My presentation was...

Finally, I finished my presentation!

Tell to the truth, I did't have any confidences about my presentation at all. At first, we can choose our presentation topic in Japan, and I chose Ecology for my topic. However the topic was changed because our presentation group separated. Therefore I had to join other group. Then I joined in Ooku, but I didn't know about Ooku at all.

To joined Ooku group was so difficult for me, because I had to learn about Ooku first. I think presentation is one of lecture, so speakers have to know about their topic very much. I studied about Ooku with Internet, TV program, and books. To know history was not easy. Sometimes I was reluctant to study. I might complain, but everyone also did hardwork.

Our presentation members tought me a lot gently and kindly. They were so kind for me. I can say that it owe successful of the presentation to them. I really appreciate their kindness.

After the presentation, many people speak to me. They said the presentation was awesome! They also say the pronounciation of "women" and "woman" was perfect :) haha

I listened all of presentation, and all of presentation moved me to tears. I know everyone did hardwork. It was sooo impressing me!
I'm really proud of Extension members, and of course me.

My heart filled with a sense of fulfillment!

Presentation

Hello. This wednesday I had finished big event for me . It was presentation. We had prepared it since we had stayed in Japan. At first we intended to introduce our hometown but the topic was canged after come back here so we lost our way. We were distressed by it. Then my teacher gave us advise. It was so helpful. We found our way. Our topic is "Small Town". First, we write essay about the topic. However, is was so hard and difficult! I had never written essay in Japanese so I didn't know how to write. Moreover it was first time to write such a long paragraph, it was absolutely hard work for me I think not only me also for everyone. Almost all days I went to bed around 3 o'clock because our homework was huge. I was buried in homework. Most hard point was choosing topic what do I want to tell because there is huge imformation and I had to chose which is import point or interesting for American. It was also difficult to write in formal. It is different from spokane langage. When finally, I had finished my essay I was so happy. I could take a rest a few days.

After essay, Presentation was waitting for us. At first I think it is much easyer than write essay because we had finished to write so we can based on the essay. However the idea was different. Presentation was also so hard. It was far from essay. It was also my first time to tell presentation in English.

These things were really difficult and hard for me but whenever I felt pressure my friends helped and encourage. Not only my copresenter but also every extention students. We often practiced own presentation each other at night in dorm. It is very good memory now. The my presentation day, my friend gave me a letter another friend gave me chocolate to reduce my stress they are so sweet and it gave me power and courage.

During presentation, at first I was so nervous but there are a lot of my friends and teachers. After I see their smile, my stress went away! I appreciate their kindness sincerely.



After everyone finished presentation, we ate a cake. Then we took a picture. Please look this picture. We looks　so happy and proud of ourself. Hard things makes us grow up.

Thank you.

I can't believe it!

I've done my presentation.

I can't believe that I finished my presentation safely.

Surprisingly, I was not nervous at all. When I gave a speech last semester, I was so nervous in spite of lots of practices. On the other hand, I really enjoyed my presentation despite few practice at my dormitory. I think I smiled at our audience while I did my part. I just had my teachers check our presentation several times. I hardly forgot what I would say on the stage. I didn't write down what I should say about my PowerPoint. I always said a little different sentences, but it didn't matter at all. I hope they always made sense like one of my friends. she didn't memorize what she should say about her topic, she just said what she wanted to tell her audience. I respect her so much.

I'm not sure even when we chose this complicated topic. I'm sure that one of my co-presenters was not my friend when we made living groups. I didn't know even her name nor her face. She became one of my best friends now. If I had not decided to come back here as an Extension student, I would not have talked with her. I guess I should thank goodness because I could know her.

To be honest, my topic had no answer. I just explained my guess. The truth is that I don't know why Japanese people are not good at English speaking. I interviewed some of my friends, RA's and so on. I cannot thank them too much. Thanks to them, I could finish this project. I don't think my information was enough to convince English scholars ,and myself. There must be lots of reasons. I want to know them someday.

This experience will be food for my thought, my mind, my future, everything.

I still can't believe we have already finished our presentations.

I will forget what I explained during my presentation soon, but I will never forget that night when we did it.

I will never forget the kindness of a lot of people who helped me during this semester.

They make what I am.

Presentation

On December 9th, I finished my presentation! I prepared for this presentation all of this Extension program.

The bigining of this semester, I didn't think that I could give a presentation. I always thought that I couldn't do that. During this semester, we had rewrited an essay again and again for 1month. It was the hardest part for me. I think that I don't want to write an essay again;( And then we made slide show and practiced for presentation.

At first, I was very worried about my presentation part because I didn't have confidence in my English. I always thought that I couldn't speak English. However, I practiced with some teachers, my hostmother and my partners. My partners were Yuki.N and Riyo. We were ex-housemates, so we could discuss easily and exchange our opinion. Moreover, We practiced again and again. So, now, I could have confidence in myself.

The presentation day, we prepared for presentation completely so, Our presentation was successful:D! After presentation, many people said to us "It was clear and great job!". I was so happy that ir finised and many people said so.

I think that I could great job because many teachers, my host family, many friends and my family were supported me. I'm so happy that I have great people. Thank you very much! I love all of people around me.

By the way, One of the most surprise thing was, I met my sister's ex-hostfamily after presentation! After presentation, I was spoken to a man and a woman. Then they said "Do you have a sister? She came to here? What' you and your sister's name?" So, I answered and we got it! During my presentation, they thought that I really look like my sister, so they spoken to me. Now, the couple is my friend's hostfamily. So, we will meet again at awards ceremony.

I was so happy to join this Extension Program. I had very very very wonderful time with people in Spokane!

Impressive Presentation

Extension presentation that introduce about Japanese culture had taken place from on December 7 to 10 th. It was the biggest event in this program. we prepared it from summer vacation, so it was so long.

Our topic was Japanese Education and my topic was Sports Festival. The reasons why I chose Sports Festival are not exist in America, so they have never experienced it, I would like to teach that it is one of the important events in Japan. It is very excited, fun, energetic, impressive, cheerful and most active event for student. I also would like to teach that students need to cooperate with each other. That's why, I decided to present Sports Festival.

Everyone's presentation was so great. I was impressed them so much. My presentation was last day. I felt not only nervous but also excited because I practiced it many times, so I could have confidence. I really enjoyed speaking my topic in front of the audience. I hope they were interested in it. When I finished presentation, I felt a sense of achievement so much and I was so happy. Through this experience, I could have confidence, courage and grow up myself. I thought it became absolutely my advantage.

Presentation

To have done the presentation is one of the biggest memory of my life, because this was the first time for me to speak in front of lots of people, at the same time, it made me so serious, nervous, and stand at bay. In spite of under the situation, all students did good jobs. I was really impressed by them and I could learn a lot from them, because I was fascinated at each presentation. Each presentation had its original world, and enticed me in the world without my realization. I think it is difficult for us to let our audience learn everything about each topic, because we had only 6 or 7 minutes to explain it, so it is too short to do that, but I could have many interests about their topics, so after going back to Japan, I plan to relearn Japanese culture again. I could not do well about my presentation, but I just hope that the audience has some interests about my topic, and I also wish they try to know about Japanese culture more because of presentations! : )

Presentation

Yesterday all of Extention students finished our presentations.When we finished everyone was smiling or crying. I was so happy.




Our group gave a presentation on December 8th. Our topic was Ooku. I thought Ooku was very interesting. There were dramas and movie in Japan. It really existed, but it was not written in text books at all. We are very interested in Ooku and also we wanted American people to know this facinating world. America 7n people didn't know Ooku at all , so it was so difficult to explain. We also had many words that we have only in Japanese. We practiced a lot, and our teachers,friends and RA gave us very good advice.


I was so nervous when I practiced my presentation, but when I began to talk in front of people, I really enjoyed it especially when people were surprised at economy in Ooku. When we finished our presentation, many people said to us "It was very interesting and easy to understand." I was so happy and I felt confident. The Presentation was a very big mountain for me. I'm so happy that I could work for this presentation with Yuri and Yuka. I appreciate them very much.


I also enjoyed other groups' presentations. All of them were very interesting and fabulous.This week became the most wonderful week for me.

Presentation

December, 11th, 2009

Presentation



Our group did the presentation on December 8th. Our turn was second, so I was remembering the practice for the presentation during the first group.


Our topic is Ooku. I decided this topic because that is really interesting for me. I love Japanese history, especially Ooku. That is kind of strange. I thought Americans don't know Ooku so much, so I wanted Americans to know that. I thought that Americans are probably interested in that when they know that. However, actually Americans don't know Ooku at all, so it was too hard to be understand that by Americans. We changed our talk and powerpoint many times. We also practiced and took some advice many times. It was too difficult for Americans to understand our topic at first, but our presentation became more easily to understand for Americans gradually. Therefore, I could have a little bit confidence, but I was too nervous before our presentation.


However, when our presentation started, my nervousness have gone somewhere, even I enjoyed to talk to the audiences. It's amezing because I couldn't speak in front of people even if Japanese in Japan. That's because I'm shy. Therefore, I have had much confidence. In addition, I heard that many Americans said that our presentation was good and they were interested in Ooku. I was really happy. My wish that I want Americans to know about Ooku came true! It's wonderful! I could find new myself that can enjoy to talk in front of people. I also found about a lot of Japanese interesting culture. I'm proud of accomplishing the presentation and I thank everyone who helped me, especially Saki and Yuka. Thank you!

Presentation Before and After

Before

Through the presentation, I feel like belonging club. I may try to connect to my topic. Although it is something similar I think. We are trying to make one presentation with the same goal with friends like I have done in club when I was in high or junior high school. It is fresh and challenging work. This process makes us sometimes annoy, and sometimes excited, I found many things not only new information, but about me. For example, it is how do I feel in the same situation the other people do, or how different I am from the others. I am digging myself. The presentation work is interesting for me. I like this distance that we have been making. These days we are in hurry, we feel pressure, and stress. I do not think many students hate it. Probably all students feel this pleasure. The difficulty make us strong. We are doing something good for us. This feeling is what we have expected in Extension Program.


After

I am glad that the presentation is finished. I might had felt pressure, because of teamwork, our topic, and my character. The moment my presentation was finished, I felt success but also I was sad. This ending refers to our day to go home. What I had been doing was just to try to be natural as usual, because I seemed to cry when Christopher hugged me. Today is holiday. Many students are going out, and the house is so quiet and peaceful. I am writing this journal thinking of my days in Japan.

Portland

The Portland tour was great. I was crazy for shopping as if being enchanted by no-tax-magic. I was so happy to get a lot of stuff that I wanted in these days.

Also I learned many about Oregon like the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery, the history of Japanese-Americans during WWⅡ, nature, or important people who lived while the Oregon trail was used.

One of my favorite stories in this trip was about Mr.Mcloughlin. He was one of important people who lived while the oregon trail was used. He was a doctor, rich, and helped many pioneers on the trail with his kindness besides his spooky appearance.

The interesting story for me is his removal style.

One time, he moved to the top of the hill... I don't know why. When he moved his house, he carried not only his funiture or clothes, but also his house and all.  I didn't know why the moving was so important when our guide talked about it.  He was such a novel person. It was very unusual, and so funny.

I had had such an idea in my childhood, but I didn't think there is a person who had the same stupid idea. He should have transfered only his funiture like now. Poor horse had to pull such a huge house in a small street. It was very surprising and unbelievable for me.

Portland Trip

I went to Portland on an education trip. I have been to LA, San Diego, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Boston, Washington D.C., Some cities in the South West until now. I have been to many cities in U.S.A but it was first time for me to go Oregon state and I didn't know there is no sale tax! It is fabulous for girl's. We went to 2 college, Lewis and Clark Museum, McLoughlin House, Pioneer Cemetery, Uwajimaya (Asian supermarket), Japanese American Memorial et cetra.

At first, I went to the Columbia Basin College and I talked with three students who study Japanese. I sometimes spoke Japanese to them and they understood the meaning. We talked about many things but the best conversation topic was "Pokemon". We talked about Pokemon's name, some kinds of Pokemon's game software and Pokemon's song. It was very fun. After talking, I want to get a brand new Pokemon's game software. This is one of my good memory of trip.

Moreover, visiting the biggest book store all over the world, Powell's City of Books was very exciting because I had never visited such a big book store. I got 4 books which are for young people, so probably it is easy to read and understand. After I go back to Japan, I hope that I will start to read those books. I promise to keep reading English book after I return to Japan. While I chose these books, I thought that if we have like this book store in Japan, I would spend all of the day in the book store! I want to go the biggest book store in Japan. However, I enjoyed visiting Powell's City of book store. It was like a city of books!

During this trip, I could learn about a sad history of Japanese Americans. I couldn't believe that story, but it is real. If I didn't go to the Japanese American Memorial, I couldn't know the thing. Although I was not interested in world history before I studied about history in U.S.A, I think that we should know about world history when I studied it because they have a lot of stories that it shouldn't be forgotten forever.

After came back to Spokane , I noticed the trip was the last trip in this program. I felt sad; ( However, I was glad to go to Portland with great friends, teachers and an adviser. I had a wonderful time the trip with them;)

Portland Trip

Portland Trip

Last week I went to Portland. It was a great trip. I studied a lot of things about American history university life, and I also enjoyed shopping.

On the first day, we rode on the bus for a very long time. Jill introduced us to one of the Japanese-American movies. I was interested in the movie very much, so I tried to watch it, but I couldn't stay awake because we woke up very early. After we took a short rest Jill taught the story and I tried to watch the continuation again, but I couldn't stay awake again! It was the only time on this trip.

We went Columbia Basin College. We could talk to students. Many of them were still 17 or 18 years old. We could talk to them in Japanese a little. We also talked about our presentation topic. I've never met people who know my topic in America. It was very difficult to explain clearly, but when they listened to me and they were surprised at the story about Ooku I was glad. It was a good experience for me.

We also enjoyed shopping. I think I'm crazy about cosmetics. I had many cosmetics what I wanted to buy. I could buy all of them. It was wonderful. I also went to the Cheesecake Factory. When we went to the East Coast Trip, I didn't have time to go there, so I was very happy and it was wonderful!

The most impressive part of this trip was Japanese-American memorial. On the way to Portland, Jill told us about them. It was very sad. I was impressed with the wards on the memorial.  I thought people should not repeat again. I learned one of the important parts of American history.

We went many places in America. During the last semester, we went to Seattle and East Coast. We learned about many people who came from another country, and about the war in America. In this Extension program, we went to the Southwest and Portland. I could see the beauty of nature and learn American History more deeply. All of them were wonderful. I learned a lot of things and shared the wonderful memory with my friends!