I Reflect

I have two things to reflect upon having finished creating my first e-Portfolio. One is tracing back my footsteps to when I left Japan on my own to migrate to New Zealand. The other is tracing back my memory to the first class of iReflect in July 2008, when I thought a storm had touched down on me, and by the end of the day, I was picking up what grey matters I had left in my brain.

Migrating to New Zealand by myself was not hard physically or culturally. I was used to moving around and although I was not attached to any particular one, I accepted most cultures that I came to contact with. But over a few years, New Zealand has become diverse and multicultural at Godspeed. I am not going to new cultures, new cultures are coming to me. In contrast, I am not getting any younger and sometimes a little bit homesick.

Interviewing and video recording someone for the first time was nerve wrecking - especially with a borrowed camera and not an exactly outgoing personality. Sweaty palms clutching the camera...... The interview turned out to be a success! Sadly, it couldn't be uploaded. Probably have something to do with my Windows2000 laptop? I noticed afterwards that Blogspot.com site mentions 'maximum 100Mb to upload video'. When my first long interview with Mr Takano couldn't be uploaded, I thought 'I'd better find out what "Mb" is.....' Now I know. It happens. Trial and error can be overwhelming.

I guess it's good to have a chance to look back and reflect. As long as I don't keep looking back and trip over my own foot. Let's see what lies ahead (next semester) and try not to freak out. 'Cause I did survive the iReflect and I am doing alright in this land of long white cloud.

Interviewing Mayuka

Mayuka is from Minami-Senju in Arakawa-ku(ward).

Here she is talking about her local festival which is held once every 7 years. Actually, Tenno festival of Susano Shrine is held every 3 years. Anyhow, she recalls the crowd and how the float was carried out of the shrine and into the street and how she spends the day with her family on that particular occasion.

YouTube (2008). Susano shrine, Tenno festival. Retrieved Sept. 20, 2008, from http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=4KbAu-o9xek YouTube (2008). Susano shrine, Tenno festival. Retrieved Sept. 20, 2008, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHHxL3Ji-VM YouTube (2008). Susano shrine, Tenno festival. Retrieved Sept. 20, 2008, from http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=aCMnL3_bFVQ YouTube (2008). Susano shrine, Tenno festival. Retrieved Sept. 20, 2008, from http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=q6oimnsreGY