As one of our first assignments in this Narrative Unit, we wrote a narrative short story in English class. Later, I based my projects in both Web Audio and Design on this narrative story. My animation which I worked on with my partner Jackie is based off of this story, but we created it with cartoon school supplies rather than actual people. Furthermore, my narrative illustration which I created in Design class is directly related to my short story, and can act as a visual to accompany my written essay.
In The Giving of Omiyage, I created a story about a young girl who struggles adjusting to a new environment, and dislikes her differences from the others. I think that this idea of accepting and appreciating differences is a conflict which people run into quite often and is very relatable.
The Giving of Omiyage
"Hello there, you must be Mrs. Kawamoto?" Mrs. Richardson asked the petite, black haired lady.
"Yes. Hi, it is so nice to meet you," Keiko Kawamoto spoke softly.
"It is my pleasure to welcome you to Peninsula Elementary," the second grade teacher responded. "I did receive your emails regarding your daughter, Yuki. You mentioned that she knows some English which is excellent. I wouldn't worry about her adjustment to speaking all English here at school though; a lot of our students are still learning proper English themselves. Anyways, I am sure Yuki will fit right in with the other students. We are fortunate to have a small class of around fifteen students this year, and the children usually get along and enjoy each others' company."
"Well, I hope Yuki will be able to make some new friends. I am just a little concerned because she is worried about attending a new school, for we have only been in California for less than a month," the young mother explained with a nervous look on her face. "She is usually a quite cordial girl, but she has mentioned how uneasy she feels about our big move."
"I totally understand. I will inform the other students about Yuki's arrival, and we will try our best to provide her with a comfortable environment. We are all very excited and cannot wait for her to join us." the teacher said with enthusiasm.
"Thank you so much Mrs. Richardson. Yuki, her father, and I all appreciate your generosity." Keiko showed her gratitude.
"No problem. I look forward to meeting your daughter tomorrow," the caring teacher replied.
The next day as Yuki entered Mrs. Richardson's second grade classroom, the scent of Crayola crayon and the giggling voices of her soon to be classmates encompassed her. When she stepped further into the classroom, she noticed that all of the other kids in the class were nothing like her. They were all Caucasian, many with blonde or brunette hair, and there were a few redheads in the bunch. They had blue and green eyes, some had hazel, and a few dark brown, but none as dark as hers. It was strange to see such a variety of people who all looked different, for Yuki was a part of the black-haired and black-eyed majority of children at school in Japan. She began to feel out of place but then a hand tapped her on the shoulder. "You must be Yuki. My name is Mrs. Richardson and I will be your teacher this year. I am so glad to finally meet you. Come with me to the front of the classroom, so I can introduce you to the rest of the class," the extremely tall, brunette woman said as she directed Yuki. "Class, this is Yuki, our new student, who I mentioned about to you yesterday. Let's all give Yuki a warm welcome."
"Welcome Yuki!" The children's cheer was in unison. Looking out into a crowd of fifteen smiling faces brought a smile to Yuki's face as well. She was shocked, yet at the same time relieved that the children were so enthusiastic about her arrival. Beneath their differing physical features, they all seemed to be silly and carefree children inside, just as she was. After Mrs. Richardson finished her introductions and went through the daily agenda, it was free time. Gradually, as the students dispersed throughout the classroom, Yuki found herself stuck to her wooden chair. She didn't know who she was supposed to play with. Yuki saw some students at the back tables with Mrs. Richardson, drawing on paper with crayons. On the opposite side of the room, students were playing with the miniature kitchen, a group with trucks and cars, and others with dolls. But when she spotted the two girls, both with blonde hair and blue eyes playing with the dolls in the corner, she headed towards them. The girls' giggling and laughter drifted throughout the entire classroom as they played with their dolls.
Yuki hesitated as she stuttered quietly, "Um hi," She felt bad for interupting the girls.
"Hi!" they responded almost syncronized.
"What are your names?" Yuki asked.
"My name is Madison. And this is my best friend Skylar. We have been best friends since we were babies. You're the new girl right?" Madison answered Yuki's question vibrantly.
"Yeah, I just moved here from Japan," Yuki told the girls.
"Oh that's cool. When did you move here?" Madison remarked.
"A month ago," Yuki stated.
"We have both lived here forever. Me and Skylar live really close to each other and always have play dates," Madison explained. "Skylar let's go see if we can find more clothes for our dolls! Bye Yuki," she said as she began to walk away, Skylar following behind.
"Wait Madison, do you think I could play with you guys too?" Yuki asked.
"Umm..." Skylar spoke this time. "You're not allowed to play with these dolls," she finished her sentence with a disgusted look on her face.
"Yeah Yuki can't you see? All the dolls have blonde hair like us. And matching blue eyes. You don't look anything like us or the dolls. So you can't play sorry." Madison added.
Yuki's feelings were immediately crushed, and she felt a small puddle of water forming in her eyes. Immediately, Yuki ran back over to the wooden chair and she became angry, but not at the girls. At her parents. This was all their fault. Yuki hated America. She didn't want to move. She didn't want to leave all of her friends in Japan. She hated her parents for making her move and attend these horrible schools in America. She just wanted to go back home to Japan where she belonged. Where she actually fit in and wasn't different from all the others. But Yuki wiped the water droplet off of her cheek and did not throw a temper tantrum or even feel bad for herself as a way to express her feelings towards Madison and Skylar. When she was brought up in Japan, Yuki was taught to not be disrespectful to others, no matter what they did, for that was not proper. If she showed this respect to others while in Japan, she could do the same here in America. Later that day when she got home, Yuki went directly to her room and started to fold origami. Using her special paper which she had brought with her from Japan, Yuki made careful and precise folds. After completing a Japanese paper doll wearing a kimono for herself, Yuki decided to fold two more. She drew her black eyes and hair on her doll, and blonde hair and blue eyes on the other two.
In Japan, Yuki knew of the popular social obligation called "omiyage". This is the giving of special gifts to others after returning from a trip or new and unusual place. Although Yuki did not travel anywhere that day, she did encounter a new life experience of attending her first day of school in a foreign country. It was an adjustment and different from what she was used to. So the next day at school, when she would return from her first day in a new atmosphere, Yuki would bring her handmade "omiyage" for Madison and Skylar. Now, all three of them could play with their dolls together.
