MFWI Extension Writing Class

I had a significant time at WSU on Tuesday. Fortunately, I had an opportunity to talk with two Chinese guys and one Saudi Arabian. It was a great time sharing ourselves, our future goals and so on. Through the conversation, I learned three important things by them; importance of English, attitude and independence. Firstly, I realized how important English is to our generation by talking with one Chinese guy. I had a chance to talk with this Chinese guy at lunch time. One of his stories was very interesting and it extended my perspective. He studied Japanese hard for two years and he was ready to go to Japan to improve his Japanese skill; however, he changed his mind in the last minutes and now he is at WSU in America. I asked him why he changed his mind and his answer was like this. “If I can speak Japanese, I can only use it in Japan; however, if I can speak English, I can use anywhere in the world.” He told me how English is needed in his society and how important it is to our genera

Mother Earth holds me in her arms. Feeling warm light from sun and cold wind The sky is turning color black to red The Canyon coming out from a dense fog I see it quietly, silently Feeling the grandeur of nature I'm in the mother's arms.

There are tons of stars Spread over the whole sky A tiny part of earth Wind is like wispering Covered with fragrant smell Tastes like candy It is in the sweet dream

How splendid Grand Canyon is. The red rocks flaring against the blue sky. Feeling my tininess for them. Close eyes and try to catch sounds of life. Breathing slowly, calmly, widely, Touching clean and beautiful air. Teach me why I can cry only to be here.

I saw the holy shouting stars at Grand Canyon. Like in the planetarium Silently, quietly and gracefully Focus on our dreams and stars Raise our hands and grasp them It was sweet and salty times like the snacks.

Grand Canyon taught me, how small am I. The setting sun bathring Grand Canyon in red light. Grand Canyon whispering 'I'm the Mother Earth'. Fresh air, magnificent nature, quietly. Mother Earth encouraged me.

I walked around Santa Fe by myself. Going shop what Native Americans sell proudly Imagining if I was one of them Listening to delightful music from the Plaza Feeling of coming of autumn Tasting the sprightly atmosphere in the capital I walked around Santa Fe with curiosity .

How silent Grand Canyon is. Calm cool air Silent warm love No smell and no great wonder Outside my conscious awareness The spaces around me The sense of fulll of love Air breathe slightly.

On September 27th, the extension students visited the WSU. It is a wonderful university in south Spokane!! On last semester, there was also an opportunity visiting another university, which is much larger than WSU, but it was just visiting there. To my pleasure, this time I could talk with a lot of people in WSU. In addition, they were from various countries and I spent the day with two of them who are from China and Saudi Arabia. My dream that I have had since I was a little child is so simple! This is to talk with a lot of people from various countries and just enjoy this conversation!! It seems easy for it to come true, yet actually it is a little difficult because I hardly have opportunities to talk with foreigner. This time, it was delightful experience for me. Through talking with them, I learned their countries and I felt global. One of them, the guy who are from Saudi Arabia told me some cool things about himself and his country. To my surprise, there are 11people in his f

Did you find any super valuable and interesting stuff? This was sort of our watchword on October 1st, when we had a splendid experience as a volunteer to clean up the Spokane River. It was my first time to take part in a volunteer activity in my life. Since I was in Japan, I was interested in volunteering, but I was not brave to do it. This was why, I thought this was a perfect opportunity to start to be brave when I was invited to join this activity. I will tell you about my strange feelings that I felt through this activity. Firstly, I realized that people who joined the activity were so attractive and had clear-cut personality. They were not scared to go into the bushes, and they know when to give up. I was impressed many times by the leaders' actions. They often asked me "Did you find any big stuff?" I wanted to answer the question, so, I was really eager to collect the garbage. However, I felt so bad when I was walking along the river because there were lot of fece

Spiritual lives I realized that I live. Grand Canyon stately existing in front of me Comparing to it, how empty I am Whispering of wind and sun Encouraging all life on this planet Today is a good day to die. 

The Grand Canyon has a beautiful night sky There are stars eveywhere, and they smile delightfully Happy to be with my friends Much laughter The smell is sweet The taste is sparkling, twinking and tender I love the beautiful night sky and group13

Sunset lighted our future. It was beautiful like our future. Sunset made us honest. Everyone appreciated each other. We sung a song, hug and scream together. Someone sniffle the nose. Sunset was salty and warm, smelled fresh. We could share all feeling. We all in this together.

A picnic outside with G13 made me happy. Tons of diamonds and some shooting stars. Smell of ramen and snacks. My blanket held me softly. Tasting friendship. I had a wonderful night at the Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon I saw the huge the Grand Canyon I felt how I am tiny. Breathe in the cool air I heard your voices You just said to me "Going my way as it is It tastes bitter and sweet I was moved by you in tears

I'm standing in Sky City. With a long history and people who fought for saving their lives. I can touch the sky here. I can smell sand which has existed for many years. I can taste this fresh air. I can hear a voice from people calling me for save their culture I'm standing in Sky City.

The Grand Canyon is unspeakably awesome. I can see the clear sky connects to the cosmos, I can eat clear air which is gift from the land, I can hear birds chirping and trees singing, I can touch huge sun and bag of sun, I can smell the new day. Listen to your own heart. You can realize what you are.

It is an absolutely different world. I am close to the sky. If I reach my hand, I can grab the sun. The flap of the birds' wings catch my ears below. I taste the power of nature. How tiny I am...

I stood in the desert. I tasted so hot. The sun was close to me, and it tried to burn me. I saw a big person in front of me. I tried to call him but he didn't answer. There was only silence. I ran to him. I tried to touch his shoulder but he had spines.... I realized he was a Cactus!!!!

I s aw the beautiful sunrise in the Grand Canyon. When I took a deep breath, I smelled the fresh air of a new day. I felt the spirit of nature, stretching out my hand to touch the sun. It was like a mysterious scene I have never experienced. I said "thank you" to my parents in my mind as I saw the sunrise.

There are many differences between Japan and America. I experienced changing culture twice: when I came to Spokane for the first time and when I went back to Japan. Now I am facing a third changing of culture. First, last semester all things were the first experience at that time. I was so excited to find new culture and customs in America. However, I was also shocked at the differences. For example, in Japan, when I cross a street which does not have a signal, I usually bow to a driver who stops for me. However, I did not know what I should do when I came across such a situation in America because there was no custom to give a bow in America. Nevertheless, the more I learned about culture in America, the more I got used to life here. Second, I went back to Japan in May. I felt, “Here is my homeland!” At that time, I enjoyed finding differences between Japan and America. I felt a little strange in spite of it being my country. I was surprised at clothes which gi

picking up dirty trash I had a really wonderful time with the Extension students, Timothy's friends and Timothy during Spokane River Clean-up volunteering on Saturday. A few weeks ago, during Language and Cultural day, One a man who was a guest told us about the details of Spokane River Clean-Up. It was impressive for me, so I decided to join this volunteer activity. However, I always thought that the Spokane river is very beautiful. I didn't think that there was a tons of trash near the Spokane river. On the day of Spokane River Clean-up, the weather was wonderful. I walked a long the side of the  Spokane river. It was really beautiful, I couldn't find trash at first, but I walked closer to river, I found a lot of peaces of glass. I was disappointed when I found these things, because I have never thought that there is tons of trash near the Spokane river. I picked up a lot of peaces of glass, paper and cigarette butt. One child who was volunteering picked

My amazing partners! I had wonderful communication with WSU students on Tuesday. The extension students went to WSU and we met many students who are learning English in the Language Center. They study English because they want to enter WSU as the students. They came from many countries and they study English very hard because they have strong motivation. My partners were Taiwanese and they spoke English very fluently. We talked about many things, such as their own countries and language. In Taiwan, they told me that Chinese is spoken. I know Chinese a little bit so they were surprised to hear that. Also, when we talked about Disney, I found that the word Disney is pronoun the same is Chinese and Japanese. I didn’t remember how they said it but pronunciation had many points of similarity. Also, They said they can understand Kanji because Japanese use it. I thought language is interesting. Also, to find some similarities between Japanese and other languages is very fun. I taught them

I experienced a lot of amazing culture shock when I first arrived in America. Then I went back to Japan and I returned to America again!! There are three examples of when I experienced culture shock and return culture shock. First, I was astonished by American education. When I went to a high school, I felt how free it is here. Then I had an opportunity to talk with high school students. I noticed some differences between Japan and America. American students can go to school with make up, wear pierced earrings, eat food and drink during the class, and some people have tattoos. I really envy them. Also they are more independent than Japanese students. Most students have initiative, volunteerism and independence. They are thinking about their future seriously. Also many people go to college with their own money or scholarship. I didn’t know about making such great effort, so I made many mistakes. Second, I noticed Japanese school rules are too strict. They spoil the

How pleasant a discussion!! I was moved about guests ' opinions and cheerful activity. On Tuesday, I had wonderful opportunity to talk with guests who join volunteer activity at conversation class. It was very lively discussion for me. At first, I thought volunteering is not related to problem too much, but I changed my mind. During discussion, the most impressive thing was all of guests 's faces were cheerful!! All of guests talked to us pleasantly about volunteering. Each guests participates various volunteer. All of guests who I asked my questions answered definitely that volunteering have a lot of good point. For example, make new friends, feel good, success business, and so on. One of the guests, Bill talked to us his delightful opinion. I think he has strong mind himself and he love volunteering very much. Talking with them was good opportunity for me. I found difference points American and Japanese at this discussion. I think volunteer is more common in

Recently, I have somehow felt uncomfortable with my own culture which I should be used to, and I am sometimes comfortable with American culture. When I visited Spokane for the first time, all I had in my mind was “unusual” and “strange.” This is because there were things that I had not experienced before. However, now I am used to the environment because I have spent quite a long time in America, and there are many things that I regard as “usual” and “common.” Meanwhile, I feel Japanese culture is strange but interesting in some ways, like people’s behavior and service. Changing cultures occurs easily. I feel cultures have changed for me because I am accustomed to a new environment and take almost everything for granted after I am in a different country for a long time. Although I have lived in Japan for about nineteen years, living in America has made me change my point of view about the cultures in Japan and America. For example, I was not fond of hugs in February. This is because I

There are many differences from between American and Japanese cultures. I experienced many things about American culture last semester and after that I could understand my country deeply. Also, I noticed that there are two types of cultures. I could see different cultures through my eyes. Therefore, if I live only in Japan, I can’t realize American culture. First, in Japan, there is not body contact custom with each other. When I went back to Japan last semester, I hugged my friend at the station in front of people. My friend said to me, “What’s happening? I am ashamed. ” “Just hug” I said. I felt a little sad. I realized that I was in Japan now, not America. People don’t hug other people on the street in Japan, whereas in America many people hug each other. If I refuse to hug in America, they do not feel good. So, I’m in America now, and I can hug my friends or host family. This is one cultural difference. Second, Japan and America differ with regard to food and figure

On Tuesday afternoon, we had an amazing opportunity to talk with 9 guests. What in common do they all have? It is the volunteer work. We prepared some questions to ask them, but they not only answered our questions,  they also impressed us a lot. First, I was fascinated by a woman whom I talked with. She looked very kind and she smiled at me so sweetly, so I could relax. Her volunteer work is mainly the fundraising and also she meets children who live in the shelters because of no houses, no parents a one time a week. They go shopping together, play games. She administers to donations poor children enjoyably. I was so surprised because I had never imagined that such a sorrowful situation is here, Spokane, close to me. She said that since when she was a little, she has been interested with volunteer work. She often saw the people who needed help and it made her so sad. She called this feeling is "empathy," or a kind of guilty feeling. In fact, there are many the poor in S

I have experienced changing cultures. I have felt a lot of things so it is sometimes makes me confused, but I think it is good to realize differences. Also when my awareness must change all at once, it is difficult to change again. When I went back to Japan, I forgot a few normal things. I forgot to take off shoes at my house because I didn't take off shoes at my dormitory. I realized it was a little strange. Also when I went outside with my friends, I looked to the left to check for cars. However, in Japan the right side is the way the cars come. I started to walk and my friends said to me, "Be careful!" Then I realized I was wrong. I thought it was normal, but it was American culture, so my sense was still in the U.S. When I came back to the U.S., I also was reminded of many things of American culture through life in the U.S. When I went shopping in Spokane, the cashier said, "Have a good day!" but I didn't expect the cashier to say something. In Japan mos

I experienced culture changes between Japan and America three times during this year. I felt the honeymoon stage and also culture shock. At first, it was hard to adjust to a new life but I could reconsider both countries thanks to this. I want to talk about what I felt and thought through this wonderful experience. First, I could learn both American culture and Japanese culture. I am interested in American culture and also Americans are eager to know Japanese culture. When I was in Japan, everyone didn't ask me about Japanese culture or history except for in class. However, when I came to America I was often asked about Japanese culture or history. And unfortunately, I found that I don't know much about them. It was a little shameful. Actually I like to study world history and foreign language, but before studying that I should have studied about Japan. So I could notice that I had to consider my own country. Second, I could learn about the differences betwe

I have experienced changing cultures three times on the Regular Program, summer vacation and the Extension Program. All of them confused me, but they were still interesting. I will tell you my experiences about changing cultures. First, in the Regular Program, everything was new to me, and I was in culture shock in the beginning of the semester. For instance, in Japan, we make a point of corporation. However, in the U.S., people make a point of say your own opinions. They always have opinions, and they express them. I thought it was the biggest difference between Japanese and American culture. Second, when I returned to Japan, I was in return culture shock. For example, there were not so many people in Spokane, but there were too many people in Japan. I needed to avoid people when I walked along the roads. It sometimes made me annoyed.  Third, I came back to Spokane. I know the American culture more than last semester, so I am sometimes in culture shock. I forget to s

It is useful to compare my culture to another culture to make my country better. It is also helpful for me to know my culture more deeply by changing cultures. Also, to change culture a few times has helped me to live in not only my country, but also in other countries more comfortably. First, American culture surprised me. Americans were very friendly when I met them. In Japan, we don’t greet strangers even if they are foreigners, but in America many people say “Hello” or “Hi.” I noticed that greeting makes people happy, so Japanese people should imitate American people. I was surprised at these cultural differences, but to notice this good point in another culture is helpful to change myself or my culture. Second, I noticed that the size of furniture and people in Japan isn’t usual for other countries. When I went back to Japan, my house looked like a house where a dwarf lived. Japanese furniture is smaller than American furniture because Japanese people are smaller than Americans. J

Language and Culture Day which is part of Conversation Class is already my favorite class event at MFWI. I really enjoy taking this fabulous experience because through many discussions, I have learned lots of things that I didn’t know before. It helps me to broaden my horizon. On Tuesday of this week, I had an impressive discussion about volunteerism with four people. I’ve been doing volunteer work since I entered the university, so I was so curious to learn. I had chances to talk with Chad, Don, Karen and Chris. I was especially impressed by Don, Karen and Bill’s ideas of volunteerism. First of all, I was so moved by Don who is a running expert. It was nice to see and talk with him. He has had many running experiences including Tokyo and Nishinomiya-city Marathon. Moreover, he is the person who brought Blooms Day in the Spokane Community. I was so surprised to learn about that. According to Don, it was not an easy thing because at that time, he was a teacher at elementary school. He

The splendid river in Spokane Their looks are so brilliant! It was my first impression when I saw them. This Wednesday, we had a great opportunity to have conversation with people who are involved in volunteer work. My first impression of them was amazing because each of them had a nice smile. In addition I felt like I saw their wonderful inner side. Actually, all had such a splendid personality and characteristic!! I heard a lot about volunteer work of cleaning the river in Spokane. Also, A  man I talked to looked so brilliant!! We have forgotten to ask our question which we prepared in advance because we were swallowed by his topic and we came up with other questions we really want to ask him! He has participated in this work for a long time. To my surprise, about 800 people in Spokane take part in this work every year. Also, to my surprise again, they pick up about 1200 pounds of the trash each time. I couldn’t understand how much it is, therefore I researched this num

I had wonderful party at last Wednesday with Extension students and teachers. I was looking forward to meeting my teachers from in that morning. When I met teachers, I was not only happy but also excited, because I had not kept in touch with them during the summer vacation. I missed all of teachers at MFWI . In fact, I was very nervous about can I keep up classes, but my motivation became higher than before after Extension wonderful party. We enjoyed making Mexican food, called tacos . My job was cutting onion to cook it. I hardly cooked, so it was rare experience for me, but it was fun. I've eaten Tacos before, and I like tacos very much. When I went to homestay at spring semester. My host mother made tacos for me and it was very delicious! She likes cooking and eating tacos, so she sometimes make it for dinner. I think tacos is not common in Japan, so I enjoyed eating it at the party. I was surprised that ingredient which made of To-fu is one of the ingredient

Wonderful Volunteering!!! I got a meaningful culture shock yesterday during Conversation class. We invited nine people who have participated in volunteer works and discussed with them their volunteer activities. I had great time with them, because I had never had an opportunity like this before. I don't talk to people who partake many kinds of volunteer works in Japan. I am also interested in volunteer works. However, I don't know what I should do at first? This opportunity that speaking to the people is connected to my change of thinking. At first, leaning about the idea of volunteering from Stephen. Stephen is a leader of Spokane River Clean-up activity. He began to this activity by himself, because he likes taking a walk and running along Spokane river while he see a landscape. One day, he noticed that Spokane river is dirty, because a lot of garbage was thrown away around river. At that time, he decided to start to activity in order to clean the river. I was shocked

My Wonderful Extension Dancing Members They are fantastic dancers forever! I belong to the soran-bushi team at MFWI, and I'm the leader. Our group did special traditional Japanese dance at Valleyfest about a week ago. Why did I join the soran-bushi dancing team? I have two reasons I joined. First, I will spend a great time with my teammates in the team. My team's 90% Junior Collage students. They are quick to understand how to dance soran-bushi. Almost all team members are experienced dancers since they were young. It is easy to me to show them how to dance. They have a high motivation soran-bushi. Soran-bushi has a lot of lively movements. However, my team members don't complain about being able to dance anymore. In my case, first day of soran-bushi dancing practice was terrible when I learned about it from my friend in last semester. I couldn't do lively movements, and I also could't use my brain, because it is very difficult for me to understand how to dance

Have you ever tried to work on your weak points for changing your personality by yourself? If I were asked this question, I would say YES. In America, when saying it more specifically at MFWI , the teachers have the highest expectations of the Extension students. This is not the exaggeration for me. We have a duty to react to teachers in any way, moreover, we have to have mind of challenge to everything around us. We have many opportunities to have curious conversations with native speakers who are local people more than last session. Since I came back here, I was confused to the differences of the class between Spring and Fall session. When we have discussion, I need to speak out to them about my thoughts. Of course, they do not care about our English levels. Surely, they do not know how much we can speak English and how much we can understand what they say. To tell you the truth, when I listen to them, my poor brain often stops listening to them because their speaking is unexpecte

I had a good opportunity to think more seriously about volunteering when I went to one-dollar shop at Shadle Center on Monday. I wanted to buy a new T-shirts at that time. I could buy one but my friend and I had to buy some stuffs for a birthday party because we were planning Yuri's birthday party for tutorial on Tuesday. Arisa and I went to one-dollar shop and we bought some decorations and candles. We are used to going shopping in America, so I thought I could buy these things without any problem. When I went to a cashier to pay, I talked with clerk and he said something to me. I wasn't sure what he said and I thought about other things so I just said yes! It was my big failure. He suddenly scaned some food which I didn't want to buy. I didn't know why he did it and I began to panic. I thought he was making fun of me because I am Japanese so he did it purposely. I told Arisa about this accident and we confirmed a receipt. There was some food which I didn't want t

The extension teachers prepared a very energetic party to welcome us last Wednesday. I was very relaxed when I met the teachers at first because I was a little nervous about coming back to MFWI again. I had been worried about having a lot of homework everyday, and we will also have to face with a lot of complicated barriers. However, when I met the teachers, they smiled a lot and welcomed us so kindly. How enthusiastic their welcome was! First, we cooked well-known Mexican food, tacos. My work was cutting tofu with Arisa. We cut it and mixed it with spicy sauce. While cooking, there was a dense crowd in the kitchen similar to the busy restaurant. We really enjoyed talking in English. The smell of the cooking was very yummy the as a our cooking came close to the completion. Next, while Jill finished final preparation, the others gathered in the living room and formed a circle to talk about their summer vacation and the extension program. All people's memories were fabulous. I