navigating nihon
| 3 great things happened today!
|
10.27.2004 |
First and most importantly, I enjoyed my first anko (red bean paste) donut. In the past, I have mistakenly bitten in to such donuts many many times. Anyone who knows me well knows that I avoid anko like the plague. I guess it's a sign that a) I'm a third year JET b) I'm turning Japanese and c) I'm loosing my grasp of reality. This was the first time that I purposefully ate an anko donut, and it was delish!!!
The second great thing that happened today was that the Upper Russian parliament has passed the Kyoto Protocol, 139 to 1. Putin will sign the treaty momentarily, giving the Final OK. In order for Kyoto to be implemented, countries responsible for atleast 55% of the worlds emissions must ratify the protocol. Russia's 17% accomplishes this, though Putin's motive might be more related to the EU rather than global warming. I think it's more than fair to make responsible environmental policy mandatory if one wants to join the EU.
The third great thing that happened today was a NASA scientist stood up to the Bush administration. Interesting to see how long he remains employed or funded.......From CBC:
Expert says White House stifling global warming facts
IOWA CITY, IOWA - A NASA scientist said Tuesday that the Bush administration is trying to hush up scientific evidence of global warming and keep the public uninformed. Read more......
In other less serious news, I have taken up yet another pass time. Taiko - Japanese Drumming! Woohoo it's freakin' addictive! I actually went to practice yesterday intending to tell them that I really don't have time....not that I wanted to quit at all, but I am really really spread thin these days....But as I walked in the door, 2 sets of drum sticks were given to me. And I was also informed that there will be a welcome party for myself and Inoue-san (another girl who joined at the same time) this Sunday. I'm actually quite happy to stick with it, I'll just have to plan my time carefully! Oh, and on the 3rd weekend in November I'll be performing at a wedding! How nuts is that! Atleast Taiko involves little singing, as I am irreversibly tone deaf. :)
emma found her way @ 8:11 p.m. | 0 comments
| Just another day in Japan
|
10.26.2004 |
The second great thing that happened today was that the Upper Russian parliament has passed the Kyoto Protocol, 139 to 1. Putin will sign the treaty momentarily, giving the Final OK. In order for Kyoto to be implemented, countries responsible for atleast 55% of the worlds emissions must ratify the protocol. Russia's 17% accomplishes this, though Putin's motive might be more related to the EU rather than global warming. I think it's more than fair to make responsible environmental policy mandatory if one wants to join the EU.
The third great thing that happened today was a NASA scientist stood up to the Bush administration. Interesting to see how long he remains employed or funded.......From CBC:
Expert says White House stifling global warming facts
IOWA CITY, IOWA - A NASA scientist said Tuesday that the Bush administration is trying to hush up scientific evidence of global warming and keep the public uninformed. Read more......
In other less serious news, I have taken up yet another pass time. Taiko - Japanese Drumming! Woohoo it's freakin' addictive! I actually went to practice yesterday intending to tell them that I really don't have time....not that I wanted to quit at all, but I am really really spread thin these days....But as I walked in the door, 2 sets of drum sticks were given to me. And I was also informed that there will be a welcome party for myself and Inoue-san (another girl who joined at the same time) this Sunday. I'm actually quite happy to stick with it, I'll just have to plan my time carefully! Oh, and on the 3rd weekend in November I'll be performing at a wedding! How nuts is that! Atleast Taiko involves little singing, as I am irreversibly tone deaf. :)
emma found her way @ 8:11 p.m. | 0 comments
Typhoon, Earthquake, crazy drivers! Bring it on!!! Nothing can phase me now! No worries, I've survived typhoon #23 unscathed and the earthquake was nowhere near me. Not like my phone was ringing off the hook with concern or anything.....:P
The other day when I was out for a run I ran into one of my old students. Here's the conversation that followed:
Student: "Ohh, Emma Sensei!"
Me: "Oh! Hello! How are you?"
Student: "I'm fine thank you. And you?" (The only reply you ever hear)
Me: "I'm great! How's high school?"
Student: Eyes shoot to ground. Scilence. Eyes gaze up with a fearful look. Smile washes over face. Student thinks "Maybe it's a YES or NO question. I'll go with YES because that's the most positive answer." Student says: "Yes!"
Me: Damn, I've failed as an ALT yet again. "How's high school?" (in Japanese)
Student: "Enjoy!" And he bikes off into the sunset.
Ahh Japan. Gotta love it! But if communication is the basis of language, we atleast accomplished that! :)
emma found her way @ 5:00 p.m. | 0 comments
| Even the food matches.....
|
10.25.2004 |
The other day when I was out for a run I ran into one of my old students. Here's the conversation that followed:
Student: "Ohh, Emma Sensei!"
Me: "Oh! Hello! How are you?"
Student: "I'm fine thank you. And you?" (The only reply you ever hear)
Me: "I'm great! How's high school?"
Student: Eyes shoot to ground. Scilence. Eyes gaze up with a fearful look. Smile washes over face. Student thinks "Maybe it's a YES or NO question. I'll go with YES because that's the most positive answer." Student says: "Yes!"
Me: Damn, I've failed as an ALT yet again. "How's high school?" (in Japanese)
Student: "Enjoy!" And he bikes off into the sunset.
Ahh Japan. Gotta love it! But if communication is the basis of language, we atleast accomplished that! :)
emma found her way @ 5:00 p.m. | 0 comments
Checkout the cute 'Emma Sensei' nameplate! Kawaii ne!
emma found her way @ 10:47 p.m. | 0 comments
Random pic of some racer :)
On Sunday I headed out to watch a local mountain bike race. These people are cool just by virtue of their funky clothing! It looked like so much fun I was tempted to clothes-line one of them so I could join in. But....I think my jeans and leather boots might have given me away! The atmosphere was great and reminded me of horse show weekends back home. inaaaa natsukashii desu.
Headed out to the new onsen in Ozu with Toshie and Koji in the afternoon. It was nice but small and busy! I was the foreigner on display..... Nice way to wrap up the weekend.
emma found her way @ 10:41 p.m. | 0 comments
The famous Glico man by the Dontombori Bridge in downtown Osaka. The city of lights, people, excitement and most importantly, one of the only Mexican restaurants in the entire freakin' country! More pic to come soon :)
emma found her way @ 6:36 p.m. | 1 comments
L to R: Me, Steve, Hong, Rachel, Fred, Vania and Tom
Oh, and here's a funny story. When we were walking back from breakfast we saw a man swimming in the fountain. Not just dipping his feet but doing full-on laps up and down the length of the fountain! Then he promptly got out and ran off, fully clothed shoes and all! Strange but amusing!
emma found her way @ 6:32 p.m. | 0 comments
The Annual Mikame Autumn Festival, with the exception of the Pig Rodeo of course, is the festival that I look forward to every year! It is a festival to celebrate the year's fish and mikan season - similar to Thanksgiving I suppose. Every year I ask for an explanation of the day's events and activities and every year I get a different take. This year was no exception - though I think I'm as close to the truth as I've ever been! I'm sure a number of fights have broken out over the subject.....
Throughout the day various mikoshi (portable shrines) and ushioni (the literal translation is cow devil) are carried around the town. (Ushioni, from what I gather are only found in this area of Japan, originating in Uwajima a nearby city.) This starts early in the morning and the mikoshi and ushioni stop at people's home for goodluck. In the late afternoon, everyone meets down by the waterfront and there is a battle between the mikoshi and ushioni. The shrines are hoisted into the air, up and down, up and down - with men on top and kids inside beating away on drums! One representing the mountains (orange harvest) and the other representing the sea (fishing) they run from opposite directions and crash in the middle. *I have also heard that one represents good and the other bad. Or that one is a father and the other a son.* Regardless, it's completely nuts! There are men on top of the mikoshi that try to steal a moon that is on top of the ushioni, signaling an end to the fight. (There are similar and larger festivals held in Kyoto and Osaka each year, and (almost) every year someone dies. The large amount of alcohol combined with high spirits, heavy wood and running men just asks for trouble. )
emma found her way @ 4:27 p.m. | 0 comments
| To get flattened, creamed, run over
|
10.17.2004 |
Throughout the day various mikoshi (portable shrines) and ushioni (the literal translation is cow devil) are carried around the town. (Ushioni, from what I gather are only found in this area of Japan, originating in Uwajima a nearby city.) This starts early in the morning and the mikoshi and ushioni stop at people's home for goodluck. In the late afternoon, everyone meets down by the waterfront and there is a battle between the mikoshi and ushioni. The shrines are hoisted into the air, up and down, up and down - with men on top and kids inside beating away on drums! One representing the mountains (orange harvest) and the other representing the sea (fishing) they run from opposite directions and crash in the middle. *I have also heard that one represents good and the other bad. Or that one is a father and the other a son.* Regardless, it's completely nuts! There are men on top of the mikoshi that try to steal a moon that is on top of the ushioni, signaling an end to the fight. (There are similar and larger festivals held in Kyoto and Osaka each year, and (almost) every year someone dies. The large amount of alcohol combined with high spirits, heavy wood and running men just asks for trouble. )
This is a pic of the ushioni at Kono Sensei's house. He made it by hand and you can see the moon on top! I really really want to bring one back to Canada with me......
I almost forgot to mention! I made history ....I was the first woman in Mikame's history to carry the mikoshi :) And my principle had just told me that they don't let women carry them......what does he know! What a rush! Though if I'd known beforehand I might have chosen different footwear to my 4" boots....
This is a pic of the ushioni(s) as they walk down to the water.
As you might have guessed, Mikame doesn't need much of an excuse to have a party. So, whilst all these crazy shinanagaans are happening, many families open up their doors! There is always a great spread of food and drink, enough for an army. The women of the house must cook for days, it's amazing. The idea is that you travel from house to house wishing everyone well, it's great fun, starting at about 11am and going until you're stuffed to the gills! This year I visited homes with Okuno and Mari - I only managed 5 homes. Weak in comparison to last year when I got to 9! :) But, no drinkies for me as I was leaving for the Terry Fox Run in Kobe that evening.
I remember my first Aki Matsuri 3 years ago. I had just arrived in Japan and really had no clue what was happening. I was whisked off to many homes as the token gaijin. This year, I had some idea about what was happening. Every home I went to was full of familiar and friendly faces. You spend so much time in Japan feeling like an outsider it's such a relief to (finally)be 'in the know.' As much as change is good for us, there is something comforting in the familiar. And that's what I'll remember the most from this past Aki Matsuri.
When there is a festival in town, each of the shrines is decorated with lanterns and flags. The weather was great on Friday and the shrines looked spectacular, this pic does not do it justice.
emma found her way @ 4:27 p.m. | 0 comments
Whilst in Osaka this past weekend, being the impatient people that we are, we did a very very bad thing - we J-walked. Ahhh. Though I must admit I was the instigator most of the time, we did refrain from doing so infront of young children. Besides, when you only have a weekend in the big city, time cannot be wasted watching little lights change from red to green. Anyways, I digress. There were a number of close calls but no one was hurt. All this excitement reminded me of a Japanese word that I had just learnt recently...except I couldn't remember it at the time. And this brings me to the point of my post, the Japanese word for getting creamed, pancaked, run over, squished, flattened..... (This will be of little use to my friends back in Canada, gomen ne) So, for those of you came to Osaka who are dying to learn the Japanese equivalent ....
ひしゃげる....... not nearly as funny as promised.
I recently bought Beyond Polite Japanese - A Dictionary of Japanese Slang and Colloquialisms. It's hilarious. I'll post some of the funny entries from time to time. Here's a funny one:
"The eyes become specks." Used mainly by young people. Surprised Japanese cartoon characters eyes' are usually represented by dots.
Ok, that's all for today. I'm dead tired. I'll write more about the Terry Fox Run and Kobe soon, complete with pictures. It was an awesome weekend!
emma found her way @ 8:22 p.m. | 0 comments
| An ancient Shinto theory says...
|
10.14.2004 |
ひしゃげる....... not nearly as funny as promised.
I recently bought Beyond Polite Japanese - A Dictionary of Japanese Slang and Colloquialisms. It's hilarious. I'll post some of the funny entries from time to time. Here's a funny one:
目が点になる。(めがてんになる.)
To be blown away, flabbergasted, floored, bug eyed
Example:
彼のダサい格好を見たら､あんただって目が点になるはずよ。
Kare no dasai kakkou o mikara, anta datte me ga ten ni naru hazu yo.
You'd have been blown away too if you'd seen the stupid way he was dressed!
"The eyes become specks." Used mainly by young people. Surprised Japanese cartoon characters eyes' are usually represented by dots.
Ok, that's all for today. I'm dead tired. I'll write more about the Terry Fox Run and Kobe soon, complete with pictures. It was an awesome weekend!
emma found her way @ 8:22 p.m. | 0 comments
...that Japan is a miniature version of the entire world!!!
Apparently so! I was at my weekly language exchange at Toshie's place tonight and we had quite the interesting discussion. I was asking about 100 questions about Shinto and Buddhism and I can't quite remember how we got on this topic...
So if you happen to have a map of Japan, humor me and go and get it. Ok, first look at Hokkaido in the north - that is apparently North America and Mexico - complete with the 5 Great Lakes. Koji didn't know where Niagara Falls was though.... The small pennisula near Tokyo is India, with Mt. Fuji representing Everest! Western Honshu is Europe. Shikoku is Australia - which actually is similar (kinda) in shape. Kyushu is Africa - with Aso-san being Kilimanjaro! I asked about South America....it is the small island between Shikoku and Osaka. Hummm. An interesting theory, if not a little ethnocentric. It has been around for quite a while and is found in old Shinto texts. There doesn't appear to be a name for it though.
Tomorrow is the Aki Matsuri here in Mikame - the Autumn Festival. It is a time to celebrate the harvest - like a Japanese Thanksgiving. There will be various Shrines carried around town and lots of dancing deer - more about them later. This is my favourite festival and I'm sad that this will be the last one for me :'( At this festival there are numerous parties throughout town - different families open up their home to everyone! There is always loads of a great food and fun times! I'll upload some pics afterwards! 楽しみだよ！
Tomorrow night I am heading up to Kobe for the Terry Fox Run with 4 other JETs. A great chance to get out of Ehime. I'm looking forward to the run, it's only 5 km - which I am happy to report I can actually run. Shock, gasp, horror! After that we're heading to Osaka (only about an hour away by train) for a fun night in the big city!
Lotsa love and I hope that you're all well!
emma found her way @ 10:30 p.m. | 0 comments
| Giant Squid?? A Sunday morning rant.
|
10.10.2004 |
Apparently so! I was at my weekly language exchange at Toshie's place tonight and we had quite the interesting discussion. I was asking about 100 questions about Shinto and Buddhism and I can't quite remember how we got on this topic...
So if you happen to have a map of Japan, humor me and go and get it. Ok, first look at Hokkaido in the north - that is apparently North America and Mexico - complete with the 5 Great Lakes. Koji didn't know where Niagara Falls was though.... The small pennisula near Tokyo is India, with Mt. Fuji representing Everest! Western Honshu is Europe. Shikoku is Australia - which actually is similar (kinda) in shape. Kyushu is Africa - with Aso-san being Kilimanjaro! I asked about South America....it is the small island between Shikoku and Osaka. Hummm. An interesting theory, if not a little ethnocentric. It has been around for quite a while and is found in old Shinto texts. There doesn't appear to be a name for it though.
Tomorrow is the Aki Matsuri here in Mikame - the Autumn Festival. It is a time to celebrate the harvest - like a Japanese Thanksgiving. There will be various Shrines carried around town and lots of dancing deer - more about them later. This is my favourite festival and I'm sad that this will be the last one for me :'( At this festival there are numerous parties throughout town - different families open up their home to everyone! There is always loads of a great food and fun times! I'll upload some pics afterwards! 楽しみだよ！
Tomorrow night I am heading up to Kobe for the Terry Fox Run with 4 other JETs. A great chance to get out of Ehime. I'm looking forward to the run, it's only 5 km - which I am happy to report I can actually run. Shock, gasp, horror! After that we're heading to Osaka (only about an hour away by train) for a fun night in the big city!
Lotsa love and I hope that you're all well!
emma found her way @ 10:30 p.m. | 0 comments
Ok, so it's Sunday morning and I'm bumming around my apartment surfing on the net. Checking out CBC and found an article about a giant squid found off the coast of BC. Intrigued, I decided to read the article. I though these things only existed in scifi books, but I digress. It turns out that they usually live in warmer waters, so scientists are thinking this is yet another warning from mother nature. When will we clue in??
I also just read that the Russian government has passed Kyoto and is now awaiting ratification! Woohooo With Russia signing on to the treaty, that puts the total number of countries over 50% - and Kyoto will be implemented. America, being the worlds largest producer of greenhouse gases, will hopefully feel the pressure. But I think this is unlikely, especially if Bush gets another term. Seeing as his family owns numerous oil fields.... let's say it together 'conflict of interest'! There have been countless studies confirming that global warming is caused by our wasteful actions. While so many politicians and businesses say that economically, Kyoto is not feasible, I disagree. Yes, if companies continue to run business as they do currently, they will go broke and people will loose their jobs. However, if companies are forced, for example, to include disposal/recycling costs in their business plans this might not be the case. We need to make it harder and more costly for companies to pollute and produce toxic materials.
When companies and politicians say that Kyoto will be bad for the economy, they are trying to scare voters into thinking that they will loose their jobs. That's all it is, a scare tactic. I was recently listening to a radio show and David Suzuki was a guest. He believes that implementing Kyoto and general ecological business will create more jobs and be good for the economy. The fact that the most developed countries are the worst polluters should be a wake-up call to each of us. Too many people are quick to blame the 'backward', and 'dirty' third world for the current environmental crisis. We're the problem. And besides, most of the pollution that happens in the developing world is the result of multinationals trying to take advantage of low wages and lax pollution controls. Pollution doesn't stop at the border, moron.
emma found her way @ 10:24 a.m. | 0 comments
| Too convenient...
|
10.08.2004 |
I also just read that the Russian government has passed Kyoto and is now awaiting ratification! Woohooo With Russia signing on to the treaty, that puts the total number of countries over 50% - and Kyoto will be implemented. America, being the worlds largest producer of greenhouse gases, will hopefully feel the pressure. But I think this is unlikely, especially if Bush gets another term. Seeing as his family owns numerous oil fields.... let's say it together 'conflict of interest'! There have been countless studies confirming that global warming is caused by our wasteful actions. While so many politicians and businesses say that economically, Kyoto is not feasible, I disagree. Yes, if companies continue to run business as they do currently, they will go broke and people will loose their jobs. However, if companies are forced, for example, to include disposal/recycling costs in their business plans this might not be the case. We need to make it harder and more costly for companies to pollute and produce toxic materials.
When companies and politicians say that Kyoto will be bad for the economy, they are trying to scare voters into thinking that they will loose their jobs. That's all it is, a scare tactic. I was recently listening to a radio show and David Suzuki was a guest. He believes that implementing Kyoto and general ecological business will create more jobs and be good for the economy. The fact that the most developed countries are the worst polluters should be a wake-up call to each of us. Too many people are quick to blame the 'backward', and 'dirty' third world for the current environmental crisis. We're the problem. And besides, most of the pollution that happens in the developing world is the result of multinationals trying to take advantage of low wages and lax pollution controls. Pollution doesn't stop at the border, moron.
emma found her way @ 10:24 a.m. | 0 comments
Ahhh Japan, the land of convenience. Ok, so I know that all the geographers out there will get made at me for buying something that is sooo completely overpackaged but hear me out... (I do feel a twinge of guilt myself)
First off, I must thank Fred for pointing this out to me. What is it you ask?? It's a Cup Cake. Quite literaly! Fukura Choko! So, you buy this little pink cup, add an egg, mix it in with the mystery powder and nuke it for 2 minutes. That's all! Scary, huh!
I usually hate foods that are so processed but this one takes the cake, all the pun in the world intended. If you're looking for entertainment, as opposed to taste this is the thing for you! おいしいかな。。。。
emma found her way @ 6:20 p.m. | 0 comments
Sachiko, Yorito, Yukuta, Mariko and I
After class on Monday we headed out for a late dinner. After I made a fool of myself slurping ramen, we wenton a tour of all the nearby scary tunnels. The areas where I live is quite mountainous and there are loads of random, small tunnels. Strange, I know.......But I now know what twenty-somethings do for fun on a weeknight in rural Japan :)
emma found her way @ 6:08 p.m. | 2 comments
Ok, so in the midst of yet another typhoon I thought it was time for a bit of an update. This past weekend was the town sports festival - the last one! Woohooo I have been at sports festivals for the last 5 weekends straight! Here's a pic of Koji and Toshie, two of my great friends here in Japan. Koji was on the planning committee for the sports day - otsukaresamadeshita :)
emma found her way @ 8:04 p.m. | 0 comments