Last night we went to dinner at a place in Asumigaoka called Chibali Hills. It's so called (nicknamed, actually) because the Japanese in the area consider it comparable to Beverly Hills.
It may not be quite THAT fancy, but the house and area was definitely a bit more, well... I guess that's it, it was a bit more than any party we've ever been to. The party was outside, they had a chef making sushi and sandwiches and soba (noodles) while a trio of two koto players and a traditional flute player played live music for an hour or so. Ryan and I had a really enjoyable time talking with the musicians and they were pretty excited that we enjoyed their music, possibly because many people think foreigners don't really like traditional Japanese things, music especially. The irony is, of course, that traditional instituions of Japan (as well as a desire to learn the language) are what frequently drive foreigners to Japan. It seems like many people here think we don't like that stuff--when of course we really enjoy it! At least everyone at the party truly enjoyed the music and food.
Another good example of that kind of spirit I'm talking about is this conversation I had with a student:
Ayako: "Tomorrow a student from Australia is coming to my house!"
Laurie: "Oh, are you excited or nervous?
Ayako: "Umm...nervous, I don't speak English."
Laurie: "Well, I'm sure he will want try to speak some Japanese of course!"
Ayako: (in Japanese) "Eh? Probably not."
Laurie: "Of course he will!"
I felt bad for my student because she was putting too much undue pressure on herself poor girl.
Friday, September 30, 2005
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Two in a Row!
Hello--
Today's Activity
Today Ryan and I tried to walk to the ocean from our apartment again. We've done it once before. We left at about 9am in the morning. We were about 35 minutes from our goal (it was noon) when it started pouring. I'll admit it, for once I was the weak one who decided to take the bus back. We rode the bus somewhat soaked back to the station and took the train to a stop 2 down from ours in order to grab some Subway!
New Stuff
I've got new cowboy boots! I never would've dreamed of wearing pointy toed boots--but they just were too perfect to resist. Some students saw me and said "AH! Country Fashion! It suits you!" it was very cute. Here, all fashion has a category, much more so than in the U.S. at least. So whatever I'm wearing students often ask (in Japenglish) "whatsu youaa fashon pointo?" or, in English "What's the 'look' your going for?" They're asking if I'm trying to be goth, ballet style, punk, rock star, and--the recent popular addition: country fashion--cute cowboy boots with a skirt and maybe a denim jacket--something I enjoy because I can wear it to school looking more relaxed and simply change my shoes and take off the jacket too look professional enough to pass and yet not feel all stuffy when I go home. I hate dressing up.
Bonus info--The Little I Know of Fashion Unique in Japan
Here are some current fashions entirely unique to Japan (although the maid cosplay/ningyo looks is becoming surprisingly popular in the U.S. and other places). I'll just be providing links to pics and info--links will be added later actually.
gyaru A look that's more en vogue toward the Western side of Japan, but in Tokyo as well. Girls bleach their hair to a yellow straw, tan a lot, and wear flourescent colored skirts (bright orange, green, yellow--recently it's been flourescent, it depends on the season), sometimes putting on white eye make up all over around their eyes that looks like a super-hero mask. These girls, as Sato sensei so kindly taught me, can also be called ogyaru the 'o' not being an honorific in this case, rather it means "dirty." Gyaru is a Japenglish form of "girl" so it means "dirty girl." Not dirty in the sense of morality, however, it simply means that some of the girls tend to prefer not to bathe due to the extensiveness of their make-up. So, they smell bad and are literally dirty.
Ningyo? Ningyo means doll--(or mermaid depedning on the chinese characters/Kanji) I'm not sure of the proper name, but Melissa saw a couple girls who were dressed like dolls--to the nines--while we were in Tokyo Disneyland this July. You'll see these girls doing the "chinadoll cosplay" often in Harajuku, near Shibuya which is within the Tokyo area, and other places as well, of course. They wear full outfits/costumes with fluffy skirts above the knees, stockings, shoes, matching lacy bags and even parasols. Sometimes you could say the costumes look like fluffy french maid outfits, except they may be in pastel colors like pink or blue, not only black.
Hopefully I got that right.
Today's Activity
Today Ryan and I tried to walk to the ocean from our apartment again. We've done it once before. We left at about 9am in the morning. We were about 35 minutes from our goal (it was noon) when it started pouring. I'll admit it, for once I was the weak one who decided to take the bus back. We rode the bus somewhat soaked back to the station and took the train to a stop 2 down from ours in order to grab some Subway!
New Stuff
I've got new cowboy boots! I never would've dreamed of wearing pointy toed boots--but they just were too perfect to resist. Some students saw me and said "AH! Country Fashion! It suits you!" it was very cute. Here, all fashion has a category, much more so than in the U.S. at least. So whatever I'm wearing students often ask (in Japenglish) "whatsu youaa fashon pointo?" or, in English "What's the 'look' your going for?" They're asking if I'm trying to be goth, ballet style, punk, rock star, and--the recent popular addition: country fashion--cute cowboy boots with a skirt and maybe a denim jacket--something I enjoy because I can wear it to school looking more relaxed and simply change my shoes and take off the jacket too look professional enough to pass and yet not feel all stuffy when I go home. I hate dressing up.
Bonus info--The Little I Know of Fashion Unique in Japan
Here are some current fashions entirely unique to Japan (although the maid cosplay/ningyo looks is becoming surprisingly popular in the U.S. and other places). I'll just be providing links to pics and info--links will be added later actually.
gyaru A look that's more en vogue toward the Western side of Japan, but in Tokyo as well. Girls bleach their hair to a yellow straw, tan a lot, and wear flourescent colored skirts (bright orange, green, yellow--recently it's been flourescent, it depends on the season), sometimes putting on white eye make up all over around their eyes that looks like a super-hero mask. These girls, as Sato sensei so kindly taught me, can also be called ogyaru the 'o' not being an honorific in this case, rather it means "dirty." Gyaru is a Japenglish form of "girl" so it means "dirty girl." Not dirty in the sense of morality, however, it simply means that some of the girls tend to prefer not to bathe due to the extensiveness of their make-up. So, they smell bad and are literally dirty.
Ningyo? Ningyo means doll--(or mermaid depedning on the chinese characters/Kanji) I'm not sure of the proper name, but Melissa saw a couple girls who were dressed like dolls--to the nines--while we were in Tokyo Disneyland this July. You'll see these girls doing the "chinadoll cosplay" often in Harajuku, near Shibuya which is within the Tokyo area, and other places as well, of course. They wear full outfits/costumes with fluffy skirts above the knees, stockings, shoes, matching lacy bags and even parasols. Sometimes you could say the costumes look like fluffy french maid outfits, except they may be in pastel colors like pink or blue, not only black.
Hopefully I got that right.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
The Joy of a Finished Decision
I have decided to go back to school! Well, that I decided long long ago. I decided to major in linguistics though and probably just be another bum hippi professor. I already have great ideas for cool assignments though! I should be writing this down.
Anyway, I was inspired to be a linguist because I've been reading a book about the etymology of interesting words and phrases like "posh" and "bamboozle." It's very interesting but the author tends to define the history of a word through a manner which "begs the question" (he gives an answer which has nothing to back it up and requires so much assumption to believe that the answer really should just be another question) which is thoroughly frustrating, yet inspiring. Inspiring because I now know there's a major gap in linguistics, leaving room for people like me. People who believe language and phrases can and should be altered to accommodate for the needs of the users. Phrases don't have to be labeled and stuck up on a shelf to collect dust. If someone calls a man "bald" and we all understand it means "a lack of hair on the head" I'm not going to correct them and say "the orignal meaning of 'bald' is white. That man's head is very tan so you're committing (sp?) a linguistic atrocity." I will, however, excitedly tell young children the previous meaning of "bald" when they ask why the heck a bald eagle is called a bald eagle. It's amazing how many linguists actually fuss about long-dead word usage. How ironic that the same people who call Dickens and Chaucer heros for their word usage would, had they lived during Dickens' or Chaucer's days, have been accusing them of abusing and altering the orinal English language.
Yup--sorry for the rant, but it feels good to know that I'm needed in a field of study. ^_^ So my new plan is to study Japanese, Spanish and linguistic studies. Since both languages have utterly separate origins it may give me a firmer ground to view how languages work--a wider stance, so to speak.
Anyway, I was inspired to be a linguist because I've been reading a book about the etymology of interesting words and phrases like "posh" and "bamboozle." It's very interesting but the author tends to define the history of a word through a manner which "begs the question" (he gives an answer which has nothing to back it up and requires so much assumption to believe that the answer really should just be another question) which is thoroughly frustrating, yet inspiring. Inspiring because I now know there's a major gap in linguistics, leaving room for people like me. People who believe language and phrases can and should be altered to accommodate for the needs of the users. Phrases don't have to be labeled and stuck up on a shelf to collect dust. If someone calls a man "bald" and we all understand it means "a lack of hair on the head" I'm not going to correct them and say "the orignal meaning of 'bald' is white. That man's head is very tan so you're committing (sp?) a linguistic atrocity." I will, however, excitedly tell young children the previous meaning of "bald" when they ask why the heck a bald eagle is called a bald eagle. It's amazing how many linguists actually fuss about long-dead word usage. How ironic that the same people who call Dickens and Chaucer heros for their word usage would, had they lived during Dickens' or Chaucer's days, have been accusing them of abusing and altering the orinal English language.
Yup--sorry for the rant, but it feels good to know that I'm needed in a field of study. ^_^ So my new plan is to study Japanese, Spanish and linguistic studies. Since both languages have utterly separate origins it may give me a firmer ground to view how languages work--a wider stance, so to speak.
Monday, September 19, 2005
No New News
So we still don't have a computer. The most important thing I want to get across to everyone is I miss talking to you! I'm checking your emails usually on posting days but there's never enough time to write all I'd like to say to each person.
Nice Recent Events
We went to Showa no Mori last night and played under the huge orange moon. Showa no mori is a huge grassy park with a lookout that has an excellent view of the land between Toke and the ocean. At night the lights are colorful and bright and far away. It was lovely and somewhat full of mosquitos.
Laurie tempts Ryan into the gaming world
On Sunday I played Viewtiful Joe (for Gamecube) a teensy bit, solely with the goal of attracting Ryan's attention to the game (I am certain that chaotic brains like Ryan's and mine need some good gaming in order to unknot themselves--so it was for the sake of his mental health). I was very successful in doing so, considering once he saw the game he played it straight for quite a few hours. I'd reccommend Viewtiful Joe to anyone who misses classic style all-out fighting games with quirky humor and excellent 2D/3D combo visuals.
Kudos and Current Events
Kudos to Brandon who figured out what "Ningyo ni Naritai" means ^_^ If you come to Japan, at least you'll know how to tell everyone "Ningyo ni Naritai" or "I want to become a mermaid!" Those crazy Americajin.
Melissa just got a blog! I have a link up--though I may take it down if she doesn't want me to have it there. Yay Melissa
Nice Recent Events
We went to Showa no Mori last night and played under the huge orange moon. Showa no mori is a huge grassy park with a lookout that has an excellent view of the land between Toke and the ocean. At night the lights are colorful and bright and far away. It was lovely and somewhat full of mosquitos.
Laurie tempts Ryan into the gaming world
On Sunday I played Viewtiful Joe (for Gamecube) a teensy bit, solely with the goal of attracting Ryan's attention to the game (I am certain that chaotic brains like Ryan's and mine need some good gaming in order to unknot themselves--so it was for the sake of his mental health). I was very successful in doing so, considering once he saw the game he played it straight for quite a few hours. I'd reccommend Viewtiful Joe to anyone who misses classic style all-out fighting games with quirky humor and excellent 2D/3D combo visuals.
Kudos and Current Events
Kudos to Brandon who figured out what "Ningyo ni Naritai" means ^_^ If you come to Japan, at least you'll know how to tell everyone "Ningyo ni Naritai" or "I want to become a mermaid!" Those crazy Americajin.
Melissa just got a blog! I have a link up--though I may take it down if she doesn't want me to have it there. Yay Melissa
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Ichinomiya
Today I am at Ichonomiya High School in Sato Sensei's room. My Mom and Dad just called--thanks family!
Nothing else is new except that my internet access is still limited so I'll be slow at keeping up with replies to email, though I'll be updating here because it's more simple.
Nice event of the day
Today the teasing little breeze stole a woman's hat and threw it on the street as she rode her bike past me. I picked it up and gave it to her and we both went on our way. A minute later, she tapped me on the shoulder and handed me a huge delicious-looking Nashi (Japanese pear). I love Nashi, but the huge ones can be pretty costly, so that was a pretty nice thing for her to do.
Recent Events
I went to Toke High School's (where Ryan teaches) Bunkasai (culture festival) last Saturday. For Bunkasai each classroom or club makes or does something to sell or entertain. The choir and Taiko clubs put on concerts. Several classrooms decorated using a beach theme where you could buy hot dogs and cold tea or soda and sit in the class and relax. Some classes made haunted houses using black garbage bags to make tunnels in their classrooms. Many classrooms had Chinese or Indian themes and decorated accordingly (and wonderfully) to create a restaurant atmosphere in which they sold Ramen or Curry Rice. My favorite was the horror movie put on in one of the classrooms. Despite that it was a sunny day, the classroom was darkened using garbage bags. The movie was created and acted out by students from that class. It was about Toke High School being haunted. The sound effects and sudden surprise noises really made me jumpy. I was impressed.
Future Events
In about three weeks Brandon'll be here! Yay! Ryan and I have just fixed everything up for a 4 day 3 night stay in Kyoto. It'll be my first trip there and I'm kind of excited yet dreading the tourist crowds. It can be difficult to peacefully enjoy something like a beautiful temple when people gab and shove. It may just be another lesson in meditating my mind on Higher Things.
Things I've found entertaining lately
I just read the first two Anne of Green Gables series (thanks to Stacey) and am now almost finished reading The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis for the 20th time. I often wish C.S. Lewis was a still-alive grandfather-type in my life so I could chat with him. The Great Divorce is an enjoyable discussion of what seperates heaven and hell. It also makes me recognize the actions and behaviors I maintain here on earth, things of heaven that become twisted to resemble hell; behaviors I knowingly maintain which I excuse with the thought that they originate from God, although they may have become twisted beyond recognition.
An Exerpt: (this is kind of what I mean about behavior--but you have to read the book to understand)
"both good and evil, when they are full grown, become retrospective.... That is what mortals misunderstand. They say of some temporal suffering, "No future bliss can make up for it," not knowing that Heaven, once attained, will work backwards and turn even that agony into a glory. And of some sinful pleasure they say "Let me have but this and I'll take the consequences": little dreaming how damnation will spread back and back into their past and contaminate the pleasure of the sin... And that is why, at the end of all things...the Blessed will say "We have never lived anywhere except in Heaven," and the Lost, "We were always in Hell." And both will speak truly."
I just finished Luigi's mansion, that game was really good. Still playing/enjoying Taiko Drum Master Tobikiri Anime Special!
Nothing else is new except that my internet access is still limited so I'll be slow at keeping up with replies to email, though I'll be updating here because it's more simple.
Nice event of the day
Today the teasing little breeze stole a woman's hat and threw it on the street as she rode her bike past me. I picked it up and gave it to her and we both went on our way. A minute later, she tapped me on the shoulder and handed me a huge delicious-looking Nashi (Japanese pear). I love Nashi, but the huge ones can be pretty costly, so that was a pretty nice thing for her to do.
Recent Events
I went to Toke High School's (where Ryan teaches) Bunkasai (culture festival) last Saturday. For Bunkasai each classroom or club makes or does something to sell or entertain. The choir and Taiko clubs put on concerts. Several classrooms decorated using a beach theme where you could buy hot dogs and cold tea or soda and sit in the class and relax. Some classes made haunted houses using black garbage bags to make tunnels in their classrooms. Many classrooms had Chinese or Indian themes and decorated accordingly (and wonderfully) to create a restaurant atmosphere in which they sold Ramen or Curry Rice. My favorite was the horror movie put on in one of the classrooms. Despite that it was a sunny day, the classroom was darkened using garbage bags. The movie was created and acted out by students from that class. It was about Toke High School being haunted. The sound effects and sudden surprise noises really made me jumpy. I was impressed.
Future Events
In about three weeks Brandon'll be here! Yay! Ryan and I have just fixed everything up for a 4 day 3 night stay in Kyoto. It'll be my first trip there and I'm kind of excited yet dreading the tourist crowds. It can be difficult to peacefully enjoy something like a beautiful temple when people gab and shove. It may just be another lesson in meditating my mind on Higher Things.
Things I've found entertaining lately
I just read the first two Anne of Green Gables series (thanks to Stacey) and am now almost finished reading The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis for the 20th time. I often wish C.S. Lewis was a still-alive grandfather-type in my life so I could chat with him. The Great Divorce is an enjoyable discussion of what seperates heaven and hell. It also makes me recognize the actions and behaviors I maintain here on earth, things of heaven that become twisted to resemble hell; behaviors I knowingly maintain which I excuse with the thought that they originate from God, although they may have become twisted beyond recognition.
An Exerpt: (this is kind of what I mean about behavior--but you have to read the book to understand)
I just finished Luigi's mansion, that game was really good. Still playing/enjoying Taiko Drum Master Tobikiri Anime Special!
Friday, September 09, 2005
Busted
Our home computers are both officially quite broken now. Please excuse the lack of emailing/updates until further notice.
Monday, September 05, 2005
Guitar and Video Games
So I thought I'd do a real post before Ryan leaves with the laptop this morning. I thought I'd do an update on what I've been up to/into lately here in Japan.
I'm still studying Kanji, I just finished reviewing my first 230 and I'm trying to move forward. Any advice on this? It just looks like the next chapter in my book is really difficult.
Maybe I'm lazier about kanji because I've been playing video games in English for once. I highly reccommend Tales of Symphonia. I'm also playing a lot o f Taiko Drum Master, a game where you drum to music (Abigail, you'd love it!). Also, we've been playing a beautifully made game called Ganbare Goemon. It's only in Japanese right now, but it's incredible what the internet has done for the video game world. The language in Goemon is a bit difficult Japanese because it seems to be more...old. Anyway, I have no problem finding information or helpful translations on various game sites, it's incredible. In fact, I'm part of several sites where I help people (usually kids) interpret the Japanese in Harvest Moon type video games.
I'm still playing guitar, violin and I've gotten a teensy bit better on mandolin (thanks to Ryan). We've been doing some swingy stuff since Ryan is really into Django Reinhart right now. I'm pretty happy about that. We've taken a Japanese classic Sakura Sakura (sakura means Cherry or Cherry Blossom) and switched it to backbeat for something fun. Maybe I should listen to more Stephane Grappelli.
Lastly, I've decided to resume playing/singing worship songs on Guitar, but that's a later entry.
Looks like Ryan's doing his morning exercises with the Japanese kids shows ^_^ Guess I should join him.
I'm still studying Kanji, I just finished reviewing my first 230 and I'm trying to move forward. Any advice on this? It just looks like the next chapter in my book is really difficult.
Maybe I'm lazier about kanji because I've been playing video games in English for once. I highly reccommend Tales of Symphonia. I'm also playing a lot o f Taiko Drum Master, a game where you drum to music (Abigail, you'd love it!). Also, we've been playing a beautifully made game called Ganbare Goemon. It's only in Japanese right now, but it's incredible what the internet has done for the video game world. The language in Goemon is a bit difficult Japanese because it seems to be more...old. Anyway, I have no problem finding information or helpful translations on various game sites, it's incredible. In fact, I'm part of several sites where I help people (usually kids) interpret the Japanese in Harvest Moon type video games.
I'm still playing guitar, violin and I've gotten a teensy bit better on mandolin (thanks to Ryan). We've been doing some swingy stuff since Ryan is really into Django Reinhart right now. I'm pretty happy about that. We've taken a Japanese classic Sakura Sakura (sakura means Cherry or Cherry Blossom) and switched it to backbeat for something fun. Maybe I should listen to more Stephane Grappelli.
Lastly, I've decided to resume playing/singing worship songs on Guitar, but that's a later entry.
Looks like Ryan's doing his morning exercises with the Japanese kids shows ^_^ Guess I should join him.
Sunday, September 04, 2005
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