Independence Higashimurayama

Sister City Newsletter
Winter 20122012 Exchange Recollections
Rebecca Miller, 2012 Student Ambassador
At the beginning of this trip I was very reluctant to have fun and makethe most of the experience. I was incredibly homesick. It took me almost
the entire first week to open up, due to the coaxing of the other students
on the trip. But when I did, I saw how beautiful the land, and the peopleof Japan were. I will never forget the trip. My favorite part of the trip wasgoing to the elementary and middle schools. Every child was so grateful andsweet. They were so inquisitive not only about my personal life, but America
too. It made me realize how lucky I really am; they did not even have airconditioning and were still so happy. The way the Japanese people acted
this entire trip opened up my eyes and made me see where I can improve asa person; they were absolutely wonderful!

Kalee Trimble, 2012 Student Ambassador
My experience in Japan was one of wonder and complete enjoyment. I knew

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I wanted to go to Japan ever since I joined the Japanese Club at Glendale
during my 4th grade year in 2003. I was disheartened by the news that
our trip was one that had to be delayed but thankful that the JSCC andFIFA were gracious enough to let me travel with everyone by delaying thetrip for a day. While, initially, I was exhausted between the constant timedifferences, I enjoyed every second I was in our sister city.
I made several really good friends because of this trip. I enjoyed being able
to hang out with the students who would be coming back with us as wellas their families and the Japanese Alumni of years past that I rememberedseeing and talking to from attending previous summers’ exchange events.
My host family was very sweet and caring and extremely interested inlistening to everything I had to say. I especially remember talking with myhost parents during dinner most nights and my host mom would translate
some things for my host dad but she would always insist that I correct her
on her English so she could learn better! I was initially afraid of doing so,
but it became a really nice give and take of information as well as an insidejoke between my host parents and I that they would talk in English around
me. I still enjoy thinking about that trip every day and I wish to travel backto Japan with a couple of friends so I could share with them the joys of theamazing culture this country has to offer.

Meagan Williams, 2012 Student Ambassador
My time in Japan this summer was life changing. What made it so special
was the opportunity to live with a Japanese family. I learned so much about2

the culture of Japan as a result of such close daily contact with my hostfamily. For example, I learned how they run their house hold, how they getto places around the town, and how to cook authentic Japanese cuisine.
My host mother was particularly loving and caring, and she taught me somany different things. She taught me how to make origami and this was
something we worked on together during the entire two weeks I was in
Higashimurayama. Every night my host family and I played the game of
Uno together as we ate some of the American candy and food I broughtfor them. This nightly activity really allowed us to grow close together
and communicate more meaningfully than we otherwise would have. We
had a very difficult time communicating at first, but by the end of my staywith them it was so much easier because communication involves so much
more than just words and phrases. I had learned a few Japanese words andphrases, and they had remembered more English than they initially realized,
but on a deeper level we came to understand each other intuitively. After
this experience of serving as a Sister City Student Ambassador, I feel likeI have two families; my American family and my Japanese family. The day
before I left Japan my host mother told me that I was the daughter they
had never had. She said that she was very sad that she had never had adaughter but now she finally had the chance. This made me cry. I made ascrap book for my host family full of photos of all the wonderful memories
we shared together. I hope as they look at it in years to come they willremember their American daughter who will always keep a warm place inher heart for them.

2012 Japanese Student Visit

2013 Exchange Announcements

Friday, July 27, 2012 was the arrival day of the Japanese Student Delegationand their adult leader. We started off their visit with a welcome pizza party
honoring them and their host families. Over the next 2 weeks they enjoyeda variety of events. Some events were for the Japanese students only andmany they shared with their host families as well.

Japanese Adult Delegation Visit Only 5 Months Away
We’ll be hosting the 35th Anniversary Japanese Delegation in May 2013.
Our Japanese guests will arrive May 9 and depart May 14. We’ve plannedsome great activities that highlight our region and culture. You can be apart of this memorable visit from our friends in Higashimurayama. We’relooking for host families, helpers with events and financial support for theactivities. If you’d like to help, contact Twyla Olson-Hahn, 35th Anniversary
Exchange Chairperson at twylaolson@gmail.com or 699-6706.

We took them to Worlds Of Fun, a KC Royals game and a morning offun at Glendale Elementary. They also visited the Independence CityHall, Fire Department and Police Departments. They enjoyed the Three
Trails Museum as well as a tour of the Bingham Wagoner Home here in
Independence, also a KC day. We also enjoyed a picnic at Waterfall Parkas well as tubing with the Moxley family at Blue Springs Lake. The Mayor’s
Dinner was an enjoyable evening followed the next night by the Luau, apotluck goodbye party.

Independence Sister City Delegation will Visit Japan inOctober 2013

The delegation left KCI on Aug. 10th. A HUGE “Thank You” to our hostfamilies, the 2012 Independence Student Delegation, and last but not least
Mayor Reimal.

The 35th Anniversary Delegation trip to Japan is scheduled for October
2013. The departure date is October 9, 2013. There are two travel choices,a Japan only group and another group that will also travel to Singapore.
Both groups will spend the first five nights in the home of a Japanese family.
Higashimurayama International Friendship Club will have exciting activities
for us to enjoy during our stay in our sister city, Higashimurayama, Japan.
The Japan only group will then spend two additional nights in Tokyo before
returning to the United States on October 17. After the five nights in
Higashimurayama the extended trip group will travel to Singapore for fivenights with tours planned for Singapore. The extended travel group will
arrive home October 20.

Japanese students at shatto dairy

For detailed information and the cost of the trip, contact Twyla Olson-Hahn
before January 1, 2013, at twylaolson@gmail.com or 699-6706.

35th Anniversary Party on January 26th
The Japanese Sister City Commission is hosing their annual Anniversary
Party this year on January 26th at the Truman Memorial Building from 2:00
to 4:00 p.m.

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Excerpts From Dr. Ken Mulliken’s Comments for theHigashimurayama Mayor’s Brunch
ケン・マリケン氏のコメント（市長主催ブランチ用）

At the Higashimurayama-Independence Friendship Association welcome party, I mentioned that this is my fifth time to Japanand my first visit was in 1982 when I was a student in Independence.
東村山とインデペンデンスの友好協会による歓迎パーティーで、私は「今回が５回目の日本への訪問であり、初めての訪問は1982年、私がまだ高校生だったときです。」と申し上げました。
My good experience 30 years ago prompted me to want to become a university professor and help students discover theworld as I did.
３０年前の素晴らしい経験は、その後、かつての私がそうしたように、学生たちが世界を見渡すよう援助する大学教授になることを促しました。
In comparing Higashimurayama today with the Higashimurayama I saw in 1982, I have noticed four changes.
今日の東村山と1982年に見た東村山を比較してみると、４つの変化に気づきました。
First, there is a greater global focus among Higashimurayama citizens.
第一には、東村山市民の中にみる、以前にも増して大きくなった国際的な視点です。

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I have noticed that accompanying this global focus, more Higashimurayama citizens have traveled to other countries
including the United States, and have become very strong in their ability to communicate in English.
この国際的な視点に伴って、以前よりも多くの東村山市民のみなさんがアメリカを含む他の国々へ旅をしていること、また、英語でコミュニケートする能力が非常に強くなったことに、私は気づきました。
Second, there is a new energy and vision regarding infrastructure. The construction of the Tower Building near theHigashimurayama station, and the vision for the Overpass Project both demonstrates a desire for growth and development.
第二に、都市基盤の整備による新たな活気とビジョンです。 鉄道（東村山）駅前の整備や超高層ビルの建設、そして、鉄道立体化事業に向けたビジョンは、どちらも成長と発展への望みを表しています。
Third, there is a greater emphasis on ecology and the natural environment. Japanese people have always valued the beauty
and tranquility of nature, however I have noticed a greater awareness of how human actions impact the web of life, resulting
in an increased desire among Higashimurayama citizens to preserve green spaces.
第三に、以前にも増してエコや自然環境と協調していることです。日本の人々は、常に自然の美しさや静けさに価値をおいてきましたが、人々の営みがいかに生態系に影響を与えるか、これまでにも増して意識されており、東村山市民のみなさんの緑地空間を保全する意識の高まりに気づきました。
Fourth, I have observed a sense of greater cooperation and less competition.
第四に、私は、協調性の大きさ、そして、競争性の少なさを併せ持つ感性について注視してきました。
In 1982, Japan and the United States competed more with each other around the world. Now, at every level it seems likethere is a greater sense of cooperation and a desire to explore avenues of mutual benefit.
1982年、日本とアメリカは、今よりもなお、互いに競い合っていました。今では、さまざまな世代が、それぞれ協力し合い、互いの豊かさを見出す方法を探そうとしているように思われます。
There are some things that have not changed since 1982.
1982年以来、変わっていないこともいくつかあります。

5The most significant element of continuity is the nature of the Japanese people.
My students and I all agree that Japanese people are friendly, polite, helpful, and generous.
（変わることのない）持続性の最も重要な要素は、日本の人々の性質です。私と学生たち全員が、日本の人々には親しみがあり、礼儀正しく、丁寧で、寛大であると思っています。
We have noticed this among our host families, among the students we met at Megurita Elementary School andHigashimurayama 2nd Junior High School, and especially among the sister-city volunteers and members of theHigashimurayama-Independence Friendship Association.
私たちは、それぞれのホストファミリーのみなさん、回田小学校や東村山第２中学校の児童・生徒のみなさん、そして特に、国際友好協会のボランティアのみなさんに囲まれて、このことを認識しました。
Lastly, something that has not changed in 30 years has been a high level of organization.
そして何より、この３０年間で変わっていないもの、それは、（友好協会の）統制力です。
When I was a Student Ambassador my host family kept me involved in a constant sequence of activities. Go there / do that,go here / do this, etc.
私が学生大使だった時、ホストファミリーは私に「ここに行きます／あれをします、ここに行きます／これをします」
といったように、秩序立てて行事に参加させました。
I went and I enjoyed… but at that time I had no idea the amount of work involved in this annual sister-city exchange.
私は行きました。
そして楽しみました。
しかし、その頃、私は、こうした毎年の姉妹都市交流にかかる労力について、考えを持っていませんでした。
I am amazed at your organizational skills and I am happy that this has not changed in 30 years.
私は、みなさんの組織力の高さに驚嘆しています。そして、このことが３０年間変わっていないことを幸せに思います6During the last two weeks, as I have spoken with the Independence Student Ambassadors to Higashimurayama they haveasked me to thank you for planning such wonderful activities and for being so very kind and generous. Thank you so muchfor this.
この２週間、東村山市を訪問しているインデペンデンス市の学生大使たちと話していますが、彼女たちは、私に「みなさんに、このような素晴らしい交流活動を計画していただき、たいへん親切に、寛大に接してくださったことについて、感謝の意を伝えてほしい」と言っています。
あらためて、お礼を申し上げたいと思います。
I also want to thank you on behalf of their parents who have entrusted their sons and daughters to your care.
また、私は、ここにいる娘たち、息子たちのお世話をお願いした彼女たちの両親に代わって、みなさんに感謝したいと思います。
Because of their trust and your gracious response, these students now have two families… an American family and aJapanese family.
両親たちからの信頼、そして、みなさんの献身的な対応によって、この学生たちには今、アメリカの家族と日本の家族、２つの家族がいます。

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