[Nagoya : 2013, 4 -during the week of Ohanami- ]
~.:Integrative Narrative:.~
My years spent at California State University of Monterey Bay have been so invigorating, awe-inspiring, innovating and an experience that has both taught me about myself and the world around me. Since I was 12 years of age, I had to forget about living a normal childhood. My father had passed and my family was left behind to pick up the pieces. However, since my father had died, I had found myself drawn to the Japanese culture through a certain animated character that seems to return my smile on my face. Also, my father was of Asian blood and decent. It seemed that as I furthered my interest in the Japanese way of life, it was like my father never truly left me for the discipline and respectful aspects of the Japanese culture were so similar. At first, The idea to major in Japanese Language and Culture was actually a minor since my major is in the field of 2D animation, and then if life would call for it, I would major in 3D animation or game design. However, due to complications in resources to achieve what I cared for in this field at this most beautiful school, I decided to switch my major for my minor. I will stay that with this change, I have surprised myself the most excited experiences ahead that I never thought I would have been a part of. I not only learned about a whole new culture, traditions and, language; I learned so much about a new country and its people and much about my own traditions, culture diversity and my fellow citizens in America.
The areas I feel most proud of are my skills in kanji recognition, proper kanji writing and being able to translate most what I read in Japanese into English. I admit I was scared when I decided to learn a new language, especially with a life filled with work, recurring family situations and needing to make enough money in order to live close to be able to study and further my education. I have been fortunate to be able to attend college, yet not so to fortunate that if I do not work, I can't come to college. It takes a lot of time, energy, discipline and constant motivation. Although, having so much responsibility, I feel, has only made me more grateful and determined with everything I must achieve, complete and succeed within.
I am saddened to say that my skills in speaking and writing are the lowest in my experience learning the language. The thoughts and motivation in learning the Japanese language was to be able to speak in English and Japanese for the animations I would have created, yet if I have trouble speaking the language, then that dream goal/career of mine is going to be even harder to accomplish. Because of my deep desire to master this language, I plan to further my education in Japanese and further enhance my skill in speaking so I will not be intimidated nor discouraged to speak Japanese, after receiving my degree in animation first. I feel, in order to do this, I may need to travel or pay for private lessons in having daily communications in the target language. If that is what it takes, then so it must be. I enjoyed every bit of my life here, both on campus and study abroad. I feel the one thing I will take and treasure the most would not only be the credits and knowledge of all that has been taught through class time and homework, yet the relationships I have made with fellow classmates, friends and teachers that I shall not soon ever forget.