families support and my own financial dictatorship I will be able to get out of debt by the age of 30. Although this seems like a long stretch to be able to try and pay off 100K in seven years time, I think if obedient to my plan I've created and given the right work opportunities I can pull it off.
As depressing as it may seem to be this much in debt and only have earned a Bachelor's degree, I feel that there are things I could have done differently to try and make my loan choices better, however what's done is done and this is my situation I dug myself into. I'm not proud of it but I feel I will pull myself out of it.
My boyfriend however has found a job and starts working next month. He had his grandmother to pay for his tuition and everything so he is one of the lucky few to exit college debt free. In some ways I'm jealous of that but I'm not going to feel remorse for something I can never obtain. This is my situation and it could be worse. Even though my boyfriend was lucky enough to escape the woes of debt, his family is overbearing and very controlling. They don't want him to date and we're pretty much sneaking behind there back to be able to be together. When I look at how he has to live, I do feel better I have parents like mine. I don't feel constricted and although they didn't have the money like his family does, I do have the freedom that he doesn't.
Although you can say this freedom is hindered in a way because of my debt and you may be right. There are a lot of things I can't do because of this debt but I try to find ways around it. Right now I have an interview to teach English in Japan. If this works out I will have the chance to live in Japan again, be immersed in the language and live under a financially strict budget to try and reduce this massive debt. I hope that by the time I leave, I will have eliminated all the government funded debt that I had accrued throughout my school career and just have my private loans to deal with when I come back. However, the one thing that scares me the most is the loan I took out with discover that makes up around half of the debt that I owe. Trying to knock that out will be a challenge but I feel that with my families support and my own financial dictatorship I will be able to get out of debt by the age of 30. Although this seems like a long stretch to be able to try and pay off 100K in seven years time, I think if obedient to my plan I've created and given the right work opportunities I can pull it off.
As depressing as it may seem to be this much in debt and only have earned a Bachelor's degree, I feel that there are things I could have done differently to try and make my loan choices better, however what's done is done and this is my situation I dug myself into. I'm not proud of it but I feel I will pull myself out of it.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Power puff girls nails
Hi peoples~ so I tried out a new nail trick today and it came out pretty good!! I took tattoos and instead of put them on skin, I used my nails~ I've had this power puff girl tattoo for...let's just say forever and a day and I thought it was time to use it. Here's a picture of the final product!!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Straight Hair Pics =)
Hey everyone~
So I remember I posted about my hair progress (3 years natural) and I mentioned that I was going to straighten my hair but I never posted any pics!! So this post is to show my straight hair. I was actually so surprised about how it came out! I had no idea you could straighten natural hair to the point that it looked like a perm! I was really happy with the results =) It lasted a pretty long time too. After I graduated I didn't revert back until a good two to three weeks of straight hair.
So I remember I posted about my hair progress (3 years natural) and I mentioned that I was going to straighten my hair but I never posted any pics!! So this post is to show my straight hair. I was actually so surprised about how it came out! I had no idea you could straighten natural hair to the point that it looked like a perm! I was really happy with the results =) It lasted a pretty long time too. After I graduated I didn't revert back until a good two to three weeks of straight hair.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Current Situation
Well...I've been out of school for a couple of weeks now (3 weeks) and I still haven't found a job and freelance work isn't working out for me so well. The only work I have received for freelance translation is this one brochure job on technical houses and it was because no one else felt bothered to do it...I got paid so that's good but it didn't amount to anything. I did get another offer from a guy that made Japanese textbooks. I gave him a suggestion on a google group page I'm on and he really liked it so he offered me this job but after giving him more sample sentences, he wasn't satisfied and wrote that he thought I was a professional when he saw my suggestion on the group page. I can't be mad however, it's partly my fault. I was so excited about the job offer I didn't take my time and proof read, I didn't think and I just sent it in half ass like thinking it was good enough. Every things just weighing down on me right now...I mean I have almost $10,000 dollars interest to pay on my loans and $100,000 in total (principal) that I borrowed to just finish school. Just looking at these numbers is making my head spin because I have no idea how I'm going to pay for it all...I thought I could start by doing freelance work during the summer to pay down some of the interest but for most of the work they want professional translations and I just don't have the experience yet to say that I can handle it. I've applied to countless jobs and still no one's getting back to me...so I'm really at a loss right now. I mean, my dad says to take it one step at a time, but what step am I suppose to take when I have no opportunity to go on. Right now I feel like I've just wasted money because I still don't entirely understand the Japanese language and even though I have an idea about what I want to do, I have no experience and I feel like no one will give me a chance to gain the experience. I know I have to study more but I just don't have the money to continue schooling or go to a school focusing on translation. I feel like I'm in a pitch black room with only a match that has a bud of flame on the end. Groping through the dark with no way of turning on the light.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Translation...and other things
Hi everyone,
So I've graduated from school and like everyone (or mostly everyone) I'm looking for work. It's a long drawn out process with no certain outcome and it's killing me a little inside everyday. Besides that, I think I've found what I want to do with my life...well at least for the time being. I want to translate. Although I don't have that much experience with it (I did translate for my senior thesis and I have done little homework assignments here and there) I decided that it would be good for me to try my hand at some freelance material. A few days ago, this lady (although it might be a man I'm not sure...) post on one of the google groups that I joined for translation that he/she's looking for someone to do a rush job for a brochure translation. I e-mailed her back and told her although I don't have a lot of experience I might can be able to do it and at first she/he was hesitant because I'm not a professional but after an hour or so and no one took the offer he/she offered it to me! I was so excited because this was my first translation job ever that I was getting paid for!
Needless to say it took all night (until 5 am) but I got it done. However, because I was so new to the freelance translation business, I had no idea about how to charge. XD I asked my boyfriend (just as clueless as I was) so I went with charging by the hour...later to find out that most translators charge by the character. (So now I charge .10 cents a character) but I lost a bit of money on my first job but not to worry because today, he/she e-mails me again about another assignment they have for me to possibly complete! I'm elated that they would come back to me and I immediately said yes....but I think this person might be on a different time zone than I am because she/he sends me the materials so late that I wind up having to stay up to get it done. This project today that she/he proposed to me is a little bit bigger than the last one so I told her that I would probably need a little more time to finish this one (if she/he sends it too late) I would rather it be sent during the day so I can work on it and have it finished in the the morning when she wakes up...but I guess we would have to collaborate on that since this is only my second project and I don't really know about the company or anything...(I thought about that this morning to, so I sent her/him an e-mail asking to fill me in on the details about who he/she works for)
Even though thinking about it, I should have got up a little bit earlier and maybe could have caught her/him and she/he could have given me the materials earlier...but I mean I didn't know I was going to be asked for a second job so...I can't beat myself up too much....but anyway, I'm just happy that I'm able to get myself started in freelance work! It's good for my Japanese and my pocketbook lol so I guess it's a win win situation...however I just can't stand the tight deadlines...I hate working under pressure and the quality of my work suffers when I'm under pressure =( So...hopefully I'll be allowed more time to do this next project since it is the weekend and all....(cross my fingers!!!)
Besides my start in translation, it's been a pretty lax summer so far. My grandma's here for a little bit (she came to my graduation and now is staying with us for a little bit) and she cooks so I'm getting a little bigger lol (not too big though..I hope -__-; )
...but the one thing that is really making this summer difficult is being away from my boyfriend...we got so close so fast and the spring semester just flew by spending time with him. I don't know where all the time went honestly...being at home now I would just give anything just to hug him again...I miss him so much. We talk pretty much every day though and skype helps a lot so it makes it easier...but it's not the same. I also worry about us being separated by our careers and jobs we get...I don't know where my Japanese is going to lead me and I don't know where he's going to end up...I want to start living with him and starting the next phase of our relationship but all this uncertainty is just daunting and I don't like it...all I can say now is that I hope we can get through it together and end up together like I envisioned us...but no one can be sure of the future and that's a scary concept to me. He's my first...for everything...and I don't want to give up because when I look at the big picture I don't want to be with anyone else...I mean I feel like I can go the distance with this guy, I love him and to me, that's pretty much all I need...and him feeling the same way about me, just fuels my love even further to keep pushing to make it work. Anyway that's enough about my personal life lol so embarrassed!
So I've graduated from school and like everyone (or mostly everyone) I'm looking for work. It's a long drawn out process with no certain outcome and it's killing me a little inside everyday. Besides that, I think I've found what I want to do with my life...well at least for the time being. I want to translate. Although I don't have that much experience with it (I did translate for my senior thesis and I have done little homework assignments here and there) I decided that it would be good for me to try my hand at some freelance material. A few days ago, this lady (although it might be a man I'm not sure...) post on one of the google groups that I joined for translation that he/she's looking for someone to do a rush job for a brochure translation. I e-mailed her back and told her although I don't have a lot of experience I might can be able to do it and at first she/he was hesitant because I'm not a professional but after an hour or so and no one took the offer he/she offered it to me! I was so excited because this was my first translation job ever that I was getting paid for!
Needless to say it took all night (until 5 am) but I got it done. However, because I was so new to the freelance translation business, I had no idea about how to charge. XD I asked my boyfriend (just as clueless as I was) so I went with charging by the hour...later to find out that most translators charge by the character. (So now I charge .10 cents a character) but I lost a bit of money on my first job but not to worry because today, he/she e-mails me again about another assignment they have for me to possibly complete! I'm elated that they would come back to me and I immediately said yes....but I think this person might be on a different time zone than I am because she/he sends me the materials so late that I wind up having to stay up to get it done. This project today that she/he proposed to me is a little bit bigger than the last one so I told her that I would probably need a little more time to finish this one (if she/he sends it too late) I would rather it be sent during the day so I can work on it and have it finished in the the morning when she wakes up...but I guess we would have to collaborate on that since this is only my second project and I don't really know about the company or anything...(I thought about that this morning to, so I sent her/him an e-mail asking to fill me in on the details about who he/she works for)
Even though thinking about it, I should have got up a little bit earlier and maybe could have caught her/him and she/he could have given me the materials earlier...but I mean I didn't know I was going to be asked for a second job so...I can't beat myself up too much....but anyway, I'm just happy that I'm able to get myself started in freelance work! It's good for my Japanese and my pocketbook lol so I guess it's a win win situation...however I just can't stand the tight deadlines...I hate working under pressure and the quality of my work suffers when I'm under pressure =( So...hopefully I'll be allowed more time to do this next project since it is the weekend and all....(cross my fingers!!!)
Besides my start in translation, it's been a pretty lax summer so far. My grandma's here for a little bit (she came to my graduation and now is staying with us for a little bit) and she cooks so I'm getting a little bigger lol (not too big though..I hope -__-; )
...but the one thing that is really making this summer difficult is being away from my boyfriend...we got so close so fast and the spring semester just flew by spending time with him. I don't know where all the time went honestly...being at home now I would just give anything just to hug him again...I miss him so much. We talk pretty much every day though and skype helps a lot so it makes it easier...but it's not the same. I also worry about us being separated by our careers and jobs we get...I don't know where my Japanese is going to lead me and I don't know where he's going to end up...I want to start living with him and starting the next phase of our relationship but all this uncertainty is just daunting and I don't like it...all I can say now is that I hope we can get through it together and end up together like I envisioned us...but no one can be sure of the future and that's a scary concept to me. He's my first...for everything...and I don't want to give up because when I look at the big picture I don't want to be with anyone else...I mean I feel like I can go the distance with this guy, I love him and to me, that's pretty much all I need...and him feeling the same way about me, just fuels my love even further to keep pushing to make it work. Anyway that's enough about my personal life lol so embarrassed!
Friday, June 8, 2012
My Korean Boyfriend.com
LOL So the other day I stumbled on this site called My Korean Boyfriend. com (http://mykoreanboyfriend.com/) and it's this cute site about a Filipino girl and her Korean boyfriend lol Even though I have no idea if they're still together the site has evolved into a cultural haven and is directed towards people that like and want to learn more about the Korean culture. Browsing through the site they also have these really cool T-shirts which are absolutely adorable! and if you happen to have a Korean boyfriend lol even better because most of the shirts are directed towards it (and it just so happens that I do have one lol) Hyun Wook and I have been going out for around 5 months now and when I saw this site I thought it was just adorable and I just had to have a t-shirt lol Anyway, sorry for my rambling but if any of you get the chance you should check out the website =)
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Monday, May 28, 2012
「ただいま」juju
-First Verse-
過ぎてゆく毎日に大事なもの忘れそうで As every day passes by I seem to forget the important things
町の中ふと一人立ち止まる I suddenly stand still in the middle of town
愛してる? Do you love me?
そんなこと今更ね 聞けないけど I can't ask those types of things these days
不器用な 笑顔が愛おしい Your awkward, clumsy smile is lovely
かかえきれなくて 壊れそうな心まで The seemingly broken heart we shared but couldn't hold on to
当たり前に分け合えてた I naturally was able to share it with you
いつの間に Before I knew it
目を閉じれば 聞こえてくる When wrapped in your nostalgic gentleness
あなたの声が呼んでる If I close my eyes I hear
懐かしい優しさに包まれたら your voice is calling me
見つめ合うより もう同じ明日を見ているから Instead of looking at each other, let's look toward tomorrow because
二人で歩く道にもう迷わないよ When we walk together, I no longer lose my way
-Second Verse-
好きな色好きな空 Your favorite color, the sky you like
泣いていた 映画のシーン The movie scene you cried to
何一つ覚えててくれないけど you don't remember not one of them
過ぎた悲しみもそっと埋めてくれてたね You even burried my overwhelming sadness
今分かったあなたがいた I realize now that
すぐそばに you are always close to me
恋が愛に 変わってゆく 思いを重ねるたびに With each thought of passion gradually turning into love
穏やかな時により添える場所へ Tranquil times add to the place where
見つめ合うより横顔がこんなにも切なくて Your profile shot is much more heart wrenching than looking at each other
ときめくよりも深い愛、気づいたから Because I realized, love is deeper than fleeting passion
-Break-
零れてゆく時間はもう追いかけない No longer can I chase after time as it gradually overflows
大切に大切に 月日をたどって The precious days and months to follow
-Third Verse-
目を閉じれば 聞こえてくる When I close my eyes I hear
あなたの声が呼んでる Your voice is calling me
探してた 愛はここにあるんだと I've searched for it, if love is right here
いくつ季節を重ねても Then no matter how many seasons pass by
色あせない ぬくもり I will never forget your gentleness and warmth
あなたの声のする場所へ今帰るよ I'm going home to where your voice is
ただいまと伝えたくて and I want to say "I'm home"
PLEASE DON"T TAKE ENGLISH LYRICS WITHOUT MY PERMISSION AND CREDIT. THESE ARE COPYRIGHTED THANK YOU
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