金曜日は日本語で - Japanese Friday ミツワ版

アメリカに来てからバージニア、アリゾナ、ペンシルバニアと、色々な所に住みましたがどこでも日本の食料品は簡単には手に入りませんでした。アジアンマーケットはあることはあるのですが、品数が少なかったり賞味期限がきれていたりなんて事がよくありました。 I've lived in Virginia, Arizona, and Pennsylvania since I came to America, but it was always hard to find Japanese groceries at those places. There were some Asian Markets, but they often had very little choices or were already expired.

ニューヨークに住むようになって一番嬉しいのがやっと日本の食料品をを気軽に買えるようになった事です。　特にニュージャージーにある「ミツワ」というスーパーには毎月一回ぐらい行っています。先週また行ってきたのでその時の写真を少しお披露目したいと思います。 The best thing about living in New York is that I can finally buy Japanese food on a regular basis. I especially frequent a supermarket called Mitsuwa in New Jersey about once a month. I went again last week, so I'd like to share some photos from the visit here.

ミツワはハドソン川沿いのエッジウォーターと言う所ににあります。週末に行くとたいていは駐車場が満杯なので私は近くのターゲットの駐車場に直行します。そこからだと川沿いの歩道をお散歩気分で歩いてたったの２分なので、ミツワの駐車場で空いている所はないか、帰る人はいないかとぐるぐる回っているよりよほど手っ取り早いです。 Mitsuwa is located in Edgewater, NJ along the Hudson River. If you go there on the weekend, the parking lot is usually full, so I go straight to the Target down the road instead. There's a walkway by the river that connects them and it only takes 2 minutes to walk over. Much faster than driving around in circles looking for an empty spot or someone who is about to go home!

ミツワに着いたらまずスーパーに入る前に外側のプラザのお店を覗きます。冷凍食品が溶けちゃう、なんて心配をせずにゆっくり見られるからです。本やおもちゃの他、普段はなかなか手に入らない日常品がたくさん買えます。今回は息子に日本語の絵本を買ってやろうとはりきって行ったのですが機関車トーマスの本ばかり欲しがるので結局手ぶらで出てきました。 When you get there, check out the store in the little plaza before you go into the supermarket. That way, you can browse as much as you want without worrying about melting frozen foods. There is a book store, a toy store, and others where you can buy Japanese supplies that you don't often see. I was planning to get a Japanese picture book for my son this time, but all he wanted was Thomas the Tank Engine ones, so we left the store empty handed.

次はフードコートで食事です。これは主人のトンカツ定食。私は今回は和風スパゲッティーにしましたが普段はラーメンとイクラご飯のセットをよく頼みます。他にもうどん、そば、中華など色々選択ができます。でもお昼ごろは座る席がなかなか見つからないので少し早目かちょっと遅れたお昼にするのがおすすめです。 Next up is a meal at the food court. This is the Tonkatsu Lunch that my husband ordered. I had Japanese style spaghetti this time, but I usually like to have the Ramen and Ikura rice set. You can also have Udons, Sobas, and (Japanese style) Chinese food. I recommend getting there early or eating a little later than usual since the food court is always packed around lunch time.

食事の後はとうとう買い物の時間です。毎週はないですがよく特別セールやイベントがあるので必ずチラシをチェックしてから行きます。先週末は九州と沖縄の物産展をやっていました。今回は博多の辛子明太子と写真に写っているプリンシューを買いました。　ものすごーくおいしかったです！！！ Once you are done with your lunch, it's finally time to go shop! They often have special sales and events, so be sure to check their ad before shopping. Last weekend, they were doing a Kyushu and Okinawa Food Fest. We bought spicy cod roe from Hakata and the flan cream puff shown in the photo. They were extremely yummy!!

気がすむまでお買い物をした後、家に帰る前におやつを買って一息つくのも一つの楽しみです。　今回はハドソン川とマンハッタンのスカイラインを眺めながら緑茶ソフトを味わいました。 When you've shopped your hearts out, don't forget to have a little snack before you leave for home. We enjoyed a cone of green tea soft serve while taking in the view of the Hudson and the Manhattan skyline.

ミツワはニュージャージー店他、カリフォルニアとシカゴにもお店があります。　詳しくはミツワのウェブサイトをご覧になってください。 Mitsuwa also has stores in California and Chicago besides the New Jersey store. Check out their website for more informtion.

I got a Treasury!

Yesterday, for absolutely no reason whatsoever, I got the urge to play around with the poster sketch tool on etsy. But I guess it was fate because at lunch time, I noticed that the treasury was about to open!

So I sat and waited, and managed to snag one!



I always love taking patterned photos of multiple, repetitive items, so I looked for photos like that which were taken in Japan. I think it turned out pretty well!

What do you think?

Sneak Peek - Eruopean 4-in-1

I've been working on a new bracelet design based on the European 4-in-1 chain. It's a pretty straight forward 4-in-1, but with just enough beads to make it a little more feminine and still won't interfere with how the links overlap. I think it's much prettier in person than how it appears in the phots. I'll have to work on taking better pictures!



I've been doing the "wearability test" for a day now, and it seems pretty strong. I also like how it lays on your arm. It's very flexible and slinky! So please keep an eye out for it at my etsy store! I will probably be making some to list there soon!

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Quick Update! This bracelet is now available at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28824700

Newbie Monday - Potpourri

I’ve been trying to introduce newbies according to themes for the last few weeks, but there are some sellers who just stand apart from the rest. There was no way I was going to leave them out, though, because they are so fabulous and talented. Hence, potpourri.


MegnificentCo

I’m sure it’s not easy trying to sell knitted items when a good majority of etsy buyers are hanging out at the beach or having a barbeque, but this New Jersey seller has such beautiful items, I’m sure that elusive first sale will come her way soon.

I am personally drooling over this stormy blue Ruffled Scarf with cascading ruffles that keep you nice and cozy on a blustery day. If you like your winter clothing to have warmer tones, it’s offered in maroon as well.

Besides scarves and muffs, MegnificentCo makes summer wraps and purses. Think ahead and get a scarf from her store now so that you won’t be caught without one when you actually need it.

TDNCreations

Looking through TDNCreations’ store makes me want to go back to school and study metal working. I share her enthusiasm about what can be created out of a strand of wire, and there are so much more possibilities when you can solder!

The simplicity of her pieces also speaks to me too, as evidenced in the Silver Moon Ring shown. There’s a certain aura of serenity around her works, and the beautiful crescent moon just begs to be gazed and meditated upon.

I also love the Starfish and 3 Chains Anklet with delicate chains clasped together by a little starfish. What a perfect item for summer.

makingstuffwithlove

My final seller of the week has one of the more unique stores in etsy. She makes little puppies out of felt, and she can even make one modeled after your little pet!

The one shown is a Bichon Frise, and I couldn’t resist choosing him as the featured pup because he has such a friendly smile!

Due to her choice of materials, she seems to handle short-haired and long-haired breeds equally well, which is actually rare to see! I know because I have a Yorkie, and I’m often frustrated by how they are represented in many of the breed-specific knick knacks.

I wish her best of luck, and of course, good luck to MegnificentCo and TDNCreations as well!

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I hope you adore these newbie finds as much as I do. If you are a newbie with 5 or less sales, and would like to be featured too, please leave a comment or convo me through my etsy account!

金曜日は日本語で - Japanese Friday 学校版

***Please scroll down for the English translation***

数週間前にも同じ事を言いましたが、アメリカに来たばかりの頃の私は英語が全く分からないと言っていい状態でした。学校には日本語が喋れる子は一人もいなかったので、先生や友達とは和英・英和辞典を指差しながら意思表示をしあいました。宿題も親に手伝ってもらわなければお手上げ、と言うか親に宿題をしてもらっている感じでした。

一番大変だったのはテストです。先生方も辞書を使わせてくれたり、皆より時間を長くしてくれたりしましたが、それでも“F”（日本のテストで言えば６０点以下）をもらってよく大泣きしました。学校で少しリラックスできるのは大好きだった図工の時間と日本にいた頃には少し苦手だった算数の時間しかありませんでした。

そんな風に英語にどっぷり漬かりながら毎日を過ごしても、皆がだいたい何を言っているのか分かるようになるまで一年かかりました。友達と違和感なく話をできるようになったのは８年生（中二）の終わり、アメリカに来て３年後です。

英語、日本語、または別の他国語を勉強していらっしゃる皆様もあきらめずに頑張ってください。今二歳半の我が子を見ても思うのですが、言葉を覚え、それをちゃんと喋れるようになるまでにはとても時間がかかるようです。

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I mentioned this a few weeks ago too, but when I first came to the U.S. I could barely understand English. No one at my school could speak Japanese, so I had to communicate with my teachers and friends by pointing out words in my Japanese-English dictionary. I couldn’t even do my homework without my parents’ help, or should I say, without my parents doing it for me.

Tests were the hardest. My teachers usually allowed me to use my dictionary and gave me extra time to finish, but I still ended up receiving plenty of F’s, reducing me to tears. The only time I could relax a little at school was during my favorite subject, art; and during math, which actually was my least favorite back in Japan.

Even with those seemingly endless English-filled days, it still took a whole year before I began to understand what others were saying. It wasn’t until the end of 8th grade, 3 full years after I came to America, that I was able to chat with my friends without feeling conscious about my English.

So if you are trying to learn English, Japanese, or some other foreign language, please don’t give up and keep at it! It’s pretty clear looking at my 2-and-a-half-year-old, that learning to understand and to speak any language is a very time consuming endeavor!

Newbie Monday - Out in the Garden

You may not notice it when you first take a glance at my etsy store, but I actually get a lot of inspiration from mother nature. I'm especially influenced by the color combinations and the patterns I see. Many other sellers seem to find inspiration in nature, too, as evidenced by this week's Newbie picks.


kidfluenced

The store kidfluenced is run by two interior designers from Calgary, Canada. They have some beautiful shadowbox art for kids in their store, which are great for kids at heart too.

The one shown is called Imagine Butterfly Shadowbox Art, and it's all aflutter with bunch of butterflies and flowers. I can definitly see it hanging in a tween girl's room! At the Farm one would be a great addtion in a room for a slightly younger child.

Life's a Beach shadowbox is fantastic for a beach house or a beach-themed room, not just kid's rooms!


stilltimephotography

Stilltimephotography is a seller from Riverton, Utah and a stay-at-home mom like me. She sells photo prints, photo greeting cards, as well as magnets in her store.

The photo shown on the left is from her greeting card series called Outdoors Set 2. I gravitate towards images that are so close up that they almost become abstract, so I love that composition.

I'm also partial to the Piano Keys because I used to play too, and looking at those keys make my fingers start moving on their own.


HarmonArt2

When I look through HarmonArt2's store, the word that comes to my mind is "harmony."

There are 2 artists represented in this store - Emily, who creates the fine art gourds like the Small Fall Leaf Gourd with Black Background shown here, and Brian, who creates the earthenware pottery and jewelry. Their items have similar themes and colors, however, and complements each other perfectly.

A husband and wife team that is in perfect harmony with each other as well as with mother nature! What could be more beautiful than that?

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If you are a newbie etsian and would like to be featured in this blog too, please leave a comment or convo me through my etsy account!

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Quick update! HarmonArt2 has been chosen as one of the Fresh Shops in Etsy's Voter! Please go to http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?ref=voter&room_id=60 and vote for them! Voting ends July 27th!

金曜日は日本語で - Japanese Friday スクールバス版

***Please scroll down for the English translation***

日本の小学校に行っていた頃、私は放課後が楽しみでした。 いつも校庭で皆とおしゃべりした後、近所に住んでいる友達と誰の家で遊ぼうかと相談したり、道端の花をつんだりしながらゆっくりゆっくり帰っていったものです。　家は徒歩５分ちょっとで帰れる距離でしたが、最低１５分、たまには３０分もかけて家に帰ったこともありました。

アメリカでも町中に住んでいる子は歩いて学校に行き来しているようですが、郊外では皆スクールバスに乗って帰ります。 バスに乗り遅れると親にわざわざ迎えに来てもらわなければならないので、おしゃべりなんかしている暇はありません。　皆大急ぎで宿題に必要な教科書を集めバスに向かいます。　私はトランペットを吹いていたのでバスに乗る前に音楽室まで楽器を取りに行かなくてはならず、いつも大慌てをしなくてはなりませんでした。　

でも、バスに間に合ったからと言って安心できるわけではありません｡ トランペットのせいで いつも皆より遅れてバスに着くので、座る席を見つけるのも結構大変だったのです。　たいていは仲の良い友達が席を取っておいてくれましたが、その子がお休みだったりクラブ活動があったりして乗っていない時は一緒に座らせてくれそうな子を探さなければならないのです。　バスの席にぎりぎり納まるサイズのトランペットケースを持っているのでいい顔をして座らせてくれる子はそうはいませんでした。

玄関先にランドセルを放り出し、「何々ちゃんのとこで遊んでくるねー。」とまたすぐ出かけて行けた日本の思い出とはかけ離れた世界のスクールバスでした。

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Back when I was in Japan, I couldn't wait for the end of the school day. After chatting with everyone in the school yard, I would slowly head home with neighborhood friends while discussing whose house we should play at or picking flowers on the side of the road. Even though I lived 5 minutes away, I used to take at least 15 minutes, sometimes even 30 minutes to get home.

In the U.S., inner-city kids often walk to and from school too, but most kids take the school bus in the suburbs. If you miss the bus, you'll have to wait for your parents to pick you up, so no one has time for chit-chats. Everyone collects the textbooks needed for homework, and then heads for the bus. Since I used to play the trumpet, I also had to run to the band room to grab my instrument before running to the bus in a big hurry.

Just because you managed to catch the bus in time didn't mean you could relax then. I always got to the bus later than everyone else, thanks to the trumpet, so finding a seat wasn't easy either. Most of the times, I had a friend who saved a seat for me. But if she was absent or had a club meeting after school, I had to find someone else who will let me sit with him/her. With a trumpet case that barely fit into the bus seat, I was rarely welcomed with a smile.

The memories from the days in Japan when I could drop off my school bag at the door and run off again to play with my friends seemed very far away on that school bus.

Newbie Monday - Photographers

There are so many talented photographers on etsy, I think they may be having almost as hard a time being found as jewelry makers like me! So, this week, let me introduce to you 3 new sellers with lovely photographs in their store.


photosbyrosie

I love photsbyrosie, not just because our etsy stores have the same birthday, but because her photos make me happy just looking at them. I just don't understand why this UK seller does not have more sales!

The photos are often vibrant and uplifting like Bunting, shown here. Many have an air of innocence too, as if these images were captured by her inner-child. My favorite is Magic Shoes, which reminds me of Wizard of Oz.

Her nature photos are a little more subdued, but never somber. They're soothing, and quietly reveres the handiwork of mother nature.

And while you're looking around the store, keep in mind that many of the listings are for a set of 2 or more photos!

InventingLiz

InventingLiz from Roslindale, MA is clearly a nature lover! Her store is filled with photos of flowers, trees, and berries. And she has little stories to tell with each too.

The one titled Spring Joy shown is one of my favorites. It has such warmth and optimism; and shows exactly how I feel when spring finally comes around.

I also like the one titled Silver Linings, an image of a gorgeous sunrise (or is it a sunset?) with the clouds glowing beautifully.

DanaLaymon

I think DanaLaymon from Wilmington, NC has a very similar feel as photosbyrosie. Both of them have photos that are romantic and have a hint of nostalgia.

I'm very fond of this photo titled You've Got Mail, with its amazing textures and splendid colors. The one titled Airlie Gardens is lovely too. She is still waiting for her very first sale and is offering free shipping for her first buyer, so go to her store now and check out her photos!

For those of you living in NC, she also offers Wedding Photography package, so keep her in mind if you or people you know are getting married soon.

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Good luck to all of you, and please come back next week for more talented newbies!

金曜日は日本語で- Japanese Fridays 教科書版

***Please scroll down for the English translation***

アメリカと日本の学校の一番違うところは、なんと言っても教科書の大きさです。　日本の教科書は紙表紙で薄く、生徒が持ち帰りやすいようにしてあります。　厚くてもせいぜい１cm、それより厚くなると上と下に分けてあります。　ところがアメリカの教科書はその正反対、数年は持つように分厚くて丈夫にできています。　２、３cm　あるのはごく普通、それより分厚いのもよくあります。　で、おまけに表面積も日本の物の倍ぐらいあって、まるで辞書みたいなのです。

どちらにも良い点と悪い点がありますが、この違いは二国の教育方針の違いの象徴であると言えると思います。

どちらの国でも新学年、皆がうきうきしている中で新しい教科書が配られますが、日本の教科書はその時点で個人の物になります。　逆にアメリカの教科書は借り物、学年末には全部返さなければいけません。　音楽の教科書など場合によってはそのクラスの時にだけ配られ、一時間後にはまた回収されるような事もあります。　

日本の子はその日教科書を全部持ち帰り、勉強机の棚に並べます。　そして時間割をチェックして毎日必要な教科書だけを学校に持って行きます。　アメリカの学校に初めて行った日、私はもちろんアメリカでもそうするものだと思っていたので、鞄に入るだけの教科書をギューギュー押し込み、ひっくり返りそうになりながら家へ帰りました。　翌日、アメリカの子は教科書を学校の机にしまって置き、宿題が出た科目のものだけ持って帰るのだ、と気付いた時は本当にびっくりしました。　でもその代わり、時間割を見間違えて別の教科書持って来ちゃった、なんて事はありません。

アメリカの教科書は分厚い分内容も多く、一年で全部勉強するのにはちょっと無理なほどです。　そのため先生方は教科書にとらわれず生徒達の力に合わせて勉強を進めて行きます。　どの生徒も全く同じように扱う日本のように、一学年の間に教科書に載っている事を全て丸のみせよ、という勉強の仕方はしません。

...なんていろいろ書いてみましたが、実際一番の違いは言語にあると思います。　この記事を見れば一目で分かりますが、全く同じ事を書いているのに英語の翻訳は必ず日本語の１．５倍ぐらいの場所を取ってしまいます。　もしかしたら、教科書の違いは教育方針の違いの象徴なんかじゃないのかも知れません。　もしかしたら、　教科書の違いが二国の教育方針を変えていったのかもしれません。

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The biggest difference between the American and Japanese schools is the size of the textbooks. Japanese textbooks are paperback and thin to make it easy for the students to carry around. Even at the thickest, they are about 1cm (1/2 inch) and if they get any thicker, they're divided into 2 separate books. The American textbooks are the exact opposite, thick and durable enough to last a few years.　　They are normally 2, 3cm (about 1 inch) thick and it's quite common to see even thicker ones. Plus, the surface area is double the size of the Japanese ones, making the American ones look like a dictionary in comparison.

There are good and bad points to each, but I think this difference is a symbolic representation of the different approach to education in the two countries.

In both countries, textbooks are distributed while everyone is abuzz with new-year-jitters. But in Japan, the textbooks become your personal possession at this point. On the other hand, American textbooks are loaned to students and must be returned at the end of the year. Some textbooks, such as music books, may even be distributed during class, only to be collected again at the end of the hour.

On that first day of school, Japanese children take all of their textbooks home and put them away in their study desks. And everyday, they check the lesson plan and only bring the textbooks necessary for that day. On my first day of school in America, I of course believed that that would be the case here too, so I stuffed as many textbooks as I can into my bag and staggered home, about to keel over with each step! When I found out the next day that Americans store their textbooks at school and only bring home the ones needed for homework, I was completely taken aback. One good thing about that is, you can't accidentally bring the wrong books to school because you misread the lesson plan.

With the American textbooks being so much thicker, there are definitely more content included in each book; maybe even too much to cover in just one year. Because of this, American teachers tend to teach at a pace appropriate for that particular class, without being dictated by the textbook. While in Japan, where every student is treated exactly the same, you are expected to learn everything included in the book without question.

...After all that I've said, however, I think the true difference lies in the language itself. You can clearly see just by looking at this post that, although I'm writing exactly the same thing, the English translation takes up about 1.5 times more space than the Japanese version. Maybe the difference in the textbooks aren't symbolic. Maybe that difference in the textbooks ended up altering the approach to education in each country!

Milky Way Bracelet for Tanabata

Have you ever heard of a Japanese festival celebrated on July 7th called Tanabata? According to the legends, (although there are several versions) it's a a day in which Orihime (the star Vega) is allowed to see her lover, Kengyu (Altair) just once a year over the Milky Way.

I love it because it's the most romantic and beautiful festival in Japan. We usually celebrate by decorating bamboo trees with colorful paper ornaments, and hang strips of paper with our wishes and prayers written on them. And then we hope for clear skies in the evening because otherwise, they would have to wait another year to see eachother!

When I thought about the story, this bracelet popped into my head, so I worked like crazy and finished it just in time for Tanabata! You can see the listing at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27499226.

Newbie Monday - Green Shops

I grew up in an eco-friendly family (or should I say, Don't Waste Anything!! family), so I try to be green whenever I can. This week, I'd like to introduce to you newbies with upcycled items in their store.


marmalime

Marmalime, a seller from Toronto, creates cool clutches, wallets, and more from upcylcled plastic. They are modern, graphic, and oh so green!

I love this blue scribble clutch, which remind me of a rose in a way. And I love that it's so easy to care for too.

She also has some collages made of post consumer paper in her store, like asian tea collage. What's so unique about it is that she starts out with pages from an old book, and then creates silhouettes of teapots out of tea packaging that relates to the theme of the story. What a great idea, marmalime!

casacasa

Casacasa from Santa Fe has really unique upcycled items with a focus on bicycle parts. If you never thought you could make a beautiful piece of jewelry with bicycle parts, take a look at these steam punk pearly earrings with chain links!

I also like the bicycle flower earrings, which are made out of inner tubes!

Not everything in her store is jewelry or made with bicycle parts, however. There are clothing, vintage beads and more, so check out her store now and go treasure hunting!

ButterflyEffect

Ok, my last seller for this week has had a bunch of sales since the time that I found her, but I still wanted to show you her Leaf Pouches.

ButterflyEffect from Eugene, Oregon creates these pouches out of table cloths and other recycled fabrics. You can just slip it through your belt and get going, hands free! Yes, they're fanny packs when you get right down to it, but they're so much more attractive, don't you think?

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Good luck to all of you, and please come back next week for more talented newbies!

金曜日は日本語で - Japanese Fridays オレンジジュース版

***Please scroll down for the English translation***

私が日本からアメリカに越してきたのは１９９１年、１２歳になる目前の春でした。もう１８年以上前、随分昔の話です｡　でも、やはりそれなりに大変だったからでしょう、その頃の事は結構いろいろ覚えています。

今週からしばらく、この機会を借りてその頃の経験を振り返ってみたいと思います。日本に興味のあるアメリカ人の方、またはアメリカに興味のある日本人の方の参考になれば光栄です。

一応日本で英会話教室に通ったとはいうものの、その時点の私は 英語を全く喋れないと言ってもいい状態でした｡ 成田からワシントンD.C. に飛び、それからバージニア州のノーフォーク飛行場に飛ぶ、という旅でしたがもちろんノーフォーク行きの飛行機には日本人のスチュワーデスも日本語の放送もありません｡ 時差ぼけでもうろうとしながらも、ものすごく緊張したのを覚えています｡

何がそんなに恐かったかというと、飲み物を配りに来るスチュワーデスさんです。 「お飲み物はいかがですか?」と聞いている、というのは状況で大体は分かるのですがどうしても「もし違う事を聞かれていたらどうしよう！」と心配してしまいます。でも他の質問をされていたとしても、どう答えていいか分からないのでとにかく父に教えてもらったように「オーレンジジュース、プリーズ。」と言ってみました。

．．．ところがです、スチュワーデスさんがまた何か質問してきました！　「？？？」　

もう隣の席に座っている父に頼るしか他に手はありません。 結局は私の声が小さすぎて聞こえなかったという事で、もう一度大きな声で頼みました。

で、必死になって手に入れたこのオレンジジュース、実は私、欲しくなかったんです。 ただ「何もいらない」とはどう言ったらいいのか知らなかったのです。　もったいないので全部飲みましたが、その後ちゃんと父に「No，thank you」と言えばいいのだと教えてもらいました。

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I first arrived in the U.S. from Japan during the Spring of 1991, shortly before I turned 12-years old. That's already over 18 years ago, an ancient history, really. But I find that I still remember quite a bit from that era, probably because it was such a challenging time in my life.

Starting this week, I'd like to take this opportunity to look back at my early experiences in the U.S. It would be my honor if Americans with an interest in Japan or the Japanese with an interest in the U.S. find this helpful.

Although I had taken some English classes in Japan, I basically couldn't speak a lick of English when I arrived. Our trip took us from Narita to Washington D.C. and then to Norfolk Airport in Virginia, and obviously, there were no Japanese stewardesses or Japanese announcements on the flight to Norfolk. I remember being extremely nervous on this flight, despite the exhaustion from jet lag.

What was I so afraid of? The stewardess offering refreshments. Just from the situation in general, I could tell that she was asking if I wanted something to drink. But I couldn't stop my mind from wondering, "What if she was asking a totally different question?" Realizing that I didn't know how to answer even if she had, I just replied, "Orange juice, please" just like my father had taught me.

...But then, she asked me yet another question! "???"

At this point, I had no other option but to look at my father, who was sitting next to me, for assistance. It turns out, she just could not hear what I had said, so I repeated it once again in a louder voice.

I finally had my hard-won orange juice, but the truth is, I didn't even want it in the first place. I simply was not fluent enough to explain to her that I didn't want anything. I drank the juice since I didn't want to be wasteful, but I got my father to teach me the phrase "No, thank you" after that.