Assignment 10

What are the main ideas of your research?

So the main ideas would be my foundation questions, right?
Those would be:

• How views changed (also the "What is...?")
• Why views changed
• Laws
• Same-sex marriage
• Main figures
• Popular culture
• Homophobia today
• Gay awareness

So yeah...

Assignment 9: Notes Reflection

Hola.

My note-taking progress was successful. I thought that I actually wouldn't be able to complete them in class because I was lazy. But even though I had days where I didn't work on them at all, I still finished them early. I guess I work fast in intervals. I didn't struggle, really. My only challenge was to overcome the desire to not do work (which was a battle that I lost some days). However, since I was able to finish anyway, I don't really think I would consider that a struggle. I obviously learned a lot during my note-taking progress. I learned all the answers to the foundation questions, for one. I also learned things outside of my foundation questions, like the general culture of Japan. It's really interesting, actually.

Also, the notes are due on March 14th, which is White Day in Japan. It's a holiday one month after Valentine's Day (girls give guys chocolates during Valentine's Day) where the guys that got chocolate from girls now return the favor by giving chocolates to those girls (which is supposed to be more expensive than what they received). I don't know why it's called White Day, but I guess this kind of connects to my topic because it's in Japan and the genders are specified as being opposite (but I've never heard anyone think of that as controversial).
I guess I'll wear white tomorrow. It's too cold for a dress, though... Oh, conundrums.

kthnxbai

Assignment 8: What is Happening

Hi.

So I think I'm done with my notes... I have two primary sources, at least eight notes for each question, direct quotes for all, twenty key terms in alphabetical order with their definitions, and an interview in my notes.

In case you would like to know, I only did one interview (despite initially wanting to do two). Kaito Kawano, the guy in Japan interning at the UN, said he would reply back to me by February 28th but never did. It's fine, though; I know he's busy. So I just emailed Stonewall AJET, and Lauren Anderson, the president of the organization living in Japan, answered my questions (albeit with slightly improper grammar [using lowercase "I"s] for a woman whose first language is English because she is originally from Canada and head of a professional organization, but whatever... Sorry). Nevertheless, her information was very useful, and I'm glad to have gotten a first-person stance on the issue.

So, yeah, everything is fine... Again.

'Kthnxbai

Extra Post 二

Hello.

This is an extra post because I'm done with my notes. In the title 二 means two in Japanese. In case you didn't know.

So, one of the twelfth graders, Nia Howze, is holding a Japanese tea ceremony for her action plan. I was surprised I didn't know someone in twelfth grade was doing a grad project related to Japan (because I thought I knew everyone in twelfth grade interested in Japan). Anyway, Mrs. Downs invited me to it (along with Justen and Mariah). So, I'm excited to go. I like tea. I wonder if Nia Howze is going to wear a kimono or if there is going to be flower arranging... I think it's two weeks from now...

I will update you on what happens afterward.

'Kbai.

Assignment 7

My interview progress is... good. I sent both of my interviewees questions two weeks ago. One said he would reply to them by the 28th (which is tomorrow, so I'm looking forward to that). The other never replied after I sent her my questions despite her OK for them, so I sent her another email yesterday asking her "what's up with that" (in a professional way, of course). She replied just hours later so I have those answers. I skimmed through them, and it looks really informational. I'm glad that I was able to get her opinion on things and yeah... Everything is okay. I will send her a thank you email after posting this so yes.

kthnxbai

Assignment 6: What is Happening?

Lettuce see...

Interview:
I emailed both of my interviewees, and one of them said they would respond  by the 28th  because he's busy. But I like him. He's nice. And Japanese. He's interning at  the United Nations (I don't remember which role right now), which is super fancy. The other interviewee just kinda said yeah and when I gave them the questions never replied after that. So I am kinda upset about that ._. Hopefully she answers soon.

Notes:
I am doing my notes, and it's boring... But, yeah. I've got some stuff done...

Key Terms:
I've been writing key terms down as I progress. I have about 10, I think. Some of them are a bit repetitive... For example, I don't know if one being "yaoi" and one being "shounen-ai" would count because they're almost the same thing... If it doesn't count then I would only have eight.

'kbai.

Extra Post 一

So, this is my first post that is not required and yeah. I will talk about my action plan ideas. I have three:

1. The easiest thing to do would be a panel at the anime convention (Tekkoshocon). I would have to preregister and make a presentation or something and just present it to people... Yeah. It would be informative and stuff, ya know? Pretty easy.

2. Mr. Tamler suggested I do an oral history (because for some reason he has a large interest in helping me with Grad Project, not that I'm complaining). I don't know how I would do that, though... Because I think it usually focuses on an event and I would have to interview people and just put what they say together to make a story. Seems hard. And I don't know where I would get these people from...? So, that is lower on my list.

3. This is the most extraordinary one, which is why it is last. It's also difficult. Crossplay Fashion Show. So, cosplay is short for "costume play" which is where a person dresses as a character or something. Sometimes they act "in character" (like when they LARP), and it's a common thing to do at an anime convention (cosplay, not being in character). So, crossplay is the same thing, only you are dressed as the opposite gender. Basically, I guess you could call it drag. So, yeah. Oftentimes the people at the anime conventions dress in Japanese street fashion (like lolita), so I was thinking of doing a crossplay fashion show. That way, we have homosexuality (well, closer to transgender) and Japan in there and it's not boring. Because that is a difficult thing to do (put both things into an action plan). And I thought it would be more exciting than a panel. But my problem is finding people to crossdress for it (because my friends are not supportive). I think the venue could also be at the anime convention, though.

P.S. this post is titled "Extra Post 一" because that line is not just a line; it's the Japanese symbol for the number one. It's pronounced "ichi." So, yes. Learning is good.
This was a long and unnecessary post.