Nacky's Q&A Session - September
Hi everyone, it's Nakajima Saki, it's the Hello Study Abroad Channel.
Okay, over here it's becoming spring~
Are these cherry trees, perhaps?
Well, they look like this.
Mother says they look like cherry
(text): Does anyone know?
Sorry, I don't know for sure.
Also, the days here are gradually getting longer and there is a feeling that summer is getting closer.
Today, from this park filled with the sound of birds chirping, I am going to do a Q&A session.
All right, I'm going to do this rapid fire.
Question: Do you miss your idol life? (English)
Hmmmm *shakes head* (palms up emoji) *sheepish laugh*
It's more like now and then I end up thinking "oh riiight, I used to wear those costumes and dance...long ago" kind of thing.
Question: When you come back to Japan what is the thing you want to do the most.
The answer is maintenance. I go to the beauty salon, the dentist... (couldn't understand). Definitely. This is the reality W.
Question: Do you have any tips for deciding on a destination to study abroad?
Trust your intuition and just GO! Right?
After that your interests are most important. Think about what kind of things you like, and figure out where that points you, is probably a good idea. (*Accuracy?)
1:40 Have you been in contact with Chiichan?
Yup. You could call it contact, or ... I guess that's contact.
1:53 (*didn't quite catch that)
She sent me her journal of developments.
Also, it sounds like Chiichan is a bit depressed lately. (And I was like) "Yeah, I know what you're going through." (*missed) She's really far away right now, though. But hey, I felt like I'm watching her every step W
I don't know what kind of English she's using and experiencing in her daily life right now, so I can't comment on it, but I look forward to catching up to her.
2:34 What would you like to say to the H!P performers who will be celebrating the 25th anniversary on C-ute no Hi (9/10, C-ute Day)?
Have fun ~!!
That's great - amazing!
I can't even imagine it right now... wearing the outfits, singing and dancing, I can't even imagine it. It's impressive. Enjoy it, everyone.
2:46 I have this image of Nacky waking up early all the time, does this fit well with your host family?
It's not really a matter of fitting in: I just wake up around 6am, for sure.
Basically I think that 7 hours of sleep is about right. Except lately I find that 8 hours gives me a better ability to just get up. So I've been going to bed at 10 and getting up at 6, however, even if I go to bed at 11 I still get up at 6. Yesterday I went to bed at 12 and still got up at 6! So my body just has this setting. In NZ the days are gradually getting longer, and until recently when I woke up at 6 it was pitch black out, but now it's gotten a little bit light. (couldn't hear, something about shutting curtains).
3:37 Is there a cultural difference from Japan that really surprised you?
What should I talk about? W
The most surprising thing was how people go barefoot even to the supermarket. At first I thought it was just kids but then I realized that grown ups were doing it too!
Another thing I noticed is how I get the impression that everybody does exercise. I think it's great. People don't worry too much about what others around them think, they just try to better themselves. There are people who basically roll out of bed and start running. There are running clubs, and people, how old?... in there 70s, doing 100km marathons. It's really amazing! There are couples running with hydration packs ... I love it.
With regards to exercise, it's been a very positive "culture shock". Back home there isn't this kind of atmosphere that (that makes her want to exercise). Strangely, living abroad has made me want to run.
*translation slips more into eco-mode ahead*
5:25 What is your driving force in life?
Tasty food ... (text): smiling just thinking about it
and
hearing about inspiring news.
Also, seeing people older than me enjoying life is motivating.
5:45 Please tell me your recommended studying method.
More than your English ability, what is important is your passion!
6:59 When you sleep do you dream in English?
This is something that probably happens to foreign language students (as well as people living abroad). After about 6 months it seems like you would have those dreams. Yes, I have dreams in English, and funny enough, foreign students have dreams of their host mother speaking Japanese (I think I got that right, not sure).
7:27 What is the tastiest thing you've eaten recently?
Yesterday I did a big run, and afterwards I ate waffles that were out of this world delicious. My body was stained by crossing a river of maple syrup! (
)
7:46 Do you think English is difficult to self-study (as opposed to going to classes)?
I've never done it myself. It depends on the person.
I'm the type of person who has trouble remembering if I don't involve personal experience.
8:07 You're in the Southern Hemisphere, so the seasons are opposite from Japan's, and you're in the middle of winter right now if I'm not mistaken. Is it colder than Tokyo's?
Surprisingly, I'm totally fine. It's not that cold.
I don't need to wear a scarf.
There are people here who wear shorts in winter!
9:10 Do you have a favorite saying in English lately?
I like the way my host mother says "nah" to say no.
9:33 Do you use cash or card over there?
It's been all card up until recently. Then there was this big storm where the power went out. I couldn't get cash from the machine, and the debit machines weren't working either, so I couldn't pay for anything! That was a bad situation, which got me thinking that it's a good idea to keep some cash on hand.
10:03 Is there something that you would like to achieve before you turn 30?
I'd like to make sure I don't let my physical strength wither away.
10:53 Is there something that you were shocked to discover only Japanese do?
Saying "itadakimasu" before meals. Over here people don't say anything, but for me it's like "is it OK to eat?" if I don't.
11:24 What is your sense of how much people abroad use cursive writing in English?
It is quite prevalent. ...
It's a good thing to learn how to read it.
12:12 Have you ever thought you wanted to work in acting?
Not too long ago, I went to see some acting, a musical. It made me feel really nostalgic for experiences that I had in the past.
12:37 For yourself, what is the most challenging aspect of your upcoming marathon?
Well, it's next week. I thought I'd do a trial run of the route, except ... I took the wrong route and ended up going 5km over(!). To get back to where the car was parked I had to retrace my steps - and it was brutal. I thought: "this is so pointless; why am I even running? Why didn't I check Google maps?". It was a tremendous mental battle, that run was.
13:35 Is there a Japanese food that you haven't eaten in a long time that you miss?
The answer is: natto, right? W
I want to eat natto!
They sell natto here, except the smell... my host family won't like the smell, right? ... I can't eat it. (didn't catch)
When I explained what natto was to them they made a face W
That's the way it is...
Alright, thanks for joining me for this somewhat lengthy talk.
See you in the next video! Bye bye~