1. Have you ever been in a situation that tested you to your limits?
In Junior High, there was a period of time that I went through depression. I knew what the reason was and for a while, I tried everything I could to fix the situation, to try to make things back as they were before. However, it was when I realized that the situation was completely over my power that I started to live life again.
In challenging times, I think the most important thing you need to know are your limits. ORRR if you're a leader, then you need to know your crew members' limits.
It is one thing to try to stretch your limits but to know when to stop is another.
2. Have you ever had to set a new mark? How did you handle it?
I came back from the states when I was 6 years old, in my second year of elementary school. Now because there were no other returnees in my new school in Japan, I was always praised for being able to speak and write in English. I guess that kind of environment led me to think that I was 'special' and I honestly flipping loved it. However, when I got into a private Junior High school, I was suddenly surrounded by 'real returnees' who came back in 5th or 6th grade. Anyways, the returnee english classes were divided into two; the advanced and regular. I know, the name of the classes are horrible. haha
Initially, being the self-confident(I mean self-confident about my english)girl that I was, I expected to be put in the advanced class butttt of course much to my surprise, I was naturally put in the regular class. I was mortified, embarrassed and also lost my self-confidence completely. The recognition of how poor my english really was, was a major demotivation. It was a little after that, that i found out that the teachers actually move students from regular to advanced vice-versa, every year if they feel like a student is not in the right class. That was when I changed my stance 360°. Originally my plan was to be in the advanced class but of course I did not get in so I set a new mark, to become the best in the regular class and to wait for the teachers to realize my abilities. After that, I worked extremely hard to catch up with my friends in the advanced class, to show everybody that I can too take the work in the advanced class. Every year, I would hope for the teachers to suddenly call me up and inform me of the news but for the next 2 years, I heard nothing. I honestly did start to give up but at the same time, I never let go of my goal to become the best in the regular class. Finally in my first year of high school, I was called up by a teacher and was told to move up a class. I was elated of the news.
Nothing in life goes as planned; but you just can't stop there and think back on the things that you should've done or shouldn't have. You need to face the reality that is there in front of you fearlessly in order to reach your ultimate goal. ANDDDD when you reach your ultimate goal, I guess you have all the time in the world to nag and regret about the past.haha
I guess these are all a lot things that I went through individually but I hope someday I will be using these experiences as a leader as well;)
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ReplyDeleteOkay so I had to delete my other comment because it made no sense so I'm writing one again! :) I loved this blog! Your conclusion was especially nice. In my high school, all the classes were divided by "smartness" which just means how well you score on tests. Every year classes change but the third year of high school is the toughest because some students wanted to be in a "smarter" class with "smart" classmates to get through entrance exams. It was just so much pressure on students I felt that these divisions of class was horrible. I think "smartness" shouldn't be measured on tests. Sorry I'm writing so much but your blog gave me a lot to think about! Great article :D
ReplyDeleteYeah I remember you talking about how your school divided actual homeroom classes by smartness.
DeleteI agree with you and personally think there are other traits that should be looked upon because a class full of smart kids lacks diversity and doesnt give you the social experience that one deserves!
Anyways, thanks for the comment zumzum!xx
I never knew that you came back to Japan when you were 6! Have you been living in Japan ever since? Because your English is amazing! When you described your disappointment in being placed in the regular class, it reminded me of a similar experience that I had when I entered a Japanese High School. I knew my Japanese was pretty bad but still, I was shocked when I was put into the lowest Japanese class. In the first lesson, we worked on grade one Kanji and that made me feel ridiculous. Honestly, I wasn't as determined as you so I kind of gave up at one point but in the end, I did succeed in going up just one level. I liked what you said at the end about how life goes as planned and that we shouldn't regret the past decisions or actions. I completely agree with you on this. Regretting is just going to make one dismal and depressed and it is not like the past is changeable. Your blog post gave me something to work on. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteit's so interesting to hear your experience as a returnee cause we struggled throughout different languages. i guess when a returnee thinks back on the time they struggled most, the language barrier inevitably comes up! buttt i mean, look at us now, eh? loll im kidding, i still suck at both languages.haha
Deleteanyways, thanks for your comment yuca:)
I never knew that you came back to Japan when you were 6! Have you been living in Japan ever since? Because your English is amazing! When you described your disappointment in being placed in the regular class, it reminded me of a similar experience that I had when I entered a Japanese High School. I knew my Japanese was pretty bad but still, I was shocked when I was put into the lowest Japanese class. In the first lesson, we worked on grade one Kanji and that made me feel ridiculous. Honestly, I wasn't as determined as you so I kind of gave up at one point but in the end, I did succeed in going up just one level. I liked what you said at the end about how life goes as planned and that we shouldn't regret the past decisions or actions. I completely agree with you on this. Regretting is just going to make one dismal and depressed and it is not like the past is changeable. Your blog post gave me something to work on. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI never knew that you came back to Japan when you were 6! Have you been living in Japan ever since? Because your English is amazing! When you described your disappointment in being placed in the regular class, it reminded me of a similar experience that I had when I entered a Japanese High School. I knew my Japanese was pretty bad but still, I was shocked when I was put into the lowest Japanese class. In the first lesson, we worked on grade one Kanji and that made me feel ridiculous. Honestly, I wasn't as determined as you so I kind of gave up at one point but in the end, I did succeed in going up just one level. I liked what you said at the end about how life goes as planned and that we shouldn't regret the past decisions or actions. I completely agree with you on this. Regretting is just going to make one dismal and depressed and it is not like the past is changeable. Your blog post gave me something to work on. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Shiho,
ReplyDeleteI too am amazed that you returned as such an early age and yet your English is so excellent!
And I love your story about how your perseverance paid off in the end and you finally got moved up a class. That was very Shackletonian of you. His motto was, "By endurance we conquer."