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JAN 2007
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NEW YEAR’S GREETING
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(By Ayumi Inoue, Coordinator)
Happy New Year! How was your first day of the new year? My father used to give me Otoshidama, a gift of money children receive at New Year's from relatives. He used Goroawase, a linguistic technique in Japanese associated with a given series of letters, numbers or symbols, in order to associate a new meaning with that series, and he gave me 2525 yen with a message like “Niko Niko – 2525 -- (happy face). Have a cheerful year!” My current goal is to teach Japanese culture to my daughter with my own unique style, just like my father did for me. Living in a foreign country, I find many cultural differences and rules here in America, and there still are a lot to learn. My Japanese-American husband is busy explaining this cultural gap to fulfill my curiosity whenever I find something new. Many of SFVJLI students who grow up here must have the similar interests and questions about Japan. “What is Osechi?” “Why is the Otoshidama custom not popular here?” No matter how small it is, I believe the power of curiosity becomes an energy to learn the language. I want to treasure (cherish) this small curiosity in each student, and would love to help them learn. I’m wishing you all a healthy and happy New Year.
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[January, 2007]
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