Thursday, December 8, 2011

Final Post : what have I learned in Hawaii

Recently, I strongly feel that the day when I leave here is comming. I already said good - bye to a couple of my friends. Once I think that I may not be able to meet him/her again, I feel very sad. And I realize that friends or people who are close to me are really precious.
As a reflection of my studying abroad in Hawaii, I will write things about what I have learned in Hawaii in this time.
The biggest thing which I grabed in Hawaii is, I suppose, to be good at socializing with new people and being active, not English skills. You know, in Hawaii, there are so many Japanese people. Besides, in HELP, the number of Japanese students reaches to eighty percent. This situation was predictable since here is Hawaii, however, I didn't expect such holy pile of Japanese. So, it was almost impossible to make foreign friends if we don't try to make foreign friends.
That's why I can be (a little) active and good at meeting new people and socializing with them.
As for English skills, I don't think that studying abroad is the best way to learn. If someone just only wants to get high score in TOEIC, TOEFL or these kind of tests, (in my POOR opinion,) memorizing impractical vocab for TOEIC and TOEFL and doing dictation for listening is the most effective way since we don't really talk about topics which we have to use difficult vocab and grammer in real life.
But I feel that my super poor speaking and listening skills were kinda improved thanks to HELP and daily life in Hawaii. On the other hand, I realize I need to study more to be able to speak fruently. One of my friend said "Honestly it is hassle to speak slowly since I usually speak faster." I think that we usually meet people who are belonged to international something. Basically they are used to speak slowly for international students and social. Yet I feel diffirent for other, usual students. They are sometimes very cold with international students since I sometimes can't completely catch up with their usual conversation. They are not interested in international students, for them, international students are just troublesome.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Week 7 : Welcome to the weird, wonderful world of "1Q84"

Have you heard of the name of a book, "1Q84?" If you don't know this, I want you to remember it now. Or, at least, I want you to remember the author's name of this book, Haruki Murakami. He is my most favorite novelist and (In my opinion,) the most famous living novelist in Japan.
I read a review (which was written by Leanna B. Ehrlich) of 1Q84. The review summarized 1Q84, so I will share this this time.
This novel begins in 1984 Tokyo and alternates between the life of Aomame, a fitness instructor and part - time assassin, and Tengo, a math teacher and struggling writer. They have been isolated for a while, however, they can't forget each other. So basically this novel is a sort of love story which they try to meet up with overcoming many hardships, however, it includes many insidents - being hurtled into a subtly strange world, a sort of parallel universe "1Q84" and meeting a chief of a cult and his death. I'm sure that this novel will take you wonderful imaginary world.
Leanna said, "Murakami's vivd descriptions enliven a world that is frequently bleak and unforgiving." Take an example, "The sky remained dark, as if covered with a rid, and the world wore a heavy dampness,"Murakami writes at one point, conjuring  up a dismal, unsettling mood. This kind of his evocative language is a characteristic of his writing style.
Interestingly, he is a professor of UH now and lives in Manoa now. Plus, incredibly, I encountered Haruki a week ago....! I got the best memory of Hawaii at that time.

evocative
(a) evoking strong images, memories, or feelings.
(ex) The smell was evocative of spring.

bleak
(adj) not encouraging or giving any reason to have hope
(ex) His future is bleak since he dropped out his university.

Week 7 : Student reports nose - picking at a restraunt in UH

Most people believe the hygiene of a dish in a restaurant. But, Ka Leo reported a surprising news which shake our trust in a restaurant. According to an article from Ka Leo, Nicole Nonaka, a university of Hawaii at Manoa student majoring in social work, saw a worker at Paradise Palms stuck his right pinky finger in and out of his nose for several seconds and went back to serving customers  without washing his hand on Nov.16. As she explained what she witnessed, Boyadjian, who is the owner of the store, prepared Nonaka's sandwich instead and apologized. But according to Nonaka, the worker said, " I wasn't picking my nose, I was rubbing my mouth. You're a bitch." In an interview with Ka Leo, Boyadjian said "She is totally fantasizing and she's a liar."

We can't know the truth of the incident since there aren't other witness. But, I assume that the worker really did nose - picking. Because there is no reason which Nonaka tells a lie. Yet the worker has a reason to tell a lie since he doesn't want her to release that he did nose picking in front of his owner. Anyway, we can't know the truth.

allegedly
(adv) used when reporting sth that ppl say is true, although it has not been proved.
(ex) According to himself, he is allegedly the funniest person.

fantasize
(v)to imagine that you are doing sth that you would like to do, or that sth that you would like to happen is happening.
(ex)I'm fantasizing during the class.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Week6 : an engineering major at UH

Ka Leo reported one of winners, Cheryl Chinaka  at " Manoa experience Arts competition. " The article caught my eyes because she seems to spend really hard colledge life and I assume that it's not common among other students.
Her major is engineering. Chinaka sometimes spends upwards of 12 hours a day on campus. According to her, homework load can take more than 10 hours on some days. Chika comes from a family of engineers, and although the job oppoutunities are good, part of her wanted to pursue a path in writing.
I think she is respectable because she works really hard and her carrer path looks smart. There are many people who want to be a writer, athlete, chairman, singer, actor, or something like that. But I assume that there are few people who really think about the dream and face the difficulty to make it to come true.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Week 6 : Assaults on campus

I assume that there must be many people who was surprised to see the first article of this week's KaLeo.
It says that two assaults on female students the week before Thanks giving have heated up discussions about safety for women on campus.
The first assaults occured on Nov. 19th at 3:20 a.m. near Les Murakami Stadium. The second happened on Nov. 22 at 6;40a.m. in a dressing room at Kennedy Theatre.
According to this article, Xian of Girl Fest Hawaii said, " Lower campus is known to have been a problem with sex assault attacks. It's still got little lightning, it's still a sketchy area, there's still not enough security personnel, and they have been warned."
I think that there must be several hardship to solve this problem, although it should not be allowed that such kind of claims occur on campus. According to the other article on Ka Leo, campus security tries to improve safty on campus better such as haring more security staff, settleing lights. Yet you know, there is an economic limit, so it is also important that each person is careful. At least female people shouldn't walk on campus at late night alone.

perpetrator
(n)a person who commits a crime or does sth that is wrong or evil.
(ex)The perpetrator felt nothing about the crime which he commited.

sketchy
(a) not thorough or detailed
(ex)The atmospher of this room is sketchy. There must be something.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

week5 : three easy ideas for a casual night in

Imagin you are in the situation where you are obligated to have a party. What kind of party will you plan? It is a common thing to have a party among our family, friends, or colleagues to socialize wiz each other. But it is difficult to difficult to plan a party which everyone can enjoy it. Here are three suggestions from Ka Leo.
First of all, progressive dinner party is recommendable. It means a dinnar party where each course is eaten at a different location. I think it's the most basic and common style.

Second, BUNCO party sounds nice. Its great for getting different groups of people to socialize together. Bunco, also spelled Bunko, is a dice game typically played with 12 people, but can accommodate a higher number of players in multiples of four, such as 16 or 20. This game does not require any skill or strategy . This kind of luch - based game makes people shout and yell.
Lastly, as a final approach, Ka Leo suggeests SPA NIGHT. A basic start for spa night is manicures, pedicures and ficials. Each person should bring a small tub in which to soak her(or his ) hands and feet in warm water.

Vocab

pedicure
(n) a cosmetic treatment of the feet and toenails.
(v)give a pedicure to
(ex) My foot's nails are pedicured.

batch
(n) a quantity or consignment of goods produced at one time.
(ex)I harvested all of the apples in two batches.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Week5 : Choices of present for the person who has everything

Have you felt hard to choose a present for someone? I have. You may want to get a holiday gift for someone to express appreciation or show you care. Yet it is a familiar predicament : he or she already has everything and doesn't seem to want a thing. An article of Ka Leo showed a few easy suggestions.

First of all, practical gifts might be good. While they lack a "wow' factor, you can wrap them in shiny holiday ribbons. Also, food gifts might please him or her. Everyone needs to eat, so a gift of food is something that most likely won't go to waste. Next, the photo gift sounds nice too. Giving your friend a framed photo of the two of you is one of the easiest gifts to give. Lastly, the article suggested " Time" as a present. Whether it's taking a friend out to dinner or something as simple as meeting for a study date is one of the best ways to show you care.

In my opinion, practical gifts are most suitable for those sort of people. Besides, wrapping the gifts in shiny or gogeous materials can suplemment the lack of "wow" factor. Food is going to be eaten and disappeared. Photo does not cost and can give bad impression because of that. It seems defficult to make a plan in which  we use "Time." Hopefuly it will be helpful for your choices of a present!

predicament
(noun)a difficult or unpleasant situation, especially one where it is difficult to know what to do
(syn)quandary
(ex)It is a familier predicament you have to consider about a present for a person who seems not to want anything.

obligate
(v)compel (someone) to undertake a legal or moral duty
(ex)you are in the situations where you are obligated to give those sort of person a gift.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Week4: " living away from home takes adjustment and patience"

With one month left in the fall semester, I guess that many students are reflecting on their experiences and evaluating their progress they have made so far in Hawaii. You know, transitions to a new house is difficult, even when we have relocated to one of the most beautiful vacation spots in the world.
I found an article which states about interview of a Ka Leo staff's peers and " three key for a successful transition" from Ka Leo, and I think that it is also very imformative for us.

First key is " You gotta have friends." Steping out of your comfort zone is necessary because relationships will provide the support you need during times of change.
Second key is "Balance." Developing a balanced routine will help you feel more settled. A routine allows for a proper time and place for each aspect of your life and grants you the stablility of home life.
Last key is " This too shall pass." Having apatience during times of loneliness or stress is essential to overcomming the challenge of moving to a new home and to reaching the good things in store for you.

I really can understand how important these key are. Before coming here, I thought myself very strong for loneliness. But even I felt like missing my home country before. I think the first key is espesially important to overcome these kind of difficulties.

(WORDS)

insight
(n)the capacity to gain an accurate and deep understanding of sth
(ex)The essay has a deep insight into the historical background of discrimination.

relocate
(v)move to a new place nad establish one's home or business there.
(ex)He relocated his new head office in NewYork.
(n) relocation

component
(n)one of several parts of which sthis made
(ex)This drag has bad components for a stomache.
(adj)componatial

Week4:Suspicious envelope found in UH

Did you know that suspicious envelope found in UH? Ka leo, a newspaper of UH, reported about the incident like this : Campus Security annouced building closures this Monday morning due to a suspicious envelope at Paradise Palms. Two HPD officers who were present around there adviced a Ka leo staffer that classses in those buildings were probably canceled. The bomb squad arrived around 930am to investigate the alleged bomb.The issue was resolved around noon, although many students didn't mind having class canceled.

I didnt think this sort of big (for me) incident can happen at UH. Also, Im curious that what the incident was eventually going on. This article also stated that : This is not the first time during APEC that a suspicious package has closed down sections of campus. Yet so far none of these scares have turned out to be serious. Im wondering what it means.
Did UH leave these packages, not do something? Then why did this incidents be so serious? Anywise honestly I think this article quotes a couple of uncertain information which Ka leo staffers hear from someone and lacks several neccesary information.

(Words)
squad
(n)a small number of soldiers assembled for drill to a particular task
(ex) The squad attacked the criminal group to save an abducted child.
allege
(v) claim that someone has done sth wrong, typically without proof.
(ex)He alleged that the bomb is fake.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Week3: The wonderful wizard of Oz

The wizard of Oz is one of the most famous book in American literature. And it is not so difficult to read for non- native speaker. The summary is : Dorothy lived in Kansas with her uncle, aunt, and dog(whose name is Toto) One day, a big tornado blew off her house to the world of Oz. Dorothy deperted to Oz in order to ask the wizard of Oz to send her to Kansas with her wonderful fellows, a scarecrow, a tinman, and a lion.

I saw a movie "Matrix" yesterday, and when a main character depart to the world of Matrix, there is a line "Shackle your belt, Dorothy. Kansas is going. " That means prepare for a trip because he is going to leave the world which he have lived.
As just described, the wizard of Oz is very famous amoung American. I recommend this book to read:)

Monday, November 7, 2011

Week 3 : Did you go to APEC night?

Did you go to APEC night? I think that Cynthia introduced it on her blog. The event featured free food, information about the APEC member economies, and the announcement of the winners of the APEC video contest. I of course went there and enjoyed various traditional free food, however, I felt someting unusual : there were several people who raised a board which questioned APEC. Plus I wondered why they couldserve much gorgeous food for free and what merit they could get to do that. And an article from KALEO caught my eyes.
The article mainly stated the movement of questioning university promotion of APEC. It said : A group of about 15 people protesting university support for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation marched from McCarthy Mall to Bachman Lawn last Wednesday morning. The group protestants delivered a petition to UH, demanding that " Welcome APEC" sign be taken down. On Novenver 3th, a protest by them took place and involved a march from McCarthy Mall to Campus Center, where the APEC Night took place.
" For the university to put up something that is polotically motivated is unfair, " said one of the protesters according to the article. My opinion is almost same as her. I think that education should be independent from any dormant thoughts. But the food in the APEC Night was really awesome!!!!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

reading journal week2:what to do when a client wont pay

I read an article, which is from " Writer."  about a business solutions. You know, one of the most frustrating things for most of salary men is that clients dont always pay their bills on time. Even if you dont have such sort of experiences, you will be not to avoid the sutiuation when you will work in a company. When I worked as a staff in japanese university, there are many fucking students who dont pay copying fee. If you worked in a bank, you might have to negotiate to repay a debts. It is unevitable unless you work with your clients.
In order to make clients to repay, the article says : 1Meet your deadlines, listen to your clients 2 deliver what they ask for 3 draw up a cpntract with your payment terms and conditions and have a client sign it.
I hope these clues will be helpful for you guys.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Week 2 Reading Journal " I was bullied"

I read an article, which is from my favorite magazine, GLAMOUR, about bullying. According to the article, last year, the 15-year-old phoebe prince in South Hadly, killed herself because of bullying. She would been tauned as a " slut" by classmates. Megan Kelly Hall, who is an authour of young adult misery based on the bulles from her own experience of bullying, said " These teens topped what I could have written about my characters in my wildest imagination." In Maine, another young adult writer was having similar reaction to Prince's death. Carrue Jones, who is the writer, said "For any kid die because they feel hopeless and alone. We must do sometiong." Then, they, Hall and Jones, established organaization, young adult authors aginst bullying.
This article also covers real experience of being bullied. Most of them who experienced bullying  had suffered from memories of bullying for a long time, even after leaving the relashionship with them.
I think that people who bully someone underestimate his or her feelings. Usually, they are insensitive about how hurted he is due to their teasing. Hall and Jones's effrot definitely worth in order to let them notice how hard bullying is.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Week2. Reading Journal Will ____ help me lose weight?

I read the article, which is from " GLAMOUAR" , about diet. You have had lots of experience with food. Moreover, you may have lots of experience with a diet. I guess that the experience is not only one time, but also several times. You know, to lose weight is a serious and diffecult issue for women. How can we, women, lose our weight? In the article, there are 12 clues to lose weight. This time, I am going to introduce 2 surprising clues about a diet. Guess what?

First of all, pay with cash. This subject, which is about money, seem not to be relating to a diet. However, that is relating to what people purchase. According to a recent study, people who use a credit card at the supermarket make more impulse junk-food purchases than those who use cash. They also tend to buy more food.
Next, cut out " white" stuff. Refined foods like white flour and sugar have been stripped of vitamins and minerals, not to mention fiber, which leaves you with a more compact grain that has more calories bite. Cutting these out means you will cut your total calories.

Are these clues helpful for you? I introduced only some clues. If you are interested in this sort of clues, you can find the article about a diet in magazines. But as for me, I don't think that I can stand such a stoic diet!