Last Tuesday, during tutorial, my RA Lolo taught my group members including me about the election for president of America. I learned that MCain of Republican Party and Obama of Democratic Party have some different ideas. Lolo gave us two packages of information about this election. We read two lists which are ideas of each party and concepts of each candidate. After reading each list, I thought about whether I agree with their ideas, or not. I couldn't entirely agree with these ideas of each person, so I agree with some parts of Republican Party's ideas and some parts of Democratic Party's. In America, sometimes students discuss the election and they watch debates on TV during class in school. I was so surprised to hear that because I never think Japanese students do such things, and teachers either. In addition, many young people are not interested in politics so much in Japan in my opinion. In fact, I am not interested in Japanese politics, and I don't know about it much. However, the tutorial made me think about it. Now, I am twenty. Therefore, I have a right to vote in Japan. When citizens in Japan have an opportunity to vote next time, it will be first time to vote. I don't know much about Japanese politics although I learned about it when I was a high school student. I would like to study about Japanese politics more before next election.

Tomorrow, every students of MFWI and every RA are going to watch the last election from seven o'clock to nine o'clock at Commons. It will be very interesting because I think the American president influences many countries including Japan. I'm happy to see it in America. It is a fascinating American culture!

Huge

A hug is as if I jumped on a sofa. It’s impossible not to notice Americans like body contact when people who come from other countries stay in America. When Americans meet their friends and their families, they hug to be glad to meet each other. They hug in farewell when they have to leave, too. It’s hard to find Japanese demonstrate the same as them. It’s certainly true, and even some MFWI students also didn’t like to do it. Actually now they often do body contact like Americans. One of my friends said she would feel uncomfortable if someone who is Japanese touched her, yet it was OK when Americans did it. It can be said to be really an American influence. In addition, Americans do body contact for us, even they know us not so much. Because they are so friendly, we are impacted to follow.

The host family appreciation dinner was held on Thursday. I met my roommate's former Resident Assistant and her family. They invited us to Thanksgiving dinner. As everyone knows, I’m very shy. When Emiko and they met, they hugged and they looked familiar. However, at last when we left the hall, we hugged and shook hands with each other. I was impressed the host father was soft and snug. (He was a stout man.) It’s a part of American habits to hug, and it shows American “opening” “generous” character.

Why Do Americans Have Great Pride?

Do you know the meaning of patriotic? It means having or expressing a great love of your country. Japanese people are patriotic, however, they don’t like to show it. But in the U.S., people have great honor and respect for their country and they show their patriotism to everyone even in daily life. It is part of their culture and character.

First, America is a country that has a lot of diversity, and it is important to show nationalism. In the past, many immigrants who came to the U.S. had strong hopes and desires for freedom. They wanted to become Americans and to begin brand new lives in the “melting pot.” Melting pot means a place or situation in which large numbers of people and ideas are mixed together. They could become Americans, and it was connected to their character of patriotism. But now their idea has become more multinational, and it is called “tossed salad.” Think about salad. Of course a lot of vegetables are put in the salad bowl, and all of them make an amazing taste. The vegetables mean diversity and have original, traditional and valuable cultures, so it explains the importance of keeping own cultures within American culture. For example, if I marry a person from America, I want to share both American and Japanese culture, to respect each other. That is why Americans are proud of their nationality and diversity.

Second, when each American was a child, every student had to say “The Pledge of Allegiance” with crossed hands on their hearts. "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands: one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." The education system made their characters, and it is important for Americans. Most people fly a flag in front of their house. It is one of the symbols of honor, glory and freedom in the United States. It has a lot of meanings. For example, the American flag is connected to government, the navy, police officers, the army and war. If you have a job connected to these things, or you have friends in the army, you should put the American flag in front of your house. The American flag is a sign of support. As you know, the American flag was a big deal for American’s life in the past, but now it is not unusual. It has become part of their culture.

Finally, Japanese people have patriotism, but it is not strong like in America. We sing a national anthem only at special events, like the World Cup, Olympics, or ceremonies connected to education. Japanese people think the national anthem and Japanese flag are not important; however, it does not mean that they don’t have patriotism. If Japanese people watch a sports competition on TV, they may support the Japanese players. But as a result of their Japanese character, they may be less active than Americans.

In conclusion, America has an original and interesting history, so Americans feel great honor for their country and always show their inner feeling about patriotism. But Japan doesn't have a lot of diversity, so Japanese people do not need to show their nationalism to their neighbors. It is both a good point and a bad point about Japanese.

Hardly Can Wait For Halloween

Recently I am really looking forward to Halloween. During tutorial, my RA Lolo, my group members and I sometimes talk about Halloween. On Tuesday, we made our own jack-o'-lantern made of real pumpkins. It was the first time to make it for me. First, I drew a face on the pumpkin where I wanted to cut which I picked up it by myself. I hesitated to draw it because I didn't want to draw one similar to that of other people. However, I drew a face which was a little ordinary because I had to think about whether it would be easy to cut or not. Mine looked sad and a little scary. Second, I cut out the top of my pumpkin to scoop out the inside. I was a little scared to cut it out because I thought and might cut myself. It was difficult to cut it out because the pumpkin was very hard. Third, I scooped out the inside of my pumpkin by using a big spoon. I was tired because it was also hard working. Fourth, I cut it the shape pf the face. I could do it better than I expected. After that, we arranged our own pumpkins outside, and we took pictures of them and put some electric flashlights in them. I enjoyed looking at them because all of them had different faces. After that, Lolo baked seeds of our pumpkins. We ate the seeds with salt, sugar and cinnamon. I didn't know that the seeds would be so delicious!

Halloween is coming soon, next week! Recently, we also talked about our costumes for Halloween. On this weekend, we are going to buy some stuff for our costumes. I can't tell about is any more because I want to keep our costumes a secret. However, it will be nice! I want to enjoy Halloween because it is not so common in Japan. I am really looking forward to Halloween!

Grasping the Meaning of Freedom

Before I came to the United States, I had an image of America. For example, the U.S. is the country of freedom, but actually I didn't know the real meaning. In America, independence is one of the important values. Japanese should respect this because most Japanese university students can’t organize their own lives. Americans think it is astep to being an adult, and it means they can live by themselves. Usually Japanese students don’t have much responsibility, so Japanese people should think about American independence in terms of life style, the relationship with family, and responsibility.

First, it seems really important for American students to live alone after they graduate from high school. A lot of freshmen live in a dormitory and share a room with friends. They gradually change their life style. It is really common in the U.S. and actually a lot of students are doing it. This is connected with independence. They may have trouble with their roommate, and so they learn a lot of things, such as how selfish they are on their own or about their difficulty in cooperating. At the same time, they also notice the great importance of their parents. When they stay with their family, their parents support their children and that’s why they feel such a comfortable feeling in their house. For children to notice this great value, they shouldn't live with their family after high school.


Next, it is really important for everyone to have a strong family unit because a great family relationship is another good value of American culture. Most people in America realize the meaning of independence because it is part of their culture. The method of training children’s minds or controlling their behaviors are much better than in Japan. Every parent teaches children the significance of and general responsibility for opinions and behaviors. The parents teach it for their future. They hope that children can learn important things to live on their own. Sometimes, they learn from their mistakes. That’s why parents often advise their children to do something on their own. It is usual and is taken as a matter of course in America.

In conclusion, the United States is the country of freedom, but I think it means the freedom to organize one's life. To make one's own decisions without needing help from other people is really important in America.

Differences in Schools

Last semester, I went to my pen pal's high school. When I took classes with him, I was surprised that American students were texting, chewing gum, and wearing sunglasses or caps, but their teachers did not stop them. Why did they do these actions?

I think that these actions are based on American values, especially to be individual. People's own personality is important for American people, so they do not care about these actions . However, if you did these actions in a Japanese school, teachers would stop you because they are impolite.

Attitude toward classes is very different from Japan. It is important for American people to be individual. They show their own personality.

I Like America!

What do you think about America?

I like America. A lot of Americans are very friendly and kind. When they are talking with others, they are always smiling, so it is easy for me to speak to them. They also have expressions. I think that these are very important because I can understand the feelings of the person I'm talking with. And, they are often laughing when they are talking. They look like they are having an enjoyable time. I like their expressions. I want to talk with a lot of Americans.

I also like American food, but I like Japanese food the best. American food is very greasy and colorful, so I think that these foods are bad for our health. But, I like American food.

America is a very big country, and a lot of races of people live in this country. But, most people are very friendly. These people recognize the differences between each other. I think this is a very good thing. So, I like America!