Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Heisig
Just discovered a cool way to learn kanji. The goal of the course is to teach how to simply write kanji and associate it with a simple meaning. It is not intended to teach readings and stuff which is a much more complicated task... I'm excited about it as I feel like I might be able to learn how to write some 2000 kanji in about a month (I'm banking on 3 weeks... 100 kanji per day...) if I put the work into it...
Monday, May 12, 2008
Complications
heh... where should I start?
I've been in Sendai for a little over a month now and while I've more or less settled in I still feel like I don't quite fit in from time to time. Its a relatively common feeling for me, especially when I'm feeling hungry... but really,I'm not sure why it happens, but it does and it sucks... This most recent bout mostly had to do with not knowing what the heck I should be doing for the 6.5 units and some 20 or so weekly hours that accounts for my research, but after talking to my PI, things have settled down a bit. Apparently I've been placed into a project, the head of which is currently hiring postdocs in China...
My lack of posting these past 11 days has had more to do with constantly trying to adjust to my surrounding, and strengthening my resolve to improve. Things got a little hairy though when I spilled tea on my laptop and subsequently rendered it unusable... and irreparable while in Japan. In otherwords, I'll be without a computer at home in the long term for the first time in about 17 years. For some people, this might not be such a big deal, but it'll be interesting for a guy who usually spent the vast majority of his free time in front of his screen in the past. I have confidence that the experience will improve my life somehow as I have on many an occasion felt the need to throw my computer out the window but not having the courage to do so. The transition to a life where the hikkikomori lifestyle has been rendered virtually impossible (in a way, I was a weekend hikkikomori) hasn't been that easy so far. The general grumpiness associated with feeling too exposed to the world has more or less hit full force about now, except this time I don't have the ability or the social backstrength to withdraw into seclusion, with either my computer or a friend or two to keep me company. The outcome should be rather interesting...
There have been other complications, but I'll go ahead and call it a night for now, else I start sounding too whiny...
PS. your best bet to contact me now... email. if you want to feel like you're are able to talk to me anytime, please ask for the email associated with my cell.
I've been in Sendai for a little over a month now and while I've more or less settled in I still feel like I don't quite fit in from time to time. Its a relatively common feeling for me, especially when I'm feeling hungry... but really,I'm not sure why it happens, but it does and it sucks... This most recent bout mostly had to do with not knowing what the heck I should be doing for the 6.5 units and some 20 or so weekly hours that accounts for my research, but after talking to my PI, things have settled down a bit. Apparently I've been placed into a project, the head of which is currently hiring postdocs in China...
My lack of posting these past 11 days has had more to do with constantly trying to adjust to my surrounding, and strengthening my resolve to improve. Things got a little hairy though when I spilled tea on my laptop and subsequently rendered it unusable... and irreparable while in Japan. In otherwords, I'll be without a computer at home in the long term for the first time in about 17 years. For some people, this might not be such a big deal, but it'll be interesting for a guy who usually spent the vast majority of his free time in front of his screen in the past. I have confidence that the experience will improve my life somehow as I have on many an occasion felt the need to throw my computer out the window but not having the courage to do so. The transition to a life where the hikkikomori lifestyle has been rendered virtually impossible (in a way, I was a weekend hikkikomori) hasn't been that easy so far. The general grumpiness associated with feeling too exposed to the world has more or less hit full force about now, except this time I don't have the ability or the social backstrength to withdraw into seclusion, with either my computer or a friend or two to keep me company. The outcome should be rather interesting...
There have been other complications, but I'll go ahead and call it a night for now, else I start sounding too whiny...
PS. your best bet to contact me now... email. if you want to feel like you're are able to talk to me anytime, please ask for the email associated with my cell.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
The return home
What an odd dream. First... I slept like 14 hours last night... and in the last two hours i had one odd ass dream. Came home and went to practice which was taking somewhere... and asayake was speaking all in japanese... it was kind of odd... and it was the kind of jibberish japanese that i've come to just listen to and not be able to understand. Also, there was all sorts of new equipment that I didn't know how to use... it was kind of interesting... and after awhile people stopped looking familiar and i woke up when they were getting their japanese lesson... which was how their japanese improved so much in that short amount of time...
Monday, April 21, 2008
Why Japan
For those of you that don't know... I'm sick. Ha ha... I've been walking around these past few weeks wondering why the heck half the population is wearing flu masks... I think it took awhile because my immune system was still acclimating... but my allergies finally hit. Unfortunately this is a country full of allergens... so there's really no hope escaping it... and worse yet, the concentration is quite high... so... as far as I can tell... the allergies are hitting pretty hard.
Back to the topic that I never got to...
The girls upstairs that I've taken to hanging out with are all 18 yo (fresh out of high school) and for the most part... they're addicted to Detective Conan... its kind of funny... especially since the whole anime/manga thing is supposed to die with age. I don't know if that will happen with this generation as the target audience for most anime is expanding... or maybe its just because i'm getting older.
We do have a self-proclaimed otaku in our group... but this proclamation comes with a few caveats... well really... just one... he's 17 (as he so proudly claims). Now why would I even care? As far as I am aware... the term otaku carried (and still does even after densha otoko probably granted to a lesser extent) a very negative connotation. Another japanese word to describe otaku: maniac. The english doesn't really have a comparable term to describe an otaku as the old connotations for geek and nerd have more or less been thrown out to be more fashionable to today's tech savvy youth. Even the word otaku has been stripped of its negative connotations in the west, but I wouldn't be caught dead calling myself an otaku, however I feel like I walk a fine line between normalcy (whatever standardizes normal) and just being really informed... ie. geeky. This topic can be a rather deep and egocentric one so I'll go ahead and skip on to what I want to talk about...
Why Japan? I've met tons of people that have gone abroad since my high school days... and maybe its because of my status of being overseas chinese... this whole lack of national identity thing... but I feel slightly disgruntled when people harp on other countries... saying how much another country is better than another. It used to be much worse than it is now... and perhaps the fact that I care about how another place is better than my home means I have national pride... I don't know. I don't care much for America's reputation or what "my country" means to everyone else... but it kind of pisses me off when people start talking about how much better it is over there... because then it feels like they're putting down my home... maybe its that reincarnated japanese soul of mine (ie. you don't say today's weather is nice... you say today's weather is also nice (just like any other day)). So why did I choose to want to study in Japan oh so long ago? I did this before I joined taiko... so my only exposure to Japan was through what I saw in anime. In a way, how I started to become interested in Japan (in a more extreme case people would call it being a Japan-o-phile... I don't feel like I'm at that point... but I may very well be) was due to what I'd like to call my otaku past. I've never quite been ok with the whole "yeah... Japan Japan Japan... everything Japan is cool" school of thought. In fact I was a bit discomforted by it... especially since a number of my friends were all gung ho about Japan.
As time dragged on... and I became more involved with taiko, my approach to culture slowly changed as I learned more and more about the history of this region (which is painfully neglected by our high schools... or maybe its because I simply didn't study hard enough) and while I did got through the China phase a few times, I don't think modern China has peaked my interested quite yet. But in essence, my interested in Japan has developed far beyond simply what manga and anime has to offer. Ironically, I probably watch and read about as much as I used to. Possibly a little less now because I spend a lot more time doing other things, but when I'm in the burnt out mode... that's all I really do... So does manga and anime represent anything intrinsically Japanese to me? no... not really... for what they are to me now... they're just stories and a preferred format... It's something I've grown up doing, so I prefer it over most other media. Is there anything redeemable from this particular media? no... I don't think so... the only series I ever got anything worthwhile from... was 12 kingdoms, and that was more a part of my own development as a person than anything.
So why Japan? When anime and manga aren't even really a reason to be here at all? I don't list anime and manga as an interest anymore because they've stopped being anything more than stories to me. I've recognized that Japanese and American Taiko are different and as far as I can understand, they are different entities with the same root, but like the homo-sapien and chimpanzee... their common ancestor probably looks nothing like either. I admit, taiko is a major reason for me being here. Its one of my interests, and I feel diversifying my taiko portfolio will greatly develop my taiko ability or artistic skill, talent, whatever you want to call it... but I can just as easily do that back in the states by hunting down taiko internships with portland, san jose, or the taiko institute...
One part of it is... like just about every other youngster getting ready to hit a major turning point in their lives... the desire to see the world and explore and try those new wings that we've worked so hard to obtain. But wanting to see the world is a pretty common desire applicable to anywhere... but really my interests can only lead me to two other places... China (which is a no because I don't agree with China's current political environment) and hong kong (which is still part of China... so I'd rather not if I could help it). I have no real interest in England, or France. I have close to nil experience with Germany... and while I'm on a relatively Vietnamese diet... I'm pretty unfamiliar with the culture.
America is a pretty good place to get to know a number of different cultures... fortunately most asian cultures are included in the whole "its not a bad place to get to know.." Islamic cultures are a bit harder to come by in America, especially at this point in time... but for now I don't know much and am not interested (the ignorance feeds itself), which leaves how many countries do I want to deepend my understanding of? Language also plays a large role too. Since most of the stories I really like are in Japanese... the natural language to pursue... Japanese (its not about the means... its about the end in this case)... I decided long ago... Japanese reading comprehension first... Chinese can come later... listening and speaking Japanese and Cantonese can be concurrent, Mandarin will have to wait.
Its all about deepening my understanding. It great to go and check a new place out... which is great if you're going to be there for temporary stay... but to do anything long term, I feel having as much of a foundation as you can muster is the best way to milk the most out of your experience.
So why Japan? The answer is simple... to deepen what I already know...
because the more I get to know it... the stranger it becomes. I certainly feel that way about the language... the culture is right there beside it... as are the streets (the streets near my home are very windy... and physics... well... the deeper you go... the stranger it gets... quantum mechanics only gets harder after your infinite well, pauli exclusion, and heisenberg uncertainty...
Back to the topic that I never got to...
The girls upstairs that I've taken to hanging out with are all 18 yo (fresh out of high school) and for the most part... they're addicted to Detective Conan... its kind of funny... especially since the whole anime/manga thing is supposed to die with age. I don't know if that will happen with this generation as the target audience for most anime is expanding... or maybe its just because i'm getting older.
We do have a self-proclaimed otaku in our group... but this proclamation comes with a few caveats... well really... just one... he's 17 (as he so proudly claims). Now why would I even care? As far as I am aware... the term otaku carried (and still does even after densha otoko probably granted to a lesser extent) a very negative connotation. Another japanese word to describe otaku: maniac. The english doesn't really have a comparable term to describe an otaku as the old connotations for geek and nerd have more or less been thrown out to be more fashionable to today's tech savvy youth. Even the word otaku has been stripped of its negative connotations in the west, but I wouldn't be caught dead calling myself an otaku, however I feel like I walk a fine line between normalcy (whatever standardizes normal) and just being really informed... ie. geeky. This topic can be a rather deep and egocentric one so I'll go ahead and skip on to what I want to talk about...
Why Japan? I've met tons of people that have gone abroad since my high school days... and maybe its because of my status of being overseas chinese... this whole lack of national identity thing... but I feel slightly disgruntled when people harp on other countries... saying how much another country is better than another. It used to be much worse than it is now... and perhaps the fact that I care about how another place is better than my home means I have national pride... I don't know. I don't care much for America's reputation or what "my country" means to everyone else... but it kind of pisses me off when people start talking about how much better it is over there... because then it feels like they're putting down my home... maybe its that reincarnated japanese soul of mine (ie. you don't say today's weather is nice... you say today's weather is also nice (just like any other day)). So why did I choose to want to study in Japan oh so long ago? I did this before I joined taiko... so my only exposure to Japan was through what I saw in anime. In a way, how I started to become interested in Japan (in a more extreme case people would call it being a Japan-o-phile... I don't feel like I'm at that point... but I may very well be) was due to what I'd like to call my otaku past. I've never quite been ok with the whole "yeah... Japan Japan Japan... everything Japan is cool" school of thought. In fact I was a bit discomforted by it... especially since a number of my friends were all gung ho about Japan.
As time dragged on... and I became more involved with taiko, my approach to culture slowly changed as I learned more and more about the history of this region (which is painfully neglected by our high schools... or maybe its because I simply didn't study hard enough) and while I did got through the China phase a few times, I don't think modern China has peaked my interested quite yet. But in essence, my interested in Japan has developed far beyond simply what manga and anime has to offer. Ironically, I probably watch and read about as much as I used to. Possibly a little less now because I spend a lot more time doing other things, but when I'm in the burnt out mode... that's all I really do... So does manga and anime represent anything intrinsically Japanese to me? no... not really... for what they are to me now... they're just stories and a preferred format... It's something I've grown up doing, so I prefer it over most other media. Is there anything redeemable from this particular media? no... I don't think so... the only series I ever got anything worthwhile from... was 12 kingdoms, and that was more a part of my own development as a person than anything.
So why Japan? When anime and manga aren't even really a reason to be here at all? I don't list anime and manga as an interest anymore because they've stopped being anything more than stories to me. I've recognized that Japanese and American Taiko are different and as far as I can understand, they are different entities with the same root, but like the homo-sapien and chimpanzee... their common ancestor probably looks nothing like either. I admit, taiko is a major reason for me being here. Its one of my interests, and I feel diversifying my taiko portfolio will greatly develop my taiko ability or artistic skill, talent, whatever you want to call it... but I can just as easily do that back in the states by hunting down taiko internships with portland, san jose, or the taiko institute...
One part of it is... like just about every other youngster getting ready to hit a major turning point in their lives... the desire to see the world and explore and try those new wings that we've worked so hard to obtain. But wanting to see the world is a pretty common desire applicable to anywhere... but really my interests can only lead me to two other places... China (which is a no because I don't agree with China's current political environment) and hong kong (which is still part of China... so I'd rather not if I could help it). I have no real interest in England, or France. I have close to nil experience with Germany... and while I'm on a relatively Vietnamese diet... I'm pretty unfamiliar with the culture.
America is a pretty good place to get to know a number of different cultures... fortunately most asian cultures are included in the whole "its not a bad place to get to know.." Islamic cultures are a bit harder to come by in America, especially at this point in time... but for now I don't know much and am not interested (the ignorance feeds itself), which leaves how many countries do I want to deepend my understanding of? Language also plays a large role too. Since most of the stories I really like are in Japanese... the natural language to pursue... Japanese (its not about the means... its about the end in this case)... I decided long ago... Japanese reading comprehension first... Chinese can come later... listening and speaking Japanese and Cantonese can be concurrent, Mandarin will have to wait.
Its all about deepening my understanding. It great to go and check a new place out... which is great if you're going to be there for temporary stay... but to do anything long term, I feel having as much of a foundation as you can muster is the best way to milk the most out of your experience.
So why Japan? The answer is simple... to deepen what I already know...
because the more I get to know it... the stranger it becomes. I certainly feel that way about the language... the culture is right there beside it... as are the streets (the streets near my home are very windy... and physics... well... the deeper you go... the stranger it gets... quantum mechanics only gets harder after your infinite well, pauli exclusion, and heisenberg uncertainty...
Saturday, April 19, 2008
ummm... yeah... not much to say unfortunately... ha ha
How long has it been since my last post? I believe the last time was somewhere in Tokyo… in the middle of the night trying. Oh? No… I think the last time when I was bitching about my graduation status….
Where should I start? What should I talk about? I suppose there could be a lot to say, but at the same time it all seems kind of normal… so what is there to say? It has all flown by so fast. Much has happened since: such as alien registration, getting national health insurance, a bank account, cell phone, internet, paying for my living arrangements, etc etc etc… honestly its nothing to write home about.
Things have kinda swung back and forth between good and bad. The good usually starting sometime around meal time… the bad usually after doing a ton of paperwork… In terms of my lab, it hasn’t been bad. The people are really nice, although I’m getting pampered. I’m sure my labmates all hate me for being babied so much… ha ha.
I did catch a cold however… so I guess that’s been interesting. The weather is getting warmer… whatelse?
It’s raining a lot…
The sakura are blooming… but it’s raining a lot… so… the sakura aren’t so happy.
I hang out with the international students a lot... international… and the freshman girls….
Oh… one cool thing that happened was hanging out with Yuta in Asakusa. That was cool. Granted it was just hanging out at the Miyamoto Studio. At the very least I got to independently study some taiko. I hope I can do it again sometime.
On a more taiko related note, I joined Kamo Tsunamura Taiko. They play taiko a bit differently than Asayake… so it’ll be interesting to see what techniques I can pick up. I kind of wish I saw practice more often… but in this area, it seems Taiko is a bit rarer… perhaps it would have been wiser looking for a group elsewhere. Oh well… we’ll make do with what we have now.
Where should I start? What should I talk about? I suppose there could be a lot to say, but at the same time it all seems kind of normal… so what is there to say? It has all flown by so fast. Much has happened since: such as alien registration, getting national health insurance, a bank account, cell phone, internet, paying for my living arrangements, etc etc etc… honestly its nothing to write home about.
Things have kinda swung back and forth between good and bad. The good usually starting sometime around meal time… the bad usually after doing a ton of paperwork… In terms of my lab, it hasn’t been bad. The people are really nice, although I’m getting pampered. I’m sure my labmates all hate me for being babied so much… ha ha.
I did catch a cold however… so I guess that’s been interesting. The weather is getting warmer… whatelse?
It’s raining a lot…
The sakura are blooming… but it’s raining a lot… so… the sakura aren’t so happy.
I hang out with the international students a lot... international… and the freshman girls….
Oh… one cool thing that happened was hanging out with Yuta in Asakusa. That was cool. Granted it was just hanging out at the Miyamoto Studio. At the very least I got to independently study some taiko. I hope I can do it again sometime.
On a more taiko related note, I joined Kamo Tsunamura Taiko. They play taiko a bit differently than Asayake… so it’ll be interesting to see what techniques I can pick up. I kind of wish I saw practice more often… but in this area, it seems Taiko is a bit rarer… perhaps it would have been wiser looking for a group elsewhere. Oh well… we’ll make do with what we have now.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Japan and Graduation
heh... I don't know where to start... I mean, I've been figuring out how to graduate for the past 6 months now and even after all the trouble and worry, I'm still very far from the goal. It's a little unreasonable how difficult it is to find a class to satisfy these 3 small requirements: "must be 4 UC quarter units of upper division non-engineering/science/math related study"...
After hearing about how difficult the UOEAP director can be in allow units to transfer, I found that I'd probably be able to get my upper div units via the Japanese language courses offered here at Tohoku because it seemed unlikely that the combination of the non-engineering courses here would be able to pass by the director... the so-called dragon-lady. My Japanese isn't great, but I figured it was good enough to be close to intermediate level, which would give me enough units to graduate... funnily enough, the level I got assigned to was absolute beginner, and it seems they want to keep me here...
Really... I don't know what to do anymore... I really want to just quit school just to make a statement against this type of bureaucratic idiocy.
After hearing about how difficult the UOEAP director can be in allow units to transfer, I found that I'd probably be able to get my upper div units via the Japanese language courses offered here at Tohoku because it seemed unlikely that the combination of the non-engineering courses here would be able to pass by the director... the so-called dragon-lady. My Japanese isn't great, but I figured it was good enough to be close to intermediate level, which would give me enough units to graduate... funnily enough, the level I got assigned to was absolute beginner, and it seems they want to keep me here...
Really... I don't know what to do anymore... I really want to just quit school just to make a statement against this type of bureaucratic idiocy.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Grades!
Whoo hoo! I made my highest GPA last quarter!
Now's the hard part T.T keeping it up...
grade inflation doesn't happen here in Japan. And the even harder part... dealing with a bureacratic nazi trying to get the necessary units to freaking graduate.
Now's the hard part T.T keeping it up...
grade inflation doesn't happen here in Japan. And the even harder part... dealing with a bureacratic nazi trying to get the necessary units to freaking graduate.
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