Literal: I, Katherine Morano, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work. For my independent component, I took two Japanese classes (one at Citrus College and on at the ESGVJCC). Interpretive: Each class at Citrus is 2.5 hours, and at the ESGVJCC, 3.5 hours. Applied: Not only do these classes teach the language, but they teach the culture as well. I will be using the language part for my first/best answer, and learning from the festivals and cultural events I will use for answers two and three. For specific examples, my first answer is learning the language, and that's exactly what I do at these classes. My third answer has to do with traditions, and attending the Cherry Blossom Festival, and taking part in "holidays" such as Setsubun has to do with knowing traditions and everyday life.