So last Wednesday I went and saw Twelfth Night by Ninagawa in the Shinbashi Enbujo. I actually really liked the theater. It was certainly newer than Kabuki-za, and felt newer, but it kinda lacked the character Kabuki-za has. I really liked the set up of the building, and it is in a very convenient location. I also really liked my seat cause it gave me a good view of the hanamichi, only issue was that the closest corner of the stage was almost completely lost to view. Luckily this wasn't too big a deal for this play, as it used a stage prop I had never seen used before; mirrors. The stage was surrounded on mirrors on both sides, so that I could still see the actors even if they were hidden behind the balcony ledge (which was where I was sitting.) But nothing important was hidden from direct view, and I loved the view, though I think I would opt to sit in the far right corner of the seats facing the stage for next time.
This play was amazing and will always stand out in my mind for just how beautifully artistic, creative, and original, it's mixing of western and kabuki acting, scenery, and props was. It really captured all that was good about both kinds of theater and combined them into something breath taking.
One of the first things that struck me was the music combination. They used the lute, harpsichord, and string music traditionally found in the Shakespearean plays and combined it with the drums and shamisen of the kabuki plays. I wouldn't have though it would go well together, and it took me a minute to understand what I was hearing when it started before curtain went up. But really, it turned out wonderfully, the strings helped to back up and create background music for the drums, and also helped create a mood that I think is some times hard to make with the instruments available in kabuki music. The music in kabuki I find to be much stronger, where as the music in Shakespear's plays can be to soft and flouncy. The combination really balanced it out.
The first scene was really breath taking. They used an interesting effect quite a lot in this play; the fade out/in. The first scene appeared to be a glass screen with children singing one of the opening songs that is almost always found in Shakespeare but not kabuki. The glass screen was actually double sided glass that when the spot was shown on the singing children you could see them, but nothing behind the glass. But slowly they lit the scenery behind the glass revealing a giant cherry tree with blossoms falling and a court set with a harpsichord on stage and the children singing. It was really breath taking watching the tree magically materialize behind the children. the glass curtain raised at some point to reveal the whole stage un-obscured.
The plot seemed to carry on exactly like the Shakespeare story. Sadly I didn't get the head phones. I now wish I had just to see if the translation was exact from the original script. The main lord came out and did his opening speech, I believe saying he had to send his children off to another land and how sad he was.
The an amazing scene change and the hero"s" come out on a boat, that looked very believable, in heroic pose. The storm scene was amazing. They used strobes and fog machines. Very super kabuki I thought. With the waves moving (people under cloth, but it looked very scary with the lights and sounds, very intense) and washing the prince out to sea.
Another thing that amazed me was how quickly they could do costume changes on the actor that played both the prince and princess. It was amazing, he would go into a room or boat and come out in a completely different costume. It must have been so hard to get it that fast and coordinated. I can't even imagine how many people he had helping him change that fast.
I thought they caught the spirit of the characters from the original play very well. There is always a certain way you supposed to play the maid, or the drunken fop, or the main princess, or the one that all the guys like. They have a set personality that you are supposed to provoke. I haven't watched any Kabuki plays more than once, but I am sure there is an archetype. However it would seem to me that many of the characters in kabuki have far more subdued personalities. Where as characters in Shakespeare were always the epitome of the person they were trying to project, they took a personality trait to the limit and over, making it ridiculous. All of Kabuki is very subdued and softer. So they hit somewhere in the middle, again. Like with the Foppish character. Not only was his costume and way of speaking suggestive (he even used an English word in now and then for purely comedic effect, and it worked when he did it in his nancy boy accent, very funny), but he was much more active and used much more gesturing. One thing that stuck in my mind, when he was first introduced, in the head princesses home, he fidgeted. And I thought to my self "he's fidgeting, you don't fidget in kabuki, you usually try not to fidget in Japanese culture generally, and he is fidgeting." If I remember correctly the character does indeed fidget in the Shakespeare play as well. So they must have followed a lot of the original stage directions.
Another thing that I found interesting was the strength of the women in the plays. Though both kabuki and Shakespeare don't use women on stage, kabuki plays seem to portray women in a much softer more feminine role. Where as in this play, you have a woman cross dressing (which isn't un heard of in Japanese theater, from both the original kabuki plays to the newer ones where women dress as men (can't remember what they are called)) and even the maid in this play is cocky, tough, sly, and witty. The Princess too, refuses to marry someone who it would traditionally be beneficial to marry. So I think this play put women in a much stronger role than they are usually given in traditional kabuki plot lines. You can have strong female figures in kabuki, but they still portray a lighter more refined personality.
Like in one scene where the main character princess (dressed as a kind guy) does the only dance scene in the play (which was GORGEOUS) and then after words he is complimenting him (her, but he thinks she is a guy) and she kind of faints, or gets short of breath afterwords. It's a very new way I think for kabuki to show women.
Back to effects. One of the things I liked was how they implemented the fact that the stage turns. It was the most scene changes I have seen in a kabuki thus far. I wish I had kept count. And almost every time, they dimmed the stage lights so that it was just one spotlight on a main actor that followed them as the scene change slowly hid them from view. I bet Shakespeare wishes they had had that technology in his time, because it was so perfect for this play. It was a very dramatic way for a actor to leave the stage after their speech was over. In Shakespearean plays usually, if an especially important scene has just happened (like the one where the Princess explains her love of her new found Lord and how it pains her because she loves the neighboring Lady so much and she is disguised as a man and might be punished or banished from his sight if her reveals her *deep breath*) it is a wonderful way to raise the drama level and let the audience applaud the wonderful scene. So I really approved of that use of stage design.
The addition of the dance scene was very nice too I thought. In Shakespeare there was often a soliloquy or one of the actors would sing a ballad about something that would pertain to the story in some way. But this was very nice, I like it much better. The dance scenes are one of my favorite parts of Kabuki, and I would love to have a recording of this dance scene to memorize it, it was very well choreographed. Or better yet, I would love to have this whole kabuki on dvd. But I approved of the addition of that scene. It worked well to express the heroins love of the lord.
I love the way they adopted the costumes to fit the scene where the court counselor for the Princess comes out dressed in a ridiculous all yellow costume. Since obviously they couldn't have him where yellow cross garter stockings, I think they did a great job making it just as over the top. The yellow tabi socks were hilarious. Again, I almost wish I had gotten the translation head phones so I could see how they adapted that part of the script so that it was talking about Japanese court clothing instead of English court clothing. I wonder if I can find an online copy of the skript.
The set designs were briliant. That is one way in which this play as a kabuki trumps the original version. There was not much room for intricate sets in Shakespeares time, and even now the sets are usually much different. But the lords houses that backed eachother and were changed just by turning the stage were amazing. As was the garden of white flowers with the bridges over them that the last scene and I think a majority of the scenes took place at, was beautiful, and nothing that I have seen done for this play. The detail was amazing.
Though some of the changes were very cultural in nature. For example, in many versions of this play, at the drinking party they are in the back room (or kitchen like area) of the princess manner, so it looks like servent quarters, not the reagle tatami mats that were used in this play. However, I do not think that these little changes added or subtracted anything from the play, though I do think it would have helped to show just how laid back the fop, the jester, and the other retainer dude were with the maid and each other. Much of the Japanese higher archy system was kept. Except for the fact that the people affore mentioned were allowed to beat up the court counselor with out any form of punishment, which would never have happened in japanese fudel society. But I think that was just them trying to stay as true to Shakespears script as possible.
All in all I thought this was an amazing play, and my favorite I have seen thus far, even over Saiyuki, despite that being the more active of the two. It might just be because I can understand the plot line of this and am familiar with the story, but I do not think that influences my opinion much, because despit it being the same story, much of the set, and look and feel of it have changed. So it is really a completely new telling. I loved it, the music and the art of it. If I have a chance I will buy a copy of it, or maybe it will show somewhere in America and I will see it again there live. I hope to see it again one day. Eve gives Twelfth Night by Ninagawa 5 big bright shinny stars!
Thus ends post one of this three post series. Now I am off to practice Japanese. I will maybe start another post some time tonight if I have time. If not you can expect the next two of this series and probably one more by next week.
Wish me luck!
~Eve
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Shouldn't be funny, but is....
If you have ever been to Japan, or plan on going to Japan, this is relevant to you and also fun. But warning, it is terribly terribly not PC. So I feel kind of bad for saying this is so funny. But on the cultural side, it is really something you will understand and probably feel if you go to Japan for an extended period of time. I hope I don't offend anyone <3.
On Swine Flu:
http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/jz/2091/Kazuhide%27s+Swine+Flu+Announcement
On Random Stuff:
http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/jz/1480/The+Best+of+Kazuhide
On Swine Flu:
http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/jz/2091/Kazuhide%27s+Swine+Flu+Announcement
On Random Stuff:
http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/jz/1480/The+Best+of+Kazuhide
Mitaka: Ghibli and all it's glory; Suburban Tokyo and it's calm.
(FYI this is the bones for my power point for a class. I also added some personal notes and observations about the Museum at the bottom. Enjoy.)
Mitaka: Ghibli and all it's glory; Suburban Tokyo and it's calm.
Mitaka-General Information:
estimated pop of 175,995
Mitaka City officially founded Nov, 3 1950, but history dates back to 1590.
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan location
Mitaka City has a total area is 16.50 km²
In planning:
The Ghibli Museum website http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/top.html is very helpful.
Comes in English.
Brochure given to you at the Museum is written in many different languages.
Tells you how and where to buy tickets.
In Japan you can buy the tickets at the Loppi machines in Lawson.
(Hint for English speaking students: The Loppi machines don't really work the way they say they do on the website, but the lovely people at the Lawsons can help.)
Tickets are 1000 yen for adults.
Mitaka- How to get there and where it is:
From Shinjuku you can take the Chuo Rapid Line all the way to Mitaka.
It takes about 15-20 minutes.
Take about 30-40minutes on regular line.
210 yen from Shinjuku
From station, to Ghibli:
South Exit of Station.
Take Bus #9
Can't miss it, no really it's large and yellow and have a bunch of Miyazaki creatures on it...
bus is 200 yen one way and 300 yen round trip.
You can also easily walk from the station to Ghibli and back by following the "waterworks" (little river) that runs from one corner of the station to Ghibli.
Entrance to museum:
Museum opens at 10 am
Tickets are time, you must arrive at museum at the appointed time on your tickets or you will not get in.
Make sure you order tickets ahead of time!
Once in you can stay until the museum closes
Museum is rather small so you probably won't need much time.
Get there early to get in front of the little kids >.>
Museum:
The museum its self is very small,
About 7 rooms, including the book store and gift shop.
Saturn Theater: what your ticket money really goes to.
Interactive exhibits.
Cafe is expensive, but there is smaller food stand that is reasonable.
Pack a lunch, or have a big breakfast and go eat somewhere in town.
Museum Part Two:
The architecture is amazing.
Be sure to pay attention to the small details around the building.
Teaches you a lot about animation and film in general
Saturn Theater performances change every few weeks.
It is worth it to go just to see a miyazaki short.
Mitaka Park: Inokashira Park
Park next to Ghibli
Very nice place, very big. Popular during Cherry blossom season.
Lake in the park.
Land was given to Tokyo in 113 and park opened in 1918. Considered a gift from the Emperor to the people.
Mitaka Park: Inokashira Park Part 2
5 min walk from Kichijōji (JR Chūō line),
1 min walk from Inokashira Kōen (Keiō Inokashira Line)
The Park contains a small temple dedicated to Benzaiten
petting zoo and a small aquarium, vendors, musicians, artists and street performers gather
Mitaka City: The area around the station and what I found there.
There is a small foreign food market down the street from station.
Lots of nice food vendors in train station.
Good selection of fast food and traditional Japanese fare.
Cute boutiques.
Not really that much in the town, but I didn't look around that much.
Random writing time----------
The first room on entrance besides the Main Hall which the whole museum centers around is a room that shows how animation works. It actually took me a while to figure out that this was the actual purpose of the room. I assume it would have been more obvious if I could have read the descriptions on everything, but I at first thought it was just a cool place displaying Miyazakis work in interesting ways. There are many examples of Miyazaki's art, of basic sketches and figurines put to action. Its really cool to watch the giant spinning tree of Miyazaki characters put to motion the same way in a movie reel. With strobe lights and pillars. It actually looks a little like claymation or a Tim Burtain/Miyazaki compilation.
How it works: In old movie boxes a succession ofpictures would be spun in a cilindar with slots cut in the side. As it spun (fast) the pictures would blur together, with the added help of the slots, and look like they were one moving image. Movies do the same thing with the frames of movie film acting as the slots and light shinning from behind it to illuminate the pictures properly.
With the figure tree in Ghibli, they flash strobe lights on it (there is actually a warning about getting siezres from looking at it.) Resulting in the slatted effect caused by the frames in film and the slots in picture cylindars. The characters on the tree spin fast enough that it looks like an endless number of Totoros and Neko-bus running around the tree.
The Museum is small but has a lot of information on the art processes behind animation, and gives you a good look at just how hard it is. It realistically replicates a supporting animators work station, ciggarettes, tea, broken pencils and all. It gives wonderful insight to the art process, from some of Miyazakis original concept sketches that can be found in the Permanent Work Room exhibit on the second floor. Takes you through panneling, background and background layering, coloring, and to actual projection of the finished product.
The replicas of Miyazakis work spaces are amazing! The building it's self is a joy to explore. It's very clean and neat, despite the many children running around it is a nice place to sit and contemplate. Especially after visiting the interactive work space replications. You will want to try and draw a bit. The architecture and art making the museum are amazing them selves. You must be certain to always keep your eyes open for art and Miyazaki styles and strucktures hidden about.
The "cafe" is more like a restaurant and a slightly over priced one.I am happy I packed a lunch and picked up some extra snaks at Mitaka Station. There is however a little side booth next to the cafe that sells beer, hot-dogs, ice cream and other carnival like snacks and sandwiches. Again, a little over priced, but mich more reasonable. Packing a picknick to eat after exploring the museum in the park, or to eat on the patio of the museum for a break is highly recomended (also there is always a very long wait to get into the "cafe".
The gift store is also a bit over priced, and with not a great selection. But for cell phone charms and pins it's okay. There is actually a much better Ghibli paraphenalia shop in Asakusa next to the first gate into the main street. I suggest going there if you want Ghibli merchandise.
The place is very green and not in an over kept way. The plants are free to range around. The whole complex looks like a building out of a Miyazaki film. The inside looks a bit like the post-Sophie version of Howl's Castle, and the outside looks like something out of Nausica. Also, the Roof has a garden you can get a good view from. You can also take a picture with the Raputain on the roof and the little info cube from Raputa. It's very cool. The stained glass windows are also all worth a second look.
I hope you get a chance to go here and enjoy touring Ghibli as much as I did.
Travel on!
~Eve <3
Mitaka: Ghibli and all it's glory; Suburban Tokyo and it's calm.
Mitaka-General Information:
estimated pop of 175,995
Mitaka City officially founded Nov, 3 1950, but history dates back to 1590.
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan location
Mitaka City has a total area is 16.50 km²
In planning:
The Ghibli Museum website http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/top.html is very helpful.
Comes in English.
Brochure given to you at the Museum is written in many different languages.
Tells you how and where to buy tickets.
In Japan you can buy the tickets at the Loppi machines in Lawson.
(Hint for English speaking students: The Loppi machines don't really work the way they say they do on the website, but the lovely people at the Lawsons can help.)
Tickets are 1000 yen for adults.
Mitaka- How to get there and where it is:
From Shinjuku you can take the Chuo Rapid Line all the way to Mitaka.
It takes about 15-20 minutes.
Take about 30-40minutes on regular line.
210 yen from Shinjuku
From station, to Ghibli:
South Exit of Station.
Take Bus #9
Can't miss it, no really it's large and yellow and have a bunch of Miyazaki creatures on it...
bus is 200 yen one way and 300 yen round trip.
You can also easily walk from the station to Ghibli and back by following the "waterworks" (little river) that runs from one corner of the station to Ghibli.
Entrance to museum:
Museum opens at 10 am
Tickets are time, you must arrive at museum at the appointed time on your tickets or you will not get in.
Make sure you order tickets ahead of time!
Once in you can stay until the museum closes
Museum is rather small so you probably won't need much time.
Get there early to get in front of the little kids >.>
Museum:
The museum its self is very small,
About 7 rooms, including the book store and gift shop.
Saturn Theater: what your ticket money really goes to.
Interactive exhibits.
Cafe is expensive, but there is smaller food stand that is reasonable.
Pack a lunch, or have a big breakfast and go eat somewhere in town.
Museum Part Two:
The architecture is amazing.
Be sure to pay attention to the small details around the building.
Teaches you a lot about animation and film in general
Saturn Theater performances change every few weeks.
It is worth it to go just to see a miyazaki short.
Mitaka Park: Inokashira Park
Park next to Ghibli
Very nice place, very big. Popular during Cherry blossom season.
Lake in the park.
Land was given to Tokyo in 113 and park opened in 1918. Considered a gift from the Emperor to the people.
Mitaka Park: Inokashira Park Part 2
5 min walk from Kichijōji (JR Chūō line),
1 min walk from Inokashira Kōen (Keiō Inokashira Line)
The Park contains a small temple dedicated to Benzaiten
petting zoo and a small aquarium, vendors, musicians, artists and street performers gather
Mitaka City: The area around the station and what I found there.
There is a small foreign food market down the street from station.
Lots of nice food vendors in train station.
Good selection of fast food and traditional Japanese fare.
Cute boutiques.
Not really that much in the town, but I didn't look around that much.
Random writing time----------
The first room on entrance besides the Main Hall which the whole museum centers around is a room that shows how animation works. It actually took me a while to figure out that this was the actual purpose of the room. I assume it would have been more obvious if I could have read the descriptions on everything, but I at first thought it was just a cool place displaying Miyazakis work in interesting ways. There are many examples of Miyazaki's art, of basic sketches and figurines put to action. Its really cool to watch the giant spinning tree of Miyazaki characters put to motion the same way in a movie reel. With strobe lights and pillars. It actually looks a little like claymation or a Tim Burtain/Miyazaki compilation.
How it works: In old movie boxes a succession ofpictures would be spun in a cilindar with slots cut in the side. As it spun (fast) the pictures would blur together, with the added help of the slots, and look like they were one moving image. Movies do the same thing with the frames of movie film acting as the slots and light shinning from behind it to illuminate the pictures properly.
With the figure tree in Ghibli, they flash strobe lights on it (there is actually a warning about getting siezres from looking at it.) Resulting in the slatted effect caused by the frames in film and the slots in picture cylindars. The characters on the tree spin fast enough that it looks like an endless number of Totoros and Neko-bus running around the tree.
The Museum is small but has a lot of information on the art processes behind animation, and gives you a good look at just how hard it is. It realistically replicates a supporting animators work station, ciggarettes, tea, broken pencils and all. It gives wonderful insight to the art process, from some of Miyazakis original concept sketches that can be found in the Permanent Work Room exhibit on the second floor. Takes you through panneling, background and background layering, coloring, and to actual projection of the finished product.
The replicas of Miyazakis work spaces are amazing! The building it's self is a joy to explore. It's very clean and neat, despite the many children running around it is a nice place to sit and contemplate. Especially after visiting the interactive work space replications. You will want to try and draw a bit. The architecture and art making the museum are amazing them selves. You must be certain to always keep your eyes open for art and Miyazaki styles and strucktures hidden about.
The "cafe" is more like a restaurant and a slightly over priced one.I am happy I packed a lunch and picked up some extra snaks at Mitaka Station. There is however a little side booth next to the cafe that sells beer, hot-dogs, ice cream and other carnival like snacks and sandwiches. Again, a little over priced, but mich more reasonable. Packing a picknick to eat after exploring the museum in the park, or to eat on the patio of the museum for a break is highly recomended (also there is always a very long wait to get into the "cafe".
The gift store is also a bit over priced, and with not a great selection. But for cell phone charms and pins it's okay. There is actually a much better Ghibli paraphenalia shop in Asakusa next to the first gate into the main street. I suggest going there if you want Ghibli merchandise.
The place is very green and not in an over kept way. The plants are free to range around. The whole complex looks like a building out of a Miyazaki film. The inside looks a bit like the post-Sophie version of Howl's Castle, and the outside looks like something out of Nausica. Also, the Roof has a garden you can get a good view from. You can also take a picture with the Raputain on the roof and the little info cube from Raputa. It's very cool. The stained glass windows are also all worth a second look.
I hope you get a chance to go here and enjoy touring Ghibli as much as I did.
Travel on!
~Eve <3
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Random connection on a train...
So a few days ago on one of the more crowded trains home, I was standing next to this one business man. I look over and see that he has started playing Dani California by the Red Hot Chili Peppers on his iPod. I know this song well, so I start lip sinking along, and kind of singing under my breath. He must have either heard me or been able to read lips, or maybe he just figured out what I was doing because he kept looking at me in the reflection in the train windows and laughing and smiling and kind bobbing in beat (and you do not bob on the trains, it's not done). I thought it was really cool, that we got that random connection. I hope I made him feel hip and cool and that my singing along with his music made his train ride more enjoyable.
<3
~Eve
<3
~Eve
Sunday, June 14, 2009
I feel like I should post something, but I don't know what to post about...
So I guess let me fill you in on the last few weeks.
Everyone knows I've been complaining about how hard it is here. And it is hard, I just thought I would handle it better than this. But thats what I get for over estimating my adjustment capabilities. So I have finally, officially decided not to stay another semester. I just miss my family and friends too much.
This has taught me a lot about my self though. Again, I thought I would be able to handle traveling to different countries a lot better than I have been. This is problematic because I was intending to make travel my life. Now I have to reconsider some of the steps and paths I want to take in the future.
I have also, and this is going to sounds kind of cold and mean but it is TOTALLY NOT meant that way, found that I care more about my family and friends than I thought. I love my family and my friends, god only knows how much. I just thought that once in a new place, in the whirl of it all, it would just slip to the back of my mind because I would be so busy focusing on other things. But again, this was not the case. It actually makes me kind of happy cause it proves that I am a kind caring person after all, which I knew but some people would debate ^_^.
So Eve has some thiking to do over how this will impact both her academic and professional carrer. Do I still want to go for the State Department job? It doesn:t necessarily mean I will travel but it is certainly likely. I could get a reaserch job in Washington, or maybe a job with one of the Think-Tanks. I will have to look into these psoobilities.
I am still of the opinion that the school work is a main factor in my current disappointment. And that if I was here simply to work, or even do school work I wanted to do (like write reaserch journals about Japanese society and culture) I would be much happier. Also, more freedom to interact out side of a certain group and to be alone when I chose would be nice. Though I have been doing most things on my own now and are much happier because of it. Everynow and then I will want to have company, but I am also finding I am a very solitary person when removed from my core group of friends at Washington. This isn:t surprising, I knew I was a loner, but the extent that is being revealed here is more than I thought. This trip is almost turning into a psych experiment on my self, it:s pretty interesting. Im learning more about myself than I would from any other experiance, and despite my compaining I value the information I am learning about my self from being here. It is valuable knowledge I must learn from.
In other news, I have finally found someone who I like (if not love) as a teacher in Japanese. Another girl here, whose name is Wendy, has been hanging out with me for study time and helping me in Japanese. She is very nice and explains things wonderfully and simply in a way even I can understand. She has also been studying for almost 10 years more than me and is in the heighest level of language classes offered here. So I am really extatic about this. Already I see more improvement and things are getting easier.
Also on the language front. I have been pulling some major overtime hours. I originally said 10-11 hours a wekk outside of class, but it:s starting to turn into more like 3 hours a day outside of class. However, with Wendys help, I am seeing a lot of improvement in my work, and I feel like I am improving. I have also re-taken two tests now, though I will probably only get partial credit for them, but it is much much better than what I had. I have also been told I can write a blog post about kabuki in Japanese for extra credit points. So expect a Japanese blog post in the near future. I will also write it in English so people can read it, but it will be as a comment on the innitial Japanese post.
Also, in the near future (read tomorrow evening or thursday evening, some time this week) expect two blog posts. One as a large ranting comparison on American and Japanese habits, cause some things have been bugging me lately and I have to get them off my chest. And another post on my Studio Ghibli visit. Which was indeed amazing, just like I thought it would be. That post will actually be part of an oral presentation for another class. I love completing multiple things in one fel swoop.
For now I must be off. I have class, and then to home and napping, for I am tired.
TTFN
~Eve
Everyone knows I've been complaining about how hard it is here. And it is hard, I just thought I would handle it better than this. But thats what I get for over estimating my adjustment capabilities. So I have finally, officially decided not to stay another semester. I just miss my family and friends too much.
This has taught me a lot about my self though. Again, I thought I would be able to handle traveling to different countries a lot better than I have been. This is problematic because I was intending to make travel my life. Now I have to reconsider some of the steps and paths I want to take in the future.
I have also, and this is going to sounds kind of cold and mean but it is TOTALLY NOT meant that way, found that I care more about my family and friends than I thought. I love my family and my friends, god only knows how much. I just thought that once in a new place, in the whirl of it all, it would just slip to the back of my mind because I would be so busy focusing on other things. But again, this was not the case. It actually makes me kind of happy cause it proves that I am a kind caring person after all, which I knew but some people would debate ^_^.
So Eve has some thiking to do over how this will impact both her academic and professional carrer. Do I still want to go for the State Department job? It doesn:t necessarily mean I will travel but it is certainly likely. I could get a reaserch job in Washington, or maybe a job with one of the Think-Tanks. I will have to look into these psoobilities.
I am still of the opinion that the school work is a main factor in my current disappointment. And that if I was here simply to work, or even do school work I wanted to do (like write reaserch journals about Japanese society and culture) I would be much happier. Also, more freedom to interact out side of a certain group and to be alone when I chose would be nice. Though I have been doing most things on my own now and are much happier because of it. Everynow and then I will want to have company, but I am also finding I am a very solitary person when removed from my core group of friends at Washington. This isn:t surprising, I knew I was a loner, but the extent that is being revealed here is more than I thought. This trip is almost turning into a psych experiment on my self, it:s pretty interesting. Im learning more about myself than I would from any other experiance, and despite my compaining I value the information I am learning about my self from being here. It is valuable knowledge I must learn from.
In other news, I have finally found someone who I like (if not love) as a teacher in Japanese. Another girl here, whose name is Wendy, has been hanging out with me for study time and helping me in Japanese. She is very nice and explains things wonderfully and simply in a way even I can understand. She has also been studying for almost 10 years more than me and is in the heighest level of language classes offered here. So I am really extatic about this. Already I see more improvement and things are getting easier.
Also on the language front. I have been pulling some major overtime hours. I originally said 10-11 hours a wekk outside of class, but it:s starting to turn into more like 3 hours a day outside of class. However, with Wendys help, I am seeing a lot of improvement in my work, and I feel like I am improving. I have also re-taken two tests now, though I will probably only get partial credit for them, but it is much much better than what I had. I have also been told I can write a blog post about kabuki in Japanese for extra credit points. So expect a Japanese blog post in the near future. I will also write it in English so people can read it, but it will be as a comment on the innitial Japanese post.
Also, in the near future (read tomorrow evening or thursday evening, some time this week) expect two blog posts. One as a large ranting comparison on American and Japanese habits, cause some things have been bugging me lately and I have to get them off my chest. And another post on my Studio Ghibli visit. Which was indeed amazing, just like I thought it would be. That post will actually be part of an oral presentation for another class. I love completing multiple things in one fel swoop.
For now I must be off. I have class, and then to home and napping, for I am tired.
TTFN
~Eve
Sunday, June 7, 2009
The choice is yours, but choose wisely, for there could be Temple Guards lurking around every corner!
So I still haven't decided what I want to do. To stay or not to stay, that is the question....SO HELP ME DECIDE!
Pros:
-good life experience
-I'm 19 and female in Japan (I wont be 19 and in Japan ever again, the female... though changeable, is unlikely)
-immersion language learning, which is the best way
-I'm making more money here teaching than I do in America
-Japan is lots of fun, there is more to do
-I will have more time to do more, considering all I want to do and the fact that it takes time to get funds to do these things the more time is good
-enjoying the cultural exchange, kabuki, shrines, pop culture
Cons:
-I'm home sick and miss my family and friends (though the home sick part may pass)
-I miss being on campus
-the classes here are not as fulfilling as the ones at Washington
-I might not be able to graduate on time if I don't take classes at WAC that I need for my major/minor, I can't get those classes here
-I'm still not learning Japanese as fast as I would like to which makes me wonder if I cant find a better learning environment in the states
-the social interaction is lacking
-Taco Bell exists in America
Pros:
-good life experience
-I'm 19 and female in Japan (I wont be 19 and in Japan ever again, the female... though changeable, is unlikely)
-immersion language learning, which is the best way
-I'm making more money here teaching than I do in America
-Japan is lots of fun, there is more to do
-I will have more time to do more, considering all I want to do and the fact that it takes time to get funds to do these things the more time is good
-enjoying the cultural exchange, kabuki, shrines, pop culture
Cons:
-I'm home sick and miss my family and friends (though the home sick part may pass)
-I miss being on campus
-the classes here are not as fulfilling as the ones at Washington
-I might not be able to graduate on time if I don't take classes at WAC that I need for my major/minor, I can't get those classes here
-I'm still not learning Japanese as fast as I would like to which makes me wonder if I cant find a better learning environment in the states
-the social interaction is lacking
-Taco Bell exists in America
Monday, June 1, 2009
WAHOO First post of JUNE!
First order of business, my original blog, entitled "Original Sin" is now public. Now onto the week.
So this week has been going very well. I am very happy I have stayed happy so long. THINGS ARE LOOKING UP!
So this week has been going very well. I am very happy I have stayed happy so long. THINGS ARE LOOKING UP!
Currently I am sitting in a McDonalds next to Yoyogi station. Just kind of chilling in the smokers section, cause when I walked in it was the only place open. I'm a little light headed from inhaling second hand smoke.
I really need to start exercising more regularly again. I haven't been going at all this past week. Ever since I ran that ridiculously long distance I've become very lazy. I intend to remedy that this evening with a strenuous work out, and hopefully keep up my routine. Also, as any one who has gone to Japan can attest to, the Japanese pastry phenomena might kill me. The fact that I can walk down to the convinie and pick up something gooey with custard and chocolate in the middle for breakfast on the walk to school is a terrible thing. Also it has been one of those weeks where I am either out or about to go some where so having healthy sit down meals has been basically impossible. I am not happy with what I have been eating and I am not sure my body is either. Empty carbs and sugar to keep me moving is not the best. So Eve hopes to be eating better starting next week, or tomorrow (I have corn on the cob for dinner tonight). The nice thing is at least I walk everywhere. So even if I dont exercise I burn off most of the terrible carbs I intake.
I seem to be unable to remember what I did after the Aikido meeting on Sunday. Monday I only had one class. We are doing a project on a sight seeing places or place we want to visit in Japan. I am doing mine on Studio Ghibili, which I am actually going to go and visit on the 15th. I am very excited about going, and I have the tickets already. Sadly you are not allowed to take pictures in the actual Museum, but I will definitely take pictures of the surrounding area. I haven't taken a lot of pictures lately, I have done what so many people do, gotten so used to my environment I don't appreciate it anymore. Its not a good thing to do. So I am very excited about this project and the prospect of going to Ghibili. I want a Totoro Bento Box.
I find my self missing my friends more and more. I wish that I could see them soon. At least I am finally experiencing home sickness. I miss my family too. Especially my mom. I feel like we have bonded a lot in the last few years. Time when I come back from college is very precious to us now. Or at least to me. I miss my dad too. I miss doing fun things with him. I look forward to seeing my parents and friends again. And my pets, I really miss my cats. Especially Dusty, my favorite cat.
I think I have decided that I am going to go back home at the end of this semester. I miss my family and friends too much. The academic work here is also not fulfilling for me. Parts of it are too easy. I am also not doing very well in japanese. Part of me hopes that if I go back to the States I can find a place to learn Japanese outside of WAC that will have the learning environment I need. I dont even think they would let me stay because of my grades in Japanese. So I am thinking going home would be the best thing for me. Hopefully one day I will be able to come back to Japan and see more. I really do love the country.
I saw the MGU English counselor on Wednesday. She is very very nice. I was surprised honestly. I am very picky about my counselors and how they operate, but I liked her. I am going back this coming Wednesday for follow up, but there isn't much to talk about really. This week has gone great thus far, and she really is just more an outside person I can spill my guts to who wont criticize me. Which is usually what a counselor does, but they also sometimes offer suggestions on how to handle a situation. Only problem is that I have handled the situation the way she suggested. I let Joe know what has been going on and I believe he has informed my Japanese teacher, and thats really all I can do with the academic department, besides study my butt off (which I am doing, literally as we speak.) I have been avoiding situations that may hurt me and treating myself very nicely. I have been getting enough sleep. I have been socializing as much as I can. I'm doing fine in all of my other classes and the past issues that caused problems have all but disappeared. So there really isn't much she (or I for that matter) can do. But it was nice to be able to talk to someone about it. The only issue is that with every new Shrink I see I have to re-explain my previous problems, which can take a very long time. Anyways, I look forward to our next session.
I feel like I have been doing very good in classes this week. Except that I almost slept through my Japanese class on Friday. I don't think my alarm went off, which probably meant I set it wrong, but I didn't mean too. Meaghan called to ask if I was coming and I thought it was my alarm going off, till I saw the little phone icon. At that point I was going to be pissed at who ever was calling me so early that my alarm hadn't gone off. Then I looked at the time and was like "oh shi-" I was about an hour late, and I ran all the way to the school and caught express trains, so it could have been worse. I just dont seem to have any luck with that class.
Yesterday I went to Roppongie finally. That place is the most ridiculous place I have ever been to. It is so futuristic, and artistic, I feel like I stepped off the train into the year 2200. I got there early and just kinda walked around for a while. Maggie and I met up and went to see Star Trek, which was awesome. I think they really did it justice. And the actors played the personalities of their characters very very well. They also showed some amazing shots of the shinny new Enterprise. I really really liked it. It was very well done in my opinion and I would like to see it again. Surprisingly the Roppongie Toho Theater isn't that expensive. Especially if your a college student from outside of Japan. I got a Gaijin discount and a Gaukukse discount. Which was great. Its about 10$ for a ticket, and then you can get a nice amount of popcorn for only $3. SO really it isn't that bad. I kind of feel like going back there on Wednesday or some time in the next week and seeing Angles and Demons (which I also haven't seen yet but want to), so thats a general plan. I also want to get some more sight seeing in. There is an awesome view of Tokyo Tower from Roppongie Hills. Also they have a big Modern Art Museum in one of the buildings that I want to go check out. Not to mention a Cold Stone Creamery, I want my ice cream.
Most of my time is now devoted to working. I'm seeing at least one person a day, it's kind of ridiculous. I'm not sure if its a good thing, but it is keeping me active, starting to help my Japanese, and giving me enough income some I'm not just sitting in the dorm being emo. Sadly I haven't been going to Aikido much. Either school work or work have been getting in the way this past week. I was working on a scholarship paper this past week and finally got it done and turned in. But I'm not sure if it is that good, I will be surprised if I get anything for it but you never know.
I did get into this Bus Tour that ISP has set up where we are going to the Japanese country and going cherry picking, having a BBQ and going to an Onsen. I haven't been to an Onsen yet so I am very excited about it. It will be a very fun thing to do, and I was lucky to get in. A lot of people signed up and they only had a few spots so they did a draw and I am very happy to have been chosen. I am really really looking forward to going to it, though the whole communal bathing thing kinda freaks me out, but when in Rome... or Tokyo...
I am also going to Noh, officially, next Saturday. I am very excited about that too, even though it is supposed to be very very boring. I suppose I can doodle or do some home work or something if I get really painfully bored. But I don't think I will, it will be interesting to see the predecessor of Kabuki.
I'm seeing my Advisor on Monday. He is in Japan and is going to talk to all of us WAC-ers. He also wants to talk to me personally about me wanting to stay another semester (even though I have pretty much decided against it) cause I mentioned that I was considering it. I just hope he doesn't criticize me for my slightly hypocritical behavior, I don't think he will though, but he probably will advise against me staying. I am a little nervous about the meeting though. He is taking all us WAC-ers out to dinner later in the evening though. So I am very excited about that. I haven't really gotten a chance to eat good, traditional Japanese fare. So I am sure this will be a lot of fun. And I look forward to having someone to talk IS talk with.
I can't really think of anything else to write right now. So I am probably going to finish up a bit of my home work, go back to the dorm, change, rest a bit, and then exercise. I want to do a lot of core work, and probably run a lot. I like my exercise, and I have been feeling kind of tired today, so I am sure I will feel better when I am done working out some. I don't have enough time to go to aikido today, and not really sure I feel like making the commute to the school. But I really want to return to my normal practice schedule next week.
I will tell you how things next week go.
Wish me luck.
Boldly going where no Eve has gone before!
~Eve
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