Sorry for the delay in posting, classes here are keeping me very busy every day. This post is just going to be a quick update on what has been going on. I will make an actual post in a day or two. So far, here is what has been going on:
1. Studying for my first test- Everyday we cover a new lesson in class (verbs, adjectives, you name it, we do it) that we practice extensively, and then work the sheet(s) of homework we get for that lesson every night. Our first test is over 16 lessons, and I think it will quite straight forward. Practicing and reviewing the material each class really helps get the language down, and I can honestly say that my language skills are much better than they were state-side, after just a month of class. It is much easier to remember things when you have to use them everyday. The way the classes here are organized is very good, and the program has been very successful. I really wonder how much my language skills will have grown by my birthday in two months?
2. Exploring- I get out all of the time and look for new places to see, and things to do. I am leaving shortly to meet Jesse and bike to the mountains. I really look forward to going to Minami Matsumoto this weekend to help work a haunted house. I have never been to the town before, so it will be quite an adventure. I love to ride trains.
3. Meeting new people- I am meeting new people ALL the time. I have done everything from playing Wii with students at a Halloween party, to traveling out of town with people, to going out to eat/drink with friends. I really feel like I am starting to settle in. Hell, I even played some soccer last week at the university with some students. That same day, I was also invited by an older Japanese man to check out a little craft fair. It was a lot of fun, I was given popcorn, cotton candy, and even a pat on the backside from an elderly Japanese woman ;)
This Sunday is also a festival at the university that is supposed to biggest event of the year. I am really looking forward to seeing all of the dancing and other events that they have going on. I saw them practicing the Soran Bushi dance just the other night, and it looked great. That is all I know for now, but I will post back in a day or two.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
The New Pseudo-Momma Trolley
This red and rather...different..bike is my newest mode of transportation this side of the Pacific. She has everything that you could want in a bicycle except for shocks. As the title suggests my bike is a pseudo version of what my friend Daniel calls a "Momma Trolley". These Momma Trolleys are named as such because of the service they provide to children all across Japan. I have seen one child in the front in a tiny seat, and one in the back in another seat. It is very interesting to see. I am willing to bet that they don't get pulled over by the police for double or triple riding on the bike though.
The little bell to warn people you are flying by them.
The semi-Engrish "Switch to bicycle life" brand.
This cool thing is the bicycle light. There is a little switch you flick to make the light turn at an angle towards the tire...
so that it can be charged when the wheel turns the nob on top and charges your light in the dark. It still fascinates me. Notice how the tires tred matches the grooves in the metal disk.
The little bell to warn people you are flying by them.
The semi-Engrish "Switch to bicycle life" brand.
This cool thing is the bicycle light. There is a little switch you flick to make the light turn at an angle towards the tire...
so that it can be charged when the wheel turns the nob on top and charges your light in the dark. It still fascinates me. Notice how the tires tred matches the grooves in the metal disk.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Norikura Heights
This weekend Jesse and I experienced something truly wonderful; a day trip to the mountains for hiking, eating at a wonderful hostel/inn in the mountains, and a hot spring to soothe our aching muscles. Our destination was the Norikura Heights.
For only ¥1,000 yen (roughly $11) we were given transportation to and from Matsumoto to the Norikura Heights, lunch (which probably would have cost $15/person), and a hot spring experience. That is so cheap it is almost stealing. The ride there was beautiful. The trees are just beginning to change their color here, so the mountains were full of color. I really enjoyed looking at all of the little streams and waterfalls that we passed on our way. The water here has a semi-blue tint to it that is very pretty to look at. Once we arrived at our destination, Jesse and I broke off from the rest of the travelers and headed off on our own up into the mountains. We followed a rocky stream bed and eventually headed back towards base down a ski slope. It was an interesting experience.
After we enjoyed our hike, we were taken to a little inn located down the mountain a ways. It was very beautiful and reminded me a lot of some of the homes you find in the mountains of Colorado. A lot of the trees looked like they were Aspens. At the inn, we were treated to a wonderful lunch that consisted of rice, whole fish cooked in leaves, tofu, cucumber salad, green tea, and a shabu shabu pot (it is an onomatopoeia for "swish swish", meaning you throw vegetables, meat, lettuce, etc. into a seasoned broth pot, and enjoy it when everything is cooked) which was very delicious. We all had fun trying to play a Alphorn (Swiss mountain horn that is very long) after dinner. I am glad that my trumpet playing allowed me to make a nice sound out of it. Jesse sounded like a professional. His was the best out of everyone who tried it.
After our delicious lunch we headed to the inns hot spring. It was my first time to visit a hot spring, and it will not be my last. If you can get over the fact that you are stripping down to your birthday suit with many other guys in the room, and then sharing a bath together, it is truly enjoyable. It really isn't awkward at all. I highly recommend visiting a hot spring if you have the opportunity to do so.
On a side note, life in Matsumoto is becoming more wonderful with each passing day. Since I have been here, I have seen a tremendous growth in my Japanese skills in all areas. Every day I seem to have more and more conversations with the locals which is helping me a lot. Hopefully I will be able to communicate a lot by the time my birthday rolls around in December. I really think it will be much easier by then. I recently bought a new phone and bicycle (both of which I will post on later) this week, and they have really helped make life much easier. Phones are a wonderful way to improve language skills. That is really all I know at the moment. Another week= more Japanese classes and homework. I hope everyone is well. Take care
Picture credits go to Jesse who skillfully took them from his window seat on the bus.
Lunch at the inn.
For only ¥1,000 yen (roughly $11) we were given transportation to and from Matsumoto to the Norikura Heights, lunch (which probably would have cost $15/person), and a hot spring experience. That is so cheap it is almost stealing. The ride there was beautiful. The trees are just beginning to change their color here, so the mountains were full of color. I really enjoyed looking at all of the little streams and waterfalls that we passed on our way. The water here has a semi-blue tint to it that is very pretty to look at. Once we arrived at our destination, Jesse and I broke off from the rest of the travelers and headed off on our own up into the mountains. We followed a rocky stream bed and eventually headed back towards base down a ski slope. It was an interesting experience.
After we enjoyed our hike, we were taken to a little inn located down the mountain a ways. It was very beautiful and reminded me a lot of some of the homes you find in the mountains of Colorado. A lot of the trees looked like they were Aspens. At the inn, we were treated to a wonderful lunch that consisted of rice, whole fish cooked in leaves, tofu, cucumber salad, green tea, and a shabu shabu pot (it is an onomatopoeia for "swish swish", meaning you throw vegetables, meat, lettuce, etc. into a seasoned broth pot, and enjoy it when everything is cooked) which was very delicious. We all had fun trying to play a Alphorn (Swiss mountain horn that is very long) after dinner. I am glad that my trumpet playing allowed me to make a nice sound out of it. Jesse sounded like a professional. His was the best out of everyone who tried it.
After our delicious lunch we headed to the inns hot spring. It was my first time to visit a hot spring, and it will not be my last. If you can get over the fact that you are stripping down to your birthday suit with many other guys in the room, and then sharing a bath together, it is truly enjoyable. It really isn't awkward at all. I highly recommend visiting a hot spring if you have the opportunity to do so.
On a side note, life in Matsumoto is becoming more wonderful with each passing day. Since I have been here, I have seen a tremendous growth in my Japanese skills in all areas. Every day I seem to have more and more conversations with the locals which is helping me a lot. Hopefully I will be able to communicate a lot by the time my birthday rolls around in December. I really think it will be much easier by then. I recently bought a new phone and bicycle (both of which I will post on later) this week, and they have really helped make life much easier. Phones are a wonderful way to improve language skills. That is really all I know at the moment. Another week= more Japanese classes and homework. I hope everyone is well. Take care
Picture credits go to Jesse who skillfully took them from his window seat on the bus.
Lunch at the inn.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Just A Quick Update
Just 5 days left until Jesse and I have been in Japan for a month and I am still loving every minute of it. Before I left people would occasionally say something along the lines of, "Japan will be quite a bit different than what you have idealized it to be" and I have to say to those people that you are both wrong and right. Strange eh? Let me explain. I have found everything I thought I would find here; temples, shrines, beautiful mountains, friendly people, fascinating history/culture, cool hole in the wall restaurants and shops, vending machines of every variety (alcohol, cigarette, soft-drinks, etc., and everything else that you can think of. Every little thing seems to make me laugh. As I write this, I am sitting next to an empty can of "Happy Happy うれしい（Happy) アップル （Apple) Joyful Fruit Drink", and a bag of "American Popcorn". I don't know how they get so much of that red, white, and blue taste in to one bag. The bag seriously has all the a fore mentioned colors on the label.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, let me explain some other things that I have noticed in Japan. First, people are very very friendly, and it is not uncommon at all to have little friendly chats with people you meet places. There is always a lot of bowing and saying "excuse me", and everyone gets along great. I have never feared for my safety at all when walking around anywhere at any time of the day or night. Now that I have explained that, let me explain what else I have noticed in regards to people; you are seen by all but approached by few. I'm talking about life on campus itself. Not once in any of my days on campus, have I had anyone just say, "hello, how are you" (Japanese tutors aren't counted in this figure) or "where are you from?". It just hasn't happened yet. It may be that they are shy around international students. There are only 3 American students on campus; Jesse, myself, and Jake (who has lived in Japan for nearly 4 years and who is very fluent in the language). I don't even think he is on an exchange program. He takes regular courses in Japanese. The language barrier is a strong one, and people are afraid to approach it. For as melancholic as my musings may sound, have no fear, these are things I know will soon disappear. It really is amazing how much people will open up to you once you approach them and try to learn more about them and their interests. Compared to when I left, my Japanese skills are really starting to grow quickly and with much better results. Tomorrow I will meet with some of my Japanese friends on campus for an evening of communicating and laughter (I do have friends here) This weekend will bring me a new bicycle, my cell phone, hiking/picnic/hot spring, and dinner in a nearby town with one of my friends. I look forward to all of it, and I will let you know how everything goes. Take care everyone.
A strange eye-shaped basin found inside a little man-made cave in the mountains. I don't know what it represents. Behind it, near the wall of the cave, is a white stone marker that has no legible writing on it.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, let me explain some other things that I have noticed in Japan. First, people are very very friendly, and it is not uncommon at all to have little friendly chats with people you meet places. There is always a lot of bowing and saying "excuse me", and everyone gets along great. I have never feared for my safety at all when walking around anywhere at any time of the day or night. Now that I have explained that, let me explain what else I have noticed in regards to people; you are seen by all but approached by few. I'm talking about life on campus itself. Not once in any of my days on campus, have I had anyone just say, "hello, how are you" (Japanese tutors aren't counted in this figure) or "where are you from?". It just hasn't happened yet. It may be that they are shy around international students. There are only 3 American students on campus; Jesse, myself, and Jake (who has lived in Japan for nearly 4 years and who is very fluent in the language). I don't even think he is on an exchange program. He takes regular courses in Japanese. The language barrier is a strong one, and people are afraid to approach it. For as melancholic as my musings may sound, have no fear, these are things I know will soon disappear. It really is amazing how much people will open up to you once you approach them and try to learn more about them and their interests. Compared to when I left, my Japanese skills are really starting to grow quickly and with much better results. Tomorrow I will meet with some of my Japanese friends on campus for an evening of communicating and laughter (I do have friends here) This weekend will bring me a new bicycle, my cell phone, hiking/picnic/hot spring, and dinner in a nearby town with one of my friends. I look forward to all of it, and I will let you know how everything goes. Take care everyone.
A strange eye-shaped basin found inside a little man-made cave in the mountains. I don't know what it represents. Behind it, near the wall of the cave, is a white stone marker that has no legible writing on it.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Soba Festival
This Saturday was the Matsumoto City Soba Festival held at Matsumoto Castle. It was a neat festival packed full of food vendors selling everything from candied fruits to ice cream and grilled meats, to of course the soba which is famous in Shinshu.
The weather was beautiful and the temperature was perfect for exploring the castle grounds and everything that the festival had to offer. I did buy some cold soba for lunch, and I have to say that it was delicious. One of the things that you have to get used to in Japan is feeling like an exotic animal on exhibit. Of course you may be thinking "Whoa Sam! That's a weird thing to say", but let me assure you, that is the truth. There isn't a day that goes by that Jesse and I aren't looked at with curiosity. The reactions can be quite funny at times. A group of us foreigners (3 Shinshu students)actually found a news-sized camera focused on us while we ate our lunch. It as almost as they were thinking, "Wow, they are really using chopsticks...".
My soba lunch もりそば (Mori Soba). It was delicious.
Man making soba noodles.
Matsumoto Castle. It is also known by the name of "からすじょ”（Karasu-jo）The Crow Castle because of its black color.
The weather was beautiful and the temperature was perfect for exploring the castle grounds and everything that the festival had to offer. I did buy some cold soba for lunch, and I have to say that it was delicious. One of the things that you have to get used to in Japan is feeling like an exotic animal on exhibit. Of course you may be thinking "Whoa Sam! That's a weird thing to say", but let me assure you, that is the truth. There isn't a day that goes by that Jesse and I aren't looked at with curiosity. The reactions can be quite funny at times. A group of us foreigners (3 Shinshu students)actually found a news-sized camera focused on us while we ate our lunch. It as almost as they were thinking, "Wow, they are really using chopsticks...".
My soba lunch もりそば (Mori Soba). It was delicious.
Man making soba noodles.
Matsumoto Castle. It is also known by the name of "からすじょ”（Karasu-jo）The Crow Castle because of its black color.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Typhoon!!!
Here is a special bonus blog for the day. Enjoy.
Bonus points to Japanese speakers who can find the furigana that was misplaced in the rush to get it printed and delivered.
Bonus points to Japanese speakers who can find the furigana that was misplaced in the rush to get it printed and delivered.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Class
Hello everyone!
Where do I begin? I guess I will start with the layout of the Japanese classes at Shinshu university. Everyday I study Japanese from 9:00-2:30(毎日,9:00時から2:30まで日本語をべんきょうします<--I feel like a little kid.) We stay in the same classroom everyday and our teachers rotate depending on the day. This is my schedule as of this semester：
Monday- 9:00-10:30/Grammar（文法） 10:40-12:10/Conversation（会話）
1:00-2:30：Composition（作文）
Tuesday- 9:00-10:30/Grammar(文法）10:40-12:10/Conversation（会話）
1:00-2:30/Kanji（漢字） 4:20-5:50/Multicultural Understanding
Wednesday- 9:00-10:30/Grammar（文法） 10:40-12:10/Conversation（会話）
Thursday- 9:00-10:30/Grammar（文法） 10:40-12:10/Conversation（会話）
1:00-2:30/Pronunciation
Friday- 9:00-10:30/Practical Lesson 10:40-12:10/Practical Lesson
1:00-2:30/Kanji（漢字）
There are only ten students in our class which is quite small; with 4 from China, 1 from South Korea, 1 from Mongolia, 1 from Nepal, 1 from Bangladesh, and 2 Americans (Jesse and I). The teachers are excellent and we really have a wonderful time in class each day. Multicultural Understanding is a huge class where we (along with our tutor) learn about each others cultures and practice speaking together. My tutors name is Ayumi Hirukawa, and I look forward to learning more about her and what she enjoys doing.
At Shinshu, we use a different set of textbooks than at OSU. I really enjoy the layout of the books. We have two for each semester; the Japanese textbook and its supplemental English grammar translation book.
Life here couldn't be better; there is food in the cabinets, a comfortable futon on the floor, plenty of new things to see and do every day, and beautiful nature all around. I don't think I will ever get tired of seeing the mountains. This weekend if time and funds allow, we are scheduled to take a day trip to Kamikouchi (for pictures see the link on my very first post) for a day of relaxing and enjoying the outdoors. Next week, Jesse and I will try buy our phones and bicycles so that we can expand our exploring ground and keep in touch with people better. I hope that everyone is doing well. I will try to post something new as soon as I can. Take care.
Where do I begin? I guess I will start with the layout of the Japanese classes at Shinshu university. Everyday I study Japanese from 9:00-2:30(毎日,9:00時から2:30まで日本語をべんきょうします<--I feel like a little kid.) We stay in the same classroom everyday and our teachers rotate depending on the day. This is my schedule as of this semester：
Monday- 9:00-10:30/Grammar（文法） 10:40-12:10/Conversation（会話）
1:00-2:30：Composition（作文）
Tuesday- 9:00-10:30/Grammar(文法）10:40-12:10/Conversation（会話）
1:00-2:30/Kanji（漢字） 4:20-5:50/Multicultural Understanding
Wednesday- 9:00-10:30/Grammar（文法） 10:40-12:10/Conversation（会話）
Thursday- 9:00-10:30/Grammar（文法） 10:40-12:10/Conversation（会話）
1:00-2:30/Pronunciation
Friday- 9:00-10:30/Practical Lesson 10:40-12:10/Practical Lesson
1:00-2:30/Kanji（漢字）
There are only ten students in our class which is quite small; with 4 from China, 1 from South Korea, 1 from Mongolia, 1 from Nepal, 1 from Bangladesh, and 2 Americans (Jesse and I). The teachers are excellent and we really have a wonderful time in class each day. Multicultural Understanding is a huge class where we (along with our tutor) learn about each others cultures and practice speaking together. My tutors name is Ayumi Hirukawa, and I look forward to learning more about her and what she enjoys doing.
At Shinshu, we use a different set of textbooks than at OSU. I really enjoy the layout of the books. We have two for each semester; the Japanese textbook and its supplemental English grammar translation book.
Life here couldn't be better; there is food in the cabinets, a comfortable futon on the floor, plenty of new things to see and do every day, and beautiful nature all around. I don't think I will ever get tired of seeing the mountains. This weekend if time and funds allow, we are scheduled to take a day trip to Kamikouchi (for pictures see the link on my very first post) for a day of relaxing and enjoying the outdoors. Next week, Jesse and I will try buy our phones and bicycles so that we can expand our exploring ground and keep in touch with people better. I hope that everyone is doing well. I will try to post something new as soon as I can. Take care.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
The Asama Onsen Taimatsu Matsuri
Yesterday was truly a wonderful and unique experience; it was my first festival to attend in Japan. The festival is called the Asama Onsen Taimatsu Matsuri, and it is held in a smaller part of the city just up the road from my apartment. During the festival, large bales of straw are set on fire and carried by teams of people (from elementary school children, adults, and even gaijin like Jesse and I) through the mountainous streets to a shrine where they are burned in a big bonfire. Taiko drums and chanting accompany the procession as it winds its way to the top. Food vendors line the streets with their goods, and little stalls sell toys for children. It is amazing how events like this break cultural bounds; we all laughed and joked together, taking pictures of one another as we enjoyed the festival and all it had to offer.
Ash from the burning bales is considered lucky, and there were many people in the procession who would get their gloves covered in the ashy soot, and smear it on bystanders faces. After our initial "ashing" we were ambushed multiple times by little children who were excited to have the chance to wipe ash on us. It is an experience that I will never forget.
A group of us from 信大
Jesse and I taking part in the festival
Our festival comrades. These guys were awesome.
When ash falls down..
Here is the address for another video I shot last night of the fireworks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNtyXqeMNWo
Ash from the burning bales is considered lucky, and there were many people in the procession who would get their gloves covered in the ashy soot, and smear it on bystanders faces. After our initial "ashing" we were ambushed multiple times by little children who were excited to have the chance to wipe ash on us. It is an experience that I will never forget.
A group of us from 信大
Jesse and I taking part in the festival
Our festival comrades. These guys were awesome.
When ash falls down..
Here is the address for another video I shot last night of the fireworks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNtyXqeMNWo
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