Hello,
My name is Melissa.
Why did I decide to learn Japanese?
I've always been interested in Japanese culture. I used to watch a lot of Japanese anime as a kid. I also have a few Japanese friends. When I was in the military, I was stationed in Japan for two years. Unfortunately, I worked most of the time so I didn't get to see much of the country and I didn't get much time to interact with anyone outside base.
I'm mostly excited about being able to understand what my Japanese friends are saying. Now they can't hide anything from me. The main reason is that I plan on going back to Japan and possibly living there for a few years. There are a lot of things I didn't get to do and a lot of places I didn't get to see. I hope that when I get more fluent in the language, I can better understand the culture and be able to interact with the Japanese natives.
I also love Japanese fooooood!
Well, that's all for now.
Hi Melissa! こんにちわ、メリサさん！
ReplyDeleteYou're sitting right next to me right now but I guess I can respond to your post anyways.
When I was a little kid, I would tell people アニメとまんがはだいすきです！Since then my enthusiasm has waned a bit but I do still have quite an impressive manga collection at home.
I think its amazing that you lived in Japan for 2 years (let alone that you were in the military). I also think Japan is an amazing place with amazing culture. However as a Chinese-American, I feel like there is always going to be a little resentment from my extended family members. Living in China for the last 6 years I've found that the anti-Japanese sentiment is still quite strong. I hope that by learning the language I can help both countries build stronger ties and move past the atrocities of history.
Anyways. わたしもにほんのたべものがだいすきです！Sushi sometime?
Well, I'm sitting kind of near the both of you while I reply to this, so that's kind of similar. Here's hoping that the rain will stop soon.
Deleteメリッサさんはとってもすごいです！I find it incredible that you've been both in the military and that you're taking Japanese after having lived in Japan. I moved around a lot thanks to my father's job, but it wasn't in the military so I can't quite call myself a "military brat" the way my friends do. Still, it's an interesting lifestyle and I understand the appeal in going back.
Emily, I find your reasons for learning Japanese interesting, particularly because I find the same anti-Japanese sentiments held by the older generations in the Philippines. The younger ones are more taken by the Japanese or Korean pop culture I think.
わたしもすしがだいすきです！Well, all Japanese food really. Let's just say that the Tsukiji Markets were one of my favorite places to go to in Japan.
I finally figured out how to reply! yay!
DeleteI think you have a pretty noble cause for learning Japanese. Mine is completely for selfish reasons. bleh.
I semi agree with Nina-san except rarely do I really see any tension against Japan in my immediate family. Maybe she's just more "filipino" than I am. I'm actually almost completely detached from my culture. What a terrible thing to say. haha
As for sushi, HELL YES. わたしもすしがすきです！
Wait, now we know how to do invitations!
Deleteメリッサさん,ニナさんいっしょにすしのごほんをたべませんか？：）
すしのごほん？これはなに？でも、はい、いっしょにすしをたべましょ。なんようびですか？
Deleteこんにちわ、メリサさん。
ReplyDeleteInteresting blog you posted.
You were in the military and stationed in Japan for two years?
How did that happen. Do tell. I mean I know some people who were in the military too but I want to hear your story. :D
こんにちわ！！
Deleteどうも。
Let's see, well, I enlisted in the military right after high school. I was active duty for 7 years and I'm currently a reservist. If you do that math, I'm probably the oldest one in class. ha... oh well.
I was stationed in VA for a few years, then moved to Japan for 2. It was an awesome experience. Even during the earthquake of 3/11/2011. I'm not saying the earthquake was amazing, but the way the Japanese composed themselves.
When I was deployed on the ship, I got to see a lot of the mid-east areas and some European countries: Dubai, Bahrain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Seychelles. I think that's it. I wish I had seen more but I'm just glad I had the opportunity to visit these places.
That's really the extent of my active duty military.
Anyway, when I got back from Japan, I decided to apply to Columbia. To my surprise, they accepted me. I still don't know how that happened. Seriously. Absolutely no idea. My application essay was terrible.
haha..
Well, that's it for now. What's your story?
こんにちわ！
DeleteWow, fascinating story.
A reservist you say? Hmm, I see. Well I did hear their composure to be amazing during that earthquake event.
That is amazing. Your travels to those lands.
Weren't you any way afraid/worried during your military service or were you more or less happy? I mean joining the military sure isn't for the weak of heart and something one wouldn't without a thought consider to do.
Amazing story nonetheless.
haha, so was my essay if to truthful.
Hmm, compared to your story my story seems plain. I applied to Columbia in my senior year and got in during the early decision process. Very bland compared to yours.
にせんじゅういちがつのじしんはとてもこわいでした。
Deleteえーと。Military はたへんですがたのしいです。
I had some rough moments in the military. But then again, so do a lot of people in their jobs. I lived it one day at a time without going completely insane. haha.
メリッサさん こんにちは。
ReplyDeleteWere you in Yokohama or Okinawa? or somewhere else? I really liked your line, "Now they can't hide anything from me," which cracked me up. :) I hope you will enjoy your Japanese class and lab and will be able to understand what your Japanese friends say!
がんばってください。
ＴＡ：あおき
Sachiko-san, sorry for the late reply. I've been really busy with school work. I lived in Yokosuka. I enjoyed living there. I lived in a small neighborhood in Iwato. It was a very quiet neighborhood with lots of nice people. I miss the neighborhood a lot. I used to walk my dog around and I'd see one of my neighbors. His name is Karada-san and he always said hi to me. I also LOVE JAPANESE FOOD. OIIIIISHIIII. I will go back to japan one day. HOw about you? How's life? What do you like to do?
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