Sorry for the wait

First of all, I apologize for the long wait for my next blog post. I'm not very good at blogging obviously.  

These past few weeks have been fairly busy, and I'm starting to get used to daily life here. Listening to Japanese has become much easier, I know where the closest supermarket is, and getting around Nagoya via the underground subway system has become quite easy. Though it took some time, I think I'm getting there.

 

I am staying in the dorm, Nagoya Koryu Kaikan. There are about 30 to 40 students, about 1/4 of whom are Japanese, and the rest are study abroad students. Each room has 3 study abroad students, and 1 Japanese local student. They are further equipped with a Microwave, stove, and a Fridge/freezer, two sinks, two bathrooms, and a bath/shower. 

 My bedroom has a bed-futon, dresser, desk, dorm phone and a mirror. To my surprise, I had to buy the internet connection, and wifi is non existent on the school campus. This was odd to me. At my home school, University of Denver, you can get wifi anywhere you go on campus. However, I guess I'll have to do without this luxury for my time here. 

Also, the school provides access to the gym, and free laundry facilities. There are three or four cafeteria's on campus, and prices run about 300-400 Yen per meal. I've eaten here for lunch on most days; for breakfast I usually eat either toast or rice, and for dinner I usually go out and occasionally cook.  I plan to cook more to avoid unnecessary spending, so if you know good easy recipes that don't require an oven please let me know!

Since my last blog post, I've been on two field trips through my study abroad program, IES Nagoya

Kanazawa: 

Two weeks ago, the IES crew went to Kanazawa. There we stayed at another Japanese Inn. Here they had three types of onsen. An indoor onsen, outdoor onsen, and outdoor Male/Female onsen. For some reason, the time at this Inn reminded me of my grandfather. I used to remember him taking extremely hot bath's and enjoying time with his friends. I don't think he did these things at the same time, but I  did. As odd as it might sound, being in the public bath and having post festivities was a very reflective time for me. 

Aside from the Japanese Inn, we got to visit a Japanese Garden, Kanazawa castle, and make Japanese sweets.My time in Kanazawa was beautiful.  

Sound of Music:

IES Nagoya took us on a field trip to see the Sound of Music in a theater near Nagoya Station. I've never seen the musical or movie in English, so it was a little difficult to keep up with the plot in Japanese. However, I think I got the gist of it. I did, however, recognize some of the songs they sang by their tune. The lyrics were all in Japanese, so it was a little funny hearing the Japanese versions of familiar songs. The production was impressive, though. The scenery was beautiful as was the singing. I felt embraced  by the ambiance. 

As far as classes go, I'm taking Chinese Ink painting, Woodblock printing, Japanese culture, Japanese religions, Japanese reading/writing 300  and Japanese communications 300.  I was upset when I got placed into the 300 level Japanese classes. I've taken 2 years of Japanese, and it was all for nothing.  But, looking at the positive aspects there are details in speaking and writing that I miss. Hence, taking the lower class just means I get a stronger base of the language, and I can still study the book for the 400 level class while I cover what I already know.

My other classes are all very interesting, and I'm excited to see how much I learn throughout the semester. 

It has been a bit hard not having a good outlet in Japan. At home, it's easy to find your close friends. People are only a call or a visit away, but in Japan, those people you've built those relationships with aren't as easily accessible. I've made friends here, though, and I suppose that type of trust and "ease of access" come in time. I'm sure we are all going through the same feelings too. 

However, there are those friends in Japan that have reached out to me, and I the same, so thank you! :)

I'm also finding that I want to dance all the time here. It sounds goofy right? I think it's because dancing is my outlet a lot of the times, and I simply haven't been myself these past few weeks as I'm trying to adjust. Dancing is the way I get things out, and I'm often leaking out spurts of dancing waiting at the bus station, or walking to the supermarket. People probably think I'm hella weird. But whatever.

Fashion is also crazy here! Everyone looks very up to date, and it makes me wish I would have brought better clothes with me. I read and was told that being individualistic was frowned upon in Japanese society, and hence I should act and behave accordingly. I've always been a highly individualistic person, but I figured since I'm here I'd follow everyones advice, so I brought pretty plain clothes. WRONG.. First of all, you should always be yourself, and be an individual. Frankly, it was stupid of me to ever think otherwise. Second, everyone in Japan dresses to impress. It's all good, though, there are plenty of shops here in Nagoya, and all of which have clothes more fashionable than any stores back in the US.  

Yeah, that's most everything I think. Due to the length of time it's been , I'm probably missing stuff, and per usual I'm too lazy to go back and edit my turrible english.

Much love to those effected by the floods in my hometown.

Also you can see pictures of my trip on my facebook. I'll post up some on the blog if people are interested.

Till next time, Peace and much love to you. 

上には上がある

上には上がある:
This is a japanese saying, there is always someone above you:

I'm not going to lie, the last few days have been a little difficult. I've transition  into my new dorm, where Japanese is mainly supposed to be spoken, and it is the only language the faculty/staff speak. Of course this was expected, however, I'm finding that my Japanese is not enough. I've mostly forgotten most of the grammar, words, and kanji I've learned in the past, and it's even harder to put the things I do know into conversation.

Often times my peers know exactly what's going on, and I have no idea. Because I don't understand, it becomes harder to connect with people. Then I begin to feel really stupid, adding to that loss of connection.

However, I know that there will always be someone better than me in Japanese, and this is a feeling that will become minimal, but not completely surpass. This non-understanding is giving me the determination to meet my challenge with my effort and I know that this feeling is normal under these intensive circumstances. Like anything, confidence is key. I remember a single moment in dancing that I truly felt better; non-basic. I think that moment will come sometime for Japanese.


I feel that in order to truly become better at Japanese, I need to be in Japan for at least the year. If my schedule for my major requirements and if finances allow I will try to do this. We will see.

Otherwise, everyday I'm discovering new things about Japan and I can feel beauty within myself, and all around me. While I don't always express this considering my challenging last couple days, my enjoyment is still there. I can't wait to see my progress as I look back to these blog posts, and see the further beauty which I've yet to discover. And I know that things will get better.

Peace for now.

PS Sorry for the choppy english.

Week 1

It has been the first four days in Japan, and I've already done so much.

I left Denver, took a flight to Tokyo, and from Tokyo went to Nagoya.  In Nagoya I was met by my IES Nagoya program coordinator, and about nine other students taking part in the study abroad program. We ran to the train, went to our hotel in Nagoya, and after about 24hours I slept.

The next day, we learned to utilize the train system in Nagoya, and went to a another hotel in Inuyama, "dog mountain), which is right next to Inuyama castle.
This is what I did for the days in Inuyama:
We got to tour Inuyama castle, and learn about the surrounding area's history from local Japanese residents.

We got to watch cormant fishing, which is a traditional fishing method where a fisherman controls up to 10 birds. The birds swim in the water, and "eat" the fish. The fisherman brings the bird into the boat, and the bird spits it back out.  

Before cormant fishing, we had dinner on the boat. This is the food, and the view!

Inuyama castle:

I've also been sleeping in the Japanese inn on a futon in a tatami room, and have been to the onsen in the inn every night. Awesome!!

Otherwise, my experience has been very interesting. I've realized that as a Japanese American, my experience will be a very different experience than other peoples study abroad experience.  I look Japanese, and therefore local residents in Japan think I'm Japanese. Often times people speak Japanese to me, however, I have a difficult time understanding and responding. Today while I was out with other study abroad students, I was immediately thought of as the "translator", however my Japanese is either as good or worse than my peers. They know I'm not a local Japanese resident as soon as I open my mouth. However, I think that being here will change the way I think of myself. Here I look Japanese but I'm American. In American, I look Japanese, but I'm American. The next few months will be definitive.  

There has been al lot more that I've done, but honestly, it's hard to put it all in this blog without going overboard in details. For the sake of time, I'm not going to write it all.  Ask me if you want to know more. 

I'll attempt to blog more next week, and put up some art. 

Peace.