My Australian Life

Barbara's questions.

2006-06-12T16:15:00.000-07:00

1,What languages are spoken in your own communities?
I have lived in Australia for six months and English is spoken as the main language. When I lived in Japan I spoke Japanese.
2,Is the official language of your country the same as your mother tongue?
Yes, it is, but some politicians said we should speak English as the official language. I absolutely disagree with this idea because I think language is one of the most important cultures. If government neglected our culture, we would lose our language. Early 19th century politicians prepared wearing suit rather than KIMONO (Japanese traditional clothes), consequently we lost KIMONO culture once. Fortunately it is becoming in mode for the young generation these days.
3,What are the reasons for this?
Everyone understanding language of Japanese is so important and most people can not understand other languages.
4,What language and culture best represents you?
I spent most of my life in Japan so Japanese culture is the best to represent me, but speaking English is easier to express myself than Japanese. English is more direct language than Japanese I suppose.
5,Are there any languages you are averse to? Can you explain why?
I do not know because I have never learnt another language but English.
6,Do you have a public and a private identity?
Basically I have the same personality in public or in private, but I think in private I have more confidence than in public.
7,Do you think foreign language learning should be fostered? why?
I think so because when you learn another language you also learn another culture, that’s why your way of thinking become broader.
8,What is the foreign language policy and practice in your country?
English is the world common language so we have to learn it.
9,What choice of foreign languages do you have at secondary school?
We have no choice. English is compulsory.
10,What is the attitude of people towards learning a foreign language in your country?
Learning another languages especially English is part of fashion in Japan. Some kids go to international English school to learn English. Their parents work all day, so they have not got time to communicate with their child and what happens? Well done they can speak English very well even though they can not speak Japanese. Some kids can not even speak both languages properly.
11,Does speaking a foreign language give you a better status?
Yes it does. I can communicate with a more wide range of people.
12,Are there languages which are more privileged and others that are looked down upon?
No, I do not think so. However people from English speaking countries think they are better than people who speak other languages.
13,What is the perception of foreign languages/cultures in the country you are now visiting as compared to your own?
I have been in Australia just for six months and my English is not good enough to understand any differences. Basically Australia’s common language is English. However this country consists of many countries migrants so you can hear a lot of different languages and most people accept it.
14,What were the main challenges and discoveries when trying to adapt to a new language and culture?
Make new friends, especially native people.

15,Do you think you that your studies prepared you for it?
I hope so.
16,How would you define intercultural competence and how do you think it can be developed?
That is the big issue. I want to know that.
17,What are the implications for your country of English being the dominant language of global communication?

18,Is it possible to create an identity in a foreign language? Can you be yourself in English for instance
When I speak English my way of speaking becomes more self-centred because Japanese dose not need a subject, but it is necessary in English, so I always have to say “I I I I , I want to eat, I want to go home, I don’t like it.” I do not know if it is good or bad. However I like speaking English.

Emile's presentation

2006-06-05T16:44:00.000-07:00

It was one of the most sensational presentations in my life. There were a lot of beautiful photographs and humor ruled his speech. The most memorable thing in his presentation was his personality. I really like his philosophy. He said we did not know if we could travel around the world when we got old, maybe we could not walk as much as we could when we were young. That’s why he travelled with his wife. I definitely agree with his idea. When we travel abroad, our vision becomes wider than before travelling and we might be able to find our future plan. Actually he found what he wanted to do. He has been thinking since visiting Uganda, that he would return to Uganda and help them. If you travel around the world when you get old and find out your real dream…. Of course it is never too late, never give up, but you have not got enough time.
He travelled around the world with his wife. I think it was great opportunity for them. If my girlfriend and I travelled around Australia, I think our relationship would be hading for the rocks. I am not mature like him. When we travelled to Kangaroo Island from Sydney by car, we argued every day. It takes two to tango, but most of the problems were my selfishness. One day, we parked on a caravan park near the Twelve Apostles for two nights. We stayed one night in our tent and next morning it was very windy. My girlfriend said we should fold up our tent, because of the wind, but I said it was alright to leave the tent on the ground. She said “if you say so” as usual and we flew around the Twelve Apostles by plane and got back to our tent site. Our tent was deflated. Three tent poles were broken cause of the wind. I said “why didn’t we fold up our tent” angrily and my girlfriend said “I said so” exasperated. I said if you had said that more strongly, I would have folded up our tent. I always imposed my mistakes on her. However I was able to enjoy this trip (maybe she was not), because she was there. Maybe I think he was able to take brilliant photos by the influence of his wife

Hanging around

2006-05-31T21:53:00.000-07:00

When I was reading this story(two of us), I remembered Albert Einstein’s story. He was very weak in all subjects when he was a primary school kid and his teacher was always angry with him, because he could not do anything, not even 1+1=2. So he gave up going to school. However his mother never gave up teaching him. She taught him everyday patiently. I think if he did not have his good mother, he would not have had his honorable achievement. How about me? Actually I could add 1+1=2. So I was cleverer than Einstein at that moment, but I could not do 1*1=2. My elementary school teachers were always angry with me, when I questioned something. I still do not know why, but maybe my questions were so strange to them. I remember, I was always stood on the corridor by the teacher. After year 3 or 4, I learnt that I should never question teachers or they would be angry with me. My mother was a great mother, but she worked as a nurse, that’s why unfortunately she did not have time to teach me.
I have never succeeded in my life, but one thing I seriously worked on was my dream.
In the spring of 1994, I quit my full time job and bought a motocross motorbike. Then I practised on it everyday at the motocross course near my house. One month later, I got a part time job as a labourer at construction sites and I continued this job for eight years. I rented a garage near the river with my friends. It was also close to the work office. I had practised the motocross bike everyday after work for seven years.
In 1999, I entered the yearly series of motocross races. If I got the title, I could be a professional motocross rider. I had confidence to get the title indeed, because I was really faster than everyone. However I could not get the title that year. I had a problem. I could not control my bike as I could in practice. It came from being nervous and I could not ride aggressively, I always gave way to someone during the race. Even though I tried this yearly series of races three times, I could not get a title. Eventually I gave up trying to be a professional motocross rider. After this happened and even now, I still can not find the way, I do not know what to do for the future. To tell the truth, I definitely have not got a sense of direction. I always lose my direction when I dive somewhere, that’s why I am hanging around in my life.

Archibald Prize exhibition

2006-04-30T23:46:00.000-07:00

1. Choose your favourite portrait and write about it. Why do you like it? Search the net for information about the subject (person) of the portrait and the painter.
I thought Paul JacksonGarry McDonald "All the world's a stage..." was the best picture of all. Because .Chacters in this picture came to life the second I looked at them. The toy in the picture was expressing how the oldman was feeling "How was your life? Have you enjoyed your life? Are you ready to move on?" The oldman was being looked at by a smaller image of himself. The smallman was thinking about the oldman's life. He thought the oldman looks tired and sad, but he was satisfied with his life. Like this, therefore I like this picture.
2. Which portrait do you like the least? Why?
Kerrie LesterPhillip Noyce - in the picture. In the picture's man seems angree with me.
3. What type of people are the subjects of the portraits in this year's Archibald prize?
I think famous people and ordinary people are the subjects.
4. How many people do you know?
I do not know anyone. Zip!
5. Are they all Australian people?
Yes,they are.
6. Are there any Aboriginal people amongst them?
I do have know idea, but I do not think so.
7. Write an opinion text in your blog about any of the portraits.
My favourite thing at museum is people watching, especially kids.
I am always surprised their ideas or imagination.

Japan's icon GREEN TEA

2006-04-10T18:34:00.000-07:00

Green tea is the most popular drink in Japan. Everyone drinks it anytime, anywhere. It has a lot of different flavours, because of the process of making or the different climate of each place its grown.

It contains a lot of vitamin C, catechins and flovonoids, so it is very good for your health. Catechins kill bacteria and flavonoids remove mouth’s smell, that’s why your mouth always stay fresh. There is a health boom in Japan, therefore there is a rising demand.

You can make it easily, just put tea leaves into a teapot and pour boiling water into it, or you can also buy it from a vending machine. Japanese drink it after every meal.

The Archibald Prize exhibition

2006-04-09T23:25:00.000-07:00

1. What type of art is exhibited at the Archibald?
Painted portraits
2. What is the prize money?
$35,000
3. What type of people are the subjects of the paintings?
Letters, Science or Politics.
4. Who has won this year's prize?
Marcus Wills, The Paul Juraszek monolith (after Marcus Gheeraerts)
5. Who won the prize last year?
JOHN OLSEN with 'Self portrait Janus Faced'
6. Which painting do you prefer, the winner of 2005 or this year's winner? Why?
7. Is the winner of the Ardchibald prize the same as the winner of the Packing Room?
No. The Packing Room Prize winner is Michael Mucci for his painting A working class man.
8. Which one do you prefer and why?

Tourist information about Osaka(Japan)

2006-04-06T21:04:00.000-07:00

Osaka is located in the middle of Japan’s main island.
It is the second biggest city in Japan. It is surrounded by mountains and Osaka Harbour is close to the city. Traffic is always heavy, but public transport is highly developed. A train comes every five minutes.

The Osaka Castle is situated north east of Osaka city. It was originally built in 1586. It has been burnt down a few times and the castle that stands now has the Osaka castle museum inside.
There is a shopping arcade east of Osaka city. That is the longest in Japan. It has many food shops and kitchen hard ware shops.
Osaka is well-known for “KUIDAORE” that means you spend a lot of money to eat and you lose your property, because the food is so great. It has many types of restaurants, and you can enjoy eating the speciality of each season. For example Snow crab in Winter, Wild boar in Spring, Flowing noodles in Summer and Oysters in Autumn.
In early Summer you can see millions of fireflies in north of Osaka. They light up the sky all through the night under the Milky Way.

The Cherry blossom festival is famous in Spring. Osaka’s Rivers and Parks become pink with cherry blossoms. People bring a lunch box and eat it under the cherry trees.
Every year in July, there is TENJIN festival on the river in Osaka. There are thousands of decorated boats with Japanese gods and a lot of food and game stalls. People watch the boats and enjoy the fireworks.

The people of Osaka are friendly and kind. They like to make money and they always rushing. Middle age woman like chatting, so you can see them anywhere chatting together on the road.

WANTED

2006-03-30T18:39:00.000-08:00

Have you ever seen the KAPPA before.
I am looking for it. If you find it please contact me.
Contact Number 000.

The Kappa is a native creature of Japan.
The Kappa lives in clear water of river.
It looks like a human but it has a beack and webbed hands and feet. It also has a shell like a turtle and a dish on its head. It is green.
The Kappa eats cucumber. It goes to farms at night and steals it.
It can swim very fast and pull children into the river.
It does not like to get its dish dry, that's why it stays in the river during the day.

Birthday party

2006-03-29T00:20:00.000-08:00

He is concentrating to make me up!

We went to Centennial Park for my girlfriend’s colleague’s son Jonah's birthday party last Sunday. Around twenty families joined for the party. Jonah's mom made a lot of foods for this day.
He became 2 years old. He is very cute isn’t he?
He made my face up very hansom. I think he has got a talent as a make up artist.
After put on my face, he said “ coooool”
I really had a lovely day.

Aussie slangs

2006-03-27T15:54:00.000-08:00

1 aggro = aggressive
(He gets really aggro when he drinks too much)
2 barbie = barbecue
(We’re having a barbie tomorrow.)
3 bathers = swimming costume/ swim suit
(Bring your bathers and we’ll go for a swim.)
4 brekk = breakfast
(Have you had brekky yet?)
5 cow = a horrible woman
(Sally’s a real cow!)
6 grotty = dirty
(His house is always grotty)

Multicultural table manners

2006-03-20T14:16:00.000-08:00

*Do not eat dinner while watching TV.
*Do not talk during dinner.
*Do not put your elbow on the table.
*Do not eat like a dog, that means use a fork and a knife.
*Do not stick the rice with chopsticks.
*Do not leave the table until everyone finishes eating.
*Do not suck your knife and fork, especially knife.
It is very dangerous.
*Do not pass foods chopsticks to chopsticks.
*Do not use just one chopstick like a picker.
*Do not make disgusting sounds, such as
when you drink a soup.
*Do not play with food.
*Try the miso soup first.
*Do not eat until everyone is ready.

Answer of podcast( travel around Europe)

2006-03-15T20:07:00.000-08:00

@When did Miralla get bact to Australia?
She got back few weeks ago when Rosa interviewed her.

@What did she do at the end od November?
She had finished her exam in the end of Novembor.

@When did she start her trip?
She started her trip from beginig of December.

@Did she take time off from university?
No, she did not. She finished her exam in the end of November and
she got back 2weeks before start the university.

@How long did Mirella spend travelling?
She had been travelling for 11weeks.

@Was she travelling alog?
No. I think she went to there with her boyfriend.

@Where did Mirella go first?
She went to England townford or something first.

@Where did she stay?
She stayed her boyfriend's grandmother's house.

@How did she find it?(what did she think about the place?)
Weather is very diffrent comper to Australia. It was very cold.

@How does she describe seeing her first snow fall?
She thought, it was amazing! She had never seen falling snow.

@How did she travel around?
She hired a car then she travel around.

@What 3 towns did she visit in England? Tell us what she say about them?
She went to Bath Spa, Brighton and Oxford.

@What film does she talk about and why?
She talked about Harry Potter.
It was filmed in the university.

@After England where did they go?
They went to Prague.

@What is very different in Prague?
Food and beer are very cheep.

@What is the food like?
Food is very heavy, such as fries.

@What do they call Paris? why?
They call Paris "City of lights"
Because Eiffel Tower used to sparkle at night,
like a diamond.

@What did they do in Paris?
They went to Moulin Rouge and had dinner around the Eiffel tower.

@What did Mirella taste? Why did she do it?
She ate escargot.

@Describe Switzerland as Miralla found it.
Switzerland is a very beautiful country, so crean,
very different of rest of Europa and hideously Expensive
more than Paris.

@What is good according to Rosa?
According to Rosa, it good to be with a local family you see
more a place more an idea.

@Tell us about Mirella's experience in Venice.
What did she do? What did she eat?
She went on gondola and visited Smarks.
It is one of the beautiful church in the world.
She eat pizzas.

@What was the highlight of her trip?
Paris is just amazing city. Roof in Paris has to be the most wonderful place
in the world, but also in Switzerland, she stayed in a hotel on top of one in
the out the place called Napratos. We were so high about the cloud.

@How could Mirella afford such a long trip to Europe?
She saved the money for 2 years. No shoping for cloth, no restaurant
and work very hard.
When she went to the travel, she stayed just youth hostel.

@Did she have any money left?
She left only $200.

Answer of podcast (MEC)

2006-03-08T19:49:00.000-08:00

(1) What does MEC stand for?

Multicultural Education Coordinator

(2) Where can you find the MEC's office at
St George College?

Building (F) Ground floor room 20A

(3) When can you see her?

Mon 9'30 to 1pm , Tue 9'30 to 1pm

(4) How can you contact her?

Go to her office ( If she is not there, leave a masage to Maria or
leave a masage under the door or call her [phone : 9598 6251]

(5) What type of help does she offer?

She will find student's properly couses.

(6) What does EFS stand for?

English For Study

(7) Name a couple of ESP courses running this semester.

Accounting Certificate 3

(8) What does ESP stand for?

(9) What makes ESP different to mainstream courses?

(10) What couse is just starting for woman?

Readership couse for Muslim Women.

(11) Do they always offer the same courses?

Yes.

Answer of winter paralympic

2006-03-06T15:37:00.000-08:00

(1) How many Australian’s are in paralympic team?

Eleven athletes have joined.

(2) What winter sports are they competing in ?

Alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, Ice sledge, Hockey and Wheel chair curling

(3) How many medals does Australia win?

I think one gold medal and two bronze medals

(4) Look up some information about the skier Michel Milton.

He is Toyota ambassador and arguably Australia’s best known
Paralympic athlete.
He lost a leg to bone cancer at nine years old.
He was growing up a skiing family.
Michael was just 14 years old when he competed at his first
International competition the 1988 winter paralympic game in
Innsbruck Australia.
One of his most honocred roles is a motivational speaker, mostly
Talking with disabled children around the world and inspiring them to
Achieve their goals.
The fastest man on one ski and Australia’s most successful winter
Paraliympian.

I gave up the job.

2006-02-27T14:36:00.000-08:00

It was very tired to my life what study English at a day time and work until mid night.
Rosa is my priority, I was always sleepy at a class, and just existed though.
If I can not speak English very well, I have to wash a dishes whole my life.
Ofcause I do not want to do it, therefore I quitted the job last weekend.
My girl friend does understand this situation. She is a very good girl.

I moved

2006-02-20T14:23:00.000-08:00

I moved on Saturday. It takes 5 minutes to TAFE on foot.
We have lived with our Japanese friend's family.
They have a 13 years old boy. His name is TAKAYUKI.
To tell the truth, he is my friend. I don't know his parents very much.
He is really good boy. He is honesty, friendly and helpful.
We played football yesterday at back yard.

His parents are impossible. His mother overslept yesterday, and Takayuki had to have
a breakfast at TAFEs canteen, but his mother gave him just 5 dollars, and
he also had to have a lunch. He alreally bankrupted after eat his breakfast.
I am so sorry for him, thats why I gave him my sandwitch for lunch.

I really hate Australian life so far.

2006-02-14T13:15:00.000-08:00

I have been in Australia 2 and a half months.
It just passed away 2 and a half months, but I already dislike this countly.
Last saturday, I was eating frozen mango, and Oh my god! My front tooth's
cap was gone.
But noworries, ofcourse this countly has a dentist.
On monday,I rang to dentist to ask a cost to cap my tooth.
Holy shit! Dentist said it cost from $500.
We can repair it about $20 at home.

Real estate was the worst.