Interview with Anonymous

Q: What are your thoughts on Japan's weather?
A: Well when I first arrived in Japan, I was shocked by its humidity and its hot climate even though I already knew that the weather in Japan wasn't too nice, but throughout the two weeks that I've been here I feel like I've become more accustomed to the weather, and lately actually, its been raining a lot. There's been fifty to sixty percent of rain daily so its been a bit cooler. There's been less sun but it's still been kinda like humid.

Q: Do you feel that your Japanese has become more fluent?
A: More fluent? Like more fluent? Are you typing this? Well. Um. Not really actually. Probs. But i feel that my fan has become more broken. Look at this.

Q: What's your favorite thing about Japan so far?
A: um. i guess i just really like our lsa group and ive met everyone before cometing to the trip but the time that im able to spend with them i think is a going to develop a storng friendship that will remain even at dartmouth when we return. and evertone just like weird and funny heh heh hheh. im a fan of gatewood san who broke my fan.

Q: What are some big differences you've noticed between here and America?
A: Well definitely the culture. people are more....  people keep to themselves a lot. But at the same time I still feel like no matter where you go, places are generally similar. Clearly every country has its distinct thing that they're known for, but if I were to live let's say somewhere like Turkey, I feel like I'd still be able to maintain who I am while immersed in their culture, which is kinda like saying people are going to react to you similarly.  Think about it this way, in all cultures your teenagers or students our age do similar things for fun. Also, I live in Arizona so the place i live is kinda in the suburbs no one's outside, people go everywhere by car, so it's new to me, riding the bus, and I've never really ridden a bike places, but it's a main transportation system for a lot of people here. It's really difficult, don't you think? I mean, people hold umbrellas while they ride! Also, i hate the toilets. And I think the fashion is really interesting, but it's very distinct and people are trendy here, I think more so than in America because compared to Asian countries, people don't really follow that many trends. Food is different. Its yummy. I think it's also interesting how you put the money in the little basket, the cashier's gonna touch it anyway, but I still have to put it in the basket! Its also really annoying that I'm still greeted with this really fast nasal tone,"irashaimase!" If that happened in America.... people might get shot.

Q: What's your favorite Japanese food?/
A: takoyaki. is that what its called? That yummy thing with the brown sauce that's yummy? yum yum!

Q:What do you miss about America?
A: You, whoever is reading [cackle] haha no just kidding. Well, I guess not just America, but my personal space in my comfort zone-- like home or my dorm. Where I can eat whatever or listen to my music as loud as i want. But I like being sort of uncomfortable in a homestay family. That sounds weird, but I enjoy it because it allows me to become more organized and thoughtful of the other people living in my house. So i wouldn't keep my sink dirty like I would at home. My room's really neat, etc.

Q: Have you watched any Japanese TV?
A: As a matter of fact, the family watches TV while eating dinner. By American standards, it sounds impolite, but I think it's pretty common to turn on the tv while you eat, so I watch it every night. I find it similar to mexican television shows and korean television. People have similar whole shows. Lots of celebrities coming on, reality shows, what else. The comedy I watched was really similar to Korean comedy.

Q: Please explain the word kawaii.
A: My FACE! hahahahah joke. um. well. In japan, pretty much anything can be kawaii. This chair I'm sitting in is kawaii. That desk. Yeah. That's kawaii. Your computer. Totemo kawaii! I think it's a term with a broad range of meaning and usage. Like you can use the term kawaii and even cute in so many various situations. Like.. well this is kinda off topic but my mom, when she describes people who are not actually very good looking, she calls them kawaii. She acutally uses the korean word. But wow anything can be cute. Even if it's really weird. Like think of  bulldogs. They're acutally kind of ugly, but they're the cutest things! So kawaii isn't a word that describes beauty. I don't think cute describes beauty at all.

Q: What do you hope to have accomplished after the LSA is over?
A: [nail biting] I guess just being able to communicate comfortably around Japanese people with them clearly realizing that I'm a gaijin. And to have conversations with my family that won't involve them explaining half of what they're saying.