Elena’s World Vol. 5 Part 2

The mists of time have clouded recollections of how early-teen me thought and felt. So I’m appreciating Lady E.’s changes with respect and curiosity. My only request for this round of Q&As was that she be genuine. One hope is the following verbal exchange provides an accurate depiction of this wonderful young person in bloom, and captures her moment in time for future enjoyment.

Courtesy of the Japan Times; typical exam hall in Japan

What is your greatest challenge now?

It’s juken (ed.:it means studying for entrance exams) to get into high school.
Q: So your challenge right now is getting into the high school you want to get into.
A: Yeah.
Q: Why is that important, because it's a tough high school to get into?
A: Yeah, but if you get into that school it’s a good thing.
Q: If you don't get into the school you aim for, what happens?
A: I’ll probably get into another school that's ranked lower.

What makes you happy about the way the world is now?
I’m in a part of the world that is relatively peaceful. And, I am not worried about the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s been going for a year, things are getting normal again here now, and I’m not worried about getting it. Soon I am getting the vaccines.

So you’re not worried about getting sick from COVID?
No, because I don't go anywhere. At first, when we still living in America, I was a little worried about getting COVID are first, but it's like normal now. It's everywhere so…so people have gotten used to it. Some of my friends got COVID but they were OK afterward.

Do you believe in an afterlife?
Oh, it’s happier to think that there's heaven. Then, thinking that there's nothing left when you die... I think there's heaven.
Q: Do you think you'll go to heaven?
A: Well, I haven’t done anything particularly bad, so yes.

What makes you sad about the way the world is now?
I feel a little sad that lots of people have died because of COVID. But some people are just going around without a mask so those people, it's their own fault. But it's genuinely sad for workers who work at hospitals that get sick.

What goals are you trying to achieve these days?
Getting into certain high schools. That’s all, really, right now.

Any other questions you want to answer or any other things you want to tell your future self when you read this on the blog?
I just hope I have a stable life, enjoyable, happy life, and not in any crisis. Yeah, enjoying life and genuinely being happy with friends.

Do you think you're a good person? What makes you interesting?
I don't think I'm a bad person. So…what’s interesting so far is that I have lived in three countries.

Are you nice or are you mean?
I'm nice. I think I'm nice. Well, it depends on the person. If the person is doing a bad thing, I don't care about them, but if I care about them I'm nice. So I'm nice to you guys, my family.

And do you have many friends?
I think so. I'm not lonely; I have friends to be with. I have, like, a lot of people who I can talk to you, but not really close. When a person says, you know, they're friends with somebody, but they're not that close, I don't call them friends. I have like six… no I have like 10 close friends.
Yeah, I think I have friends. I also have friends in America, there are a lot of them.

Are you getting along with your sister?
Yes. I'm nice to her. But we fight.
Q: Do you think you fight more than other sisters in the world?
A: No, I think other sisters are as bad as us, from my friends’ stories.

Last question. How would you describe your relationship with your little sister, The M.?
Awful, terrible. And wonderful, good. And one more way--close to each other.

Are you really sure about that?
Yes, for sure.

Really the last question. Any question you want to ask me?
Q from E.: Okay, there's something I want to ask you--are you ever gonna stop drinking beer?
A: Never.
Response from E.: Okay, I hope you live long.

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