Elena’s world at nine (1)

In late 2015 we interviewed Marina on the state of her life, her worldview, and how she goes about her daily business. Equal airtime dictates we should do the same for her elder sibling, Elena. As a double-down, we’ve broken it into two parts.

 

Part one: thoughts

What makes you proud? Can you give us one fearless move you’ve made that establishes your mettle?
For me that means “ichiban ganbatte koto” [Things for which I worked the hardest to achieve.] That’s a softball question! So let me give you something you want to hear followed by a kicker. Hey, I know I am among the world’s worst in putting off doing my homework. But lately I am getting better and doing my homework faster and more accurately, with less psychological torment of my little sister as my stress release. That isn’t too shabby in my book. But honestly I am proudest that I could make myself eat an umeboshi [sour plum] in my school lunch once this year. I couldn’t make myself do it before, and haven’t done it again since.

Embarrassing habits?
Last week I was in this heated talk with a couple of girlfriends and I waited for them to finish speaking (good manners-ed.). When they finally finished and I’d forgotten what I wanted to say--just a teensy bit mortified about that. I’m no airhead so lapses like that bug me.
The other one is definitely my tendency to apply mental pressure on my little sister when I don’t want her to come with me to play at a friend’s house, or if I have a sh---y day and get cranky because of homework. On the plus side, lately there’s fewer body blows between the two of us, so that’s progress. And I sometimes eat my own boogers.

Three things that make you unique at school?
I’ve been to Canada, probably the only person in my school to do that. Definitely the only one whose dad is a Canuck. And, yeah, I can speak a little English and have memorized some pretty awful words that Daddy uses when he’s driving. I was in the school cheerleading team this year for sports day—the only one from my class. Maybe that’s why my family is always saying I am l-o-u-d.

Boys or girls—who is more fun to play with?
Girls, no question. They’re just easier to understand and get along with, most of the time. Sometimes we fight, though. On the other hand, I do get along OK with the boys but they aren’t a priority right now due to the majority of them having some really disgusting habits.

To be continued.