Saturday, September 10, 2005
Sleepy...
I just got in after a long day of walking around Osaka, seeing some fun things, and having a few drinks with Scott. Nothing earth-shattering really, but I took a lot of pictures and I simply don't have the time to sort through them all at this late hour. So I'll get to it tomorrow. Good night!
[ignore the "to be continued" link this time]
つづく... (Click here to read more)
[ignore the "to be continued" link this time]
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Friday, September 09, 2005
Blog's Eye View
Meh, it's Friday night and I've got nothing. No plans, no ideas, nothing. I am somewhat disappointed but on the other hand, I don't need to go out every Fri/Sat night. Frankly, I can't afford it anyway. I guess there's always laundry. Or homework. HA...kidding, just laundry.
A pedestrian stop sign. I guess they assume we always watch our step?
The weekend is another story. It would be wasteful to sit around the dorm all weekend, so at some point tonight I've got to think up something to do or see for tomorrow. Ideally, it will involve another person but not necessarily. If I have to, I'd rather explore Japan alone than sit in the lounge with other inert students. What have I got on my to-do list? What haven't I got? Zoos, aquariums, temples, castle, you name it! I could go to Osaka or Kyoto, either one should be wildly entertaining. In theory, any trip could easy turn into an evening of liquor should I so desire.
In Western Views of Japan class today, I had another one of those introspective moments I'm prone to experiencing (typically in the middle of the professor's lecture). It stemmed from a discussion we were having of Lost in Translation. I'm a fan of the film but I've always been annoyed at the way the Japanese people were, more or less, ignored in the film. Some reviewers argued that it didn't matter because the movie was about isolation and detachment, but I still don't understand why the film couldn't have one three-dimensional, non-stereotypical Japanese character. I think it comes down to an issue of representation. American movies (maybe Western movies as a whole) routinely marginalize people from Asia and I'll never understand why.
Eh, I digress. The point is, no one thinks that Sofia Coppola is a racist or that she set out to make a racist statement. Yet the film she has created was clearly focused on the "otherness" of Japan and the Japanese. I started to wonder if my blog was guilty of the same thing. Am I writing too much about what makes Japan different from back home? Can I excuse this behavior by saying I just want to write about what's "interesting" and that means differences instead of similarities?
After thinking about it, I think my blog is about me first and Japan second. Yes, I talk (and photograph) the differences but I don't think I gloss over or omit the regular stuff in the process. Obviously, it is impossible to present a completely transparent, objective view of my surroundings, but I think I give a reasonably balanced perspective. You tell me, what do you think of Japan from reading this? Please, everyone and anyone reading this blog, leave a comment explaining your views. Seriously! I'm very curious and it's about time some of you readers starting pulling your weight.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
A pedestrian stop sign. I guess they assume we always watch our step?
The weekend is another story. It would be wasteful to sit around the dorm all weekend, so at some point tonight I've got to think up something to do or see for tomorrow. Ideally, it will involve another person but not necessarily. If I have to, I'd rather explore Japan alone than sit in the lounge with other inert students. What have I got on my to-do list? What haven't I got? Zoos, aquariums, temples, castle, you name it! I could go to Osaka or Kyoto, either one should be wildly entertaining. In theory, any trip could easy turn into an evening of liquor should I so desire.
In Western Views of Japan class today, I had another one of those introspective moments I'm prone to experiencing (typically in the middle of the professor's lecture). It stemmed from a discussion we were having of Lost in Translation. I'm a fan of the film but I've always been annoyed at the way the Japanese people were, more or less, ignored in the film. Some reviewers argued that it didn't matter because the movie was about isolation and detachment, but I still don't understand why the film couldn't have one three-dimensional, non-stereotypical Japanese character. I think it comes down to an issue of representation. American movies (maybe Western movies as a whole) routinely marginalize people from Asia and I'll never understand why.
Eh, I digress. The point is, no one thinks that Sofia Coppola is a racist or that she set out to make a racist statement. Yet the film she has created was clearly focused on the "otherness" of Japan and the Japanese. I started to wonder if my blog was guilty of the same thing. Am I writing too much about what makes Japan different from back home? Can I excuse this behavior by saying I just want to write about what's "interesting" and that means differences instead of similarities?
After thinking about it, I think my blog is about me first and Japan second. Yes, I talk (and photograph) the differences but I don't think I gloss over or omit the regular stuff in the process. Obviously, it is impossible to present a completely transparent, objective view of my surroundings, but I think I give a reasonably balanced perspective. You tell me, what do you think of Japan from reading this? Please, everyone and anyone reading this blog, leave a comment explaining your views. Seriously! I'm very curious and it's about time some of you readers starting pulling your weight.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
A Blogging Game
I ran across this on another blog. Sorry, only bloggers are eligible to play. I'll make a regular post later tonight (or tomorrow, if I go out).
1. If you want to participate, leave a comment below asking to be interviewed.
2. I will respond by asking you five questions - each person's will be different.
3. You will update your journal/blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview others in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
These questions were posed by Charby:
1 - What species of animal do you think the world could lose if it was to you to choose one species to save the rest from extinction and why?
This is a hard question because there are many types of critters I would love to erase from existence! If I could only pick one, it would be the mosquito. Who would miss it? They hurt, they spread disease and they suck. Bad pun, yes.
2 - The traditional one I guess - biggest regret?
Honestly, I try very hard not to dwell on past mistakes (as what's done is done) but I can't deny that I've got my share of regrets. While certain recent actions weigh very heavily on my mind, the biggest of all time would have to be taking my time before returning to school. Four years ago, I visited Japan and I knew right away that I wanted to go back to school to study so I could return someday. Yet it was over a year later when I finally enrolled in community college. Then I spent far too long there building up my confidence before trying to enroll full-time. If I had responded sooner to my revelation, I'd be a better student and I might even have finished my degree by now. Plus I wouldn't have spent all that time wasting away in the Post Office....ugh!
3 - Describe your perfect day, from the moment you wake to the moment you sleep It can even include stuff that's impossible like talking to the dead or learning you have wings to fly with.
I would wake up in my spacious New York apartment. The headline on the New York Times would be "Bush Impeached." I'd have a fabulous omelet (I'm thinking mushrooms, onions, and swiss cheese) before heading to roof. I'd fly to Japan under my own power and it would take less than an hour. I'd spend the day acting as an interpreter (being fluent in several languages) stopping for lunch in Hong Kong with Zhang Ziyi. After my day of work was over, I'd fly back to U.S., have dinner in New York with my girlfriend and I would propose to her in Washington Square Park. There would be much rejoicing and some sex.
4 - Money's no object, what do you buy first?
The above-mentioned spacious apartment in New York.
5 - You can get a team of top class scientists to do anything you want, do you a) pick a cure for cancer. b) bring the dead back to life c) get them to make you an invisibility cloak or d) come up with the perfect meal?
Invisibility! I'm very selfish.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
1. If you want to participate, leave a comment below asking to be interviewed.
2. I will respond by asking you five questions - each person's will be different.
3. You will update your journal/blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview others in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
These questions were posed by Charby:
1 - What species of animal do you think the world could lose if it was to you to choose one species to save the rest from extinction and why?
This is a hard question because there are many types of critters I would love to erase from existence! If I could only pick one, it would be the mosquito. Who would miss it? They hurt, they spread disease and they suck. Bad pun, yes.
2 - The traditional one I guess - biggest regret?
Honestly, I try very hard not to dwell on past mistakes (as what's done is done) but I can't deny that I've got my share of regrets. While certain recent actions weigh very heavily on my mind, the biggest of all time would have to be taking my time before returning to school. Four years ago, I visited Japan and I knew right away that I wanted to go back to school to study so I could return someday. Yet it was over a year later when I finally enrolled in community college. Then I spent far too long there building up my confidence before trying to enroll full-time. If I had responded sooner to my revelation, I'd be a better student and I might even have finished my degree by now. Plus I wouldn't have spent all that time wasting away in the Post Office....ugh!
3 - Describe your perfect day, from the moment you wake to the moment you sleep It can even include stuff that's impossible like talking to the dead or learning you have wings to fly with.
I would wake up in my spacious New York apartment. The headline on the New York Times would be "Bush Impeached." I'd have a fabulous omelet (I'm thinking mushrooms, onions, and swiss cheese) before heading to roof. I'd fly to Japan under my own power and it would take less than an hour. I'd spend the day acting as an interpreter (being fluent in several languages) stopping for lunch in Hong Kong with Zhang Ziyi. After my day of work was over, I'd fly back to U.S., have dinner in New York with my girlfriend and I would propose to her in Washington Square Park. There would be much rejoicing and some sex.
4 - Money's no object, what do you buy first?
The above-mentioned spacious apartment in New York.
5 - You can get a team of top class scientists to do anything you want, do you a) pick a cure for cancer. b) bring the dead back to life c) get them to make you an invisibility cloak or d) come up with the perfect meal?
Invisibility! I'm very selfish.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Mission Accomplished
Today was a busy day and I'm happy to report I got everything done that I wanted to do. Okay, everything important at least.
Stairs to nowhere? What a country!
This morning I had one vocabulary quiz and one lesson test in my Japanese classes, both of which went through without a hitch. I realized I had made a few small gaffes on my lesson test after it was complete, but we're talking small so there's no reason I won't get an A. Moments like that, I have to remind myself that an A is an A is an A. Worrying about getting a 95 instead a 100 is meaningless.
I met Kazu in the computer room and helped him with a writing assignment he had for an English class. The bad news of the day: it seems there are no Tigers tickets to be found, so I'll have to wait until the spring. That's too bad but it's no tragedy. Afterwards we ate lunch in the cafeteria. Kazu introduced me to two of his friends and we ate together. Actually they had already finished, so Kazu offered to eat the remaining rice in their bowls. I see his ravenous eating habits haven't changed a bit! They spoke mostly in Japanese so I only got five or six percent of their conversation. I suppose that's better than nothing.
Once we had eaten, Kazu and I (along with one of his friends) set off on our mission to Hirakata City station. I also hit the bank to exchange more money. It was a pretty decent walk to make, especially given today's intense heat now that the wonderful typhoon winds were long gone. The Japanese may consider September 1st the beginning of autumn but I consider that insane. This is summer, hands down. In two weeks, let's see where the weather is at. I'd like to think it will drop down below 86 degrees by then!
Our true destination wasn't the train station but nearby City Hall, so Kazu's friend got on a train. We hit city hall in order for me to attempt to procure a "temporary" registration card. I wasn't sure exactly how to ask for it but it ended up being easier than I expected. I merely began by explaining that I wanted to buy a mobile phone and the guy gave me something to fill out right away. I guess he does this a lot! The whole procedure was pretty painless and it only cost 300 Yen. In hindsight, I had been worried about nothing.
The next step, however, was the big one. We went to actually acquire the phone! The first challenge was finding the au shop. I had printed out a map of the store's location, as well as their address, but here in Japan addresses don't mean a whole lot unless you know the area backwards & forwards. Even taxi drivers will usually ask for directions if you give them an address! The shop claimed to be "across" from the train station but we couldn't see any signs. We asked someone for help and he sent us walking several blocks away (past City Hall, in fact) where we did find a store. It wasn't the exact au store we had been looking for but they were open so it didn't really matter.
At this point, Kazu's help was invaluable. Sure, they had an English-language packet explaining all their rates, but the clerk and I would have been unable to communicate at all had it not been for Kazu interpreting. I was fully prepared and I presented all the paperwork I needed to show. The form I had to fill out was pretty long and I needed Kazu's help in several places. Basically, anything that didn't ask for my name or a number, Kazu had to fill out for me. He's a real sport for helping out with all this.
I should digress a bit at this point and gush about the tremendous service here in Japan. While I couldn't understand most of what the clerk said, I could tell the language she was using was extremely polite and respectful at all times. For example, when she read my name back to me she appended the suffix -sama. This is because I am the customer and she is (officially) honored to have me in the store. Whether she means it or not is irrelevant. I don't give a crap if after I walk out she and her co-workers all have a laugh at my expense, but while I am in their presence custom demands that I be treated with respect. And I dig that, I really do. It's something I'm going to really miss when I go back to the States, especially in New York where you're lucky to receive eye contact from anyone in a service position, let alone a vocal response like "thank you."
Back to the story: once the deal was hammered out, she told us it would take about twenty minutes to set my number up. I was a little surprised it would take that long but I was in no hurry to go back outside so we just chilled in the corner. Kazu and I actually ended up having a pretty graphic "male" conversation about personal habits (you don't want to know). One of the fun advantages of a language barrier is being able to discuss private matters in public without fear of embarrassment or offending anyone.
When the phone was ready, she went ahead and put it into English mode for me and helped me establish my phone's e-mail address. Another little fabulous service moment took place when she passed me the phone to input my PIN number: rather than hand it to me, she placed it on a blue handkerchief and slid it across the desk. DAMN THAT'S HOT!! Is this a good time to mention that the phone was free and my student discount is a full 50% off the regular monthly fee? Yes, I think so.
Our mission accomplished, I celebrated by eating some Baskin Robbins ice cream. We actually ran into a few students we knew over there; one girl from Albany and the other from my Justice class. They were finished but didn't stay to chat, unfortunately. Still, I had my ice cream to enjoy. I asked Kazu to take a picture of me and this is what I got:
A bit more to the left, Kazu...
As the Japanese might say, 携帯ＧＥＴ！！
After my snack break I realized it was almost dinner time. I decided the best plan of action was to hang out at the station for a while, have some dinner, then return to the dorm via the bus. Kazu doesn't live in the dorm, he had a train to catch, so we parted ways. I took a stroll over to the nearby store/mall, VIVRE.
Most street performers here at the station don't ask for money, they just play for fun. Guess these guys missed the memo.
VIVRE is somehow one store with many stores within. I'd compare it to a mall, except the free-flowing space feels more like a department store. I first hit the basement level and explored the food aisles. They had quite a selection of beers, wine, and sake, including other Japanese-only alcoholic beverages like "The Fruit Sparkling," a name I will laugh at until the end of time. The prices all seemed higher than other Japanese food stores which didn't surprise me at all.
I took an elevator to the top floor, figuring it would be simpler to work my way down than up. Plus, the floor directory said something about "game" so I was immediately intrigued. Sure enough, the sixth floor was dominated by a fairly spacious arcade (the Japanese actually say "game center"). There were lots of UFO Catchers and several Print Club machines, but my eyes widened when I saw something special. It was a game, nay, the game I had been looking forward to playing for the past four years since I left Japan last time. I saw the Golgo 13 arcade machine!
For those in dark, I will try to elaborate (you might want to read the above link as well). Golgo 13 is a long-running manga about a professional assassin (codenamed Golgo 13) who travels around the world, killing people for money and having a lot of sex. Think of James Bond only without the responsibility of a government agency or any sense of humor. A superficial sign of the game's hardcore attitude was the "No Smoking" sign hung on the front. This was the middle of an arcade clearly aimed at children and teens and they felt the need to warn players of this particular game not to smoke. I have to admit, seeing that sign really gave me the urge to light one up!
The game puts you in Golgo 13's shoes, arming you with a sniper rifle and giving you several tasks to complete. Each one is introduced comic-book style and entirely in Japanese, so all I can do is enjoy the artwork (and pull the trigger). Sadly, the sights were way off and all three of my targets survived despite my pinpoint marksmanship. Given the game's amoral tone and use of a sniper rifle, you'll never ever see this game in the United States so I feel obligated to play it whenever I do encounter it. Since this particular machine wasn't working very well, I shall have to find another!
Annoyed by Golgo 13's disappointing technical difficulties, I cheered myself up by banging on the drums of Taiko no tatsujin for a while. I picked some slightly more challenging tunes this time: "Love Machine" by Morning Musume and the William Tell Overture. I only got to play two songs this time, it seems this location is on the stingy side. Still, beating a drum is very exhilarating. My friend Joe can tell you all about that...
I spent another hour or so walking through the store but never felt the urge to buy anything at all. I ended up eating dinner at Yoshinoya (again) and coming home. I don't really have any homework right now but I've got to figure out how to operate my phone before I go to class tomorrow. You see, the instruction manual is in Japanese and right now, I don't even know how to turn it off! I've already sent out my phone number to everyone who I thought might want it. If I left you out, send me an e-mail and I'll be happy to include you. As far as the phone's e-mail address, I'm pretty sure it only accepts e-mail from similar phones. My test message was received but it was illegible.
The weekend is almost here, what shall I do? I haven't made any plans at all! Stay tuned to see what ancient site (or modern wonder) I visit next!
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Stairs to nowhere? What a country!
This morning I had one vocabulary quiz and one lesson test in my Japanese classes, both of which went through without a hitch. I realized I had made a few small gaffes on my lesson test after it was complete, but we're talking small so there's no reason I won't get an A. Moments like that, I have to remind myself that an A is an A is an A. Worrying about getting a 95 instead a 100 is meaningless.
I met Kazu in the computer room and helped him with a writing assignment he had for an English class. The bad news of the day: it seems there are no Tigers tickets to be found, so I'll have to wait until the spring. That's too bad but it's no tragedy. Afterwards we ate lunch in the cafeteria. Kazu introduced me to two of his friends and we ate together. Actually they had already finished, so Kazu offered to eat the remaining rice in their bowls. I see his ravenous eating habits haven't changed a bit! They spoke mostly in Japanese so I only got five or six percent of their conversation. I suppose that's better than nothing.
Once we had eaten, Kazu and I (along with one of his friends) set off on our mission to Hirakata City station. I also hit the bank to exchange more money. It was a pretty decent walk to make, especially given today's intense heat now that the wonderful typhoon winds were long gone. The Japanese may consider September 1st the beginning of autumn but I consider that insane. This is summer, hands down. In two weeks, let's see where the weather is at. I'd like to think it will drop down below 86 degrees by then!
Our true destination wasn't the train station but nearby City Hall, so Kazu's friend got on a train. We hit city hall in order for me to attempt to procure a "temporary" registration card. I wasn't sure exactly how to ask for it but it ended up being easier than I expected. I merely began by explaining that I wanted to buy a mobile phone and the guy gave me something to fill out right away. I guess he does this a lot! The whole procedure was pretty painless and it only cost 300 Yen. In hindsight, I had been worried about nothing.
The next step, however, was the big one. We went to actually acquire the phone! The first challenge was finding the au shop. I had printed out a map of the store's location, as well as their address, but here in Japan addresses don't mean a whole lot unless you know the area backwards & forwards. Even taxi drivers will usually ask for directions if you give them an address! The shop claimed to be "across" from the train station but we couldn't see any signs. We asked someone for help and he sent us walking several blocks away (past City Hall, in fact) where we did find a store. It wasn't the exact au store we had been looking for but they were open so it didn't really matter.
At this point, Kazu's help was invaluable. Sure, they had an English-language packet explaining all their rates, but the clerk and I would have been unable to communicate at all had it not been for Kazu interpreting. I was fully prepared and I presented all the paperwork I needed to show. The form I had to fill out was pretty long and I needed Kazu's help in several places. Basically, anything that didn't ask for my name or a number, Kazu had to fill out for me. He's a real sport for helping out with all this.
I should digress a bit at this point and gush about the tremendous service here in Japan. While I couldn't understand most of what the clerk said, I could tell the language she was using was extremely polite and respectful at all times. For example, when she read my name back to me she appended the suffix -sama. This is because I am the customer and she is (officially) honored to have me in the store. Whether she means it or not is irrelevant. I don't give a crap if after I walk out she and her co-workers all have a laugh at my expense, but while I am in their presence custom demands that I be treated with respect. And I dig that, I really do. It's something I'm going to really miss when I go back to the States, especially in New York where you're lucky to receive eye contact from anyone in a service position, let alone a vocal response like "thank you."
Back to the story: once the deal was hammered out, she told us it would take about twenty minutes to set my number up. I was a little surprised it would take that long but I was in no hurry to go back outside so we just chilled in the corner. Kazu and I actually ended up having a pretty graphic "male" conversation about personal habits (you don't want to know). One of the fun advantages of a language barrier is being able to discuss private matters in public without fear of embarrassment or offending anyone.
When the phone was ready, she went ahead and put it into English mode for me and helped me establish my phone's e-mail address. Another little fabulous service moment took place when she passed me the phone to input my PIN number: rather than hand it to me, she placed it on a blue handkerchief and slid it across the desk. DAMN THAT'S HOT!! Is this a good time to mention that the phone was free and my student discount is a full 50% off the regular monthly fee? Yes, I think so.
Our mission accomplished, I celebrated by eating some Baskin Robbins ice cream. We actually ran into a few students we knew over there; one girl from Albany and the other from my Justice class. They were finished but didn't stay to chat, unfortunately. Still, I had my ice cream to enjoy. I asked Kazu to take a picture of me and this is what I got:
A bit more to the left, Kazu...
As the Japanese might say, 携帯ＧＥＴ！！
After my snack break I realized it was almost dinner time. I decided the best plan of action was to hang out at the station for a while, have some dinner, then return to the dorm via the bus. Kazu doesn't live in the dorm, he had a train to catch, so we parted ways. I took a stroll over to the nearby store/mall, VIVRE.
Most street performers here at the station don't ask for money, they just play for fun. Guess these guys missed the memo.
VIVRE is somehow one store with many stores within. I'd compare it to a mall, except the free-flowing space feels more like a department store. I first hit the basement level and explored the food aisles. They had quite a selection of beers, wine, and sake, including other Japanese-only alcoholic beverages like "The Fruit Sparkling," a name I will laugh at until the end of time. The prices all seemed higher than other Japanese food stores which didn't surprise me at all.
I took an elevator to the top floor, figuring it would be simpler to work my way down than up. Plus, the floor directory said something about "game" so I was immediately intrigued. Sure enough, the sixth floor was dominated by a fairly spacious arcade (the Japanese actually say "game center"). There were lots of UFO Catchers and several Print Club machines, but my eyes widened when I saw something special. It was a game, nay, the game I had been looking forward to playing for the past four years since I left Japan last time. I saw the Golgo 13 arcade machine!
For those in dark, I will try to elaborate (you might want to read the above link as well). Golgo 13 is a long-running manga about a professional assassin (codenamed Golgo 13) who travels around the world, killing people for money and having a lot of sex. Think of James Bond only without the responsibility of a government agency or any sense of humor. A superficial sign of the game's hardcore attitude was the "No Smoking" sign hung on the front. This was the middle of an arcade clearly aimed at children and teens and they felt the need to warn players of this particular game not to smoke. I have to admit, seeing that sign really gave me the urge to light one up!
The game puts you in Golgo 13's shoes, arming you with a sniper rifle and giving you several tasks to complete. Each one is introduced comic-book style and entirely in Japanese, so all I can do is enjoy the artwork (and pull the trigger). Sadly, the sights were way off and all three of my targets survived despite my pinpoint marksmanship. Given the game's amoral tone and use of a sniper rifle, you'll never ever see this game in the United States so I feel obligated to play it whenever I do encounter it. Since this particular machine wasn't working very well, I shall have to find another!
Annoyed by Golgo 13's disappointing technical difficulties, I cheered myself up by banging on the drums of Taiko no tatsujin for a while. I picked some slightly more challenging tunes this time: "Love Machine" by Morning Musume and the William Tell Overture. I only got to play two songs this time, it seems this location is on the stingy side. Still, beating a drum is very exhilarating. My friend Joe can tell you all about that...
I spent another hour or so walking through the store but never felt the urge to buy anything at all. I ended up eating dinner at Yoshinoya (again) and coming home. I don't really have any homework right now but I've got to figure out how to operate my phone before I go to class tomorrow. You see, the instruction manual is in Japanese and right now, I don't even know how to turn it off! I've already sent out my phone number to everyone who I thought might want it. If I left you out, send me an e-mail and I'll be happy to include you. As far as the phone's e-mail address, I'm pretty sure it only accepts e-mail from similar phones. My test message was received but it was illegible.
The weekend is almost here, what shall I do? I haven't made any plans at all! Stay tuned to see what ancient site (or modern wonder) I visit next!
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
B.F.D.
Typhoon #14 never really came through. It hit Kyûshû pretty hard but then it moved north and kept going. Sure, it was windy today but not a drop of rain fell from the sky. Indeed, the weather was quite beautiful and, thanks to the wind, surprisingly comfortable!
This morning's kanji quiz went off without a hitch. We have a "lesson test" tomorrow which is more review. I'm a bit surprised at how nervous some of my classmates appear to be over these tests. Lots of "what do we have to know" questions were hurled at the teacher today (many of them quite specific) and to be frank, I don't think she speaks enough English to fully understand them. The students, in turn, were frustrated by her lack of straightforward answers. I don't want to sound cynical or arrogant here, but IT'S A TEST!! She doesn't have to tell you everything about the test in advance, that's the point. Besides, this is all review! Sometimes I wonder how these students got placed in Level 2 at all.
I ran into Kazu today on campus. He has been trying to buy tickets for us to see the Hanshin Tigers and things haven't gone well. Apparently all the tickets are sold out for the rest of the season! There is a glimmer of hope though; his father actually works for Hanshin Railway who owns the Tigers (Japanese baseball teams are named for the companies that own them instead of the cities where they play). So maybe we can score some inside tickets, otherwise, there's always next year.
I had lunch with Megan (from OR) again today. This is quickly becoming a regular part of my day since we are in the same Japanese classes and we typically head straight to cafeteria afterwards. I think we are very different people but I am grateful for the company. She raised an interesting point at lunch today: do the Japanese celebrate Halloween? I've always heard "no," especially from Kazu and the other Japanese students I've asked, but Megan seemed pretty sure that they do. If so, I'm in kind of a spot since I didn't pack much odd/funny clothing that could be worked into a costume. I certainly can't afford to buy anything. Maybe I can just slather some make-up on my face and pass as some kind of ghoul or ghost.
My afternoon classes went pretty smoothly. Rather than hurry home at 4PM, I hung around in the computer lab for an extended period of time, checking e-mails and such. This way, I could eat dinner someplace new on the way home. I had pretty much eaten at all the local spots near the dorm and I had yet to try most of the places near the campus.
This restaurant, Bikkuri Ramen, is located very close to the main gate of the campus. As you can see, they advertise some very low prices and since I hadn't had any ramen yet on this trip I figured this would be the perfect time and place to start! I didn't opt for the super-cheap deal they had posted outside, but I got a nice bowl for less than 300 Yen. The best part of the deal was the free seasonings on the counter. Of course, they had plenty of ground red pepper, but this place also offered self-serve minced garlic! Mmmm, I spooned a generous amount into the broth and enjoyed my meal. It was very filling and a bargain to boot, but I can't do this very often because ramen is definitely no good for me; way too many carbs and not much else.
Tomorrow is a light class day so we'll see what I can get up to in the afternoon. The weekend is just around the corner and I haven't made any plans yet!
つづく... (Click here to read more)
This morning's kanji quiz went off without a hitch. We have a "lesson test" tomorrow which is more review. I'm a bit surprised at how nervous some of my classmates appear to be over these tests. Lots of "what do we have to know" questions were hurled at the teacher today (many of them quite specific) and to be frank, I don't think she speaks enough English to fully understand them. The students, in turn, were frustrated by her lack of straightforward answers. I don't want to sound cynical or arrogant here, but IT'S A TEST!! She doesn't have to tell you everything about the test in advance, that's the point. Besides, this is all review! Sometimes I wonder how these students got placed in Level 2 at all.
I ran into Kazu today on campus. He has been trying to buy tickets for us to see the Hanshin Tigers and things haven't gone well. Apparently all the tickets are sold out for the rest of the season! There is a glimmer of hope though; his father actually works for Hanshin Railway who owns the Tigers (Japanese baseball teams are named for the companies that own them instead of the cities where they play). So maybe we can score some inside tickets, otherwise, there's always next year.
I had lunch with Megan (from OR) again today. This is quickly becoming a regular part of my day since we are in the same Japanese classes and we typically head straight to cafeteria afterwards. I think we are very different people but I am grateful for the company. She raised an interesting point at lunch today: do the Japanese celebrate Halloween? I've always heard "no," especially from Kazu and the other Japanese students I've asked, but Megan seemed pretty sure that they do. If so, I'm in kind of a spot since I didn't pack much odd/funny clothing that could be worked into a costume. I certainly can't afford to buy anything. Maybe I can just slather some make-up on my face and pass as some kind of ghoul or ghost.
My afternoon classes went pretty smoothly. Rather than hurry home at 4PM, I hung around in the computer lab for an extended period of time, checking e-mails and such. This way, I could eat dinner someplace new on the way home. I had pretty much eaten at all the local spots near the dorm and I had yet to try most of the places near the campus.
This restaurant, Bikkuri Ramen, is located very close to the main gate of the campus. As you can see, they advertise some very low prices and since I hadn't had any ramen yet on this trip I figured this would be the perfect time and place to start! I didn't opt for the super-cheap deal they had posted outside, but I got a nice bowl for less than 300 Yen. The best part of the deal was the free seasonings on the counter. Of course, they had plenty of ground red pepper, but this place also offered self-serve minced garlic! Mmmm, I spooned a generous amount into the broth and enjoyed my meal. It was very filling and a bargain to boot, but I can't do this very often because ramen is definitely no good for me; way too many carbs and not much else.
Tomorrow is a light class day so we'll see what I can get up to in the afternoon. The weekend is just around the corner and I haven't made any plans yet!
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Motivation
I guess I don't get this whole typhoon business. Last night, it was perilously close to Kyûshû and the forecast was for rain all week. Today I woke up to sunny skies and the typhoon had barely moved at all on the map. Now they're saying it will "hit" us tomorrow, although they say that knowing that the center of the storm is unlikely to actually come near this area. Still, we're expecting rain and high winds tomorrow.
I didn't take any pictures today, sorry. I just went to class like a good little student. My test yesterday was a 100% score but don't get excited, it was purely review. Tomorrow's kanji quiz should be the same. At least one student in my class felt a little overwhelmed by the prospect of reviewing 100+ kanji so soon into the semester so she and I had a little study session this afternoon. She knew most of them but I did my best to help her out. We might do some more reviewing tomorrow morning before the exam.
At lunch a random Japanese student asked to have lunch with me. Even though I had already finished I welcomed him and tried to converse with him. He did not speak much English so it was a bit of a challenge. He also had a cold which left him struggling to speak sometimes. I'm not sure you should eat curry when you're congested but I didn't know how to tell him that.
This afternoon's Western Views of Japan class had a few interesting moments. We watched a short piece of The Barbarian and the Geisha starring John Wayne. I know Wayne is an American icon to many but to me he just seems weird. In this film he was particularly ridiculous, playing Townsend Harris, the first American Consul General to Japan. The class was openly laughing at much of what John Wayne did or said, especially his "heroics" in single-handedly ending a cholera epidemic by burning down an entire village. Naturally, the villagers resisted him at first but later thanked him on their hands and knees for saving their lives. The message of the film was pretty clear: Japan needs big, strong Americans to help them deal with the dangers of modern life.
We spent most of the class discussing real-life Westerners who went to Japan for various reasons. The teacher tended to put them into one of two categories (which he admitted was not fair but felt it was a reasonable dichotomy to make): those who came to Japan to somehow "save" the Japanese from their own backward ways and those who were escaping the West for their own reasons. This led me to wonder about my own reasons for coming to Japan. It's a question I am often asked by Japanese and foreigners alike. On the one hand, I am decidedly unhappy with my life* in the United States and I hope to find more of a purpose here. On the other hand, I am somewhat motivated by my disapproval of the Japanese who would teach improper English to each other. Do either of these categories fit me correctly? Is either one a "good" reason to come here?
I suppose it's best not to worry about what others might or might not think of my decision to pursue a future in Japan. I'm sure there are already plenty of people out there who think I'm some kind of loser because my gateway into Japan was through its pop culture. Likewise, there are people who think it's ridiculous to quit a full-time job to go back to school at 28. I don't think much of these people so I see no reason to give their opinions any weight.
*I should qualify this by saying I am unhappy with my professional and social life, not my very life itself. I have wonderful friends and family, of course, but I've never held a meaningful job or been particularly successful in any social settings. Most of my hobbies are very solitary and I often find myself wondering where I am going. But don't fret; that's a big reason why I'm here!
つづく... (Click here to read more)
I didn't take any pictures today, sorry. I just went to class like a good little student. My test yesterday was a 100% score but don't get excited, it was purely review. Tomorrow's kanji quiz should be the same. At least one student in my class felt a little overwhelmed by the prospect of reviewing 100+ kanji so soon into the semester so she and I had a little study session this afternoon. She knew most of them but I did my best to help her out. We might do some more reviewing tomorrow morning before the exam.
At lunch a random Japanese student asked to have lunch with me. Even though I had already finished I welcomed him and tried to converse with him. He did not speak much English so it was a bit of a challenge. He also had a cold which left him struggling to speak sometimes. I'm not sure you should eat curry when you're congested but I didn't know how to tell him that.
This afternoon's Western Views of Japan class had a few interesting moments. We watched a short piece of The Barbarian and the Geisha starring John Wayne. I know Wayne is an American icon to many but to me he just seems weird. In this film he was particularly ridiculous, playing Townsend Harris, the first American Consul General to Japan. The class was openly laughing at much of what John Wayne did or said, especially his "heroics" in single-handedly ending a cholera epidemic by burning down an entire village. Naturally, the villagers resisted him at first but later thanked him on their hands and knees for saving their lives. The message of the film was pretty clear: Japan needs big, strong Americans to help them deal with the dangers of modern life.
We spent most of the class discussing real-life Westerners who went to Japan for various reasons. The teacher tended to put them into one of two categories (which he admitted was not fair but felt it was a reasonable dichotomy to make): those who came to Japan to somehow "save" the Japanese from their own backward ways and those who were escaping the West for their own reasons. This led me to wonder about my own reasons for coming to Japan. It's a question I am often asked by Japanese and foreigners alike. On the one hand, I am decidedly unhappy with my life* in the United States and I hope to find more of a purpose here. On the other hand, I am somewhat motivated by my disapproval of the Japanese who would teach improper English to each other. Do either of these categories fit me correctly? Is either one a "good" reason to come here?
I suppose it's best not to worry about what others might or might not think of my decision to pursue a future in Japan. I'm sure there are already plenty of people out there who think I'm some kind of loser because my gateway into Japan was through its pop culture. Likewise, there are people who think it's ridiculous to quit a full-time job to go back to school at 28. I don't think much of these people so I see no reason to give their opinions any weight.
*I should qualify this by saying I am unhappy with my professional and social life, not my very life itself. I have wonderful friends and family, of course, but I've never held a meaningful job or been particularly successful in any social settings. Most of my hobbies are very solitary and I often find myself wondering where I am going. But don't fret; that's a big reason why I'm here!
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Monday, September 05, 2005
Dullsville
It's raining again. It may rain all week because of an incoming typhoon. What's the different between a typhoon and a hurricane? It's entirely a geographic distinction; the phenomena are the same. "Typhoon" is actually derived from the Japanese word taifû (台風). While I can't seem to find out if this is a particularly "big" storm, nobody seems too worried about it so I can assume I'm not looking at a Katrina-esque situation.
Imagestolen courtesy of Japan Meteorological Agency
Speaking of Katrina, we get a version of CNN here so I have seen my share of footage of devastation from New Orleans. Nearly every other blog I've read has had something to say about the situation but I don't. I've never been to New Orleans and I don't know anyone who lives there, so the whole thing is horribly abstract to me. In a way, I just don't care and I guess that sounds horrible. My dad has been writing to me asking me what the Japanese press is saying about it. While I am trying to watch Japanese news whenever possible (and not just because I have a class on the subject), much of it is still completely unintelligible to me. The focus is clearly on the upcoming election which I don't quite understand either.
Speaking of the election, we spent today's News In Japan classtime learning all about the Japanese government and the very specific rules that control how candidates are permitted to campaign. Basically, they can't spend any money on advertising at all; the government provides all candidates with a set number of TV, radio and print ads so that the field is completely equal. Any posters for the candidate must conform to a specific size and only be displayed on one government-sponsored board in each town (see below). Sounds nice, doesn't it?
Of course, there's a catch (there always is). The political parties may advertise as much as they damn well feel like so long as no specific candidate of their is named. They can still be pictured though, so that's why Hirakata is covered with shots of these clenched-fist folks from the New Komeito Party.
Here's Katsuya Okada of the Democratic Party of Japan, the main opposition party to the Liberal Democratic Party who are, in fact, conservative.
Notice that his name is not mentioned...well, I guess you'll have to take my word for it.
Now do you see why I called today's post "Dullsville?" I've got nothing here folks, nothing. The only quirky photo/moment of the whole day was this strange poster I saw in the cafeteria:
Is it For or Against the consumption of alcohol? I have no idea.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Image
Speaking of Katrina, we get a version of CNN here so I have seen my share of footage of devastation from New Orleans. Nearly every other blog I've read has had something to say about the situation but I don't. I've never been to New Orleans and I don't know anyone who lives there, so the whole thing is horribly abstract to me. In a way, I just don't care and I guess that sounds horrible. My dad has been writing to me asking me what the Japanese press is saying about it. While I am trying to watch Japanese news whenever possible (and not just because I have a class on the subject), much of it is still completely unintelligible to me. The focus is clearly on the upcoming election which I don't quite understand either.
Speaking of the election, we spent today's News In Japan classtime learning all about the Japanese government and the very specific rules that control how candidates are permitted to campaign. Basically, they can't spend any money on advertising at all; the government provides all candidates with a set number of TV, radio and print ads so that the field is completely equal. Any posters for the candidate must conform to a specific size and only be displayed on one government-sponsored board in each town (see below). Sounds nice, doesn't it?
Of course, there's a catch (there always is). The political parties may advertise as much as they damn well feel like so long as no specific candidate of their is named. They can still be pictured though, so that's why Hirakata is covered with shots of these clenched-fist folks from the New Komeito Party.
Here's Katsuya Okada of the Democratic Party of Japan, the main opposition party to the Liberal Democratic Party who are, in fact, conservative.
Notice that his name is not mentioned...well, I guess you'll have to take my word for it.
Now do you see why I called today's post "Dullsville?" I've got nothing here folks, nothing. The only quirky photo/moment of the whole day was this strange poster I saw in the cafeteria:
Is it For or Against the consumption of alcohol? I have no idea.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Sleepy Sunday
I was up late blogging last night (again) so I got off to a late start this morning. It wasn't a problem though as I got a decent night's sleep save for a horrible dream. I was at some kind of ritzy party in a high-rise apartment (presumably in New York). I remember seeing Stan Winston at the party although for some reason he was much younger than he is in real life. The party was interrupted when jumbo airplanes started to fly past the building, hitting other nearby structures. I remember feeling really scared, the kind of raw fear that only a nightmare can give you. We all started to flee the building when one passed below our view and hit us. The whole building shook and I think I woke up at that point. I hate my dreams so much. They only bring me grief and anxiety.
My only agenda was to get into Osaka by 2PM to meet Kazu and Scott for an afternoon of hanging out. I had actually left some important toiletries at Kazu's house on Friday night and I couldn't wait until Wednesday to get them from him at school. The best solution was to meet in Osaka and then hang out for a while. I suggested a few activities but Kazu wasn't interested in any of them. Sometimes I get the impression that he thinks Japan is boring and I don't understand why. I don't think it's a symptom of growing up here; after all, I grew up in New York and I love it there!
This radio station broadcasts live from (and to) Hirakata City station.
Looks like something exciting is coming soon to Hirakata Park! No idea what it is though.
The three of us met in the Tennôji ward and took it easy. The skies were overcast and it rained on and off all afternoon (yet somehow the humidity levels remained high). We spent a good deal of time drinking coffee and just getting to know one another, since Scott and Kazu had never met before. As I expected, they got along pretty well.
This adorable little shop specializes in Studio Ghibli merchandise.
Why was this giant red whale featured in a shopping mall? Why not?
Tennôji was apparently less exciting than we hoped so we ended up going to Umeda and visiting a mall (seen above) in the hopes of buying tickets to a Hanshin Tigers game. Scott had never been to a ballgame in Japan before and Kazu is a big Tigers fan so all three of us loved the idea. However, tickets aren't that easy to come by. The team is very popular so there were no tickets left at the ticket broker in the mall. Other options were available but they seemed needlessly complex. Here in the US, I could call an 800 number or just hit the Yankees' website and I'd have tickets to a game inside of ten minutes. In Japan, you have to go to a store to pick them up. Other than a ticket shop, you can go to a Lawson's convenience store. Of course, we couldn't find in the area. Kazu knew where one was near his home so he's just going to get the tickets himself and we'll pay him back.
Kazu left around five as he was expected home for dinner with his family. I went with Scott back to his neighborhood for a meal and a few drinks. Along the way I found myself with a powerful urge to use a toilet. I thought I might have to hit up a convenience store (where you never know what you're going to get) but we happened to pass a pretty snazzy hotel and Scott told me to just walk in and ask, saying "since you're a foreigner, they'll let you right in." I'm still not sure what he meant by that but he was right! They happily directed me to the restroom where I found a wonderful surprise.
Oh yes...a fabulously advanced washlet model! I don't know how much these things cost but if it's anything under 10,000 Yen I will so buy one in the future. Graphic details of the experience would be uncouth so I'll just say this: three cheers for the automatic bidet!
My crisis resolved (wonderfully so), Scott and I hit up a super-chill joint near his home, the Yebisu Cafe. The beers were reasonably priced and the decor was pleasant, especially the jellyfish tank (pictured below). I ate something only the Japanese would think up: crab pizza with mayonnaise! No tomato sauce but there was corn, of course. A little tabasco sauce gave it just the right kick.
I've heard a storm is on the horizon so it may rain a lot this week. I've got a few tests in Japanese class which I look forward to, although I'm more eager to further acclimate myself with the student body and have more fun like I did on Friday. Scott is far more confident of my ability to do this than I am and I wonder why I maintain such an unoptimistic outlook.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
My only agenda was to get into Osaka by 2PM to meet Kazu and Scott for an afternoon of hanging out. I had actually left some important toiletries at Kazu's house on Friday night and I couldn't wait until Wednesday to get them from him at school. The best solution was to meet in Osaka and then hang out for a while. I suggested a few activities but Kazu wasn't interested in any of them. Sometimes I get the impression that he thinks Japan is boring and I don't understand why. I don't think it's a symptom of growing up here; after all, I grew up in New York and I love it there!
This radio station broadcasts live from (and to) Hirakata City station.
Looks like something exciting is coming soon to Hirakata Park! No idea what it is though.
The three of us met in the Tennôji ward and took it easy. The skies were overcast and it rained on and off all afternoon (yet somehow the humidity levels remained high). We spent a good deal of time drinking coffee and just getting to know one another, since Scott and Kazu had never met before. As I expected, they got along pretty well.
This adorable little shop specializes in Studio Ghibli merchandise.
Why was this giant red whale featured in a shopping mall? Why not?
Tennôji was apparently less exciting than we hoped so we ended up going to Umeda and visiting a mall (seen above) in the hopes of buying tickets to a Hanshin Tigers game. Scott had never been to a ballgame in Japan before and Kazu is a big Tigers fan so all three of us loved the idea. However, tickets aren't that easy to come by. The team is very popular so there were no tickets left at the ticket broker in the mall. Other options were available but they seemed needlessly complex. Here in the US, I could call an 800 number or just hit the Yankees' website and I'd have tickets to a game inside of ten minutes. In Japan, you have to go to a store to pick them up. Other than a ticket shop, you can go to a Lawson's convenience store. Of course, we couldn't find in the area. Kazu knew where one was near his home so he's just going to get the tickets himself and we'll pay him back.
Kazu left around five as he was expected home for dinner with his family. I went with Scott back to his neighborhood for a meal and a few drinks. Along the way I found myself with a powerful urge to use a toilet. I thought I might have to hit up a convenience store (where you never know what you're going to get) but we happened to pass a pretty snazzy hotel and Scott told me to just walk in and ask, saying "since you're a foreigner, they'll let you right in." I'm still not sure what he meant by that but he was right! They happily directed me to the restroom where I found a wonderful surprise.
Oh yes...a fabulously advanced washlet model! I don't know how much these things cost but if it's anything under 10,000 Yen I will so buy one in the future. Graphic details of the experience would be uncouth so I'll just say this: three cheers for the automatic bidet!
My crisis resolved (wonderfully so), Scott and I hit up a super-chill joint near his home, the Yebisu Cafe. The beers were reasonably priced and the decor was pleasant, especially the jellyfish tank (pictured below). I ate something only the Japanese would think up: crab pizza with mayonnaise! No tomato sauce but there was corn, of course. A little tabasco sauce gave it just the right kick.
I've heard a storm is on the horizon so it may rain a lot this week. I've got a few tests in Japanese class which I look forward to, although I'm more eager to further acclimate myself with the student body and have more fun like I did on Friday. Scott is far more confident of my ability to do this than I am and I wonder why I maintain such an unoptimistic outlook.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
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