Presentation

This semester all extension students worked together to do one thing. That’s the presentation. There is nothing more than the presentation that suffered all of us, made us sleepless, made us cry a lot and gave us a great treasure. All extension students will say, “That was the greatest memory.”

We all decided what topic we would research and give, and who we would work with in Japan before we came back to MFWI. I decided to give a presentation about Kanji with Takara and Hitomi. At that time we had no idea what we would do.

When we came back here, we started to research about our topics. The first project for us was to write a five paragraph essay about the topic very Deeply. For me that was the hardest thing because, honestly speaking, I was not good at Kanji, and every day, every night we had to work on it. That made us very sleepless. Moreover, we sometimes had the dreams about writing an essay. We struggled a lot! However, writing the essay was also the most interesting things for me because Takara, Hitomi and I worked together and thought about Kanji very deeply all the time to write a good one, and every day we found out new and interesting things. I loved it. While I was working with them, I always thought I was happy to work with them

My great teacher, Emily helped us a lot. She is pregnant actually, but she came to class every day, and cheered us up. She was really severe with us in a very good way. That made us thinks about the topic deeply and writes a good essay. Without her, we couldn’t have done a good job.

Right after we finished writing an essay, we moved on to preparing for giving a presentation. That was the second project. We didn’t have any time to rest. In conversation class and public speaking class we learned how to speak naturally, have good gestures, and give eye contacts. We also went to a lot of office hours to prepare for it. We were all busy, busy, busy, busy and busy every day. Actually, I couldn’t sleep until 2:00 in the morning every day. However, I’m sure there were some students who slept for only three or four hours a day. Can you believe it? We had to do that to give a good presentation, so we often got irritated without any reasons, and crashed with each other many times. That was not easy, but absolutely hard.

On December 3rd, our final project has started. Our presentations were divided to four days. On the first day, tons of people came to listen to the presentations. At first, all students, who gave theirs on that day, looked very nervous, but as time went by, they started to enjoy it! They all did a really great job. That was awesome!
After they finished their job, they cried, cried and cried!! They looked very happy. For me, that was happy, but honestly speaking, envious, too because my presentation was on the very last day. Actually, that was stressful. Every day after that, my friends finished their great jobs. They looked happy. They all enjoyed them. Finally, the last day has come.

Before the presentation, my partners looked very nervous, but I was not nervous. I was rather excited. However, gradually I got nervous. When I stood in front of a big audience, I was too nervous to think anything. Holy Cow!! At first, I trembled, spoke strangely, and my hands and legs shake. My heart beat very fast like heavy raining. I couldn’t enjoy it. The next was Hitomi’s turn. Her voice was trembling, and her hands and legs were shaking, but she did such a fabulous job!! She really amazed me. The next turn was Takara. While she was speaking, the audience listened to her, laughed a lot, and nodded a lot! She was so awesome! I really respect her. Actually I had another turn. Before Takara finished her job, I thought this was going to the last and only one chance to give a presentation, and I didn’t want to regret because this semester I worked hard for it and spent a lot of time for it. Then I started to be excited and enjoy it. This time I really relaxed. I noticed people looked at me and listened to me. That was so exciting and fun! The good time was finished very quickly. Then we all finished our presentation. It was just like a moment. I felt happy and sad at the same time because finishing the big presentation project means our school life at MFWI is finishing. I cried, my partners cried, and all students cried. There was a big storm of crying at the assembly hall. The storm was for happiness and sadness. We all did a excellent job, enjoyed it and made a wonderful memory. If I had not come back to MFWI as an extension student, I could not have done such a good job, and I could not have made such fabulous friends who I cried with. I am really grateful for myself, I am more grateful for my friends, and I am much more grateful for my teachers and partners. They are all my treasure. I really had a great time!! This experience will always remain in our memory as the best one in our life forever.

My Great Experience and Marvelous Friends

On December 5th, 2007 I had a good, incredible and unforgettable experience in my life. I will never forget this experience for the rest of time.

Before presentation I did a lot of research about my topic. My topic is "Japanese Local Summer Festivals". First I wavered which festivals I should take up. I decided to focus on my hometown's festival, but it is too local. I had to do research about this festival! And I had to think how to I do presentation. Writing essay was also difficult for me. When I wrote my essay about my topic, I didn't know what to write. After final essay I had to rewrite. I disappointed at my essay skill. But my teachers and friends supported me. When I practiced my presentation in front of my teachers I felt a sense of frustration. It was regrettable. Then I didn't want to do anything and I wanted to give up. But my friends encouraged me. Then I thought I could do it.

My presentation was on the third day. Before presentation my friends cheered me up. I was very nervous. My body was shaking with tension. I was under extreme tension, the most ever in my life!! But I thought I had to do my best because many friends, teachers and RAs cheered me up. When I stood on stage, I could see many extension students. They smiled at me. Then I felt comfortable. I talked about national holidays and my hometown's festival. I shared my experiences in presentation. Many people in the audience reacted positively to my experiences. I was so happy. Sometimes my head was not clear and I forget what to say. But everyone watched my presentation, especially extension students!! I also danced my hometown's festival Bon dance. First I felt ashamed, but extension students danced with me. I was sooooo happy!!!!! I felt about 25 minutes was very quickly!! My presentation succeeded!!

After presentation I gave a sigh of relief. I was very happy to finish my presentation. Many friends embraced me. I cried very much. I was released from my presentation. I thank my friends, teachers, RAs and people who cheered me up. Although I felt hard before presentation, I could experience fabulous time. Because I have wonderful friends, I could do my best.

Thank you for encouraging me. Thank you for supporting me. Thank you, my marvelous friends!!

Valuable Week

The first week in December was our presentation week. We spent a lot of time practicing for this presentation. The week before the presentation, I especially practiced a lot in front of people everyday.

At first, I didn't want to do a presentation when I came back here because it seemed too hard and I didn't have confidence, so I didn't want to think about the presentation. I knew I will get a sence of achievement after I finish my presentation, but I was afraid of presenting in front of an American audience. However, I couldn't say such a thing as time went by. I had little time, so I had to prepare for my presentation. I had no other choice.

I had to do many things; not only for my presentation but also for my regular homeworks. I found that the stress level of almost all the extention students increse gradually including my stress level. We couldn't hide our strain. The teachers also seemed to be tired. My partner and I did a presentation in front of people many times, but I couldn't gain confidence. I practiced a lot but became fearful. I didn't have enough free time on weekend before presentation week.

At last, our presentation week came. I was very nervous this week even on days that I did not present. I watched every presentation with nervousness because I could feel my friends' nervousness. They did a very good job! I was very happy but I became more nervous as time went by. On my presentation day, I wasn't nervous so much. I think I could do my best. After my presentation, I cried a lot because of a sence of achievement. I couldn't stop my tears. My friends also cried with me, and many people said to me "Good presentation!", "Good job!" even the members of the audience. I felt very good at that time.

I cried everyday this week because I knew the we all worked very hard. I think these extention members are the best. I'm proud of them. I would like to say 'Thank you' to many people; not only extention members but also teachers and my family. I love you!! I think it was good choice to come back to MFWI. I could make many memories. I can say the extention program is better than the regular program. I will never forget my life at MFWI with my friends.

Thank you so much!

I Can Brag!!!!!!!

I noticed some very important things and also I cried a lot for 4 days. It is because of presentations. We gave presentations to American audiences. We spent a lot of time on the presentations; it was very hard and we were very tired. Before the presentation day, we practiced many times and we couldn't sleep well and I think our teachers were also as tired as us. Before my presentation day, my friends helped me a lot. For example, my friends helped my powerpoint, gave me some advice and listened to my presedntation. It was very helpful for me. I could practice many times with my friends, so I wasn't nervous. On the day, everyone cheered for us. During our presentation, extension students cheered us on and everyone smiled. If I was getting nervous, to look their faces, I felt better and I could enjoy it. I could see everyone's faces and especially Eriko, Kanoko, Asami, and Megumi. Eriko looked at us from front door and she kept smiling the whole time. At that time she worried about her presentation and I knew her that she worked very hard by herself, she practiced a lot around midnight and she was busy, but she helped me a lot. And also I could see Kanoko, she laughed a lot and she has a very special voice. She fixed my powerpoint sometimes. Asami had a very big smile and she nodded a lot much, she sat in a good position, for 4 days she cheered everyone very much and I could see her kindness, and Megumi was using the camera and she jumped a lot while clapping. When I saw them, I almost cried a lot.

On the last day, everyone cried a lot and we were so happy, but everyone said "I'm so sad because we worked very hard but now, it's done." I don't want to go back to Japan and I want to study with extension students. I'm not as good at English as them, so everyone helped me a lot. Afresh, I could find and make good friends, it is extension students. During about 4 months, we could help each other. We know how much we worked very hard together. I'm so happy because I'm one of the extension students and I could be their friends. Extension students are special and also our teachers. Actually, I didn't like teachers because sometimes they had favoritism, but at MFWI, the teachers are awesome and I shall never forget their and my friends's kindness as long as I live.

Tempting State☆

I went on the Portland Study Tour from Thursday November 8Th to Sunday November 11Th. Portland is the largest city between San Francisco and Seattle, and 24Th largest in the U.S. Portland is in the State of Oregon. There were 3 things I really liked about this tour.

First, I like a basketball game. Portland Trail Blazers are a professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon, so the team is NBA!! I watched the game, and I saw many 3 point shoots and dunk shoots. I was very excited about the game. Portland Trail Blazers won, so I was very happy and I cheered for them. This was the most exciting thing for me on the tour.

Next, I liked Multnomah Falls. This is a waterfall on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge, and it is the second tallest year-round waterfalls in the US after Yosemite Falls. It was very beautiful and clear, and it had pure minus ion, so my heart was cleared by them. Also, I hiked up to the top of the waterfalls, so it was good exercise for me. This was the most healing thing for me on the tour.

Finally, I liked shopping time. I was looking forward to going shopping before I went there because we went shopping several times, and Oregon State has no sales taxes!! That's why, shopping time was an enjoyable thing for me. I bought many things, for example, key-chains, bath goods, glasses, anklets and so on, but these are all souvenirs for other people. I also bought some things for me, for example, a tumbler and post cards, but the new ipod was the most expensive item I bought on this tour. I spent much money on this tour, but I was satisfied with the shopping. I could buy the all of the souvenirs I need it, so this was the most satisfactory thing for me on this tour.

I really enjoyed this tour, but if I had a wish, I would want to rest a day after the tour because I had classes on Monday although I came back here on Sunday. But, Portland is tempting for me still now, so I want to go there again someday. I'm going to buy many more things the next time because there are no taxes!!!

Pleasure after Tension

On December 4th, it was my biggest memory of my life. I did presentation in front of American people in ENGLISH!!!! I can't believe it still now!!! Before presentation, I really really didn't want to do my presentation because of tension. I couldn't relax at all especially our presentation day. I couldn't have a confidence even if I practice it many times. It might sound strange when I was practicing it in my room alone because I mumbled away to myself!!!! It sounds scary!!! But I didn't care about it. And in addition, my partners and I couldn't practice it very much. BUT !!! Every teacher and Extension student encouraged me!!! I was really happy at that time.

On the very day of my presentation, I was extremely nervous from the morning. I said that I was nervous many times in the day. Although I didn't eat lunch, I couldn't eat dinner enough. And we started to wear Kimono or Yukata around 6:30. At that time I found that my mother forget bands to tie the Yukata!!!! I was so upset. But Junko-san helped me!!! She went back to her house to get bands and dressed me Yukata!!! Thank you for her kindness!!! When we were ready for presentation, the presentation already began!!! I couldn't think of anything. Only the words that I would say went round and round in my head. My friends touched me and cheered me up when I went to another world. Finally, it was our turn!!! I spoke introduction about our topic. My body trembled with tension when I was speaking. I thought it was the end of the world. But I remembered the word my friend said to me "Look for Extension students!" When I looked at them, they smiled at me and gave me a nod. I thought I could do it. They reduced my tension a little I could have a confidence a little!! After presentation, I didn't remember what I said. And I felt a relief and cried a lot. I couldn't stop falling tears.

I think it was a great experience for me. And I feel like to have a confidence more than before. Anyway, thank all Extension students and teachers!!!! Your support helped me very much!!! Our presentation made a great success!!! WE DID IT!!! GOOD JOB!!!!!!

An Unforgettable Presentation

First of all, I had an instructive experience. I’m really glad to experience this project. It was such a hard and stressful event before we finished, but I reaped a valuable harvest from this presentation. When I decided on the topic, I wanted American people to know how Japan is good and beautiful, so I'd like to introduce Kyoto, because Kyoto has a Japanese atmosphere. I was really proud of Kyoto as Japanese beauty. Next, I had to write a Research paper. I had to use difficult vocabularies, and I can't use the word "I". It was really hard work. It took a long time. I wrote, Bridget fixed, I re-wrote, Bridget re-fixed, and again and again we continued. Then, the essay was finished. Third, I have to make the powerpoint slide. When I made them, I was surprised because America was too strict about plagiarism. I didn't know that. I have to try to see the topic in American lights. Making slides was fun. Before presentation day, I put up a hard fight to remember the sentences I had to say. I couldn’t say naturally, so I always bring my slide sheets everywhere. I felt stress, but I didn’t get nervous yet. When I watched the first presentation, I was so impressed, because they did an absolutely fabulous job. They spoke naturally even though they felt nervous. I could see confidence from them. On the presentation day, I began getting nervous. I remembered the speech, so I could say it in front of friends. However, I gave an uneasy laugh, so I practiced in front of the mirror. Before the presentation, I could meet many people who I know like my host-family, ex-RA Jessica, and mentors came here to listen to the presentations. I was thankful for them. On the eve of the presentation, I did a deep breath and drank some water. At the beginning of the presentation, I did a deep breath again, my mouth was really dry, and so I couldn’t say normal English. But after for a while, my tense was getting better. I could introduce everything about my topic. I was really helped by extension students, because when I was upset some friends who sat down the front seat give me smiles, so I could calm down. I was thankful for them. Additionally, Sayoko and Rise were good and I was proud of them. I’m so glad to do my presentation with them. My presentation was not perfect, but I did as much as possible during the presentation. I felt the achievement, and tears dropped off naturally. I was very surprised because I rarely cry. The presentation was a really good experience not only for my English but also to know myself. There was a lot to be gains by giving the presentation. I want to use of this experience in the future.