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.
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