Thursday, November 27, 2008
Kyoto & Osaka Slideshow
I hope to write about my trip to Kyoto and Osaka soon, but here's some photos in the meantime.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Remember, Remember The Fifth of November
It was surprisingly refreshing to be in Japan during what I heard had been unstoppable election campaigning and endless news coverage in the States. However, there was no way I would let myself fall into apathy during this historical election just because I was half a world away! I was happy to find that the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo was hosting an Election-Results Open House on November 5th, during the time when the polls finished closing in the States. I could imagine it would definitely be an interesting experience, but nothing like what I experienced that afternoon.
Along with my American friends from my university in Tokyo, I supposed guests at this U.S. Embassy event would mostly be, well, from the U.S. However, our assumptions immediately dissolved as soon as we reached the enormous line of Japanese waiting to enter. After waiting in line for about 45 minutes and passing through the metal detectors, my friends Erin and Ryan and I entered a large room with an even larger screen playing live CNN coverage of the election over equally giant speakers. (This was at about 1:00PM in Japan, which was about the time the final polls were closing). As we watched in anticipation, the only other American that looked even close to our age came up to us (also an Obama supporter), introduced himself and joined us as we nervously made short conversations about all the what-ifs and together counted down the seconds to the final closing of the polls... Suddenly, Obama's face and the word "president" flashed before us on the giant screen, the CNN projection of the president-elect. So shocked with this information, the whole crowd stood silent for a few moments followed by a roar of applause! Realizing this was for real, we joined in shouting and jumping up and down surrounded by Japanese Obama supporters chanting "OBAMA! OBAMA!" I had never expected so many Japanese to be so ecstatic about the results; it was almost as if we were all fellow American citizens gathered together in celebration. That day, half way across the world, people in Japan got to experience what it was like to support a presidential candidate in a democracy and celebrate his victory, something we found out later was so contrastive from Japanese politics.
All four of us were dizzy with excitement, barely able to believe it was true, that something so initially improbable really was possible in America. The coverage of the rally in Chicago looked absolutely magnificent on that giant projector screen, and all I could think was how strange yet wonderful it looked to see so many passionate, happy Americans gathered together for a shared cause in pure bliss. For the first time, I could feel and express a great surge of pride for my country and wasn't embarrassed to feel it! We received many congratulations from other Japanese in the room, and were also approached by a Japanese newspaper journalist to be interviewed. With the help from our new American friend (who seemed to be almost fluent in Japanese), we answered questions such as "how do you think this election will affect the rest of the world?" and, "what is the significance of a rally?", questions I never had the opportunity to try to answer or even simplify for someone from a very different political culture. It was truly all a positive and surprising experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. We ended our afternoon carrying left-over red, white and blue balloons from the event through the streets of Tokyo and emotionally exhausted, sat together in comforting relief over bentos for lunch.
Anyway, I really hope to write about my trip to Kyoto and Osaka as soon as midterms finish! This week seems to be prime 紅葉 (ko-yo) season, meaning the changing of the leaves are at their most vibrant colors before they leave the trees bare by next week. It's always so beautiful to look out of the train on my way to school each morning these days (even though I'm squished to an unimaginable extent during morning rush-hour) because the sun shines so beautifully through the golden and crimson colored trees that line the streets below the railway. Funny how only this one week in Fall the ko-yo is so dramatic, then, as quickly as it appeared, it will disappear. This weekend I'm planning to travel to Mt. Fuji (Fuji-san) and the theme park nearby with some friends, and the view from the lake we're visiting is supposed to be absolutely breathtaking, so I'm crossing my fingers for ko-yo!
Along with my American friends from my university in Tokyo, I supposed guests at this U.S. Embassy event would mostly be, well, from the U.S. However, our assumptions immediately dissolved as soon as we reached the enormous line of Japanese waiting to enter. After waiting in line for about 45 minutes and passing through the metal detectors, my friends Erin and Ryan and I entered a large room with an even larger screen playing live CNN coverage of the election over equally giant speakers. (This was at about 1:00PM in Japan, which was about the time the final polls were closing). As we watched in anticipation, the only other American that looked even close to our age came up to us (also an Obama supporter), introduced himself and joined us as we nervously made short conversations about all the what-ifs and together counted down the seconds to the final closing of the polls... Suddenly, Obama's face and the word "president" flashed before us on the giant screen, the CNN projection of the president-elect. So shocked with this information, the whole crowd stood silent for a few moments followed by a roar of applause! Realizing this was for real, we joined in shouting and jumping up and down surrounded by Japanese Obama supporters chanting "OBAMA! OBAMA!" I had never expected so many Japanese to be so ecstatic about the results; it was almost as if we were all fellow American citizens gathered together in celebration. That day, half way across the world, people in Japan got to experience what it was like to support a presidential candidate in a democracy and celebrate his victory, something we found out later was so contrastive from Japanese politics.
All four of us were dizzy with excitement, barely able to believe it was true, that something so initially improbable really was possible in America. The coverage of the rally in Chicago looked absolutely magnificent on that giant projector screen, and all I could think was how strange yet wonderful it looked to see so many passionate, happy Americans gathered together for a shared cause in pure bliss. For the first time, I could feel and express a great surge of pride for my country and wasn't embarrassed to feel it! We received many congratulations from other Japanese in the room, and were also approached by a Japanese newspaper journalist to be interviewed. With the help from our new American friend (who seemed to be almost fluent in Japanese), we answered questions such as "how do you think this election will affect the rest of the world?" and, "what is the significance of a rally?", questions I never had the opportunity to try to answer or even simplify for someone from a very different political culture. It was truly all a positive and surprising experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. We ended our afternoon carrying left-over red, white and blue balloons from the event through the streets of Tokyo and emotionally exhausted, sat together in comforting relief over bentos for lunch.
Anyway, I really hope to write about my trip to Kyoto and Osaka as soon as midterms finish! This week seems to be prime 紅葉 (ko-yo) season, meaning the changing of the leaves are at their most vibrant colors before they leave the trees bare by next week. It's always so beautiful to look out of the train on my way to school each morning these days (even though I'm squished to an unimaginable extent during morning rush-hour) because the sun shines so beautifully through the golden and crimson colored trees that line the streets below the railway. Funny how only this one week in Fall the ko-yo is so dramatic, then, as quickly as it appeared, it will disappear. This weekend I'm planning to travel to Mt. Fuji (Fuji-san) and the theme park nearby with some friends, and the view from the lake we're visiting is supposed to be absolutely breathtaking, so I'm crossing my fingers for ko-yo!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
"The Coming of Wisdom with Time"
This was the cover of a notebook of all things, but strangely enough it may best explain my metamorphosis here. It's been almost a month since I arrived in Japan and I can hardly believe it (and also that I haven't been updating my blog as often as I'd hoped, sorry)! Back home I thought my time here would be more than enough, but I've quickly realized how fast it's zipping by, and now 4 1/2 months seems like not enough time to do everything! Adjusting to such a different place has made me think and react in a long-term sense from the very beginning; knowing this crazy city is to be my home, I think I have been a bit more cautious about fully embracing the honeymoon stage. I'm not terribly sad or homesick, however frustration is surfacing more and more each day: the early mornings in order to reach school on time; the physical discomfort of not only literally bending backwards on the rush-hour morning train and holding myself up off peoples' laps with only arm strength, but tripping up sets of stairs (haha, yeah, I would do that); the difficulty of simply trying to order food and understanding what it is I'm actually ordering when I'm just SO hungry; the looks I get and the lonely feeling that constantly reminds me I am now the minority...BUT the everyday joys make all the difference: receiving a free loaf of bread from the department store after purchasing a hair clip; realizing the unknown contents of my food is actually quite delicious; the amazing sense of accomplishment I feel when I finally figure something out on my own; the satisfaction I get from having to work hard for what I have and where I want to go; the happiness I feel when someone truly understands me although we do not share the same language; admiring the way humans can connect without language (especially with children); how strong the bonds between my recently-made friends has become in this short time; feeling truly proud that I have found the inner independence I knew I had all along but just needed an excuse to find it; keeping my speech and thoughts in check; a new-found self-confidence despite the constant scrutinization I am under; my new tendency to jump right into an uncomfortable or seemingly unpleasant situation and never feeling regretful!
This has to have been the best thing to happen to me at this point in my life, and I'm confident now the most happiness and growth comes from taking risks. I'm actually beginning to learn more about my own country from fellow exchange students here, as I'm finding how truly different we all are as Americans despite our shared nationality, and it's been great to celebrate these differences even just over a cup of coffee. From the Japanese people I'm finally learning to balance speaking my mind with my tendency to repeatedly make apologies! I'm finding my place in this world as a human being, and understanding you don't have to be ignorant or racist to learn your own culture is never more superior to another, and that what is proper or right is completely subjective. Not only that, but the differences in this world are absolutely beautiful though they may never be completely understood.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Honeymoon Stage?
We learned in orientation the other day the typical pattern of emotions a foreigner feels in a new country over time; the "honeymoon stage" should be where I'm at now, followed by frustration and despair (I sure hope not), then finally a coping/acceptance stage. I have no idea where I'm at! That's not to say I'm not having a great time though. I think I just had to learn really quickly that as crazy and fun as this place is, it is where I am LIVING for the next 4 months or so.
So for the time I've spent exploring outside of family life:
I got my Japanese cell phone (keitai) complete with infrared technology and cutesy flair hanging off it! So far I've only really spent some time in Shibuya where the famous giant crosswalk exists (ever seen Lost In Translation?) and Shinjuku where purikura machines and expensive shops thrive.
Last week I also got to meet a Japanese girl my age who is the daughter of my host mom's friend, and she's studied abroad in Mongolia and Australia, and knows almost perfect Mongolian(?) and English. We met up at the Shikjuku station, and even underground there is so much fabulous shopping places and upscale restaurants. It was kind of the first time I really had a thorough conversation with someone about the differences of our cultures. As we walked past a bunch of random Halloween crap, I asked how they celebrated it and went on to explain how we did. She had no idea why there were pumpkins with faces all over the place every Fall, but just kind of accepted it! When I explained how we try to scare people for fun and light candles inside carved up pumpkins on our doorstep, she gave me the funniest look! I'm finding it sounds so strange to try to explain the how's and why's of what we do sometimes...Today's adventures include meeting some friends in Harajuku to find crazy costumed girls and some inexpensive shopping, then we'll move onto electric town (supposedly home to inexpensive, advanced technology), and finally Shinjuku for karaoke and drinks tonight.
I have to explain this weekend's CIEE overnight trip to Nikko. We visited ancient Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples and really got to experience Japanese tradition. Stepping into a shrine barefoot with the scent of incense all around me (aside from all the "Gaijin" comments) just made me feel so genuinely relaxed. We stayed at a traditional inn wearing yukatas and eating really traditional meals (including whole fish on a stick). After long deliberation and much convincing, I decided to experience the onsen with a few of the girls in the CIEE group, also known as a scalding hot communal bath tub...clothe-less. I was so nervous at first, but seriously WHY NOT if I'm given the opportunity? That's what this trip is all about, and I found myself greatly rewarded as, I swear, every muscle in me released all its tension. The Japanese know what's up! A small few of us topped off the night searching for the one and only small bar in the neighborhood, but found it to be a wonderful surprise as we sang Aladdin karaoke through the night and made "friends" with Japanese Obama fans.
School starts next Wednesday, so I'm trying to enjoy all the free time I can. I promise as I find a better Internet source I will post pictures and videos I have taken, because they're hilarious! Much love to everyone!
So for the time I've spent exploring outside of family life:
I got my Japanese cell phone (keitai) complete with infrared technology and cutesy flair hanging off it! So far I've only really spent some time in Shibuya where the famous giant crosswalk exists (ever seen Lost In Translation?) and Shinjuku where purikura machines and expensive shops thrive.
Last week I also got to meet a Japanese girl my age who is the daughter of my host mom's friend, and she's studied abroad in Mongolia and Australia, and knows almost perfect Mongolian(?) and English. We met up at the Shikjuku station, and even underground there is so much fabulous shopping places and upscale restaurants. It was kind of the first time I really had a thorough conversation with someone about the differences of our cultures. As we walked past a bunch of random Halloween crap, I asked how they celebrated it and went on to explain how we did. She had no idea why there were pumpkins with faces all over the place every Fall, but just kind of accepted it! When I explained how we try to scare people for fun and light candles inside carved up pumpkins on our doorstep, she gave me the funniest look! I'm finding it sounds so strange to try to explain the how's and why's of what we do sometimes...Today's adventures include meeting some friends in Harajuku to find crazy costumed girls and some inexpensive shopping, then we'll move onto electric town (supposedly home to inexpensive, advanced technology), and finally Shinjuku for karaoke and drinks tonight.
I have to explain this weekend's CIEE overnight trip to Nikko. We visited ancient Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples and really got to experience Japanese tradition. Stepping into a shrine barefoot with the scent of incense all around me (aside from all the "Gaijin" comments) just made me feel so genuinely relaxed. We stayed at a traditional inn wearing yukatas and eating really traditional meals (including whole fish on a stick). After long deliberation and much convincing, I decided to experience the onsen with a few of the girls in the CIEE group, also known as a scalding hot communal bath tub...clothe-less. I was so nervous at first, but seriously WHY NOT if I'm given the opportunity? That's what this trip is all about, and I found myself greatly rewarded as, I swear, every muscle in me released all its tension. The Japanese know what's up! A small few of us topped off the night searching for the one and only small bar in the neighborhood, but found it to be a wonderful surprise as we sang Aladdin karaoke through the night and made "friends" with Japanese Obama fans.
School starts next Wednesday, so I'm trying to enjoy all the free time I can. I promise as I find a better Internet source I will post pictures and videos I have taken, because they're hilarious! Much love to everyone!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
IN TOKYO!
I don't even know how to begin explaining this emotional roller coaster going on inside of me! The last few weeks I was feeling down, then up, and back down again... But once I gave my final hugs and goodbyes to my dad and stepmom at the airport, and wiped away my tears, I felt almost a giant relief. So much so, that I can only describe how I felt as going into "autopilot" mode. Not upset and teary, and not particularly happy either. Just kinda coasting along, watching movies on the plane, tired as hell at the end. As the plane set down onto the Narita Airport runway, I made sure I caught a glance at the Japanese style homes nestled in the countryside. I'm really here! It sounds so cliche, but I can only describe what I'm going through as surrealistic in every aspect. After being greeted by the group and sent off onto a bus towards our hotel (which is absolutely beautiful!), I met Ryan from Wisconsin. We talked and talked in excitement, from where it came we still can't figure out (it felt about midnight to us at this point) until we drifted over the bridge above the bay, dazily staring out into the giant, but gorgeous city scene, and somehow our conversation drifted off into a 5 minute nap.
When we arrived at the hotel, we received our room keys and orientation packets. To my amazing relief, it contained the information about my homestay family. The past few weeks I'd been nautiously nervous about all the unknowns (knowing NOTHING about my family until this very moment), and all that so quickly just disappeared. A family of four! A mother, father, daughter (age 19) and son (age 21). With a cat! And a dog! (And a hamster.) Most of them able to speak intermediate level English! I meet them in two days and I will have much more on that later.
My roommate in the hotel for these first 2 nights, Erin from Minnesota, is awesome and she took me to the corner 7-11 (as she'd already visited Japan) and we bought some delicious dinners with a tasty sweetbread.
Well, it's 9:37PM here in Tokyo, and I only got about an hour sleep on the plane, which means I've been awake for almost 24 hours. Goodnight!
When we arrived at the hotel, we received our room keys and orientation packets. To my amazing relief, it contained the information about my homestay family. The past few weeks I'd been nautiously nervous about all the unknowns (knowing NOTHING about my family until this very moment), and all that so quickly just disappeared. A family of four! A mother, father, daughter (age 19) and son (age 21). With a cat! And a dog! (And a hamster.) Most of them able to speak intermediate level English! I meet them in two days and I will have much more on that later.
My roommate in the hotel for these first 2 nights, Erin from Minnesota, is awesome and she took me to the corner 7-11 (as she'd already visited Japan) and we bought some delicious dinners with a tasty sweetbread.
Well, it's 9:37PM here in Tokyo, and I only got about an hour sleep on the plane, which means I've been awake for almost 24 hours. Goodnight!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Dirty Japanese
This book is seriously genius. Though it would seem at first glance a rediculous guide to communicate nasty pickup lines and scandalous statements in Japanese (although they definitely do exist), it's actually a very practical expression book and culture guide! But first, here's some of my favorite dirty phrases...heheWhat the fuck?
nande yanen
なんでやねん！
I am a pathetic bed wetter
watashi wa sho mo nai onesho desu
私輪しょうもないオネショです。
Shit, I'm really fucking baked
yabai ore itachatte iru wa
ヤバい、俺、イちゃっているわ。
That girl from the club gave me the clap.
kurabu no ko ni rimbyo o moratcchatta
クラブの子に淋病をもらっちゃった。
bukkake (skeet skeet skeet)
bukkake
ぶっかけ
I need to shave my bikini line
bikini rain o soranakya
ビキニライをそらなきゃ。
playing the skin flute
shakuhachi
尺八
Fucking cops.
poriko no aho
ポリこうのアホ
It's a biker cop!
shirobai da
白バイだ！
I know, graphic but hilarious. However, that's only about a third of the book. The rest is quite useful: casual greetings for friends, how to describe people (ditz, recluse, lazy bum), witty sayings, and things young hip people do for fun. There's plenty of practical phrases to get you by without sounding like a robot foreigner full of textbook-produced expressions (I know I need that). It's really a great insight to how the younger generation of Japanese people really speak among each other and what they're all about, although some of it may seem a bit strange and perverse. Like the author admits, "When you're among friends or fellow debauchers, let's face it--'Konnichiwa, yoroshiku onegai shimassu' is going to make you stand out like...well..a foreigner."
Dirty Japanese by Matt Fargo
Saturday, August 23, 2008
The Plan.
I just wanted to jot down exactly what I hope for this blog once I actually get to Japan. I hope to write as often as I can (hoping every day in the beginning) but it all depends on Internet availability. Internet is not as common in the average Japanese home as it is in America (yeah, surprised me too) but it'll definitely be available at the University where I'll be spending most of my days.
If you know me, you know I love to take videos and pictures, so I'll be adding all those and as much detail of my experiences as possible! I'm way excited!
Keep in touch with Skype! It's free and I'll get a web cam so I can really say hi! My screen name is calyon42.
Oh, the other thing: I've found out there are 45 total participants in the Fall program, and only a couple others go to school in California!! I'm really gonna be out of my element!
If you know me, you know I love to take videos and pictures, so I'll be adding all those and as much detail of my experiences as possible! I'm way excited!
Keep in touch with Skype! It's free and I'll get a web cam so I can really say hi! My screen name is calyon42.
Oh, the other thing: I've found out there are 45 total participants in the Fall program, and only a couple others go to school in California!! I'm really gonna be out of my element!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Nerves Setting In
So I successfully finished Japanese class, along with the culture class I mentioned in the previous post. Both turned out to be extremely rewarding, for my own personal growth as well as for the development of my language skills. I can't decide if I feel better equipped to deal with the language barrier now, or more frightened now that I know what I'm up against; there's just so much more to learn, I may have just been more comfortable being blissfully ignorant! All is well though, I'm trying to calm myself as I count down the weeks to my departure (less than 4!) and sadly to my boyfriend of 6 years' departure for his own China/Vietnam study abroad trip (less than 3 weeks!). That could be a whole post topic in itself, but let's just say he's been my other half for more than a third or my life and separating for so long may be the most difficult thing I've had to do. However, I know we'll both be off having the times of our lives and coming back together will be that much more sweet.
As an update, I've received my Certificate of Eligibility (a requirement to apply for a visa) from CIEE in the mail, and am about to send it in along with my passport for my student visa! I've made flight arrangements, and now just figuring out how I'm going to pack for 5 months in a foreign country and how to deal with money. Apparently using an ATM or credit card is the way to go, along with plenty of travelers checks. It is a cash society, so I'm going to have to get used to carrying yen with me all the time. CIEE reports that past students have spent about $5000 per semester (I'm assuming that's not including extra travel expenses and all the dough they dropped down on nightlife fun), so that gives you and I an idea of how expensive Tokyo really is.
I'll also say that the Tokyo travel guides I recommended (Lonely Planet and Eye Witness books) are extremely helpful and complement each other very well. Lots of pictures and visual aids in Eye Witness, and plenty of detail and insider info about Tokyo in the Lonely Planet guide. I can't seem to research this country enough! It's definitely getting me excited enough to look past the jitters and realize how priceless this experience will be.
As an update, I've received my Certificate of Eligibility (a requirement to apply for a visa) from CIEE in the mail, and am about to send it in along with my passport for my student visa! I've made flight arrangements, and now just figuring out how I'm going to pack for 5 months in a foreign country and how to deal with money. Apparently using an ATM or credit card is the way to go, along with plenty of travelers checks. It is a cash society, so I'm going to have to get used to carrying yen with me all the time. CIEE reports that past students have spent about $5000 per semester (I'm assuming that's not including extra travel expenses and all the dough they dropped down on nightlife fun), so that gives you and I an idea of how expensive Tokyo really is.
I'll also say that the Tokyo travel guides I recommended (Lonely Planet and Eye Witness books) are extremely helpful and complement each other very well. Lots of pictures and visual aids in Eye Witness, and plenty of detail and insider info about Tokyo in the Lonely Planet guide. I can't seem to research this country enough! It's definitely getting me excited enough to look past the jitters and realize how priceless this experience will be.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
I think I'm learning Japanese,
I think I'm learning Japanese,
I really think so.
I've come to the end of my first week of Japanese 101 at Santa Barbara City College, and I have to say it has been almost everything and somehow absolutely nothing like I expected it to be! Surprisingly though, I'm already getting the hang of writing and reading hiragana (one "alphabet" of Japanese characters), and I even find it refreshing and relaxing to practice the different strokes of the characters. What's so shocking to me is not only how difficult it is to memorize the characters and be able to translate them into the syllables that make up a word, but then on top of that having to be able to memorize what that word actually means (and I'm only learning ONE of the alphabets so far! There's still katakana to learn!). I've definitely got my work cut out for me.
My professor is pretty great. She's a middle-aged woman from Japan who has definitely had a lot of life experience, and she's got some funny little quirks about her (like the fanny pack she wears while teaching and the Pokemon pencil pouch she leaves on the table in front of the class). She makes us sing songs about little bears rivaling against fried shrimp (?) and watch those oh so entertaining beginning language videos from the 80s. Class is always pretty amusing.
So I'm thinking about taking an additional 2 unit course that lasts 4 days (but all day long each day). It's almost like a full Japanese culture and language immersion workshop. The days include hands-on experience practicing and watching presentations about speech synthesis, origami, chigiri-e art, calligraphy, anime, tea ceremony, kimonos, flower arrangement, sushi making (and eating!), Japanese music and theater, and so much more! It's four full days of almost everything Japanese I've wanted to experience and try, so I'm hoping this will be a cool introduction to the culture before I go to Tokyo (and also that it's not too much fun so that it's spoiled for when I get finally there!).
Anyway, here's a few "fun facts" I learned this first week:
*The number 4 and the number 9 are the unlucky numbers (like 13 is to us). The reasons? The word for 4 can also mean dying, and the word for 9 can also mean suffering. Don't stay on either of those floors in a hotel!
*My name pronounced in a Japanese accent is cherushi raian. Ha!
*Santa Barbara City College is pronounced Santa Barbara Shitti College. Hehe.
We'll see how much I can actually keep stored in my long-term memory to bring with me to Japan, but I know even this little bit is going to make my transition so much smoother! I'm getting more excited now than ever!
My professor is pretty great. She's a middle-aged woman from Japan who has definitely had a lot of life experience, and she's got some funny little quirks about her (like the fanny pack she wears while teaching and the Pokemon pencil pouch she leaves on the table in front of the class). She makes us sing songs about little bears rivaling against fried shrimp (?) and watch those oh so entertaining beginning language videos from the 80s. Class is always pretty amusing.
So I'm thinking about taking an additional 2 unit course that lasts 4 days (but all day long each day). It's almost like a full Japanese culture and language immersion workshop. The days include hands-on experience practicing and watching presentations about speech synthesis, origami, chigiri-e art, calligraphy, anime, tea ceremony, kimonos, flower arrangement, sushi making (and eating!), Japanese music and theater, and so much more! It's four full days of almost everything Japanese I've wanted to experience and try, so I'm hoping this will be a cool introduction to the culture before I go to Tokyo (and also that it's not too much fun so that it's spoiled for when I get finally there!).
Anyway, here's a few "fun facts" I learned this first week:
*The number 4 and the number 9 are the unlucky numbers (like 13 is to us). The reasons? The word for 4 can also mean dying, and the word for 9 can also mean suffering. Don't stay on either of those floors in a hotel!
*My name pronounced in a Japanese accent is cherushi raian. Ha!
*Santa Barbara City College is pronounced Santa Barbara Shitti College. Hehe.
We'll see how much I can actually keep stored in my long-term memory to bring with me to Japan, but I know even this little bit is going to make my transition so much smoother! I'm getting more excited now than ever!
Monday, June 2, 2008
A Quick Note
So I just found out during my stay in Japan, Sophia University hosts an annual music festival (student music groups) and a dance festival (student dance groups)! And I can join any one of 250 extracurricular activity groups, including filmmaking, Ikebana (Japanese art of flower arranging), modern dance, skiing, scuba diving, and travel groups, as well as a ton of volunteer opportunities! Okay, only I would get this excited over this...
Events & Organizations
Events & Organizations
Sunday, June 1, 2008
One Step Closer
So, it's official now! I signed my contract to "accept" my acceptance into the program, and with $2000 down (eeek), I'm definitely going abroad! I think I've finally passed the extreme anxiety stage I've had about the trip for the last couple months, and now the excitement is resurfacing once again.
I also just finished writing a letter to my home stay family (whoever they may be...I don't find out anything about my living situation until I land in Japan) about my personality, lifestyle, family and friends, as well as what I hope to gain from the experience. It got me all excited, but this was definitely a difficult task, to explain myself sufficiently in one page, worrying not only how my personality could be interpreted on paper, but also how it would be once translated into Japanese for my family to read of course. It's really important that I be extremely honest about who I am so that I will be matched up with the perfect family for me, but it's difficult to reexamine who you are and portray exactly who you think you are in words. I'm sure I did a good enough job though, and this really got me out of the nervous slump I was in and made me realize I really am one step closer to this experience. It really just hit me that I've now reached out to my family in Japan, that they are a tangible entity and not just a dream, and that I will be meeting them and living with them very soon! Japan is real and all my daydreaming will be coming true before I know it! I almost don't want to count down the months...I'll get all nervous again!
I also just finished writing a letter to my home stay family (whoever they may be...I don't find out anything about my living situation until I land in Japan) about my personality, lifestyle, family and friends, as well as what I hope to gain from the experience. It got me all excited, but this was definitely a difficult task, to explain myself sufficiently in one page, worrying not only how my personality could be interpreted on paper, but also how it would be once translated into Japanese for my family to read of course. It's really important that I be extremely honest about who I am so that I will be matched up with the perfect family for me, but it's difficult to reexamine who you are and portray exactly who you think you are in words. I'm sure I did a good enough job though, and this really got me out of the nervous slump I was in and made me realize I really am one step closer to this experience. It really just hit me that I've now reached out to my family in Japan, that they are a tangible entity and not just a dream, and that I will be meeting them and living with them very soon! Japan is real and all my daydreaming will be coming true before I know it! I almost don't want to count down the months...I'll get all nervous again!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Accepted!
I've now officially accepted by Sophia University in Tokyo as of this morning! It's scary, now I have to make flight arrangements! eeee
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Decision: Japan
Sometime last year, sitting in my little apartment in San Luis Obispo, I made the brave decision to make a great change in my life. Living the "SLO life" for as long as I have, and really even just the American life, has made me want to break out of this safe little environment and jump into the most pleasantly drastic situation I can. I dreamed of traveling across the world to study, but most importantly, become a real part of a completely different culture than my own that I so deeply admire. I wanted so badly to immerse myself in an environment where I could really develop into the intelligent, world-conscious person I've always dreamed of becoming. I wanted to start my life story in a sense; to create and forever hold hundreds of invaluable experiences, making a real impact on my own life and possibly others.
I've always admired Asian cultures of all kinds and have felt very close to Asian way of life. Of course, this is what I think I know...I'm sure I'll be extremely shocked once I actually experience it. I've always yearned to be a part of it, though, as if it were a part of my own heritage (except, too bad I'm anything but Asian haha). I figured I'd be terrified out of my mind if I were to simply visit the region as a tourist, and that I might be more respected as a resident living alongside the people. However, I am well aware that I will never be fully accepted as "one of them" and will always remain an outsider, but I'll sure as hell get as close as I can. So, I considered Thailand and China, but at the end of the day I could not get zen gardens, cherry blossoms, and Buddhist temples out of my mind! So Japan it was, I decided, and CIEE's Tokyo trip was what I landed on. This is the program's website.
What really sold me on this trip was the huge range of classes they offered. When I officially decide my schedule of classes, I will post it. Also, I'm able to live with a family to get the full, authentic Japanese experience, which I never thought in a million years I would have the courage to do, but with the encouragement of CIEE alums I'm now more excited than ever! Up until the moment I submitted my application from the moment I thought up the idea to do so, I would think of nothing but Tokyo, and I can honestly say I'd never been so excited about anything before. I watched Lost in Translation more times than I can remember. I immediately bought books on the Japanese culture because I was fiending to learn all I could. I know all this excitement is still there in me, but the nerves are definitely emerging. I think I've felt the worst of it, the cold feet and all, but fear still lies on the surface. I'm nervous to leave my family, friends, and boyfriend of 6 years for so long and to be somewhere so far from comfort in almost every form imaginable, but something inside is pushing me and I know I will never feel more gratified than if I go through with this. So when people ask me why I chose Japan, I always hesitate because I really don't even know how to begin explaining. I know that when I come back, I'll know exactly why. I'm looking for purpose, direction, and bigger goals in my life, and I hope I can take that back and even more with me to guide me for the rest of my life.
I hope this blog to be a memoir for myself, documenting the whole experience from start to finish (and hopefully being updated every day once I actually arrive in Tokyo...only assuming I get Internet access in my living situation). I also hope this reaches anyone interested in studying in or traveling to Japan, because I know I would have LOVED to read someone's personal experiences while making my decision. And of course, I hope family and friends will read along while I'm abroad to share my adventure with me as much as possible. I expect to be thoroughly amused by many aspects of the Japanese culture, and I'm pretty computer savvy, so count on seeing lots of hilarious videos on here in the future.
I still have yet to hear back about my "official" acceptance from Sophia University, where I will be studying in Tokyo, however they've assured me enough to believe my conditional acceptance means I'm pretty much good to go. I'm supposed to find out any day now! My next post will be about all the program details for those who want to know (it's all very exciting!)
Sayonara
I've always admired Asian cultures of all kinds and have felt very close to Asian way of life. Of course, this is what I think I know...I'm sure I'll be extremely shocked once I actually experience it. I've always yearned to be a part of it, though, as if it were a part of my own heritage (except, too bad I'm anything but Asian haha). I figured I'd be terrified out of my mind if I were to simply visit the region as a tourist, and that I might be more respected as a resident living alongside the people. However, I am well aware that I will never be fully accepted as "one of them" and will always remain an outsider, but I'll sure as hell get as close as I can. So, I considered Thailand and China, but at the end of the day I could not get zen gardens, cherry blossoms, and Buddhist temples out of my mind! So Japan it was, I decided, and CIEE's Tokyo trip was what I landed on. This is the program's website.
What really sold me on this trip was the huge range of classes they offered. When I officially decide my schedule of classes, I will post it. Also, I'm able to live with a family to get the full, authentic Japanese experience, which I never thought in a million years I would have the courage to do, but with the encouragement of CIEE alums I'm now more excited than ever! Up until the moment I submitted my application from the moment I thought up the idea to do so, I would think of nothing but Tokyo, and I can honestly say I'd never been so excited about anything before. I watched Lost in Translation more times than I can remember. I immediately bought books on the Japanese culture because I was fiending to learn all I could. I know all this excitement is still there in me, but the nerves are definitely emerging. I think I've felt the worst of it, the cold feet and all, but fear still lies on the surface. I'm nervous to leave my family, friends, and boyfriend of 6 years for so long and to be somewhere so far from comfort in almost every form imaginable, but something inside is pushing me and I know I will never feel more gratified than if I go through with this. So when people ask me why I chose Japan, I always hesitate because I really don't even know how to begin explaining. I know that when I come back, I'll know exactly why. I'm looking for purpose, direction, and bigger goals in my life, and I hope I can take that back and even more with me to guide me for the rest of my life.
I hope this blog to be a memoir for myself, documenting the whole experience from start to finish (and hopefully being updated every day once I actually arrive in Tokyo...only assuming I get Internet access in my living situation). I also hope this reaches anyone interested in studying in or traveling to Japan, because I know I would have LOVED to read someone's personal experiences while making my decision. And of course, I hope family and friends will read along while I'm abroad to share my adventure with me as much as possible. I expect to be thoroughly amused by many aspects of the Japanese culture, and I'm pretty computer savvy, so count on seeing lots of hilarious videos on here in the future.
I still have yet to hear back about my "official" acceptance from Sophia University, where I will be studying in Tokyo, however they've assured me enough to believe my conditional acceptance means I'm pretty much good to go. I'm supposed to find out any day now! My next post will be about all the program details for those who want to know (it's all very exciting!)
Sayonara
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