Well this is it. I'm commin Back. I'll miss Japan, but I'm looking forward to commin back.
Me and my host family went out to Sushi last night as my farewell party thing. I actualy kinda preffer the sushi back in the states. I just think that sushi here isn't that big of a deal so they don't put as much effort into it. My Homestay parents did give me a very nice gift too. I like it alot. We shared a bottle of Sake and ate sushi.
I learned alot on this trip. I think the biggest thing I learned was that people are people. We may have diffrent ways of doing things, but we're all basicaly the same, with the same want's and needs.
I met some very interesting people too. Including character types I didn't think existed in real life.
I never did get to see kabuki or noh, except for that one street performance. I guess i'll have to come back again. And I gotta reach the top of Fuji!
I'll have to keep in touch with my homestays too. They said they'd send christmas cards.
Well I don't belive in goodbyes. I'll just look forward to when we meet again.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
Misses and Miss-ints
Stuff I'll Miss
Coolish
Lotte Chocolate
convient transportation
cute Japanese girls
Stephane
my Storm tomodachi
My homestays
crunchy Udon
shinto shrines
Sembe
cheep snacks
fast internet connection
cleen roads and people
polite people who care
moutains
delicious fish
chopsticks
Akihabura
Shin tokorozawa
Gaijin Smash!!!
Stuff I won't miss
Side long glaces on the trains
train shunning
crouded trains
hitting my head on stuff
the CIEE core course
...Cources
people treating me like an idiot, whether it's true or not.
being unable to acomplish simple tasks without the help of an english speaking japanese person.
slimy food
food that I saw killed
nato
supai
being the leas clean person around
feeling awkward
Stuff I'm looking forward too
PIZZA!
the Bavarian Smoke house
Cheese
cerial
real milk
cool wheather
english
family
school tomodachi
D&D
a real bed
with real pillows
CYOTIE!!!!
TV
Coolish
Lotte Chocolate
convient transportation
cute Japanese girls
Stephane
my Storm tomodachi
My homestays
crunchy Udon
shinto shrines
Sembe
cheep snacks
fast internet connection
cleen roads and people
polite people who care
moutains
delicious fish
chopsticks
Akihabura
Shin tokorozawa
Gaijin Smash!!!
Stuff I won't miss
Side long glaces on the trains
train shunning
crouded trains
hitting my head on stuff
the CIEE core course
...Cources
people treating me like an idiot, whether it's true or not.
being unable to acomplish simple tasks without the help of an english speaking japanese person.
slimy food
food that I saw killed
nato
supai
being the leas clean person around
feeling awkward
Stuff I'm looking forward too
PIZZA!
the Bavarian Smoke house
Cheese
cerial
real milk
cool wheather
english
family
school tomodachi
D&D
a real bed
with real pillows
CYOTIE!!!!
TV
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Fuji san
After finnishing Finals I decided that the best way to get rid of that awful mess and cleer my mind for america was to climb fuji san. Aaron already had and no one else I knew seemed interested so I went alone. I turned in my last asignment and caught the four o'clock bus to 五合目 (gogoume), fifth station, which is about 2,000 m off sea level. Aaron warned me that I would want food, water and warm clothing so I brought a long sleave shirt and bought some bread and watter. He also said to get A stick, so I did. And I'm glad I did, though I cant take it back to america with me. Fuji san is rediculously expensive so be forwarned future travelers. I spent close to fifty dollars and I could easly have spent more.
It was 7:00 when I got there and spent an hour making purchases. You climb at night in order to see the sunrise in the morning fromm atop of mount fuji. I was already tired as I hadn't slept the night before because I had been working on my asignment. I admit this was a bad Idea, but I wanted to clinmb and this was my last chance before I came back. You start by going down, kind of a missnomer, especialy in the dark, but after a while you hit the trail up. This was actualy one of my favorate parts of the trip as I got to actualy walk into a cloud! The clouds hang low round Fuji and touch the sides, hence all the paintings with the clouds in front of Fuji. after this the trail got difficult and I strugled a bit getting up the hills,m but I was finaly doing something I always wanted to do. I just wished it wern't so darn hot... oh foolish me.
The sticks you by have beels attached. These are shinto in nature, as climbing Fuji used to be a somewhat holy experiance. The bells wake the かみ (kami), or spirits and let them hear your prayers, or so I have been told. Of course this is all comercialised and my bells fell off. Anyway I finnaly made it to 六合目 (rokugoume), or sixth station, and rested for a while. Thats where I met the nice girl Amanda who took my picture. The security personele handed out maps to the climbers in english and japanese, 30% of the climbers are forgien anyway. This is when I learned that my climb hadn't begun yet... I had strugled to get to the begining of the hike. It was going to be a long climb.
Well after I caught my breath and rested a little, had a little oishii cheese bread that I had bought, (wish I had some now)I pulled myself up by my boot straps and started the climb. The first part of the hike is a seiries of ramps. I'd say 20 in all, that cut back and forth along Fuji's face. It's a hard climb and I was glad I was alone So that I could go at my own pace. Basicly it means I stoped and rested at about every turn of the ramp. Before long I was soaked to the bone with sweat and half my water was gone. I was sad it was dark and overcast, because you couldn't see anything. Oh well I'll see on the way down.
The ramps ended in what I can only describe as... moutain climbing. You climb up the last bit, finding you way amoung the stones and volcanic ash. This becomes the norm after seventh station. Finaly a stair and you reach the first 七合目(nanagoume), or seventh station. there are people up here who sell to the climbers watter and searings, which are marks burned into your stick that tell where you have been. rest and food and water. next is the longest climb on fuji, the streach between 七合目 and 八合目 (hachigoume), eighth station. This is truely moutain climbing. you use your hands at some points and have to climb up. it's kinda like climbing to the top of the Sears tower using the stairs. I met these two men from the american Airforce base who were here to book it as fast as they could to the top. they were good guy's but soon left me in the dust. It was around here that disaster struck. First my left, then My right thigh pulled. The pain was excruciating and I could hardly move my legs. But I was determined to make it and I set off. Step after painful step I forced my way up the moutain. When my legs got to the point where I simply could not will them on I pulled off the trail and rested till I could. (I sound kinda kool huh? trust me It won't last long)
I pushed my self and made it to the Torigate. Tori gates are used in shinto religion to mark the holy from the un holy. A spiritual barrier if you will. I passed through. I rested here for about a half an hour and my legs rested too. A Japanese tour group passed me on the way up. It's amasing that so many old people make this climb. Some of them have to be in thier sixties! Well pulled my self together for the last streatch. Before now the wind had been still, but now it picked up, and it chilled me to the bone. My couths were soaked through and now they turned to Ice. I didn't know that you needed winter gear for this moutain, and now I wish I had been beter informed. I also would have brought tylonal... This steach was the worst I frose if I stoped and my legs screamed in pain If I continued. I grited my teath and finnaly pulled through. 八合目 at last.
3 more hours to the top. I couldn't move my legs to walk anymore and I was shivering incompolsary. I stoped at a first aid station and they put me up for the night. I'm not happy about that, but I couldn't continue in that state. I might end up like those guys lieing in those beds breathing through tubes. A couple pain relievers, cold pads, and 三千円 later I was in a sleeping bag at hotel fuji. The cots here were kinda like a padded aushwits, kinda steep for thiry bucks, but at least I wasn't freasing anymore and my legs didn't have to walk anymore. The next morning I wasn't fareing much better, but I got to see the sunrise from 3150 meters up, and I have to say It's one of the most beutiful sights you can see. It's no wonder that it's on the Japanese flag.
I took pictures, but I didn't get a searing at 八合目. Which is too bad because the doctor reconmended I head down and I agreed. I went back down the way I came and took pictures. Down is easier, but not by a hole lot. I was hurting again before I reached 六合目 I found out on my way down that there is a seperate way down your suposed to take...woops. oh well.
I was sad I didn't make it to the summit, but, yknow, climbing Fuji san is a life goal, and as soon as I finnish I'll be one step closer to... Death? I guess I'll wait a little. besides It gives me a reason to come back and do it again, and maby I'll climb it with some one. A girl perhaps? I'll be better prepaired and better equiped and the spirits of Fuji San will remember my name. I am Dane!
It was 7:00 when I got there and spent an hour making purchases. You climb at night in order to see the sunrise in the morning fromm atop of mount fuji. I was already tired as I hadn't slept the night before because I had been working on my asignment. I admit this was a bad Idea, but I wanted to clinmb and this was my last chance before I came back. You start by going down, kind of a missnomer, especialy in the dark, but after a while you hit the trail up. This was actualy one of my favorate parts of the trip as I got to actualy walk into a cloud! The clouds hang low round Fuji and touch the sides, hence all the paintings with the clouds in front of Fuji. after this the trail got difficult and I strugled a bit getting up the hills,m but I was finaly doing something I always wanted to do. I just wished it wern't so darn hot... oh foolish me.
The sticks you by have beels attached. These are shinto in nature, as climbing Fuji used to be a somewhat holy experiance. The bells wake the かみ (kami), or spirits and let them hear your prayers, or so I have been told. Of course this is all comercialised and my bells fell off. Anyway I finnaly made it to 六合目 (rokugoume), or sixth station, and rested for a while. Thats where I met the nice girl Amanda who took my picture. The security personele handed out maps to the climbers in english and japanese, 30% of the climbers are forgien anyway. This is when I learned that my climb hadn't begun yet... I had strugled to get to the begining of the hike. It was going to be a long climb.
Well after I caught my breath and rested a little, had a little oishii cheese bread that I had bought, (wish I had some now)I pulled myself up by my boot straps and started the climb. The first part of the hike is a seiries of ramps. I'd say 20 in all, that cut back and forth along Fuji's face. It's a hard climb and I was glad I was alone So that I could go at my own pace. Basicly it means I stoped and rested at about every turn of the ramp. Before long I was soaked to the bone with sweat and half my water was gone. I was sad it was dark and overcast, because you couldn't see anything. Oh well I'll see on the way down.
The ramps ended in what I can only describe as... moutain climbing. You climb up the last bit, finding you way amoung the stones and volcanic ash. This becomes the norm after seventh station. Finaly a stair and you reach the first 七合目(nanagoume), or seventh station. there are people up here who sell to the climbers watter and searings, which are marks burned into your stick that tell where you have been. rest and food and water. next is the longest climb on fuji, the streach between 七合目 and 八合目 (hachigoume), eighth station. This is truely moutain climbing. you use your hands at some points and have to climb up. it's kinda like climbing to the top of the Sears tower using the stairs. I met these two men from the american Airforce base who were here to book it as fast as they could to the top. they were good guy's but soon left me in the dust. It was around here that disaster struck. First my left, then My right thigh pulled. The pain was excruciating and I could hardly move my legs. But I was determined to make it and I set off. Step after painful step I forced my way up the moutain. When my legs got to the point where I simply could not will them on I pulled off the trail and rested till I could. (I sound kinda kool huh? trust me It won't last long)
I pushed my self and made it to the Torigate. Tori gates are used in shinto religion to mark the holy from the un holy. A spiritual barrier if you will. I passed through. I rested here for about a half an hour and my legs rested too. A Japanese tour group passed me on the way up. It's amasing that so many old people make this climb. Some of them have to be in thier sixties! Well pulled my self together for the last streatch. Before now the wind had been still, but now it picked up, and it chilled me to the bone. My couths were soaked through and now they turned to Ice. I didn't know that you needed winter gear for this moutain, and now I wish I had been beter informed. I also would have brought tylonal... This steach was the worst I frose if I stoped and my legs screamed in pain If I continued. I grited my teath and finnaly pulled through. 八合目 at last.
3 more hours to the top. I couldn't move my legs to walk anymore and I was shivering incompolsary. I stoped at a first aid station and they put me up for the night. I'm not happy about that, but I couldn't continue in that state. I might end up like those guys lieing in those beds breathing through tubes. A couple pain relievers, cold pads, and 三千円 later I was in a sleeping bag at hotel fuji. The cots here were kinda like a padded aushwits, kinda steep for thiry bucks, but at least I wasn't freasing anymore and my legs didn't have to walk anymore. The next morning I wasn't fareing much better, but I got to see the sunrise from 3150 meters up, and I have to say It's one of the most beutiful sights you can see. It's no wonder that it's on the Japanese flag.
I took pictures, but I didn't get a searing at 八合目. Which is too bad because the doctor reconmended I head down and I agreed. I went back down the way I came and took pictures. Down is easier, but not by a hole lot. I was hurting again before I reached 六合目 I found out on my way down that there is a seperate way down your suposed to take...woops. oh well.
I was sad I didn't make it to the summit, but, yknow, climbing Fuji san is a life goal, and as soon as I finnish I'll be one step closer to... Death? I guess I'll wait a little. besides It gives me a reason to come back and do it again, and maby I'll climb it with some one. A girl perhaps? I'll be better prepaired and better equiped and the spirits of Fuji San will remember my name. I am Dane!
Monday, July 23, 2007
Finals
Well it's Final time here in tokyo and I just took my First Japanese Final... which I failed. Needless to say I'm not that happy about it. Hopefully the oral part and tomarows test will bring my grade back up. Dammit I though I knew the Kanji! how did every single Kanji I didn't know get on the test!
My Partner in the Japanese Oral exam was interesting. She has lived in Japan for five years and never bothered to learn Japanese. She dresses in the hip pop krap thats popular now and thinks that 300$ sunglasses are cheep! How diluded is that! she must be roleing in dough, at least her old man's dough cause I don't think anyone would spend money they earned on anything so frivroles as 300$ sunglasses.
Had another earthquake a while ago. It was a big one but not in tokyo, though we felt it here. Aparently there was alot of damage and quite a few people died.
Speaking about death one of the host fathers passed away a couple weeks ago. I don't know how the student is doing, but My homestay mother has been going to wakes and and other events related. No word has come from CIEE about it, or any word at all sence Andie left. I don't know If I metioned that...
Andie trotter, problably the best member of the CIEE team, was eiter fired or quit. The details of the situation havent been told to us. In fact nobody has said anything at all and we don't get updates any more, which is annoying. I hope I at least get the money thats coming to me...
I guess I'm ready to come back. I like Japan, but I realy want a pizza and spegetti sause. Aaron has the right idea with his idea of goin to the Olive Garden. I've actualy been eating alot of McDonalds, but I problably wont when I come back. I recently found where I can get cheese, which makes me happy. Man I wish we could go back to Lake geniva and hit the Cheese box again... but that trip is a little dificult now adays. I'm gonna buy about 50$ worth of food to bring back including lotte, pokkie, and mayonaise. It will be sweet! Literaly.
Well I have one more project to complete and another test to take and as of now I'm going to fuji san on the 26th. I'm going alone, but it's something I want to do. wish me luck!
My Partner in the Japanese Oral exam was interesting. She has lived in Japan for five years and never bothered to learn Japanese. She dresses in the hip pop krap thats popular now and thinks that 300$ sunglasses are cheep! How diluded is that! she must be roleing in dough, at least her old man's dough cause I don't think anyone would spend money they earned on anything so frivroles as 300$ sunglasses.
Had another earthquake a while ago. It was a big one but not in tokyo, though we felt it here. Aparently there was alot of damage and quite a few people died.
Speaking about death one of the host fathers passed away a couple weeks ago. I don't know how the student is doing, but My homestay mother has been going to wakes and and other events related. No word has come from CIEE about it, or any word at all sence Andie left. I don't know If I metioned that...
Andie trotter, problably the best member of the CIEE team, was eiter fired or quit. The details of the situation havent been told to us. In fact nobody has said anything at all and we don't get updates any more, which is annoying. I hope I at least get the money thats coming to me...
I guess I'm ready to come back. I like Japan, but I realy want a pizza and spegetti sause. Aaron has the right idea with his idea of goin to the Olive Garden. I've actualy been eating alot of McDonalds, but I problably wont when I come back. I recently found where I can get cheese, which makes me happy. Man I wish we could go back to Lake geniva and hit the Cheese box again... but that trip is a little dificult now adays. I'm gonna buy about 50$ worth of food to bring back including lotte, pokkie, and mayonaise. It will be sweet! Literaly.
Well I have one more project to complete and another test to take and as of now I'm going to fuji san on the 26th. I'm going alone, but it's something I want to do. wish me luck!
Saturday, July 14, 2007
STORM
Storm is the title of the show I just completed. It was a krapy student written adaptation of william shakesperes the tempest. I didn't realy like it and didn't invite alot of people, but the Japanese audiance seemed to like it. There is alot of over acting here as a general rule of thumb. All actions need to be over played here because that is what is expected. It's hard to explain... When something is brought to a public setting it shouldn't be too real, because that is to private. Musicals are a big thing here as are plays with big actions. Even smaller shows play actions and feelings big, maby to big for an american audiance but just right here. So I felt kinda stupid plaing some of my parts and some of the other actors choices I thought were a bit wierd, but it worked in this setting. I also belive that our show mannaged to reach the level of "so bad, it's good." I especialy liked the tradic end where every one died and the audiance laughed as each body hit the floor. Yea the show was ok... (grumble grumble grumble) I felt that my acting was sub par, I still don't know what I'm doing in the theater program at wesleyan.
The Storm is also referance to the tropical storm heading our way. It's already been raining for 24 hrs. I hope the wind gets strong enough to blow me off the ground. That would be awsome! I guess tomarrow will be an inside day.
I also had my first experiance with Japanese Karioke. It was alot of fun and I wish I had stuck around longer, but I had to catch my train back to shin-tokorozawa. I actualy went to the train station, changed my mind about going, and went back to have karioke fun. Then I went back to the train station latter and thought I had missed the last train, dooming me to 5 hrs of karioke. I mean it was fun, but I wanted sleep... So I went back to find that they were packing up the party, so I ran back to the station, went to a diferent station and was able to catch another train back. Wheeew. It kinda sucks living outside the city. You have to get up early and you don't get back until late. I finaly understand DAD! Sorry you had to drive all that way every day.
Ok thats all for now
Dane
The Storm is also referance to the tropical storm heading our way. It's already been raining for 24 hrs. I hope the wind gets strong enough to blow me off the ground. That would be awsome! I guess tomarrow will be an inside day.
I also had my first experiance with Japanese Karioke. It was alot of fun and I wish I had stuck around longer, but I had to catch my train back to shin-tokorozawa. I actualy went to the train station, changed my mind about going, and went back to have karioke fun. Then I went back to the train station latter and thought I had missed the last train, dooming me to 5 hrs of karioke. I mean it was fun, but I wanted sleep... So I went back to find that they were packing up the party, so I ran back to the station, went to a diferent station and was able to catch another train back. Wheeew. It kinda sucks living outside the city. You have to get up early and you don't get back until late. I finaly understand DAD! Sorry you had to drive all that way every day.
Ok thats all for now
Dane
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Earthquake
Sorry for those of you who read this. It has taken me awhile to rectify Bloggers error of dumping my previous message.
I Experianced my first earthquake the other day. It was actualy kind of fun. Everything shakes for a bit and then it goes away. I'm sure I'd think differently if it were more serious... or was riding the trains at the time, which shut down completely for an half an hour or so. This is crazy in Japan by the way because the trains are almost never late... EVER.
My homestay mother's brother recently went into the hospital for something. I can't realy tell because of all the Japanese. The word cancer was brought up, but I don't realy know. He is supposed to be quite old; in his eightys. I hope he pulls through.
This incident has left me privy to another Japanese custom: Smileing at adversity. You don't every show unhappyness or anger in Japan ... or at least only at special circumstances. My homestay mother said, with a smile, that her brother had to go to the hospital for a while. I can understand. Afterall I'm a guest and not realy part of the famley so I shouldn't be worried about it or see my host mom upset.
This applys to buisness too. emploies always have a smile on thier face, even if you do something rude or wrong. They also apologise alot. I bet if you hit someone here, they would apologise for thier face being in the way of your fist! Well maby it's not that bad, but still, you get my point.
There was this jerk in my acting class who keeps showing up drunk and making rude remarks to the girls. Even with dealing with this guy everyone is all smiles and giggles. Later they berate him from behind. I think thats just the way it's done here. The avoidence of direct confrontation...
The play is complete krap and everyone I've talked to thinks so too. I'll do my best anyway though...I did pay for this class.
I realy REALY need to get to work!
I Experianced my first earthquake the other day. It was actualy kind of fun. Everything shakes for a bit and then it goes away. I'm sure I'd think differently if it were more serious... or was riding the trains at the time, which shut down completely for an half an hour or so. This is crazy in Japan by the way because the trains are almost never late... EVER.
My homestay mother's brother recently went into the hospital for something. I can't realy tell because of all the Japanese. The word cancer was brought up, but I don't realy know. He is supposed to be quite old; in his eightys. I hope he pulls through.
This incident has left me privy to another Japanese custom: Smileing at adversity. You don't every show unhappyness or anger in Japan ... or at least only at special circumstances. My homestay mother said, with a smile, that her brother had to go to the hospital for a while. I can understand. Afterall I'm a guest and not realy part of the famley so I shouldn't be worried about it or see my host mom upset.
This applys to buisness too. emploies always have a smile on thier face, even if you do something rude or wrong. They also apologise alot. I bet if you hit someone here, they would apologise for thier face being in the way of your fist! Well maby it's not that bad, but still, you get my point.
There was this jerk in my acting class who keeps showing up drunk and making rude remarks to the girls. Even with dealing with this guy everyone is all smiles and giggles. Later they berate him from behind. I think thats just the way it's done here. The avoidence of direct confrontation...
The play is complete krap and everyone I've talked to thinks so too. I'll do my best anyway though...I did pay for this class.
I realy REALY need to get to work!
Monday, June 25, 2007
Jibly
Tomarro I`m going to go see studio Ghibli. (pernounced Jibli) This is Miyasaki`s studio, where he draws his anime. In case you haven`t heard of Miyasaki, he is the maker of the greates Japanese anime of all time... hands down. Some have even called his work the Japanesse bible, because it is full of Japan`s morals and mores. His work includes: Spirited Away, Pricess Monanoke, and My neighbor Totoro. I`m looking forward to it.
I`m finding it difficult to buckle down and do the work that I need to do. I figure I can study in America, I should enjoy Japan. Well I`ll get my work done. I still have time and in the grand scheme of things it realy isn`t that bmuch. Pluss I have so much time now that I`m no longer in choir.
The play is aproching fruition and it`s a piece of krap. I`ll try my best, but I find it difficult to take it seriously when no one else does. I just wan`t that to be over too. I find I don`t want to do this stuff anymore, but without it what would I do.
I`ve got to write that letter...
I`ve decided to damn customs and bring home jap-candy and food stuffs. I can`t leave all the lotte chocolate here and I need a couple gallons of that Japanese mayonaise. Sooo goood. Too bad I can`t bring back coolish (icecream you suck out of a foil bag)...
I`ve lost weight, but that much. And my binge choclating has kept me from falling too far. I wana leave some clothing here, so I don`t have to pack it, but what?
anyway I`ll see ya in another month.
I`m finding it difficult to buckle down and do the work that I need to do. I figure I can study in America, I should enjoy Japan. Well I`ll get my work done. I still have time and in the grand scheme of things it realy isn`t that bmuch. Pluss I have so much time now that I`m no longer in choir.
The play is aproching fruition and it`s a piece of krap. I`ll try my best, but I find it difficult to take it seriously when no one else does. I just wan`t that to be over too. I find I don`t want to do this stuff anymore, but without it what would I do.
I`ve got to write that letter...
I`ve decided to damn customs and bring home jap-candy and food stuffs. I can`t leave all the lotte chocolate here and I need a couple gallons of that Japanese mayonaise. Sooo goood. Too bad I can`t bring back coolish (icecream you suck out of a foil bag)...
I`ve lost weight, but that much. And my binge choclating has kept me from falling too far. I wana leave some clothing here, so I don`t have to pack it, but what?
anyway I`ll see ya in another month.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Photos
I finnaly put up some photos you can check them out at the site below
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9174700@N06/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9174700@N06/
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
New day, new plans
Got some news... So listen up.
I`m doing well. Things have found a routine and life has reached a state of normality, which tends to make these things a little hartd to write. However some things have come up wich have an impact on my stay.
In Japan there is a tradition of taking had ships with a smile, which means that it is hard to figure out exactly how people are doing. My homestay mother`s brother has recently gone to the hospital. There was talk of cancer of the stomach. I was worried for her, but she came home latter and said that it was fine. The man is suposidly well into his eightys and is one of the people that my homestay mother takes care of. I can`t realy understand whats going on and I`ve decided it isn`t realy any of my buisness. Still I wish him the best of luck.
I missed calling dad on Fathers day. Sorry Dad. I ment too but I felkl asleap. I was tired! I called him the next day however. I`m loking forward to coming home. My best wishes to grandma and grampa too.
Me and arron are gonna go see a movie this weekend, Problably 300, and then were going to this place Aaron found out about which is suposed to be a complete Edo town in a dome which changes from night to day every fifteen mins. It should be interesting and I can be rembursed for it too.
Next week Me aaron and three other people are going to go to Fuji san and climb to the top. This is one of my life goals and I`m gonna complete it before I`m 23. I`m realy looking forward to it. We`re climbing up in the dead of night so that we can see the Morning sunrise from the top of the moutain. I`ll try to take video and show you guys when I get back.
Sorry I havent been posting pictures, I`m gonn try to do that tonight.
Not much time left before I come home. 1 more month.
I`m doing well. Things have found a routine and life has reached a state of normality, which tends to make these things a little hartd to write. However some things have come up wich have an impact on my stay.
In Japan there is a tradition of taking had ships with a smile, which means that it is hard to figure out exactly how people are doing. My homestay mother`s brother has recently gone to the hospital. There was talk of cancer of the stomach. I was worried for her, but she came home latter and said that it was fine. The man is suposidly well into his eightys and is one of the people that my homestay mother takes care of. I can`t realy understand whats going on and I`ve decided it isn`t realy any of my buisness. Still I wish him the best of luck.
I missed calling dad on Fathers day. Sorry Dad. I ment too but I felkl asleap. I was tired! I called him the next day however. I`m loking forward to coming home. My best wishes to grandma and grampa too.
Me and arron are gonna go see a movie this weekend, Problably 300, and then were going to this place Aaron found out about which is suposed to be a complete Edo town in a dome which changes from night to day every fifteen mins. It should be interesting and I can be rembursed for it too.
Next week Me aaron and three other people are going to go to Fuji san and climb to the top. This is one of my life goals and I`m gonna complete it before I`m 23. I`m realy looking forward to it. We`re climbing up in the dead of night so that we can see the Morning sunrise from the top of the moutain. I`ll try to take video and show you guys when I get back.
Sorry I havent been posting pictures, I`m gonn try to do that tonight.
Not much time left before I come home. 1 more month.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Over the Hump
Well every thing is over... for now.
My midterms are over and I have to admit I did the worst I have ever done on a midterm. I only had one for Japanese, and it was very difficult. I wasn`t as prepared as I thought I was. I even blanked on the Katakana! Oh well... I`ll pass the course, thats certain, and I think that all my classes here are pass fail anyway. Maby not, but it doesn`t realy matter. I`ve never been very good with foregin languages. I think it way have something to do with the way I think. I have a constant internal monolouge that recites my life. And its in english. Not only that but the test was so long (three days of 90min tests) that I just ended up getting tired and writing anything down. I`ll make it up on the Finals.
The choir concert is over and I have to admit, these Japanese singers can pull it together at the last minute. The day of the concert I arived at the place around 10:00 am. The concert was at 5 pm by the way. We spent the day warming up, going over the songs and listening to the other choir that had joined us. Every thing they do was with Military precision. walk on stage in complete silente, stand straight forward, eyes on the conductor. Even the audence never even hinted at claping between pieces. After a choir was done singing there was an abrupt applause. then we marched off stage. Even the music itself had little feeling in it, but it was on pitch, the dynamics were followed, and we followed rythems exactly. The concert itself actualy went realy well. Takuro, my otosan, said that, and I quote, "My heart was washed with clear pure water" which I thought was a huge compliment even though I didn`t exactly knew what he ment. At least not logicaly.
To day a present my 60$ gift and take my leave. I hope they don`t make a fuss, I could realy use the extra time.
This weekend I have a chance to go see an actor`s studio here in Tokyo. I`m excited about it, but I could realy use a translator. The guy who runs it was a friend of Takuro`s sister, whose musical I went to go see (it was fun-about the japanese firefighters that live in rural areas) I was sitting with him at dinner and asked him If I could see his studio and maby ask a few questions. That reminds me I have to e-mail him tonight and let him know I still plan on comming. His name is kurisu (Chris) and I don`t know much else about him, but he seems like a nice guy. I plan to film and take some pictures.
Arron and I might go to Tokyo Disney next weekend to, if it doesnt rain. We`ll see.
well thats all for now
My midterms are over and I have to admit I did the worst I have ever done on a midterm. I only had one for Japanese, and it was very difficult. I wasn`t as prepared as I thought I was. I even blanked on the Katakana! Oh well... I`ll pass the course, thats certain, and I think that all my classes here are pass fail anyway. Maby not, but it doesn`t realy matter. I`ve never been very good with foregin languages. I think it way have something to do with the way I think. I have a constant internal monolouge that recites my life. And its in english. Not only that but the test was so long (three days of 90min tests) that I just ended up getting tired and writing anything down. I`ll make it up on the Finals.
The choir concert is over and I have to admit, these Japanese singers can pull it together at the last minute. The day of the concert I arived at the place around 10:00 am. The concert was at 5 pm by the way. We spent the day warming up, going over the songs and listening to the other choir that had joined us. Every thing they do was with Military precision. walk on stage in complete silente, stand straight forward, eyes on the conductor. Even the audence never even hinted at claping between pieces. After a choir was done singing there was an abrupt applause. then we marched off stage. Even the music itself had little feeling in it, but it was on pitch, the dynamics were followed, and we followed rythems exactly. The concert itself actualy went realy well. Takuro, my otosan, said that, and I quote, "My heart was washed with clear pure water" which I thought was a huge compliment even though I didn`t exactly knew what he ment. At least not logicaly.
To day a present my 60$ gift and take my leave. I hope they don`t make a fuss, I could realy use the extra time.
This weekend I have a chance to go see an actor`s studio here in Tokyo. I`m excited about it, but I could realy use a translator. The guy who runs it was a friend of Takuro`s sister, whose musical I went to go see (it was fun-about the japanese firefighters that live in rural areas) I was sitting with him at dinner and asked him If I could see his studio and maby ask a few questions. That reminds me I have to e-mail him tonight and let him know I still plan on comming. His name is kurisu (Chris) and I don`t know much else about him, but he seems like a nice guy. I plan to film and take some pictures.
Arron and I might go to Tokyo Disney next weekend to, if it doesnt rain. We`ll see.
well thats all for now
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
The last days of choir
I have decided to leave choir, for various reasons.
First is that choir is very, very expensive. Instead of charging people to come see our show, we buy out every seat. that means it costs us 50 bucks to put on a show. on top of that I have to rent a suit (which doesn`t fit) for a night and buy a tie, for another 60 dollars. then theres choir fees which are about 20 dollars a month. I would simply like to spend my money on other things.
Second is that the hours are long, and I don`t realy enjoy choir. Our styles are just too different and I cannt understand what`s going on or being said. I`m a freshman here, which is a little grating and a foriegner. I enjoyed my time there, but I think it`s time to leave.
Finnaly, our june 9th performance is the last one for the semester. The rest of the year will be conncentrated upon the december performance that I will not be here for. I don`t think it`s right for me to add my voice to the ballence, just to take it away mid stream.
I miss wesleyan choir. I don`t think I will be singing after collage, which is just as well. Maby I`ll join a church choir or some thing.
First is that choir is very, very expensive. Instead of charging people to come see our show, we buy out every seat. that means it costs us 50 bucks to put on a show. on top of that I have to rent a suit (which doesn`t fit) for a night and buy a tie, for another 60 dollars. then theres choir fees which are about 20 dollars a month. I would simply like to spend my money on other things.
Second is that the hours are long, and I don`t realy enjoy choir. Our styles are just too different and I cannt understand what`s going on or being said. I`m a freshman here, which is a little grating and a foriegner. I enjoyed my time there, but I think it`s time to leave.
Finnaly, our june 9th performance is the last one for the semester. The rest of the year will be conncentrated upon the december performance that I will not be here for. I don`t think it`s right for me to add my voice to the ballence, just to take it away mid stream.
I miss wesleyan choir. I don`t think I will be singing after collage, which is just as well. Maby I`ll join a church choir or some thing.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Hiroshima
Last weekend was the CIEE Hiroshima trip. I have to admit I felt a little weird being in Hiroshima, but ill get to that. Here is one weekend breakdown.
We took the Shinconsen from Tokyo to Hiroshima. It was a four hour train ride that had allot of leg room. However I kind of preferred the bus. The bus had allot more room, it went slow enough for you to see the sights, and it stopped every few hours or so. The Shinconsen is pressurized so it feels like an airplane. However you most certainly don't book it like you do on the Shinconsen. I don't think I've ever been on a faster land vehicle.
It was evening when we arrived and we checked into the hotel. Man I liked that hotel. Single rooms, comfy bed, internet conception, working shower. Small but cozy. The next day we split into groups and went to a mountain on an island. I forget the name but it is sacred island to the Japanese. There are these dear, which are also sacred, that aren't afraid of people and just roam the streets. They eat anything and one took a bite out of my map. It was sticking out of my pocket and, BAM; deer took a bite out of it. I had to shoo him away with my beeping camera.
Later we took a couple of cable cars to the top of the mountain, and then I climbed to the peak. Then I climbed around and saw every single shrine up there. There was a fire that was lit by a priest over 1200 years ago and is still burning today. I however should not have climbed around for so long because I was supposed to meet up at the dock at four o'clock. Oh well at least there was a 4:30 ferry. After that we checked into a traditional ryokan which had a spacious interior and a wonderful view, even though it was a view of the A-bomb dome. For dinner we had traditional Ochonomiaki which is an egg, meet, noodle, pastry dish served on a heated table and slathered in a kind of bbq sauce. It was scrumdidlyumptious and I hope to have it again.
There was a festival in Hiroshima, but it was packed to the point of not being able to move so we decided to go to a foreign food store, grab some beef jerky and A&W root beer and head back to the room. We watched some south park that somebody had on his computer then hit the sack.
The next morning I took a shower in the most confusing shower to date, which is saying something because the showers in Japan are exceedingly complicated, and then had a great breakfast. Then we gathered in groups again and headed to the peace memorial park.
Being an American in Hiroshima comes with it a certain degree of guilt. Yesterday we discussed why the bomb was dropped and if it was justified. Generally it was considered that the bomb was going to be dropped, whether it was justified or not. The Japanese seem to have come to terms, somewhat, with the past. If you ask a Japanese person what they think of the incident, they tend to blame their superiors for the atrocity over America. They say that Japan was the aggressor in the war and if they had had the bomb they would have used it too. But still there is great emotion still about Hiroshima, more so among the old than the young, that is not shown to Americans and I can' help feeling a little awkward.
Anyway we saw the memorial grounds, which was a nice park close to the hypo-center of the blast. We saw the mass grave for those that were never found or were never identified. The A-bomb dome which is one of the few buildings that survived the blast. The ever burning flame that is supposed to be extinguished when all the nuclear weapons are purged from the world. I have to admit I teared up a few times. In Japan there is a strong focus on the personal narrative of those involved in the blast. The effects of it were far reaching and truly terrible. It may have been necessary, but we should never do it again.
We listened to an American professor who gave us a spiel about the current state of nuclear weapons in the world and the view of the atomic age from the American and Japanese perspectives. Then we had a nice Obento lunch and came back and listened to a survivor tell us her story of the blast. She spoke in English, but she had trouble with it. It was an undeniably sad story, but I won't go into it here. I video taped most of it, so I can show you if you know me personally. We were given time afterward to reflect and cool down.
Then we went to Hiroshima castle where we ate Ice cream and I did the entire tour in about 3min because that's all the time we had left. I ran back down and we grabbed the next trolley to the train station and caught the Shinconsen home. That was my trip to Hiroshima.
We took the Shinconsen from Tokyo to Hiroshima. It was a four hour train ride that had allot of leg room. However I kind of preferred the bus. The bus had allot more room, it went slow enough for you to see the sights, and it stopped every few hours or so. The Shinconsen is pressurized so it feels like an airplane. However you most certainly don't book it like you do on the Shinconsen. I don't think I've ever been on a faster land vehicle.
It was evening when we arrived and we checked into the hotel. Man I liked that hotel. Single rooms, comfy bed, internet conception, working shower. Small but cozy. The next day we split into groups and went to a mountain on an island. I forget the name but it is sacred island to the Japanese. There are these dear, which are also sacred, that aren't afraid of people and just roam the streets. They eat anything and one took a bite out of my map. It was sticking out of my pocket and, BAM; deer took a bite out of it. I had to shoo him away with my beeping camera.
Later we took a couple of cable cars to the top of the mountain, and then I climbed to the peak. Then I climbed around and saw every single shrine up there. There was a fire that was lit by a priest over 1200 years ago and is still burning today. I however should not have climbed around for so long because I was supposed to meet up at the dock at four o'clock. Oh well at least there was a 4:30 ferry. After that we checked into a traditional ryokan which had a spacious interior and a wonderful view, even though it was a view of the A-bomb dome. For dinner we had traditional Ochonomiaki which is an egg, meet, noodle, pastry dish served on a heated table and slathered in a kind of bbq sauce. It was scrumdidlyumptious and I hope to have it again.
There was a festival in Hiroshima, but it was packed to the point of not being able to move so we decided to go to a foreign food store, grab some beef jerky and A&W root beer and head back to the room. We watched some south park that somebody had on his computer then hit the sack.
The next morning I took a shower in the most confusing shower to date, which is saying something because the showers in Japan are exceedingly complicated, and then had a great breakfast. Then we gathered in groups again and headed to the peace memorial park.
Being an American in Hiroshima comes with it a certain degree of guilt. Yesterday we discussed why the bomb was dropped and if it was justified. Generally it was considered that the bomb was going to be dropped, whether it was justified or not. The Japanese seem to have come to terms, somewhat, with the past. If you ask a Japanese person what they think of the incident, they tend to blame their superiors for the atrocity over America. They say that Japan was the aggressor in the war and if they had had the bomb they would have used it too. But still there is great emotion still about Hiroshima, more so among the old than the young, that is not shown to Americans and I can' help feeling a little awkward.
Anyway we saw the memorial grounds, which was a nice park close to the hypo-center of the blast. We saw the mass grave for those that were never found or were never identified. The A-bomb dome which is one of the few buildings that survived the blast. The ever burning flame that is supposed to be extinguished when all the nuclear weapons are purged from the world. I have to admit I teared up a few times. In Japan there is a strong focus on the personal narrative of those involved in the blast. The effects of it were far reaching and truly terrible. It may have been necessary, but we should never do it again.
We listened to an American professor who gave us a spiel about the current state of nuclear weapons in the world and the view of the atomic age from the American and Japanese perspectives. Then we had a nice Obento lunch and came back and listened to a survivor tell us her story of the blast. She spoke in English, but she had trouble with it. It was an undeniably sad story, but I won't go into it here. I video taped most of it, so I can show you if you know me personally. We were given time afterward to reflect and cool down.
Then we went to Hiroshima castle where we ate Ice cream and I did the entire tour in about 3min because that's all the time we had left. I ran back down and we grabbed the next trolley to the train station and caught the Shinconsen home. That was my trip to Hiroshima.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
I love to sing! LA!
In case you didn`t know I have joined a Choir here in Japan. It is called the Amadeus Choir, and is comprised of about 30 members. Me sing a collection of music ranging from Japanese choiral pieces, Gospel, and we even started a Jpop piece (which is extreamly difcult and annoining). I write now to explain differances and my reasons for them. If you haven`t studied singing some of this may be foriegn to you. Also my Japanese is not very good and so class has a tendancy to be confusing, thus the reasons for choir practice come from my own observations and not explinations.
First is that our choir makes a distinction between upper and lower breath. When adding a bright tone to a piece an upper breath is to be used. the ribcage expands but the shoulders stay down, wether the diaphram expands down is of little consequence. I have a very difficult time with this concept, for obvious reasons, but I try not to judge or dismiss. And in my "feeling time" (see below) I have seen my "sempai," or upperclassmen (yet so much more than that... see below), use these tech niques. They have practiced this way thier entire choir career and the way thier ribcade can expand out and up is incredible, almost as if it were split at the sternum.
Second. The choir is a club and as such is run by the students alone, but in japan this doesn`t mean it is undisiplined. The Sempai run the choir and teach thier Kohai, underclassmen, (again, over simplification) much as a professer teaches a student. There is a faculty advisor but he comes only occasionaly. We practice for three hours on Monday and friday from 5-8. There is also optional practice wedsdays at the same time and everyday at lunch. The sempai go to all rehersals. The rehersal is divided into parts. first is about 45 min for warm ups, streches, and breathing exercises. next it 45 min of part practice. hour for song practice. and the last 30 min are reflections on the practice.
In reflections we sit in a circle with our part and discuss what the group needs to work on and where we thier is trouble. The order always begins with the person on the partleaders left and goes around clockwise. everyone must say something constructive. Needless to say, with my poor language skills, I dislike this part. I always end up feeling like an idiot.
It is also important to note that at a Japanese collage a person has one activity they are involved in and that`s it. those people are your friends, family, and responsiblity, sometimes even more so than your education.
third is that they seem to consentrate on different things. Alot of time is spent correcting notes and learning words, but little is spent on part ballance and sound. We consentrate on the form of the choir itself; how we sing and what we sing over the feeling and movement of the piece. This also has roots in Japanese culture as well, but that is complicated so I`ll write about that later.
The girl who runs the choir is an incredible soprano, but isn`t very good with conducting, though she is learning. I see in the choir alot of steriotypes from my choir back home. Thiers a proud and haughty individual who reminds me of Paul Teipi (no offence Paul). He`s also the leader of the Bass part. There`s a little girs who is extreamly loud and boisterous who reminds me of Will. She also yells things out in the middle of Choir. (Curse you Proffeser Ferguison!) Theres also a quiet kid, who is very good, that reminds me of Dennis.
Chouir is tough here and I`m still getting used to it. If you have any questions... ask em!
First is that our choir makes a distinction between upper and lower breath. When adding a bright tone to a piece an upper breath is to be used. the ribcage expands but the shoulders stay down, wether the diaphram expands down is of little consequence. I have a very difficult time with this concept, for obvious reasons, but I try not to judge or dismiss. And in my "feeling time" (see below) I have seen my "sempai," or upperclassmen (yet so much more than that... see below), use these tech niques. They have practiced this way thier entire choir career and the way thier ribcade can expand out and up is incredible, almost as if it were split at the sternum.
Second. The choir is a club and as such is run by the students alone, but in japan this doesn`t mean it is undisiplined. The Sempai run the choir and teach thier Kohai, underclassmen, (again, over simplification) much as a professer teaches a student. There is a faculty advisor but he comes only occasionaly. We practice for three hours on Monday and friday from 5-8. There is also optional practice wedsdays at the same time and everyday at lunch. The sempai go to all rehersals. The rehersal is divided into parts. first is about 45 min for warm ups, streches, and breathing exercises. next it 45 min of part practice. hour for song practice. and the last 30 min are reflections on the practice.
In reflections we sit in a circle with our part and discuss what the group needs to work on and where we thier is trouble. The order always begins with the person on the partleaders left and goes around clockwise. everyone must say something constructive. Needless to say, with my poor language skills, I dislike this part. I always end up feeling like an idiot.
It is also important to note that at a Japanese collage a person has one activity they are involved in and that`s it. those people are your friends, family, and responsiblity, sometimes even more so than your education.
third is that they seem to consentrate on different things. Alot of time is spent correcting notes and learning words, but little is spent on part ballance and sound. We consentrate on the form of the choir itself; how we sing and what we sing over the feeling and movement of the piece. This also has roots in Japanese culture as well, but that is complicated so I`ll write about that later.
The girl who runs the choir is an incredible soprano, but isn`t very good with conducting, though she is learning. I see in the choir alot of steriotypes from my choir back home. Thiers a proud and haughty individual who reminds me of Paul Teipi (no offence Paul). He`s also the leader of the Bass part. There`s a little girs who is extreamly loud and boisterous who reminds me of Will. She also yells things out in the middle of Choir. (Curse you Proffeser Ferguison!) Theres also a quiet kid, who is very good, that reminds me of Dennis.
Chouir is tough here and I`m still getting used to it. If you have any questions... ask em!
Tokyo time out
I thought this was funny. It was on Wiki`s worst movies ever.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worst_movies
Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo (2005)
A follow up to the 1999 sleeper Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, Rob Schneider reprises his role as the inept gigolo who travels to Amsterdam to see his friend, T.J. The critically reviled film just broke even on its $22 million budget at the U.S. box office before bombing overseas. The film became the subject of a heated debate between star Schneider and movie critic Patrick Goldstein, who wrote an article about studios producing terrible movies, citing this film as one of its examples. In January 2005, film critic Patrick Goldstein of the Los Angeles Times said in an article that Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo was overlooked for an Academy Award because "nobody had the foresight to invent a category for Best Running Penis Joke Delivered by a Third-Rate Comic."
Schneider responded two weeks later with full-page ads in Daily Variety and The Hollywood Reporter where he said
“ Well, Mr. Goldstein, I decided to do some research to find out what awards you have won. I went online and found that you have won nothing. Absolutely nothing. No journalistic awards of any kind ... Maybe you didn't win a Pulitzer Prize because they haven't invented a category for Best Third-Rate, Unfunny Pompous Reporter Who's Never Been Acknowledged by His Peers... Most of the world [has] no idea of your existence. I can honestly say that if I sat with your colleagues at a luncheon, afterwards they'd say, 'You know, that Rob Schneider is a pretty intelligent guy' ... whereas, if you sat with my colleagues, after lunch, you would just be beaten beyond recognition.[79] ”
Film critic Roger Ebert responded to Schneider saying
“ Reading this, I was about to observe that Schneider can dish it out but he can't take it. Then I found he's not so good at dishing it out, either. I went online and found that Patrick Goldstein has won a National Headliner Award, a Los Angeles Press Club Award, a RockCritics.com award, and the Publicists' Guild award for lifetime achievement.
Schneider was nominated for a 2000 Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actor, but lost to Jar-Jar Binks.
But Schneider is correct, and Patrick Goldstein has not yet won a Pulitzer Prize. Therefore, Goldstein is not qualified to complain that Columbia financed "Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo" while passing on the opportunity to participate in "Million Dollar Baby," "Ray," "The Aviator," "Sideways" and "Finding Neverland." As chance would have it, I have won the Pulitzer Prize, and so I am qualified. Speaking in my official capacity as a Pulitzer Prize winner, Mr. Schneider, your movie sucks.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worst_movies
Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo (2005)
A follow up to the 1999 sleeper Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, Rob Schneider reprises his role as the inept gigolo who travels to Amsterdam to see his friend, T.J. The critically reviled film just broke even on its $22 million budget at the U.S. box office before bombing overseas. The film became the subject of a heated debate between star Schneider and movie critic Patrick Goldstein, who wrote an article about studios producing terrible movies, citing this film as one of its examples. In January 2005, film critic Patrick Goldstein of the Los Angeles Times said in an article that Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo was overlooked for an Academy Award because "nobody had the foresight to invent a category for Best Running Penis Joke Delivered by a Third-Rate Comic."
Schneider responded two weeks later with full-page ads in Daily Variety and The Hollywood Reporter where he said
“ Well, Mr. Goldstein, I decided to do some research to find out what awards you have won. I went online and found that you have won nothing. Absolutely nothing. No journalistic awards of any kind ... Maybe you didn't win a Pulitzer Prize because they haven't invented a category for Best Third-Rate, Unfunny Pompous Reporter Who's Never Been Acknowledged by His Peers... Most of the world [has] no idea of your existence. I can honestly say that if I sat with your colleagues at a luncheon, afterwards they'd say, 'You know, that Rob Schneider is a pretty intelligent guy' ... whereas, if you sat with my colleagues, after lunch, you would just be beaten beyond recognition.[79] ”
Film critic Roger Ebert responded to Schneider saying
“ Reading this, I was about to observe that Schneider can dish it out but he can't take it. Then I found he's not so good at dishing it out, either. I went online and found that Patrick Goldstein has won a National Headliner Award, a Los Angeles Press Club Award, a RockCritics.com award, and the Publicists' Guild award for lifetime achievement.
Schneider was nominated for a 2000 Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actor, but lost to Jar-Jar Binks.
But Schneider is correct, and Patrick Goldstein has not yet won a Pulitzer Prize. Therefore, Goldstein is not qualified to complain that Columbia financed "Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo" while passing on the opportunity to participate in "Million Dollar Baby," "Ray," "The Aviator," "Sideways" and "Finding Neverland." As chance would have it, I have won the Pulitzer Prize, and so I am qualified. Speaking in my official capacity as a Pulitzer Prize winner, Mr. Schneider, your movie sucks.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Hello from Kanazawa!
I`m writing from an internet cafe in Kanazawa where I`m visiting Hilary Barry, a friend from illinois weslyan. If your interested in her story please check out:
japanadventure.livejournal.com
she is in Kanazawa teaching english to young children.
Kanazawa is apperantly called little Kyoto because of all the old buildings that are here. It`s situated on the coast of the Gulf of japan basicaly streight across from Tokyo. I came by bus, which was about a 7 hour ride, but extreamly injoyable. we stoped many times at stations and the bus was nearly empty. When I arived I checked out the Phonograph museum first. They have a working edison.
Edison was an incredible guy. recorded sound, invented electricity. I don`t think he gets the respect he deserves.
Then I saw a Samurai`s home, with an incredible garden. Apperantly the isalias there have been blooming for over 300 years.
Then, after geting lost, I came to Freaks internet cafe where I write now. Tomarrow I think I`m going to go to the castle here and maby hike up the mountain trail. I leave Sunday at 10:10 meaning I`ll get back to Tokyo around 5:00. Then I can do the homework I`ve been putting off. . . woops
I had a very interesting experiance yesterday. I was begining to look like Tevya from fiddler on the roof, so I desided to get a hair cut and beard trim. I asked my homestay parents where I could get said things and they hooked me up with a friend of theres who worked at a salon. Ok, well first off the trim cost me 3500￥ which is like 35 bucks. I was a little miffed but i figured maby hair cuts are just expensive and it was a little late to turn back now. What I had gotten myself into, however, was steeped in Japanese culture. They don`t cut your hair here, they give you a salon experiance. First a was wraped in several layers of cloth, then my hair was lightly trimed and cut by a very friendly man who tried to comunicate the best he could. Then he shampooed and massaged my sholders and head with oil. Then, with lather and razor (sweet!), shaved my nech, forehead, and cheeks. after he finnished with trimming everything up. I belive this is common in Japan. People`s apperance is very inportant here, so people tend to splurge of haircuts, makeup, and clothes. Of course this is a generality, but never the less... Also men and women are increasinglt resiving the same sort of teatment. It`s not uncommen for young men to get manacures, die thier hair, pluck thier eyebrows, and use makeup. As one speaker pyt it, "there is a lessening of the differences between sexes... in the area of clouths and fassion."
omoshiroii. See yous latter.
japanadventure.livejournal.com
she is in Kanazawa teaching english to young children.
Kanazawa is apperantly called little Kyoto because of all the old buildings that are here. It`s situated on the coast of the Gulf of japan basicaly streight across from Tokyo. I came by bus, which was about a 7 hour ride, but extreamly injoyable. we stoped many times at stations and the bus was nearly empty. When I arived I checked out the Phonograph museum first. They have a working edison.
Edison was an incredible guy. recorded sound, invented electricity. I don`t think he gets the respect he deserves.
Then I saw a Samurai`s home, with an incredible garden. Apperantly the isalias there have been blooming for over 300 years.
Then, after geting lost, I came to Freaks internet cafe where I write now. Tomarrow I think I`m going to go to the castle here and maby hike up the mountain trail. I leave Sunday at 10:10 meaning I`ll get back to Tokyo around 5:00. Then I can do the homework I`ve been putting off. . . woops
I had a very interesting experiance yesterday. I was begining to look like Tevya from fiddler on the roof, so I desided to get a hair cut and beard trim. I asked my homestay parents where I could get said things and they hooked me up with a friend of theres who worked at a salon. Ok, well first off the trim cost me 3500￥ which is like 35 bucks. I was a little miffed but i figured maby hair cuts are just expensive and it was a little late to turn back now. What I had gotten myself into, however, was steeped in Japanese culture. They don`t cut your hair here, they give you a salon experiance. First a was wraped in several layers of cloth, then my hair was lightly trimed and cut by a very friendly man who tried to comunicate the best he could. Then he shampooed and massaged my sholders and head with oil. Then, with lather and razor (sweet!), shaved my nech, forehead, and cheeks. after he finnished with trimming everything up. I belive this is common in Japan. People`s apperance is very inportant here, so people tend to splurge of haircuts, makeup, and clothes. Of course this is a generality, but never the less... Also men and women are increasinglt resiving the same sort of teatment. It`s not uncommen for young men to get manacures, die thier hair, pluck thier eyebrows, and use makeup. As one speaker pyt it, "there is a lessening of the differences between sexes... in the area of clouths and fassion."
omoshiroii. See yous latter.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
School's out for the summer!
Ok so here is some crazy ness for news!
First off Kyoko san is fine. Apparently what happened isn’t very serious and she was up the next day doing things like making breakfast, cleaning, and going about her job. She was still technically on hospital watch so we couldn’t take the boat out, but Takuro san thinks we will be able to do it later, right before the rainy season.
My External is a mess. I eventually had to format it, but managed to recover all my PDF, mp3s, documents, and a few other odds and ends. Most my visuals (a.k.a. pictures and vids) were corrupted and had to be erased, but I did manage to save the pictures I took of the Native American powwow and something else. The only problem now is that all the files were unformatted and as such have to be renamed. This means I have to open every file and rename it as what it is. What a hassle.
Ok now the big news. Apparently Measles broke out among the elementary school kids and jiyochi daigaku (Sophia) and as a result closed the schools for a week. A week! Kind of like 7 snow days in a row. I don’t know what my teachers are going to do about their syllabi or homework. All I know is that now I have to find something to do this week. Maybe I’ll go up north and visit Hillary, or go to Fuji san if I can climb to the top. Aaron suggested Osaka… I wonder what’s there…
Me and Aaron went to Harajuku today which was a bit of a disappointment. All they seemed to have there was loligoth (wikipedia is your friend), Gucci, and sweet, succulent Crepes. You could even get crepe meals with tuna, cheese, pizza sauce, and lettuce. Of course there was Meigi jingo (Meigi Shrine) and Yoyogi park, but me and Aaron were really hoping for cosplayers (gotta love that Wikipedia). Guess Akihabara is the place for that.
I have a new favorite drink: Bikkle by Suntory. It tastes kind of like peach nectar, milk, and sugar. If you can find it in the states I say give it a try!
That’s all for now. Ta Ta
First off Kyoko san is fine. Apparently what happened isn’t very serious and she was up the next day doing things like making breakfast, cleaning, and going about her job. She was still technically on hospital watch so we couldn’t take the boat out, but Takuro san thinks we will be able to do it later, right before the rainy season.
My External is a mess. I eventually had to format it, but managed to recover all my PDF, mp3s, documents, and a few other odds and ends. Most my visuals (a.k.a. pictures and vids) were corrupted and had to be erased, but I did manage to save the pictures I took of the Native American powwow and something else. The only problem now is that all the files were unformatted and as such have to be renamed. This means I have to open every file and rename it as what it is. What a hassle.
Ok now the big news. Apparently Measles broke out among the elementary school kids and jiyochi daigaku (Sophia) and as a result closed the schools for a week. A week! Kind of like 7 snow days in a row. I don’t know what my teachers are going to do about their syllabi or homework. All I know is that now I have to find something to do this week. Maybe I’ll go up north and visit Hillary, or go to Fuji san if I can climb to the top. Aaron suggested Osaka… I wonder what’s there…
Me and Aaron went to Harajuku today which was a bit of a disappointment. All they seemed to have there was loligoth (wikipedia is your friend), Gucci, and sweet, succulent Crepes. You could even get crepe meals with tuna, cheese, pizza sauce, and lettuce. Of course there was Meigi jingo (Meigi Shrine) and Yoyogi park, but me and Aaron were really hoping for cosplayers (gotta love that Wikipedia). Guess Akihabara is the place for that.
I have a new favorite drink: Bikkle by Suntory. It tastes kind of like peach nectar, milk, and sugar. If you can find it in the states I say give it a try!
That’s all for now. Ta Ta
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Woah!
Ok so these last couple days have been pretty crazy ... and not in a good way.
Fist was last night when my host mother overdosed on her sleeping medications and had to go to the hospital. I was relly woried about her though she seems to be doing fine. Needless to say I didn't get much sleep. When I was sitting in that cold windy house, it was the first time that I felt scarred being alone in a foriegn city.
I was realy excited about going on a sailing trip on tokyo bay with my home stay father and some friends from school, but now, with Kyoko san on Hospital watch we have to cancel the trip.
On top of this my external was apparently damaged on the mailing from home and now my computer want's to format it, which means I will loose all my books, documents, pictures, and media. Well I decided I don't want to do that so I got a free wear datarecovery program and am using it to see what I can recover from the drive. Hopefully it's alot.
On a good note I made zori the other day. Zori are traditional japanese footwear made from straw and rope. we didn't make the straw ones and instead used old scraps of fabric. they are cool and I like them. As a friend says: "the're what Jeasus would wear."
Fist was last night when my host mother overdosed on her sleeping medications and had to go to the hospital. I was relly woried about her though she seems to be doing fine. Needless to say I didn't get much sleep. When I was sitting in that cold windy house, it was the first time that I felt scarred being alone in a foriegn city.
I was realy excited about going on a sailing trip on tokyo bay with my home stay father and some friends from school, but now, with Kyoko san on Hospital watch we have to cancel the trip.
On top of this my external was apparently damaged on the mailing from home and now my computer want's to format it, which means I will loose all my books, documents, pictures, and media. Well I decided I don't want to do that so I got a free wear datarecovery program and am using it to see what I can recover from the drive. Hopefully it's alot.
On a good note I made zori the other day. Zori are traditional japanese footwear made from straw and rope. we didn't make the straw ones and instead used old scraps of fabric. they are cool and I like them. As a friend says: "the're what Jeasus would wear."
Friday, May 4, 2007
Hon-Kawagoe
Yesterday I went to Hon-Kowagoe (hon-ka-wa-go-i), or "Little Edo". I really like it there. In fact I've been there twice already! It's called "Little Edo" today for two reasons. First is because before the Edo pallace in Tokyo burt down a section was moved to Hon-Kowagoe and is now the only section of the palace still remaining. Second is because in the Edo period Hon-Kawagoe was a center for trade and as such a vast number of store houses were built, a few of which survived to this day and now make up a shoping district. It's awsome! when you enter the little back alleys lined with shops it's almost like steppig back in time. Except with Ice cream!
There is also a castle and a musieum and, of course, many many shrines.
The shrines are one of my favorite things about Japan. They are everywhere, and I don't mean like on every streat corner. I mean that you could be walking down the streat in down town Tokyo and in some back alley you could see a shinto shrine. Driving down the street you can look out the window and see statues, dating back to past the edo period, just standing there waiting for the bus. Things in Japan arn't old. The oldest buildings in Tokyo only date back to the Meji restoration which is around the Civil war. But a great sence of history hangs arount the city. Not that the buildings are old, but that the country is old, the land is old, or the people are old. It's a sensation I can't realy explain. In europe the history exudes from the structures, churches, and relics. Here history exudes from the land itself.
By the way I am well on my way to watching all of Miasaki. Mom, Dad I have an assignment for you. Go out and find or rent Totoro. It is a happy story, short, with no violence, sex, or swearing and it's steaped in Japanese Shinto mythos. And it has a happy ending! You'll like it.
Ok talk to ya later
There is also a castle and a musieum and, of course, many many shrines.
The shrines are one of my favorite things about Japan. They are everywhere, and I don't mean like on every streat corner. I mean that you could be walking down the streat in down town Tokyo and in some back alley you could see a shinto shrine. Driving down the street you can look out the window and see statues, dating back to past the edo period, just standing there waiting for the bus. Things in Japan arn't old. The oldest buildings in Tokyo only date back to the Meji restoration which is around the Civil war. But a great sence of history hangs arount the city. Not that the buildings are old, but that the country is old, the land is old, or the people are old. It's a sensation I can't realy explain. In europe the history exudes from the structures, churches, and relics. Here history exudes from the land itself.
By the way I am well on my way to watching all of Miasaki. Mom, Dad I have an assignment for you. Go out and find or rent Totoro. It is a happy story, short, with no violence, sex, or swearing and it's steaped in Japanese Shinto mythos. And it has a happy ending! You'll like it.
Ok talk to ya later
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Spiderman 3
Tday me and Aaron went to see Spiderman 3 at Ropongi Hills, which is a "foriegn" mall. It's kind of like a city within a city; if you have alot of money you could live, shop, eat, work, and problably die there. You might have to go to school somewhere else...
We watched Spiderman in english with Japanese subtitles ... which made me wonder about the implications of Holywood's influance on the world. I mean the movie was packed, completely sold out. A foriegn film would never sell out in America, at least not in huge movie theater like the one I was in.
We ate at a chinese resturant, which Japanese people love because chinese food (real chinese food) is delicious. I had dumplings which were exquisit and only 600 en (6.00 dolars) Japan seems to be the Land of Tasty snacks. The snacks here are sooooo good. Pocky and kowala choclates and ice cream everywhere, which is a good thing, because Japanese traditional cooking seems to be a time for adventure. Japanese food tends to tast odd, give interesting sensations, or is still alive. I'm not saying it's bad, but sometimes I'd just like my meals dead and cooked.
I sometimes get discuraged by my train rides. Today aman started to sit down when he saw I was sitting next to him and he backed off. A while ago a mother tried to get her two kids to sit next to me, but they were to scared. I am a big scarry gaijin (forener) and I had fore-knowlage of this kind of thing, but it's the first time I've been a racial minority in a country and it's not the most comforting of experiances.
As a last thought, it is amazing how little japanese you need to know to survive in this country. Most menus have pictures to point at or tickets to buy. A quick "Domo" and bow solves nearly any problem and poniting helps too. Oh and it turns out Cash is a universal language.
We watched Spiderman in english with Japanese subtitles ... which made me wonder about the implications of Holywood's influance on the world. I mean the movie was packed, completely sold out. A foriegn film would never sell out in America, at least not in huge movie theater like the one I was in.
We ate at a chinese resturant, which Japanese people love because chinese food (real chinese food) is delicious. I had dumplings which were exquisit and only 600 en (6.00 dolars) Japan seems to be the Land of Tasty snacks. The snacks here are sooooo good. Pocky and kowala choclates and ice cream everywhere, which is a good thing, because Japanese traditional cooking seems to be a time for adventure. Japanese food tends to tast odd, give interesting sensations, or is still alive. I'm not saying it's bad, but sometimes I'd just like my meals dead and cooked.
I sometimes get discuraged by my train rides. Today aman started to sit down when he saw I was sitting next to him and he backed off. A while ago a mother tried to get her two kids to sit next to me, but they were to scared. I am a big scarry gaijin (forener) and I had fore-knowlage of this kind of thing, but it's the first time I've been a racial minority in a country and it's not the most comforting of experiances.
As a last thought, it is amazing how little japanese you need to know to survive in this country. Most menus have pictures to point at or tickets to buy. A quick "Domo" and bow solves nearly any problem and poniting helps too. Oh and it turns out Cash is a universal language.
I'm in Tokyo!
Hello friends and family! I'm in Tokyo! (in case you hadn't noticed.) I technicaly live jut outside tokyo to the west in a suburb called Tokorozawa.
A Day in the Life
I get up every day around 6:30, groan, roll over, and go back to sleep. Then I get up around seven, get dressed and head down stairs. Kyoko san, my homestay mother who had been up sence five, greets me with an Ohyoo! Which I return with an Ohyoo Gozaimasu! She serves me breakfast which usualy consist of japanese omlits (take a scrambled egg and arfully make it square), miso soup, and a vegtible of some kind. Lately we have been having meat too, usualy a suasage or unidentifiable something of some kind. I tend to eat whats been handed to me with out much question and see if I like it or not. Then it's out the door to catch the 7:50 express to Seibu-Shinjuku.
If I catch the train, and I stress If, then the train ride takes about 45 minutes. If I'm lucky I get a seat, but usualy I don't. The trains are packed tight with people in the mornings and on the way home. You will touch the people around you. It's sad but Japanese people perfer not to sit next to Gaijin, or foriegn people, on the train. Just as well, more room for me. I change lines at my favorite stop: Takadanobaba. I just like saying it. A quick "catle drive" esque people shuffle and I'm on the Yamanote line for Shinjuku. I used to get off at Shinjuku, one of the largest trainstations in Tokyo, but a new found friend showed me how to change lines in Yoyogi instead, saving me the crazyness of early morning Shinjuku. At Yoyogi I get on the Chuo for Yotsuya, which is my stop for school. a hop, skip and jump later and I'm in my first class.
I allways have Japanese 111 at 9:15 am. It's pretty easy, but my other classes arn't so it evens out. Plus it will get harder later, I'm gonna know 200 kanji by the end of class! after that my day differs. Here's my scedual:
Japanese 111 M-F 9:15-10:45
Topics in the Performing Arts T+F 11:00-12:30
Individual Culture in Society T+F 3:30-5:00
Youth and Capitalism M+TH 1:30-3:00
Plus CIEE has a class in the afternoons on wenedsdays. A lecture or day trip usualy. I'll give you a better class descriptions in a latter post. On fridays and Mondays I have Amadaeus Choir from 5:00 till 8:00. We als0o meet at lunch times as well. It's kind of come and go, but they are actualy quite good... I wonder if they have a CD so that I can send you a sample?
When I'm not in class I am usualy in the library. I use the comp rooms to work and the 8th floor to hang out, cus it has some of the only comfy chairs on campus.
After School I come back to Tokorozawa by crowded train. If it's not monday or friday, I eat with my host parents. We eat some very interesting stuff I must say. I've been having them watch movies. I like them and they seem to enjoy it too. We watch american films that have crossed over the pond and Miazaki. If you don't know who Miazaki is shame on you! Look him up! He draws anime and is curently working with Disney. We watched The Terminal whit Tom Hanks tonight, which my host parents liked very much.
After dinner we watch some crazy, crazy Japanese TV. around 9:00 I excuse myself, take a shower, finish my homework, watch, read, or write something on my lapu topu and then go to bed. And So... now you have some insight into what it's like to be me.
A Day in the Life
I get up every day around 6:30, groan, roll over, and go back to sleep. Then I get up around seven, get dressed and head down stairs. Kyoko san, my homestay mother who had been up sence five, greets me with an Ohyoo! Which I return with an Ohyoo Gozaimasu! She serves me breakfast which usualy consist of japanese omlits (take a scrambled egg and arfully make it square), miso soup, and a vegtible of some kind. Lately we have been having meat too, usualy a suasage or unidentifiable something of some kind. I tend to eat whats been handed to me with out much question and see if I like it or not. Then it's out the door to catch the 7:50 express to Seibu-Shinjuku.
If I catch the train, and I stress If, then the train ride takes about 45 minutes. If I'm lucky I get a seat, but usualy I don't. The trains are packed tight with people in the mornings and on the way home. You will touch the people around you. It's sad but Japanese people perfer not to sit next to Gaijin, or foriegn people, on the train. Just as well, more room for me. I change lines at my favorite stop: Takadanobaba. I just like saying it. A quick "catle drive" esque people shuffle and I'm on the Yamanote line for Shinjuku. I used to get off at Shinjuku, one of the largest trainstations in Tokyo, but a new found friend showed me how to change lines in Yoyogi instead, saving me the crazyness of early morning Shinjuku. At Yoyogi I get on the Chuo for Yotsuya, which is my stop for school. a hop, skip and jump later and I'm in my first class.
I allways have Japanese 111 at 9:15 am. It's pretty easy, but my other classes arn't so it evens out. Plus it will get harder later, I'm gonna know 200 kanji by the end of class! after that my day differs. Here's my scedual:
Japanese 111 M-F 9:15-10:45
Topics in the Performing Arts T+F 11:00-12:30
Individual Culture in Society T+F 3:30-5:00
Youth and Capitalism M+TH 1:30-3:00
Plus CIEE has a class in the afternoons on wenedsdays. A lecture or day trip usualy. I'll give you a better class descriptions in a latter post. On fridays and Mondays I have Amadaeus Choir from 5:00 till 8:00. We als0o meet at lunch times as well. It's kind of come and go, but they are actualy quite good... I wonder if they have a CD so that I can send you a sample?
When I'm not in class I am usualy in the library. I use the comp rooms to work and the 8th floor to hang out, cus it has some of the only comfy chairs on campus.
After School I come back to Tokorozawa by crowded train. If it's not monday or friday, I eat with my host parents. We eat some very interesting stuff I must say. I've been having them watch movies. I like them and they seem to enjoy it too. We watch american films that have crossed over the pond and Miazaki. If you don't know who Miazaki is shame on you! Look him up! He draws anime and is curently working with Disney. We watched The Terminal whit Tom Hanks tonight, which my host parents liked very much.
After dinner we watch some crazy, crazy Japanese TV. around 9:00 I excuse myself, take a shower, finish my homework, watch, read, or write something on my lapu topu and then go to bed. And So... now you have some insight into what it's like to be me.
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