Dolphin Tales
![A Tale from the US East Coast]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1666659135/nagoya/hrfzv0m8x5souupnyicf/84MariB.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1666659135/nagoya/hrfzv0m8x5souupnyicf/84MariB.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1666659135/nagoya/hrfzv0m8x5souupnyicf/84MariB.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1666659135/nagoya/hrfzv0m8x5souupnyicf/84MariB.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1666659135/nagoya/hrfzv0m8x5souupnyicf/84MariB.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1666659135/nagoya/hrfzv0m8x5souupnyicf/84MariB.jpg","width":2000}])
A Tale from the US East Coast
Mari, Class of 1984, works as a Library Technical Assistant and fondly remembers the friendships nurtured at NIS.
Where are you living now?
I live in Greenwich, CT which is about 45 minutes away from NYC and I've been living here since 1999.
What kind of work are you doing?
I am a Library Technical Assistant at my local library where I acquire and manage a large and diverse selection of Japanese materials.
What's the one thing that you are really enjoying or most excited about these days?
Now that travel restrictions are being lifted, I am really looking forward to traveling overseas again!
Was there a teacher at NIS who stood out or had a positive influence on you?
There are many teachers who made me who I am today but Ms. Duval and Mr. Kahlenbeck definitely had an impact on me.
What's your fondest memory from your time at NIS?
I have many fond memories from NIS but I would have to say my school bus ride to/ from NIS would have to be my fondest. I was one of the first to be picked up and last to be dropped off so I remember chatting, laughing and listening to music with everyone from all different grades on the bus everyday.
What's the one thing you miss most about NIS?
The one thing I miss most about NIS is the close friendship. Because NIS was a small school, we were very close. Even if you were in different grades or came from different cultural and economical backgrounds, we all were friends and that is a very special feeling.
Lastly, what words of wisdom do you have for today's Dolphins?
Be kind, be brave and spread the joy!
今はどちらに？
１９９９年から、コネチカット州グリニッジ、ニューヨークから４５分くらいのところに住んでいます。
お仕事の内容を教えてください。
地元の図書館で司書アシスタントをしています。膨大かつ多様な日本語の蔵書や資料などの収集や管理に携わっています。
最近興味のあることや夢中になっていることは何ですか？
旅行制限が緩和されてきたので、また海外旅行に行くのが楽しみです。
NISで思い出に残っている先生や影響を受けた先生はいますか？
今の私があるのは、NISでお世話になったたくさんの先生方のおかげだと思っていますが、中でもデュバル先生とカレンベック先生には本当にお世話になりました。
あなたにとってNISでのいちばんの思い出はどんなことですか？
たくさんありますが、いちばんはスクールバスでの通学でしょうね。私は朝は一番最初の停留所から乗車し、帰りは一番最後でしたから、毎日いろんな学年の皆とおしゃべりして笑ったり、一緒に音楽を聴いたりしたことが良い思い出です。
NISでいちばん懐かしく思うのはどんなことですか？
とても親密だった友人関係を懐かしく思います。当時のNISはとても小さな学校でしたから、人間関係は密でした。それぞれ学年、文化、生活環境は違えど、皆が友達でした。とても大切で特別な思い出です。
最後に、後輩たちへのアドバイスをお願いします。
優しさと勇気を持っていつでも明るく！