Friday, October 25, 2013

Update, Update, Update!

Hello! It's been quite a while, yes? Ahh, I am sincerely sorry, these past couple weeks or so have been absolutely c-r-a-z-y! Not to mention, quarter exams are coming up next week (I can't seem to get a break around here haha). Anyway I thought I might update you all on some recent happenings. First and foremost, I have added some new listings to my my etsy shop (https://www.etsy.com/shop/RyokoPhotography?ref=si_shop) so go check those out. I have been getting more page views lately, according to my shop statistics, so I thought,  hey, why not add some more photos? So there you have it--moving on. I have been in contact with family members and friends, attempting to publicize these two (blog and etsy shop) fundraisers as much as possible. For a while, I was getting up to approximately 70 page views in a couple hours, which is totally fantastic! The views are really appreciated :). Keep up the good work, everyone! 

On another note, I have written a letter to my teachers advertising my sites, which I will hopefully be handing out shortly. Now, onto Japanese class. Three words: Oh. My. Goodness. My lovely little Japanese class has gone from cute tracing exercises to full on projects and 10-minute dictation tests in just a few days' time. I mean I always love a challenge, but oh did things escalate quickly! For my most recent project, we had to make a video talking about a picture of our family. Here's the script for mine (I apologize for any mistakes ahead of time):

Japanese translation:

はじめまして。わたしは Francescaです。これはわたしのかぞくのしゃしんです。かぞくはごにんです。ちちとははとあねとおとうととわたし。これはあねです。あねのなまえはGinaです。これはおとうとです。おとうとのなまえはStephenです。どうぞよろしく。

Romaji translation:

Hajimemashite. Watashi wa Francesca desu. Kore wa watashi-no kazoku-no shashin desu. Kore wa ane desu. Ane-no namae wa Gina desu. Kore wa otooto desu. Otooto-no namae wa Stephen desu. Doozo yoroshiku.

English translation:

How do you do? I'm Francesca. This is my picture of my family. My family has five people in it. Dad and mom and my older sister and my younger brother and I. This is my older sister. My older sister's name is Gina. This is my younger brother. My younger brother's name is Stephen. Nice to meet you. 


Alright, thanks for reading through my update! Until next time.

Francesca A.


Don't forget, you can always donate (even a penny!), or visit my etsy store on the right side of my blog :) Thanks!

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Japanese Class (Best Buds Edition)

Hello Everyone! It's been a little while (I apologize). Anyway, I thought I'd update you on the latest and greatest happenings in my Japanese class at school. Today, or particularly this week, we've been learning more about information regarding family members (and just general family info). We have also graduated to the OFFICIAL entirely-in-Hiragana workbook *sparklesparklesparkle*! Here is some of the material we have been learning:

In reference to my (or in this case your) family members...

Father: chichi...ちち
Mother: haha...はは
Older Brother: ani...あに
Older Sister: ane...あね
Younger Brother: otooto...おとうと
Younger Sister: imooto...いもうと

In reference to somebody else's family members...

Father: otoosan...おとうさん
Mother: okaasan...おかあさん
Older Brother: oniisan...おにいさん
Older Sister: oneesan...おねえさん
Younger Brother: otootosan...おとうとさん
Younger Sister: imootosan...いもうとさん

Other (family) terms...

Family: kazoku...かぞく
Siblings: kyoodai...きょうだい
Grandfather: ojiisan...おじいさん
Grandmother: obaasan...おばあさん
Uncle: ojisan...おじさん
Aunt: obasan...おばさん
Cousin: itoko...いとこ

With that, I leave you some lovely photos from Japanese class (here's the best buds part) :)



Note: Talia (left), me (right); she's fabulous!

Note: me (left), Minjin (right); she didn't want to take a photo, but I managed to get this one anyway (haha)

Note: Like I said, she didn't want to take a photo 

Note: Last, but certainly not least...me(left), Talia's hand (middle), and SOLUNE (right)!

Note: Alert!!! Emily (girl behind the computer) also attempted to fight shy of my photo-taking wrath, but alas, she could not escape either. 

Thanks again! ありがとうございます!

Remember, you can donate to my program fee on the right side of my page (anything helps)!

Until next time...

Francesca A. 




Saturday, October 12, 2013

Etsy Account and Helpful Tips!

Hello everyone! Today I am going to share some exciting news :) *drum roll* In addition to the Sponsor an AFSer widget, I am opening an Etsy store! I am selling my original photographs matted or unmatted, in several different sizes (5 x 7, 8 x 10, 11 x 14). The prices vary with the sizes; Shipping anywhere within the continental U.S. is free, and shipping everywhere else will be discussed accordingly. Anyway, it would be greatly appreciated if you could go check it out. Here's the link:



http://www.etsy.com/shop/RyokoPhotography


TIPS: Studying abroad, and even just learning about the process can be very daunting, and thus, I have come up with some tips that greatly helped me:

Tip #1: Educate yourself! I know this is pretty self-explanatory, but knowledge is your friend. Especially when it comes to approaching your parents and counselors, it's important to be really familiar with the information you are presenting. Displaying your understanding is a telltale sign of the amount of effort you are putting into this process.

Tip #2: Why study abroad? It's important to ask yourself why you want to study abroad in the first place. Not only will your parents (most likely) want to know the answer to this question, but so do many others, including: your exchange program, counselors, people you're interested in fundraising with, etc. Maybe make a pros and cons list? Like I said, knowledge is your friend!

Tip #3: Relax. Don't overexert yourself worrying about the endless to-do list in your head. Remember, if you're ever feeling overwhelmed, turn to friends and family for support and advice. That's what they're there for! Ask them for opinions, or maybe even help with decision-making. In the end, try your best to keep a clear head--it will help you accomplish your goals in a more efficient way.

Tip #4: Use your time wisely. I would probably have to say, better sooner than later. If you can, work on your application as early as possible--applying doesn't guarantee you a spot in whichever program you have chosen to take part in. Try to contact your admissions director early on, as well, they will be a great deal of help in answering any questions you have about becoming an exchange student and the application process.

Tip #5: Get involved with other exchange students! Talking to alumni, or students who will be embarking on the journey abroad with you can be great sources of information and encouragement. You can discuss your excitement, make new friends, and learn more about intercultural exchange. What have you got to lose?

With that, I bid you all farewell :) Thanks so much for reading! Come back and check in on the latest developments in my studying abroad experience.

 さようなら! ありがとう ございます!

Francesca A.



Friday, October 11, 2013

Studying Abroad in Japan: An Overview

Salutations! My name is Francesca Adamski and I have recently made the enormous decision to study abroad in Japan during the summer of 2014. People from other cultures (and cultures in general) have always fascinated me. To think, there are billions of human beings in this world, and most of them live their lives in a very different way than I do. The idea in which the comfortable, familiar things that I consider my daily routine, could seem almost alien to someone else, is simply awe-inspiring. There is so much to learn about this world in which we live in; this world full of infinite possibilities and experiences, and I want to embark on my search for knowledge as early as possible...let's say 2014?

To be: (verb): to exist.

Whilst abroad, I want to further my knowledge, love, and understanding of Japan. This way, I can communicate my somewhat abstract fascination of other cultures with others upon my return.  Hopefully, I will attain fluency in the language, so that I may one day pursue my (even greater dream) to live in Japan.  On a much more general note, I want to learn how to live in the moment, and not to worry about the petty things. I no longer want to take the U.S. for granted; I don't know how many times I've ranted about how "most countries are much more interesting" than the U.S. I want to learn about a new culture, but also learn to better appreciate my own. I want to be--whether in Japan, or in the U.S.

Becoming an exchange student is no easy matter. From finding the right program, to the application process, and everything in between, one might even go insane. Therefore, throughout my experiences, I hope to provide support and information about studying abroad to others, so that they too can have a smoother dive into the world of international exchange. I want nothing more than to share any and all gained knowledge with everyone, and encourage others to take part in an exchange program as well.

There are many important qualities one might hope to possess either upon their arrival or departure from a new country. An especially important one is independence. My parents have stressed from day one, the importance of being able to take initiative and rely on others for as little as possible. Independence is a life skill that everyone eventually learns, and apparently my time has arrived. Not only do I want to validate my self-sufficiency for my parents, but also for myself. That is why I have chosen to seek assistance in financing my AFS experience (anything helps). I have already planned several fundraisers, one of which is selling my photographs. I attended an online fundraising seminar, and one thing said really stood out to me--"integrate the things you love/are good at with fundraising...it will help a great deal". So that's exactly what I'm doing!  I may even set up an Etsy shop (in the near future). I also have regular babysitting jobs, and will most likely get a part-time job.

So, what is the Sponsor an AFSer program, you ask? Well, it is an online fundraising tool provided by AFS to allow potential sponsors to make easy, secure, and non tax-deductible contributions to my AFS program fee. It would be absolutely fantastic if you could inform anyone who might be interested in donating, and everything is greatly appreciated! A donation's a donation, no matter how small! Please stay tuned for more exciting news about studying abroad in Japan.

To sponsor my AFS program, please click the Donate Now button to make a non tax-deductible contribution directly to my AFS program account.

Thanks again

ありがとうございます!