As you all now know, Obama is the new president of the United States of America. You think this post is all about him- NO WAY, He may have won the presidency, congratulation, but I would like to comment on the building emotions that have surfaced here in Japan.
It all started about two weeks ago when a drunk Japanese man tries to tell me what he thought about McCain and Obama. Though I did not understand all the words he was using his emotion and use of IIE-NO and HAI-YES, and DA ME- NO WAY, were enough for me to understand his predictions and will for this election. This instance made me wonder why this was so important to a Japanese man. Well, the second instance happened at school a this past week when a teacher said "When you country sneezes we feel the blow!" I didn`t understand this till I thought about it later!
Why is it such a big deal for other countries that we elected a new president? Well as I have found out based on living in another country and seeing the effects of the Stock Market on the world that what happens in the US does ripple to other countries. I do not see the US as the center of the world but it is a powerful country and all eyes were watching today (well it was our Wednesday your Tuesday) as the polls were cast. I told my students today that today was important for me, that we were electing another president, and much to my surprise they all had some opinion on it and new the candidates names! WHAT? I didn`t realize that this was important to everyone here also. (I thought it would be similar to that of Halloween- what is that? and no one celebrated it!) Well I guess this learning moment is caught on blog as I continue to learn many things about Japan and the world.
Also, Though I may not understand everything at school "Obama" translates very well! It was a hot topic today!
Remember: What you do today affects tomorrow but do not think about tomorrow or today will slip by like a fish in an ice bath! Just do your best!
~MOlly
3 comments:
"When your country sneezes, we feel the blow." What a GREAT analogy!
Did you get a chance to vote early, Molly?
Is there a general consensus as to how they feel about the outcome?
Also - if there's a Japanese newspaper headlining the US election, you need to invest in it! Think of that unique piece of history!
Obama was the consensus. Everyone who sees me- and recognizes that I am American will spew the name Obama or something to that affect. Kinda Hilarious to randomly hear Obama amongst the Japanese conversations. Actually A kid said it in class when I asked him what is favorite subject was- he just said Obama! Not a joke!
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