About Readings(Preface)

The book contained this question: "Have you been in a situation in which you were stretched to [your] limits of performance or endurance?" So I'd like to write about my experience.

In the first place, I was not planning to enter ICU a year ago. Of course, I knew about ICU and was fascinated by the system of liberal arts and ELA, but to tell the truth, I wanted to get into an university other than ICU. When I decided to enter ICU in March (That means when I found I failed at the entrance exam for my desired univ.), I was, kind of, depressed because I felt like my effort was not fully paid off. Also, I worried about ELA, because I was in stream 2, and I've never studied abroad... 

At first, it was difficult for me to get over the mental problem, and to keep up with ELA. But now, I can proudly say that it is my destiny to be here, I mean ICU is the best environment for me, and I somehow handled ELA.

What was the key to overcome the situation?

Friendship. During ELA, I was, and even now, stimulated by my friends. Thanks to my friends, I can work hard in every class. More importantly, everyone in here is very nice, kind, trustworthy... The nicest people I've ever met... So having good friends saved me a lot.

Optimism. Because of the moment of the mental depression, I just thought good days would come. That was true, because I met a lot of nice people and joined Debating Society...

Thank you again for supporting me!!

Song: "Hakunamatata" from The Lion King.
I really want to live like them lol

Winter Debating Tournament (Japan BP 2013)

As this week's blog post of free choice, I'd like to write about the debating tournament I joined. Last weekend, we had a debating tournament called Japan BP @ Tsukuba（Saturday) & ICU (Sunday). This tournament was held in order to decide the best debater (maybe the strongest debating society) in Japan. I joined Japan BP because I wanted to learn a lot from sempai debaters. Then I found that debating and what we learned from this class had a lot of things in common. The most important similarity is that both of them require "vision". We should prepare for not only what we are going to argue in a game but what the opposite side are going to say during the prep time. I thought people who are able to predict the flow of the entire game could win, so I really want to consider the topic from various aspects. Of course we(at least participants of ICUDS 17) lost almost all of  the games, but I think we surely gained precious things: motivation to work harder! Now I have a dream that we, ICUDS 17, create the golden age of the club again someday...
As Ken said on Wednesday, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger"! Keep on working, then the efforts will yield results.

Song for the week: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" by Kelly Clarkson...
This song is my fav because it always makes me feel good( *´艸｀)

About myself

I just forgot to post about myself...

Name: Shiori Kontani
Hometown: Toyama, Japan

Previous section: 2C
Club activity: ICU Debating Society
Major: not decided yet, but thinking of politics or IR
Interests: 
・Things related to Disney (animations/live-action movies/music/Theme Parks/people who worked for Walt Disney Company etc.) These days, I want to know how to run that kind of big company effectively.
・TV Drama(Glee/リーガルハイ/suspense drama)
・novels

Nice to meet you! 

WSJ Reading...

What I thought when I read the article from WSJ ("Strike a Powerful Pose") was "That is what I need to do when I have to speak in front of many people!!" However, I am still surprised that a pose changes a person's hormones and behavior, and it influences listeners. So I searched the example of public speech on YouTube. 

This is the video of public speech by the student who were afraid of making a speech in front of many people. He keeps leaning forward when he talks, tries to make eye contact to people in every direction. Finally, I understand the effect of a powerful pose, because the effect of a pose may give him the courage to speak his story at the day of graduation ceremony... 

We will be able to change our poses if we practice, because it is really simple thing, at least it is easier than acquiring "Social Intelligence"... (we don't have to pay $2000 per hour lol) So let's practice this from this week!!

One more thing to emphasize: do not use smartphone before meeting or presentation!!      

Hello, everyone!!!!

Hi, everyone! 
At today's class and the first class, we learned about handshakes (Brief, Warm, Firm!!!!) and self introduction. Since I've just lived in Japan for my entire life, it made me think how to communicate with people who have different cultures.
At the time of self introduction, I was very nervous. Why?? Maybe it was because of my poor English, or it was not debate lol... Through this class, I want to get over this feeling and have the strong confidence when I talk in front of many people.
By the way, this class reminds me of this classic song "Hello, Goodbye" (I chose Glee version because I really miss Cory). Others sometimes do not understand what I mean. I think that may be because of my attitude (do not speak louder, not speak clearly etc...), or because of my English (do not have enough vocabulary etc). Someday (hopefully at the end of this term) I wanna make myself fully understood with confidence!!!!