What Is Sign Language For Me?

I am really interested in Communication. That is why I would love to learn many languages such as English, Chinese, and Russian. I think that Sign Language is also one of those languages. In Sign Language, sound is not so important but the hands is important. Facial expressions and mouth movements are also necessary. However, languages are languages.

There are some people who say Languages are just tools for communication. Yes, but I think that it is not just a tool but a vital thing for every one. I cannot convey my feelings or opinions to other people without languages. Language is a culture itself. If I look at a language, I can get much information about people who are using the language, and their lives, and the area or country in which the language is used. I know that Language has a big power to move people and even a country.

I knew of the existence of some kind of language for deaf people before I started to learn Sign Language in our club. However, I have never learned any of them except how to express my name in Japanese Sign Language. I learned it when I was an elementary school student. There was a finger letter list on the back wall of my class room. I had never seen people who cannot hear or speak until I joined the Sign Language Club. Actually, I was planning to set up another kind of Sign Language Club which was for people who want to do ”Sign Language Chorus”. I submitted an application form for a new club activity. At that time, a boy who is a present leader in our club was going to establish a Sign Language Club as well as me. However, he was planning to learn Sign Language as a language. At first, I could not imagine learning Sign Language as if it were a foreign language. The reason why we combined our clubs was to not make two Sign Language clubs because it would be very confusing if there were two sign language clubs.

When I started to learn sign languages: ASL and JSL, I found that Sign Languages are significant and very interesting. I felt that it was very interesting to learn them from the basics. First, I was surprised at the big differences between ASL and JSL. I was thinking that they were the same or quite similar. However, except finger letters, they are very different. When I noticed their differences, I truly realized that Sign Languages are real languages.

I go to Akita city to a club there with some club members. I have the opportunity to talk with deaf people. It is very difficult for me to express my feelings, to explain what I want to say in Sign Language. Even though all of the members there are Japanese, sometimes we cannot understand each other. At first, I was frustrated with my poor Sign Language skill and thought that I could not master it. However, the more I participated in each activity, the more I realized what is most important. The most important thing is my attitude. In AIU, a lot of students and teachers came from many different countries. Our common language is usually English. For me, English is necessary especially in AIU. Yet, I don’t have confidence in my English skill. So I couldn’t talk with them much at first. However, I was eager to know their cultures and their thoughts about things; I tried to communicate with them as much as I could. Now I have many friends all over the world. I remembered this experience. Although I cannot use the language, I can communicate with people as long as I want to talk with them.

If I could master Sign Language I would be able to communicate with people more smoothly. I want to ask many people what they feel and think about things I am curious about. Maybe they have different thoughts or feelings from mine.

I can hear, speak, and see. I want to use anything I can use to communicate with people impartially. I want to contribute to society if somebody needs my skills.

Taking Responsibilities

I have never minded...I didnt care... I didnt even look at....

Now finally noticed the importance of them.

Im going to driving skool these days. I started to go to Matsugazsaki driving skool from 11th of this month. Since then, I go there every day. The system of the skool is kinda severe. I have to take many lectures and practice driving a car w professional driver. I have two big paper exams. One is to get a learner's permit and the other one is to get a license. In addition to these exams, of course I gotta take driving tests two or three times. I already bought a book to study for the paper exams. It costed 1,000yen. Until I go to the skool, I have never imagined that all of the car drivers took every classes and lectures in driving skool as well.

I have heard that in the US or other countries' systems of driving skool r more easy and simple. At first I was jealous to my friends who came from those countries and already have licenses. My skool is too severe, I thought.

However, the more I learn about traffic rule and driving, the more I get scared. I was thinking that driving a car is not such a big deal. Just step the accelerator or the break, or engage the clutch. Yet, I was completely wrong. It was very difficult to adjust those pedals. Also, timing is very important. I have to look at not only just in front of me and my car but also further away to get more information which is necessary to avoid serious accidents. I also have to look at sign board such as "Right of Way for Pedestrians"or "Halt sign" and so forth. However, my sight r becoming narrow whenever I drive a car.

Before I practice driving a car, I always do an image training many times, but during the driving there r no room for thinking about 1seconds later. Im always in a hurry. I check right and left side, then also look at the room mirror, but still dangerous. My engine stopped five times in the middle of the crossing road the day before yesterday. I lost countenance and was get into a panic. The reason y the engine stopped was that I mistakenly used third gear instead of low gear. They seemed similar so I didnt notice the difference. Timimg and Adjustment r very important but difficult. I always cant change the gear from low to second smoothly. I will take an examination to get a learner's permit. Tmr is the day of evaluation by my teacher. I hope I can pass it without any probs...

I was a pedestrian or a rider of a bicycle for a long time.21 years exactly.　I have ridden on a car many times of course, but not on the driver's seat. I have never controlled the vehicle which has very big power which can destroy things made by concrete or even can kill many people at once. I took 10 lectures about traffic rules already at my driving skool. It seems troublesome but I think these r very helpful and valuable. I didnt know that I didnt know many of the meaning of traffic signs. I didnt care rather than I didnt know, actually.

Driving a car means I have to take responsibility if anything serious happened. To tell the truth, Im scared of it. Car is very attractive thing coz it has very strong power and high speed. People r tend to yearning for both of them. However, I decided that I will remember it has risks whenever I drive it.

Now Im practicing driving the manual car not the automatic car. It is very tricky and difficult. However, I will do my best. Coz I wanna take my family es, my grandma and grandpa to somewhere in gratitude. I will drive a car and go to many places w them as they used to take me before. If I could drive, they can drink and sleep. They dont have to worry about anything. If they were happy, I would be happy too. I rly wanna return a favor. I will continue my part-time job as long as I can.

I will leave Japan soon. Provably from this fall, I will study abroad. Before that and after that too, of course, I wanna do what they want me to do. To go shopping often w my grandma is my dream. I will buy anything what she wants. They r getting older and older so I wanna be w them as much as I can.
I rly need the driving license!! I gotta get it!!

No Promises

I dont know my feeling.
I dont understand myself the most.
Just I dont want to let u go. I just need u here.

No promises.

"Friendship" doesnt contain any powers
To force u to stay here.

I dont wanna run away. I dont wanna resist u.
I wanna stay by ur side forever.

No promises.

I cant bind u. U r free...
Free from any restraints.

I am restricted by ur existence.
When is my turn? Wouldnt u notice? Wouldnt u release me?

I will just say "OK".
That is the only thing I can say now. Not "Yes"but "No" neither.
Im laying on between them.

Vague, Subtle, Ambiguous, Obscure, Dubious, Fuzzy,Gray....

It is complicated so very simple.
It seems very easy but actually a lil bit difficult.

Is this a diplomatic game? Should I maneuver myself through ur words?

Wanna be the special.
Wanna be the only one.
Only for u.

When would u realize? Or maybe u already realized,
and just u r pretending that u dont know anything at all...

How long do I have to wait for u?
I should be patient more than anyone else. Until when?

I just donno u and I.
I just wanna be w u.

Can I have ur call tonite?
Can u talk w me? Can u send me an email today?

Do u think of me at least once in a day?

What is the "best friend" ??

I dont understand.
I dont understand.

No promises.