It's nearly 5 am, I've been up all night re-doing my schedule, finally finished, read One Piece and found the new Epik High album and now I'm waiting for itunes to back up the files -- I upgraded because I had to for my shuffle to work, and I hate it... so slow -- so it looks like I might not wake up at 8:45 like I want to. For some reason it seems like my body is kind of used to this, getting too much sleep one day and going without it the next few, eating all day one day and eating nothing the next, despite exercising and all that. Can't say it's healthy.
What I can say is, like I've heard, Epik High has pulled another genius talent from somewhere. I was so worried they would collapse when they went independent, but the quality of music has only improved, and hopefully big names will be able to collaborate with them soon so they can get the recognition they deserve. They're pretty inspiring.
I've still only watched about 30 mins of Okuribito, but I'm still stunned by the camera work. Still haven't bought mine, that will come when the class does as well I guess, but it makes me really want to try. There are cell phones here with HD cam recorders built in, others with 15 megapixel cameras, others you can use like a Kindle and read books on, and even the cheapest you can watch t.v. on. What's with the huge difference between here and the US? So much for the benefits of capitalism when people are complacent with what they have, or just lazy.
My schedule is gonna be pretty close to what it was last year in terms of class hours; I'm a little worried about the work, whether it's what I have to put in to catch up or not, even though everyone tells me not to worry. Regardless, I have Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays off, so hopefully I will be taking a lot of trips. I had considered going for no class Thursdays too, but that would have been too much work and cut off too many interesting classes.
I'll have to remember to read all the directions whenever someone gives me something in Japanese now, cause this is at least the second time it's cost me a lot of effort from not fully understanding the directions, and one where I struggled on trying to correct my own mistake. Guess it's still kind of weird for me to ask people... hmm... regardless, here's my classes:
Topics in Sociolinguistics: Language policy/planning, multilingualism within communities, etc
Reading Comprehension 6 (numbers are on an 8 scale)
Comparative Cultural Studies: something about Europe and Japan, I forget though
Yoga
Kanji 6
Translation Advanced Theories (I've never studied translation, only attempted it in class and almost as a reflex when listening to people or songs, so I don't know how this will go...)
Judo for Self Defense (I really wanted Folk Dance, but it's not offered this semester...)
And hopefully, something like "Japanese society through popular song" from the post war era to the present day; it was so hard (boring, tedious) searching through the course lists -- in Japanese -- to find this so I hope all my effort was worth it.
As you can see it's a lot of playing for me, and I need to email back home and see if I will be able to get any credit for this. It's completely different from what I had planned haha, but then again I'm taking a lot more actual classes than I thought I would be. The Waseda schedule is kind of awkward... there is an hour or so between 2nd and 3rd period, so it leads to some awkward gaps in my schedule... There were a lot of interesting classes that I cut out or didn't even consider, because of their awkward times (one class I really wanted was on Saturday at 2 pm or so!!! wtf??), but hopefully they'll get better times next semester.
Itunes is almost done so I'll be cutting it short. I am hoping that I really put my weekends to good use; I'm excusing myself today because I just got it, but it's extremely easy to spend the entire day in front of the computer...
Monday, September 21, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Kindred Spirit
Hmm, since reading Chang's post the other day I've really been wondering what it's like to meet someone really like you, if not the same personality then the same kind of trying experiences regardless of how they were transformed by them (for some reason Naruto/Gaara comes to mind first -- is that bad, or just an orthodox childhood? [btw that last chapter killed my respect for Gaara's character development.... I'd rather forget I read that]). But anyway, just discovered something of a kindred spirit in that regard. What's upcoming isn't why, but proof that I have a long long way to grow to reach even a point probably long past for people my age. A little extra self-reflection makes room for growth though, huh?
"What I do know is I cannot remain as I am, bitter and entrenched by my memories and my pain. I do not want to live out my nightmares that plague me during the night. Life is too wonderful for that. God is too powerful and loving for that. I will see what I can do. I will change. I will grow."
"What I do know is I cannot remain as I am, bitter and entrenched by my memories and my pain. I do not want to live out my nightmares that plague me during the night. Life is too wonderful for that. God is too powerful and loving for that. I will see what I can do. I will change. I will grow."
Long time....
So I realized I haven`t updated in a long time... Still trying to remember and type out my first 4 or so days that I logged in note form on my cell phone, but that hasn`t had much progress... Still don`t have internet in my dorm either, so it`s a pain to even attempt lately, much less get pictures and etc.
Today I went to Harajuku, and aside from everything that happened, I realized two things. One, lots of girls in Japan really know how to dress. And two, unfortunately the way a girl dresses has a huge affect on my initial attraction for her; if I don`t pay attention, it`s easy for me to spin in circles in a place like here, to add onto the confusion I will already have just from being in a crowded place. Unless it`s legs (well and a couple other things maybe haha) though, I treat it as purely/mostly an aesthetic kind of appreciation. Face (ie prettyness) and age and sometimes sex don`t really matter for that category I guess; I found myself thinking a group of probably middle schooler`s haircuts were all really cool/fit their styles and outward personalities...
It`s interesting, really, thinking about clothes in a serious way like this for the first time (I usually just reflect on the lack of choice guys have in wardrobe and whether that`s a bad or good thing...). But yeah, enough for tonight. Tommorow is the SILS opening ceremony (yay?), I`m supposed to register for some classes or something, trying to finally get a phone, and finding that RA of mine to get my internet done. Hopefully everything goes smoothly, and even this plan I have to save some money by buying groceries works out. Banks are closed til Thursday so I`m testing myself and seeing if I can hold on to $100 by the weeks end; money goes way too fast in this town, especially fro someone whose pockets throw cash to the wind (BTW I HATE JAPANESE COINS. I`ve lost a lot of money to unreachable spaces underneath store cabinets and such... coins go up to $5 so they can be a big deal, unlike in the states. I bought myself a special wallet thing just for the coins in the beginning cause I was losing so much, but even that isn`t working so well to keep me on track...).
Also, I started watching Okuribito (Departures). So far the cinematography is wonderful. Only a half hour or so in but I want to finish it soon; also need to find some more Owarai, I can watch that stuff all day even when it`s not that funny. For some reason it`s got magic over me... Ok ok too much English for one day. (Wait! Chang! I wore my SOK shirt and people have been asking me about it all day :D Ok bye for real now haha).
Today I went to Harajuku, and aside from everything that happened, I realized two things. One, lots of girls in Japan really know how to dress. And two, unfortunately the way a girl dresses has a huge affect on my initial attraction for her; if I don`t pay attention, it`s easy for me to spin in circles in a place like here, to add onto the confusion I will already have just from being in a crowded place. Unless it`s legs (well and a couple other things maybe haha) though, I treat it as purely/mostly an aesthetic kind of appreciation. Face (ie prettyness) and age and sometimes sex don`t really matter for that category I guess; I found myself thinking a group of probably middle schooler`s haircuts were all really cool/fit their styles and outward personalities...
It`s interesting, really, thinking about clothes in a serious way like this for the first time (I usually just reflect on the lack of choice guys have in wardrobe and whether that`s a bad or good thing...). But yeah, enough for tonight. Tommorow is the SILS opening ceremony (yay?), I`m supposed to register for some classes or something, trying to finally get a phone, and finding that RA of mine to get my internet done. Hopefully everything goes smoothly, and even this plan I have to save some money by buying groceries works out. Banks are closed til Thursday so I`m testing myself and seeing if I can hold on to $100 by the weeks end; money goes way too fast in this town, especially fro someone whose pockets throw cash to the wind (BTW I HATE JAPANESE COINS. I`ve lost a lot of money to unreachable spaces underneath store cabinets and such... coins go up to $5 so they can be a big deal, unlike in the states. I bought myself a special wallet thing just for the coins in the beginning cause I was losing so much, but even that isn`t working so well to keep me on track...).
Also, I started watching Okuribito (Departures). So far the cinematography is wonderful. Only a half hour or so in but I want to finish it soon; also need to find some more Owarai, I can watch that stuff all day even when it`s not that funny. For some reason it`s got magic over me... Ok ok too much English for one day. (Wait! Chang! I wore my SOK shirt and people have been asking me about it all day :D Ok bye for real now haha).
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Last Thoughts
I'm about to leave for Japan.. still can't believe it's actually happening.
Kind of second guessing, wondering WHY I CHOSE THIS, why I am leaving behind so many amazing people. (Looking back at this blog, it's amazing how thoughts change over time; so there's still hope for me yet, and some situations I have found myself in, I guess.)
Every few hours or so I have been getting a wave of texts from friends old and new, close and still approaching, encouraging, well-wishing, saying goodbye. It's amazing how many of them give me the strength and conviction to go through with this, while at the same time creating an anchor for me back home, that at the same time makes it harder to leave.
Tonight's dinner party was great, and there were so many pictures taken. I am wishing everyone got to know someone a little bit closer tonight, and made a new friend; but most of all I am glad to have seen everyone together, brought my family a little closer to my life away from home, and maybe given my friends a new experience, hopefully something that they can look back on and cherish. I'm excited to hear all of the developments that come from my friends and family as the year goes by (I know it will be quick!), and I will try to use this to keep track of some things that are happening with me. Who knows, I might continue my path of don-don becoming a better person...
Now I need to run and pack, my flight is leaving really soon. My mom set an alarm and it is going off, interrupting my thoughts and forcing me to get to work. It's chilling, almost scary, that sound... and will keep going until I take care of it and everything else I need to be doing.
Kind of second guessing, wondering WHY I CHOSE THIS, why I am leaving behind so many amazing people. (Looking back at this blog, it's amazing how thoughts change over time; so there's still hope for me yet, and some situations I have found myself in, I guess.)
Every few hours or so I have been getting a wave of texts from friends old and new, close and still approaching, encouraging, well-wishing, saying goodbye. It's amazing how many of them give me the strength and conviction to go through with this, while at the same time creating an anchor for me back home, that at the same time makes it harder to leave.
Tonight's dinner party was great, and there were so many pictures taken. I am wishing everyone got to know someone a little bit closer tonight, and made a new friend; but most of all I am glad to have seen everyone together, brought my family a little closer to my life away from home, and maybe given my friends a new experience, hopefully something that they can look back on and cherish. I'm excited to hear all of the developments that come from my friends and family as the year goes by (I know it will be quick!), and I will try to use this to keep track of some things that are happening with me. Who knows, I might continue my path of don-don becoming a better person...
Now I need to run and pack, my flight is leaving really soon. My mom set an alarm and it is going off, interrupting my thoughts and forcing me to get to work. It's chilling, almost scary, that sound... and will keep going until I take care of it and everything else I need to be doing.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
擬人化or擬人法 (どっちか分からないけど笑）
六七年間も持っているサッカーシューズにまた惚れている。
大学に入ってからこの二年間に一度もサッカーをやったことないのに、運動もあまりせずに生きてきたから体かなり変わった（＝弱くなって太った）のに、肺活量もなくなっちゃったのに、そのサッカーシューズに入ったら、高校生の時代に戻る気分って言ったら違わない。。。
ランニングいつでもできる（トミちゃんのせいで、また気に入っちゃった）。いますぐサッカーやりたい。それ以外の思いまったくなく、近所を回って行くということになるんだ。
家に帰って、靴脱いで、のんびりしたら、変だなぁって
でも今晩・明日・毎日またやりたい。変じゃない？
大学に入ってからこの二年間に一度もサッカーをやったことないのに、運動もあまりせずに生きてきたから体かなり変わった（＝弱くなって太った）のに、肺活量もなくなっちゃったのに、そのサッカーシューズに入ったら、高校生の時代に戻る気分って言ったら違わない。。。
ランニングいつでもできる（トミちゃんのせいで、また気に入っちゃった）。いますぐサッカーやりたい。それ以外の思いまったくなく、近所を回って行くということになるんだ。
家に帰って、靴脱いで、のんびりしたら、変だなぁって
でも今晩・明日・毎日またやりたい。変じゃない？
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
文化っていう事があるのを忘れて、ある国を眼鏡で見なくても何か分かるのかや
Hmm so it's been a long, long time since I wrote anything, but there's also been little to no progress in work, summer goals, or anything of the like.
I did start reading a lot of Japanese books the other day -- there's one, 日本語とジェンダー (Japanese and gender) which is really fascinating; actually there's a whole bunch related to the topic that I checked out, but this one particularly I had been reading for a while, wondering when the introduction would end and the real text would begin... and turns out I was actually reading the real text!! Books kind of oscillate that way -- from stuff I can read and comprehend easily, to those where even the skimming methods/shortcuts I learned from having to use the 文語辞書 in translations and etc occassionally lead me astray. So I kind of wonder -- and maybe it's a silly question, because the east asian library is chock full of scholarly material -- how to tell the difference in the level of a text in Japanese, and if there can really be said distinction made by the use of more kanji/harder compounds, or if you can achieve the same flow as a "simpler" text without going overboard on the vocabulary... ってかdo you miss something if you don't have those kinds of words??? And also how to build up that vocabulary, sentence fluency, and understanding of grammatical patterns to be able to do English --> Japanese translation and not just the other way around....
Those are the kinds of things that bug me when there's not something "real" going on, and when I'm not too tired/sick of zombie-ing through my days....
My pre-o begins Sunday!!
I did start reading a lot of Japanese books the other day -- there's one, 日本語とジェンダー (Japanese and gender) which is really fascinating; actually there's a whole bunch related to the topic that I checked out, but this one particularly I had been reading for a while, wondering when the introduction would end and the real text would begin... and turns out I was actually reading the real text!! Books kind of oscillate that way -- from stuff I can read and comprehend easily, to those where even the skimming methods/shortcuts I learned from having to use the 文語辞書 in translations and etc occassionally lead me astray. So I kind of wonder -- and maybe it's a silly question, because the east asian library is chock full of scholarly material -- how to tell the difference in the level of a text in Japanese, and if there can really be said distinction made by the use of more kanji/harder compounds, or if you can achieve the same flow as a "simpler" text without going overboard on the vocabulary... ってかdo you miss something if you don't have those kinds of words??? And also how to build up that vocabulary, sentence fluency, and understanding of grammatical patterns to be able to do English --> Japanese translation and not just the other way around....
Those are the kinds of things that bug me when there's not something "real" going on, and when I'm not too tired/sick of zombie-ing through my days....
My pre-o begins Sunday!!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
A good day
So.... it looks like my sister is officially going to be in a new language immersion school opening up this fall, to learn French. Exciting, but now I have to add that to my list of languages... and I really don't like French....
Went to the summer party thing today with Monmon, most of the people there were in business so there wasn't really anyone to talk to... There was a guy who spoke Chinese and did some sort of trade/cultural sensitivity stuff for his business, but he came off as a showoff-y jerkwad (proudly proclaiming, "I asked because I am fluent in Chinese," right next to a Chinese girl ahaha), so I didn't bother to ask him more about what he did. I was kind of intrigued, I have to admit. But I'm not good at these social mixing things, I found, where you have to strike a balance between getting the person to talk about themselves (all to easy) and digging through to that internship offer you really want to have. (In that respect I guess I missed a good chance, but oh well. This door I willingly closed on myself.) We left the party early (there was some REALLY good chicken, and beef that was delicious with a Thai peanut sauce spread on it), walked around the town a bit looking at all the closed shops (everything but restaurants, and I re-found a cool place to take a date, the basement of a restaurant called Miso - although getting the right spot (there are a few secluded ones) to make it more romantic could be a challenge) and eventually ended up at Straub's, looking at stuff from the bakery and fruits/vegetables like we hadn't seen them in months. :)
I started playing a gba game called Advance Wars 2, and was thouroughly addicted. I think, if I had to join the army, I would rather be a tactician giving orders from the back, according to strictly registered rules and statistics, and not just for fear of dying :P Anyway I stayed up almost all night playing the first stages of the game, experimenting and trying to find the hidden weaknesses of some of the units, even winding up finding a suped up version of one by accident, and promptly zombied my way through the first real day of my internship on a good hour or so of sleep. Then went to the party. Update list of the stuff I need to do coming soon.
Need to work on that problem some more. Stay at it!
Went to the summer party thing today with Monmon, most of the people there were in business so there wasn't really anyone to talk to... There was a guy who spoke Chinese and did some sort of trade/cultural sensitivity stuff for his business, but he came off as a showoff-y jerkwad (proudly proclaiming, "I asked because I am fluent in Chinese," right next to a Chinese girl ahaha), so I didn't bother to ask him more about what he did. I was kind of intrigued, I have to admit. But I'm not good at these social mixing things, I found, where you have to strike a balance between getting the person to talk about themselves (all to easy) and digging through to that internship offer you really want to have. (In that respect I guess I missed a good chance, but oh well. This door I willingly closed on myself.) We left the party early (there was some REALLY good chicken, and beef that was delicious with a Thai peanut sauce spread on it), walked around the town a bit looking at all the closed shops (everything but restaurants, and I re-found a cool place to take a date, the basement of a restaurant called Miso - although getting the right spot (there are a few secluded ones) to make it more romantic could be a challenge) and eventually ended up at Straub's, looking at stuff from the bakery and fruits/vegetables like we hadn't seen them in months. :)
I started playing a gba game called Advance Wars 2, and was thouroughly addicted. I think, if I had to join the army, I would rather be a tactician giving orders from the back, according to strictly registered rules and statistics, and not just for fear of dying :P Anyway I stayed up almost all night playing the first stages of the game, experimenting and trying to find the hidden weaknesses of some of the units, even winding up finding a suped up version of one by accident, and promptly zombied my way through the first real day of my internship on a good hour or so of sleep. Then went to the party. Update list of the stuff I need to do coming soon.
Need to work on that problem some more. Stay at it!
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