I really, really like Japanese dramas. Recently, I have been watching Tokyo Dogs and Samurai High School. The first episode of Tokyo Dogs was really bad, but I think all the other episodes improved. Right now, I'm waiting for the final episode to be subbed. Also, Samurai High School is interesting. Miura Haruma is a good actor. In Samurai High School, he plays a completely different role from in Bloody Monday. It is refreshing to see him play such different characters. I'm really excited for two dramas coming out in January. The first is the second season of "Bloody Monday", which apparently focuses on a new type of nuclear weapon rather than viruses. It is difficult to tell how it is going to end up. I think viruses are a more realistic and interesting plot line, but I could be completely wrong. Also, I can't wait for Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge. This is a drama that is based on an anime. It comes out in January too. I have high expectations, and hopefully, it takes on a Boys over Flowers resemblance/greatness.
Bloody Monday 2
Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge
Friday, 25 December 2009
Thursday, 24 December 2009
Second Trip to Hakone
I went for my second time to Hakone. The trip was really relaxing. My friends and I had lunch and then took the ropeway up to Owakudani. We bought some Christmas presents there to send back to our families. Then, we went to an onsen at a really nice hotel. I think overall it was a successful day trip.
Monday, 21 December 2009
Gotemba Illumination
This weekend, I went to Gotemba Kogen to see the illumination. The lights were really beautiful. There were so many. For the first time this year, it really felt like Christmas, especially since it was so cold. The only thing missing was snow. One thing I still haven't got used to in Japan is people who I don't know asking to take pictures with me. I guess it is kind of cute and a little strange at the same time. I'm not for sure.
Friday, 11 December 2009
My Grandparents
I have decided to write a blog about my grandparents because they are very important to me. My grandparents came from very humble roots. My grandfather was one of eight children, who were born into a very poor family. Early in my grandfather’s life, his father died due to complications caused from gas poisoning during military service. Unfortunately, this tragedy happened just towards the end of the Great Depression. This left his family in a desolate situation. The children were forced to work at a very young age and were still left with little food. This has caused a lasting effect on my grandfather. Now, he must eat lunch at exactly 12 every single day, or he becomes very irritable. At the age of 17, my grandfather joined the air force. He met my grandmother in Florida. She and her sister moved from Missouri to Florida to work for Southwestern Bell, a telephone company. Once married, my grandmother gave up working to become a full-time housewife. My grandparents moved all around the United States during my grandfather’s time of military service. My mother lived in places such as Alaska, New Mexico, and Arkansas. My grandparents, aunt, uncles, and mother were even in Alaska for the earthquake of 1964, which had a magnitude of 9.2. After my grandfather’s military service, they settled and took up a farm in my grandmother’s hometown, Advance, Missouri. This is where my mother went to high school and met my father, who she married at the age of 17. I think most people are proud of their ancestry, but I feel like I am especially. Loads of families had difficult times during the first half of the 1900’s, so this kind of story probably is not all that unusual for families in the United States. However, I think my family has done especially well considering what it was given. I feel very spoiled and unappreciative at times to live such a privileged life created by the fruits of labor born by my grandparents, mother, and father.
My Grandparents, Cecil and Verna Veale
Monday, 7 December 2009
Shimizu S-Pulse
The past two weekends, I went to see Shimizu S-Pulse games. The first weekend, I traveled to Yokohama. The stadium there is really similar to stadiums in America. Unfortunately, Shimizu lost. The fans are quite different from those in America. Fans in America are much more aggressive. There is a lot of booing. However, at this game, no one booed. The chants in America are much more aggressive too and derogatory towards the other team. I think maybe the American atmosphere is more entertaining, but the Japanese environment is much more congenial and relaxed. After the first game, I was lucky enough to be invited to an after party. Being able to converse with Japanese people at the party was an amazing opportunity. I have been practicing Japanese hard, and I enjoy using it when I get the chance. In the future, I will start using Japanese as much as I can. The second game was at Shimizu. This stadium is very small and might be comparable to a very large high school’s football stadium in America. Regrettably, the game was drenched with rain the entire time. I think I learned a useful word though: bishobisho. After the game, we went to a really small ramen shop. We ate gyoza and ramen, sat and watched TV in the warmth, and discussed Japanese celebrities: my three favorite things.
Sorry these were taken on my iphone, so the quality is really bad.
Yokohama Stadium
Friday, 4 December 2009
Stockholm
I have decided to include some things in the blog from before I came to Japan. Hopefully, it won’t contaminate the purpose of the blog too much. I would like it instead to show a different perspective of my life, which can be incorporated into the readings specifically on Japan. I suppose I will talk about Stockholm as the first entry about my life before Japan. I visited Stockholm this summer. Stockholm is one of the best places I have ever been. The people there are extremely friendly, and I think people dress quite well too. I have never felt short before in my life, but I was towered over by the Swedish people. Being surrounded by 6 feet tall women with stunning complexions and blonde hair conjures up a feeling of reverential respect mixed with wonder. This land seems to possess a degree of surrealism. On the first day of my trip, I visited a modern art museum, but to be honest, taking pictures outside the museum was much more exciting than the museum itself. On the following day, I went to the Vasa Museum, which holds a fully intact 17th century ship salvaged after sinking on her maiden voyage in 1628. Also, wondering through Gamla Stan brought about a feeling of past times. Gamla Stan is Old Town, and the Royal Palace is there. A small armory museum is located next to the Royal Palace, which is cool if you want to see swords and past kings’ wardrobes as well as some monstrous and terrifying stuffed horses. Also, you can never go wrong with a visit to a natural history museum. The museum is a bit out of the way, but I thought it was definitely worth it because I’m obsessed with animals. The final day was filled with a visit to Drottningholm, another palace of the Swedish Royalty. The grounds are massive, and it is really enjoyable to just walk around wondering through the different pathways. In summation, visit Stockholm because it is a spectacular place.
Stockholm is composed of many small islands.
Friday, 27 November 2009
Comparison of the Marathon and Track and Field
The Marathon
Yesterday was Gonan’s marathon. In America, high schools do not hold a marathon. I think there would be a riot if students were told to run a marathon. I thought about why this may be, and I think it may have to do with some specific cultural differences. However, my analysis is completely speculative and probably way out in left field. First, I am going to rely on the stereotypical difference when comparing Asian culture to Western culture: collectivism vs. individualism. The collectivism of running an event together seems to enforce the bonds of school pride and strength. The ceremonies and procedures play almost as important role in the event as the actual run. However, in the US, I think running is based more on the individual level. If a student wants to run, they join track and field, and if they do not want to run, they join another club.
Additionally, the differences between Japanese and American work ethic play a role. I remember in high school we had to a run a mile during one P.E. class. Most of the girls in my class were so angry. Almost half barely ran at all and just started walking the majority of the mile. In American high schools, if a student does not want to do something, they either will not do it or put in as little effort as possible. However, in Japan, I think students wish for success of the group or entire school, so they try to do their best for the school. Americans try to do their best for themselves and work only at the goals they want to achieve.
Additionally, I do not think half of the people at my high school would have even been able to run a marathon due to weight and diet. Many high school students in America are extremely unhealthy. A lot of students do not participate in clubs either. Since they do not participate in clubs, they do not exercise, so they would not be healthy enough to even run a marathon. Basically, I just made a bunch of generalizations that are probably wrong, but I guess all I can do is give my opinion.
Track and Field Club
I am sorry, but I do not have any pictures on my computer of track and field club or anything else from high school. All these pictures are at my house in America, but I can maybe get my mom to send me some.
In American high schools, you can join many clubs. Just as an example, I’ll list all the clubs I did, but I was in a lot more clubs than most people. Most people only do between one and three clubs. I was a member of Performing Arts Club, History Club, Beta Club (Honors Society), Basketball, Students Against Drunk Driving, Youth for Community Betterment, Student Council, Track and Field, Spanish Club, and the Junior/Senior Play. Also, in America, choir, band, and yearbook are classes during school time. I took band class from age 12 to 16. I took choir class for two years in high school, and I was the yearbook editor during my senior year. The system for clubs is very different in America. Many of the culture clubs only meet once a month or every two weeks. However, sports clubs often meet every day of the week. I think it is good because you get to participate in many things. However, the downside is that you do not get to practice one thing as much. Sorry I am rambling on about stuff. I feel like I have been writing for ages, and I haven’t even started talking about track and field.
Ok....now onto track and field. I was a member of track and field from age 12 until age 18. Track season lasted from March until May. There was about a month of training, and then track meets started. We had between one and two track meets every week for about two months. After school, we would have a track meet either at our school or take a bus to a neighboring school. All the track events were ran on the same day, and girls and boys ran the same distances. These consisted of sprints, hurdles, relays, long distance, shot put, discus, and jumping. My events were the mile (1600 m) and two mile (3200 m). At the end of the season, we had a major competition. The first event was districts. If you place in the top two, you advanced to state and competed there. I was able to place in the top two my junior year, so I was able to go to state that year. Now, I am very sad because I am out of shape and slow. I want to be fast again. I hope basketball will help me get back into shape. I will fight hard!
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Tokyo
Unfortunately, I forgot my camera this weekend when I went to Tokyo with Julie. The first day in Tokyo, we visited Yoyogi Park. There were some people there dressed similar to Elvis. I was super disappointed though because someone had recommended watching the Elvis-like people dance, but it was totally lame. After this, we discovered Harajuku with the wonders of Topshop, H&M, and streets with cute little random shops. I was beyond happy to discover that there was a Pizza Express there, but it was booked for a party. I'm definitely going back for some food though on the next trip. That night, we wondered around for a while in Shinjuku. We met some really nice people. A girl at a restaurant kept talking to us and helped us improve our Japanese. There were also some really creepy people on the streets though. Some older man kept talking to us at a street-crossing and kept trying to buy us a coffee. It was slightly strange. The next day, we visited Sensoji Temple and Akihabara. I'm not all that into electronics, so it was kind of boring in Akihabara. There were like 100 people standing outside the electronics stores playing their Nintindo DS too. I think I need to explore Akihabara more because I feel like things a bit farther away from the station would be cool. This weekend, I'm going to Yokohama for a Shimizu S-pulse game, so I'll try to talk loads of pictures.
Daidogei 2009
Daidogei is a street performance festival in Shizuoka. I thought the performances were interesting, but a lot of the performances were more comedic than acrobatic. The best part was just wondering around and people watching. All the food stands smelled delicious. There were some comedians, who interviewed my friend and me for TV. I'm not for sure if it was put on TV, but it was really cool to get interviewed. Also, I think dog baby carriages are the best thing ever. I wish there were these dog carriages in America because it makes my day every time I see one. Also, I did purikura for the first time. The photo booth goes so fast. I had no clue what was going on half of the time.
Comedians who interviewed us
Monday, 9 November 2009
Disney Sea
Disney Sea was quite different from how I imagined. When I was about eight, I visited Disney World in Florida with my mom, aunt, and cousin. I remember Disney feeling like a fantasy world, escapism from reality. I’ve always been obsessed with fireworks, and that night was what I remember as one of the best fireworks displays of my life. At the end of the day, I told my mom that it was the best day of my life. Disney is still great, but the awe stunning, jaw-dropping factor of an eight-year kid is gone.
The architecture at Disney Sea was one the best elements at the park. Each area was like a different world. You would walk from the Middle East into an underwater wonderland and then to science fiction mountainous terrain. The decorations were eye catching as well since it was Halloween time. The hour and half waits for each ride were no fun though. I ended up only going on two rides, a roller coaster and the Tower of Terror. I think the best part was just wandering around the park and watching people. I have always pictured Disney as stereotypical Americana. However, after visiting Disney Sea, my view of Disney was completely revolutionized. Being one the few Americans at Disney, I saw how the Japanese people have embraced Disney. Maybe even to the extent that Disney is a larger part of daily Japanese life than American. One thing that was quite different from American Disney was a few people asked to have their picture taken with me. I’m not really sure why, but I think they wanted a picture with an American at Disney. I would really like to go back to Disney Sea, but maybe not during a holiday season.
A girl who wanted her picture taken with me, me, and Julie, my best friend in Japan who teaches at Kambara.
Friday, 23 October 2009
Atami Festival
Sorry for these last two blogs being posted so late. During August, a group of ALTs and Japanese people went to Atami for its annual fireworks festival. It ended up being the perfect day. I love lying in the sun on the beach and getting a tan, and this is exactly what we did all day. A few of us decided to wander around the beach, and we discovered that Japanese people are very friendly. A group of Japanese people were playing a game where you are blindfolded and you hit a watermelon with a sword. They were kind enough to let us join in the game. Also, many Japanese people took pictures with us on the beach. The day was filled with beach picnic snacks, and finally, the day ended with a spectacular fireworks display. Also, I found one major difference between Japanese and American trains is that Japanese people can fall asleep on the train no matter how bumpy the ride or noisy the train. On the way to Atami, a man almost fell on me multiple times because he was sleeping. He seemed to know exactly when to catch himself though, right before landing on me. Also, I forgot to write that there was a really nice foot onsen outside of Atami Station. There were cute children playing in the water, and there is a really pretty waterfall beside the onsen.
The Sleeping Man, who almost fell on me, on the Train to Atami
Hakone
The next two posts I'm writing are out of order on the Japan adventure timeline, but I still wanted to include it on my blog. In August, a fellow teacher, Mrs. Tanaka took me to Hakone. Hakone is an area famous for its nature and hot springs. I am very lucky to have Mrs. Tanaka at my school because she is a very welcoming person. Also, she is very funny and has a good sense of humor. The first place we visited in Hakone was the Museum of the Little Prince. "The Little Prince" is a book written by French aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The museum was like a microcosm of France in Japan. I had not read the book before going. However, I read the book after visiting the museum, and I would definitely recommend it. It’s a short read. Next, we visited a really beautiful lake called Ashinoko. Mountains surround it, and people fish there. Also, a massive pirate ship, which you can ride, sails across the lake. Finally, we went to Owakudani, which has active sulfuric vents and hot springs. The steam coming from the ground is really amazing to see. It looks like something in a movie. A hard-boiled egg, which turns black and smells from the sulfur, is available as a souvenir. I didn’t buy one, but if you visit, I think that you should definitely check it out.
Mrs. Tanaka at the Museum of the Little Prince
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