Megu's Bday Party and Me being sick

Heey sorry for my spontaneous blogging session but last week I was sick due to the piggy flu. Ok, no I did not have influenza but I paniced just a little bit but well I was more depressed because I couldn't go out due to a sore throat ahhhhh!! Ahhh.. But yeah, I decided to rest it up because of my throat so I was recovering and I was like thank you so much so on saturday I went out to this Bali Restuarant and it was spicy food, I didn't think of the consequences I just ate that food up like there was nooo tommorow! So I get back from the Bali Resturant and afterwards my throat caught on fire...... I swear for once that lemon tea with honey did not work it got so bad that I had trouble going to sleep! I did the gargle with water and salt and that got me through the night! I was like woo now I can rest but the story has just begun... I get up early in the morning to run some errands and to buy my girl Megu a cute present from the Sweets Paradise which was a nice Berry Berry Cake. I will take more pictures with my blog. I was still feeling a little grogging due to my throat but I had to go on to my friend's Megu's birthday party! So it's pouring and it's raining outside I wanted to get my rest on but it was hour away before my gurl's birthday party and I think she turned the big 2-4 24 Oh wow she's middle aged and she still looks good looks just like she was celebrating her 16th bday! Heey Japanese people tend to look too cute and too young! So I get to the place with my cake in my hand because hey if you don't know what to get someone you can never ever go wrong with food. So I see all her relatives before I got in I thought I was going to her hip cool young friends... well no I saw her relatives and let me tell you something they put my cooking to shame these people can cook! I can see why Megu can cook must be from the genes! So I told my girl this "How can you be single if you can cook?!!" You know it's a damn shame when a girl is single and she can cook! It's a damn shame. So anyways I was so shocked that after the kanpai aka cheers I just dug right in to get all the yummies and treats! Yum yum. I saw this young man Megu's cousin and I think he was hitting on me well subtley.... he was 26 but can pass for 17... Japanese men look so young I once met a 34 year old Japanese men that could pass for 21 I'm not even kidding because of the looks I treat them like my regular 20 year old friends. So after eating all this delicious food it was soo delicious they even had ribs and everyone knows how to cook no wonder why they didn't invite to cook because I suck and I burnt the fried chicken booo :( so we were playing the wee and Megu's dad is still young and hip and he wanted to do the sax. for Earth Wind and Fire hehe he was soo cute and well I was dancing... oh I forgot I was singing with Megu's grandma it was this enka song very famous and I did my little ooo's and ahh's and so finally her grandma looks at me and puts it bluntly you need to be more in melody and tune... ouch... hahah I know my singing is that bad but if a person that is hard of hearing tells me that then you know that my singing is bad and sadly I luv to sing too!! But later on that evening my throat bothered me again... ouch so I had to take my leave early... so the next morning in class my throat started to tighten up ouch so I saw the school doctor and I told the doctor that I take Sentaku because I bought it $5 from the drugstore.. so she was like it's ok it's just mild and I recieve my bill which was $40 not bad which included the pills and I look in my bad and it was the SAME MEDICINE THAT I BOUGHT FOR $5 from the store except it was in a bag and out of the box! Now is that some crap or is that some crap! Well.... that sucks but hey I have insurance so it's all good. So I ended up getting prescribed the same medicine and I went to Megu's party just to know that they put my sucky soul food party to shame and these people can cook!! Well here's the pics. enjoy and I will update more!! muah

Kobe Influenza Outbreak

Well, lately I've been really sick well luckily I don't have it so knock on wood. But walking around the Kobe area the streets are empty and it's full of people wearing masks. I just went out to today to get lunch today and to the supermarket to get a couple of more masks and orange juice. Since I'm sick I'm still a little bit susceptiable to getting influenza but I'm grateful I haven't recieved it yet. I haven't been to any crowded areas recently and I do feel secure everytime I walk around with a mask on but I've also been staying in my area too. I have not been taking the trains to go anywhere. Schools have been cancelled for a week and the attitude is vacation and lets go out. Sure it is not a big deal. But one must always be careful because you never knew who has it and who can catch it. Even though, it's rare it's still a scary thought for on that that might catch it. The general attitude of this whole thing is who cares I'm still going out the media is blowing it out of proportion. But I noticed that the kids, moms, and elderly people are mostly wearing masks due to precaution and hopefully not getting it. Thankfully, I am recovering and I've been drinking a lot of orange juice and lemon tea so back off virus I'm fighting back with vitamin c! Well I will keep yah posted peace!!

Soul Food in Japan

Hey yall' I've been really busy and focused again with school. My listening has improved dramatically and I can actually understand alot and what's going meaning I can catch the gist of the conversation. So yah, girl is doing good. Well, anyways I went to my girl's Megu's house to do a little soul food cook down! My dad sent me some corn bread and I've been mentally preparing all week. I had all the ingredients together and bought extra for this extraveganza! Well, everything was great and my friend had guests over yay!! So anyways I was like the master of the kitchen. I had people help make the macroni cheese, corn bread, ham and everything but the fried chicken was all mine! So all of a sudden I decided to do the fried chicken well I took it out from the pot and it was burnt!!Ahhh I was like noo... the skin was falling off and everything.... waaa it was embarassing and it was so bad that one of the guests fed the fried chicken to the dog.... yea it was horrible bleh... so now I need a lesson on how to fry chicken...

Recieving Help

Yesterday, was one of those days where well I guess my pride was a little bit hurt. So I was in my Japanese class paying attention and trying to be a good student like always. The teacher told us that she would correct the paper and give it to us at lunch, but we have to come to the CIEC office. I was thinking that's cool so then I can prepare to study for the quiz. Well, I wait around the Ciec office because I was anxious to get my paper so I can prepare for the quiz. The teacher came back to me with my homework,but it was full of question marks. My teacher told me she couldn't understand what I was trying to say in my homework... I was quite embarassed by this and all of a sudden my pride was hurt.. I felt really bad because if my Japanese teacher can't understand that reflects badly on my part and how much work I have left to improve on my Japanese...I was quite embarassed by this and I rushed off to my society class to sit all the way in the back alone because I didn't want anyone to see how hurt or embarassed I was because of this incident. In other words, I didn't want to bring my bad aura or drama to anyone else around me. Then one of my friends sat next to me... well I felt bad because I didn't really want to rub my bad mood off of anyone but then after class I finally confined in him how I need help because I've been having a lot of trouble lately.... so he was nice enough to help me out with my homework and we both used his electronic dictionary.. I never realized how useful they are esp. the good ones (quality does matter) until after using... I feel so old school me and my book dictionary jeeze... Other than that it was very useful and I'm glad he helped me out I understood more and when I recieved help I didn't feel no condescending attitude what so ever.. I felt a geniune understanding and obviously I wasn't trying to use him to do all my homework because I want to understand it... I felt a sense of restoration of pride again... I'm still a little bit hurt about what happened again.. but I will try harder in the future until then peace!!

Brittany

Movie Theater Culture and Getting in..

Going to the movies here is very interesting and of course obviously different. So I'm going to write this in bullet form

• Every Wednesday, there's a ladies' day a ladies' day consist of ladies paying $10 or 1000 yen to go see the movies.. but it tends to get packed sometimes... eek
  
• You literally have to plan to see the movies it's not like back in the states where you can just show up and the showtimes are one hour a part here it is different here is a good example:

Pink Panther 2 9:00 AM

Road Rage 11:00 AM 5:00 PM

Red Cliff 1:00 PM 7:00 PM 10:00 PM

But on the bottom they also show when the movie ends to which is pretty neat. But yea, that's how the movie times are they're spead out and it's not by hour by hour it's like one showing 1:00 PM next showing 8:00 PM. Sometimes they'll even have one showing for that day. I also like how the movie theaters are sparkling clean meaning when you take your seat you don't step on popcorn or leftover juice which makes the sticky sound with your sneakers. Other than that, I went to school and I'm doing the the shodo circle *calligraphy club and Unesco. Even though, they may seem clicky at first I made an attempt and so during calligraphy club I was talking to the senpai and for the first time we had a deep conversation on the differences between japanese and american friendships. For the first time, I felt that connection and I felt as if he was opening up. It was nice having that sort of a deep conversation. During the conversation he was suprised by the amount of friends people have on myspace esp. when I said like 300 hehe and he told me that here friendships are "fukai" which is the word for deep. Even though, they haven't been doing calligraphy for a while. It was nice having a deep conversation for once. The friends that I have here are both international and japanese the international ones (other exchange students) are the ones where I can speak english too and talk about the culture and help relate. Where as in Japanese ones well how else am'I going to improve my japanese. Even though, some may say well the only friends you should have are japanese since you're studying abroad personally I think it's good to have a balance. I think it's neat to have an international buddy too because then you can relate and express your fusterations if you have a problem easily. Other than that, I will keep you posted peace!

Working at a Japanese Company

After living here for a couple of months, I've started to notice the ins and outs. Even though, I'm fully adjusted here and I like it. Overall, I decided that I would not work for a japanese company in Japan. I definitely do not want to do this and so I give you my reasons.

• Working Culture= There's a whole political system and a working culture in a typical Japanese company. How so?! Well, first of all the woman still has to serve tea to her male co-workers before and during meetings! Even today it is still like this, personally it is still a little inferior
  
  
• Promotion= People don't get promoted based on merit or how hard they work. It's based on age and seniority. In other words, don't matter how hard you work if you're not a certain age then you will not get a promotion no matter how good you how!
  
  
• Speaking=To your boss you must speak keigo honorific form which certifies that you are below him so you must speak to him a honorific way. Like "Yes, mam, or no mam" but much more formal than that. 
  
  
• Two Track System= Women will and always be on the low paying track and men will always be on the high paying track. (Reasons are explained below)
  
  
• Reasons= The reason why women will always be on the low paying track is because they know they will not last long because women that are working at a company are not there for serious reasons it more to find a husband there. As crazy as this sound this is true, even though there are women out there that want a career due to society and social pressure they must quit to find a suitable husband there or recieve backlash from family and society. 
  
  
• Good Company= The important part for women to go to a good school is to work at a good top company like Panasonic, and other top firms. So in the end, they can marry a man that works for that good company and of course to please their family and parents. Again I know this sounds crazy, but this is how the society works women still don't recieve the respect as they should recieve. Also so their parents can brag about how they worked at this company and what their husband does. 
  
  
• Good College= It matters much more what company you go to because companies take the best students or students from the best colleges and there's a connection with them too. Plus it's uncommon for people to go to grad school afterwards. 

We had a discussion about this in Japanese Business. It sucks but this is true so best company and international or small firm. In my japanese business course, it was intresting on how my professor would have a seminar every year and he would get to know the students. There were 2 types of students one that wanted to work for a big firm and the other that wanted to work for a small firm. Every parent, wants their kid to have a stable job which is not bad but are they happy. So you'll have kids that will work at the top companies to please their parents and kids that will fight with their parent to do what they want and work for a small firm. In the end, the kids that worked for a small firm had fulfilled happy lives and the others that worked for a big firm weren't happy and very bored. So it was interesting learning about that in Japanese Business and I'm glad I'm taking this course this semester. On another note, I went grocery shopping and got some great items if I didn't say this Izumiya is the best store and cheapest ever. They really do have some great deals!! Also the trick to getting the cheapest items is to wait until they're about to close and then they mark down their items because it becomes cheap and they make their items fresh! Also I looked at my docomo bill and I'm like that's it I'm changing plans! Also I've been trying to join some circles but they're so darn clicky it's like you have to jump through social hurdles to gain and enter them which should not be like that. There's this whole Senpai and Ko-hai system Senpai is like the president except it's taken more seriously everyone takes him seriously and no one does anything until he does it.  Also everyone goes to the Senpai's graduation, parties and it's like  that for life in a way. Always a senpai and ko-hai is everyone listens. Also you have to speak formal to your senpai too. There's different types of forms to speak in japanese like honorific, humble, formal, and plain well with your senpai you always have to use formal. Yeah circles here which are like clubs are that serious! Well, anyways that's my update and I will give you more details! 

Things you would not do in America but only in Japan!!

1. Tell all your friends to have dinner at Wendys or any other american fast food restuarant! You know you would not do this in the states like "Heey gurl, wanna have dinner at Wendys!??" People be looking at you like daamn you are broke!
   
2. Going to a bar frequently due to the lack of keg parties. You know you would not pay $10 in transportion taking the train or bus to go to a bar where you'll probably up to $40 for all you can drink. Instead you'll go to your college campus to that and it'd be 1/2 the price and of course ladies free!
   
3. Fellas pulling a beautiful japanese woman! Ok you know would not be able to pull one in the states I'm talking about the nerds that don't get no love in the states! You've seen it and heard it the lonely nerd that gets on love in America but find romance in Japan! It can happen too!
   
4. Bowing, back in the states if you bow people will be like what is wrong with your neck!! In the states, the whole attitude is I bow down to no one!
   
5. Showing up to places on time you would never do this you would show up 15 mins. later but showing up to a place at 5:00 pm because it starts at 5:00 pm that is just obsurd!
   
6. Looking for a spot to sit and eat, in america we eat and walk all the time it's what we do but wait it's too clean I must find a spot to stand or sit but then again I admit it I've eaten and walked at the same time!
   
7. Going to Mcdonalds frequently to get that cheap food! See in the states, everyone has regional fast food cheap hang spots the west got the In-N-Out big ups to In-N-Out and the dirty south got that waffle house esp. in the ATL!
   
8. Being noticed...sometimes it feels nice to know that someone actually acknowledges sometimes we like to feel ooo notice hey I'm the only white person in the room and it feels good. But not all the time though...
   
9. Doing the peace sign in your photos! You know that sign is dorky but well I admit it I've done it too!!
   
10. Not go to Starbucks... what wait what is this not go to starbucks because of the nice cafes but if you do go to Starbucks go to one because you want to relax not get your pick up coffee and that quick sugar fix! What why go to starbucks to get a fix the chairs are comfy lets talk and chill!
    
11. Going to cafes to actually talk and chill. You know back in the states you would not want to go to the cafes to talk and chill with your buddies. Ask someone "Heey gurl wanna go to the cafe?!" They'll be like why and the blank look of oh wow she's crazy!
    
12. Ladies getting excited for wednesday because it's $10 for a movie ticket!! In the states, you would catch a matinee but here for us ladies it's $10 every wednesday to go to the movies! So let's go to the movies on wednesdays.
    
13. Contemplating or thinking about getting a Coscos membership because the groceries are too expensive compared to what you're use to seeing. Heck, I need to borrow someone's coscos card. Yes, we have a coscos here!
    
14. Hugging a black person that you see and talking to them. Esp. for us black ladies! You know in the states black people don't get along but here it's different when you see a black person it's like automatic connection like where have you been!! States, do that crap and you might get shot or told off...
    
15. Wearing heels, pants, blouse nicest gear just to go to the convenient store! Guys can do that but the ladies we come out in sweats prepare for total awkardness because the ladies always look good everyday. So obviously if you're going to the convenient store sweatshirt and pajama pants do just fine here oooo gotta get my nice suit on... "where are you going?!" to the convenient store!
    
16. After eating a small plate and small cup becoming full... what usually it'd be I want more but you're full..
    

Please add on!!

Conversation Levels

So I still don't understand the culture, and I still find myself being direct as ever yes I'm proud to be an american. What I realize is that there's different type of conversation levels here.

Japan Conversation Level

I just met you
Topics=

• How are you?!
• Weather
• Hobbies

In relative, really really light!!

Aquaintences
Topics

• School
• Job
• Plans

Not too light, but causual and polite

Friends
Topics

• Dating
• Opinions
• Life
• Deep and speaking freely

Americans

I just met you

• Freestyle

Aquaintences

• Freestyle

Friends

• Freestyle

Where am'I getting out as Americans, we tend to talk freely about everything. Like sometimes, I'll meet someone the first time and we'll end up talking about marital problems, boyfriend problems everything. Not only that, but we're always having an opinion about everything because American culture is soo expressive. I tend to do this alot but it's hard for me to remember these levels because well I talk freely about everything. I just thought this aspect was really really interesting!!

First week of school!!

hisashiburi!! Long time no talk!! Well, anyways I've been relaxing with spring break and now it's back to school. Other than that, I feel more prepared for this semester because I know more about the school and what it entails. In others , I'm more prepared for whatever comes at me because well, I'm a little bit more experienced and mature. Plus I have a lot more to say yay!!! Other than that, I want to become more serious with calligraphy so I'm thinking about joining the calligraphy club here at school. Calligraphy isn't fun for me it's just peaceful esp. with enka music!! I definitely want to do calligraphy while listening to enka. Enka is japanese folkpop and I love it!! A lot of japanese people are suprised because they regard it as old peoples' music but I have a lot of respect for it. I like to oldies and besides I believe enka is so beautiful. I've also been cooking so I can be more independent and of course save money to go shopping. Who would of thought that I would end up becoming a shop alcoholic. Don't worry I know where I can find bargains;)!! Yay, but yeah today I made my bento ok not a bento but cooked meat and I bought the rice with it at school. I met this guy Masagi and I sat with him and the other new students. So he and the others were excited and then I opened it and they laughed. Well, because it was 5 pieces of little tiny cooked but marinated meat that I made. They were like where's the rice and stuff. I responded with a well I always buy rice and I don't know. So Masagi bought me lunch because after my meal I was still hungry booo. My classes are becoming more and more interesting the grammar that we're learning are more about having a deep conversation. Not like heey what' s up I like the sky. No we're learning how to connect everything together which I really appreciate. I'm starting to envy the guys here because see how can the ladies complain and maybe it's true that men here aren't romantic. I'm thinking to myself how can you not be romantic here. You have trees, and parks all these other places. Not only that but you have cherry blossoms which pop up in the spring. The best dates are usually the most creative and cheapest ones! I mean in Vegas you can't do that. "Hey honey, want to go to the desert oh be careful of the cactus!" *How romantic haha going to the desert in the 90 degree scorching heat! Well tommorow, I"ll be in Kyoto and I will show pictures ... if only Vegas had cherry blossoms ....

Hiroshima and Tottori

Hey sorry for not keeping you posted. I've been very lazy haha lately, but last week I went to Hiroshima and it was very moving. For anyone that comes to Japan, you must come to Hiroshima and go to the peace memorial. You will learn alot about this. Before the bombing, Hiroshima was a military city that specialized in training solidiers and exporting weapons during the war. Not only, that but till' this day Hiroshima is actually a metropolitan city with over 1 million people living there. I thought it was a rural town with just the museum. The city also has a trolley system. But other than that, I was very moved and words are hard for me to explain the moment and the feeling of what happened. So everyone should definitely hit up Hiroshima if you get a chance to come to Japan! Other than that, I saw my girl Tomoko in Tottori and I had so much fun. It was the countryside of Japan and I never realized how much I liked the countryside until I came to Tottori. It was so peaceful and everyone seemed so friendly! I was glad to experience the rural area because I've always wanted to go to the rural area of Japan. The houses are so big too they're like the ones you would see in a classic samurai movie. I can definitely say out of all the people I met in Japan I definitely had a connection with Tomoko. We click so well together and she's so americanized! I told her we have to keep in touch because it's hard finding cool people like that! I felt bad because there were times she couldn't understand me because of my accent so I was slighty embarassed but yah know yah girl is always trying! I also had the chance to see the sand dunes in Tottori which is known to be the desert in Japan so that was a huge plus! I liked going to see the dunes but I missed out on the camels hahah! I'm like what I didn't know there were camels until someone told me! I was like damn missed out on a good picture moment. Other than that, today I went to the movies and the movie theaters are so clean like I didn't step on any popcorn nor drinks at the theater it was really nice. I also got to pick out my seat before I entered the theater which was so cool and then after I left there was a guy that took our trash for us. I'm like nice! I love clean movie theaters and I saw the new Angelina Jolie movie Changeling where the kid was abuducted it was so sad. But Angelina was good, I was reading the japanese subtitles to it and wow the english slang has so much idioms and slang to it! I was like wow American english is complicated! Well anyways I need to go to bed, but before I leave get the new Utada Hikaru CD Heart Station she is a amazing and it is sooo good she has real talent produces and writes for everything. She's on the record label EMI and it seems like EMI is more talent based and Avex is more poppy and image feel like for example Jyongri amazing singer is on EMI but Amuro Namie is on Avex. Amuro is an ok singer but she's a poppy singer so it was interesting to see the difference of the artists from EMI and Avex. Well anyways peace!

Japanese and American Friendships the cultural difference!

The more I live here the more I want to stay. Of course, I don't want to work for a japanese company, but I'm really adjusting here though. I'm starting to get why people here are indirect! But other than that, at first when people come here they think and rightfully so that people here aren't friendly. Well, that is true not as friendly or open compared to americans but that's because here they value friendships more. Their definition of a friendship is more about action which is why they're shy and don't approach anyone because you have to prove and show that that you are a friend not by words. If you notice, I have a mixi and the average amount of friends on mixi aka japanese myspace is 50 friends. That's pretty good because those are the people that they usually talk to you. Unlike on myspace or facebook, where it's common to have 100's of friends! And I do mean hundreds of friends, also it's common for others to add you randomly on myspace or facebook but never say a word to you! I know how annoying!!! But yeah, in Japan friendship is mostly about what you do and when you say things no one believes you because everyone is so indirect here so they're not going to trust your words. But in America, I feel we're a fame driven society. Everyone wants to be famous or popular or it seems like it. Like look at all the reality shows, you have in America it's ridiculous the amount of things people will do just for that 5 mins. of fame! These people usually have sex and do stupid things just for that piece of fame. Also I feel that american frienships, are more of a verbal thing like hey what's up but when it comes to a situation where you are in trouble or you need something will they come for you no!! I'm not saying you can't have true friends in America, but friendships in Japan and in America are waay different. Because in America, everyone considers you to be their friends but when the tough gets going some of your "friends" back out! Where as in Japan, they're not as easily trusting until you prove yourself and your actions! So I admit, I prefer the japanese friendship way stick to yourself and call those your friends until actions proves it!

A Future Host Mom and Action Culture

In a country, where words don't mean a thing. Action does mean a lot here in Japan. Because with this culture being so indirect and not saying what's on their mind you really do have to trust your gut instinct and pay more attention to their action. I feel that in Japan friendship is defined more about actions and what you're willing to do instead of what you're willing to say. In America, it's nice to know that people are direct and say what's on their mind but words don't mean a thing if there's no action behind it! So overall, Japan is not about words it's about actions and American is more about words but not about action. But the irony of this culture is that even though this country Japan is a teamwork based society there's no trust hahah isn't that ironic. Team without no trust you can even ask a regular native Japanese person and they'll even tell you themselves that they don't trust each other. Other than that, I also plan on hosting a student in the future yes I would like to take in an international student into my home. I also vow to be the best host mom ever! I'm definitely going to spoil my host student and keep in touch with them afterwords. Shower them with practice of the language, travels and experiences. I want them to have the good experience of a good host family that I never had. So in other words, I want to give back! I'm definitely going to step up and look after them and definitely try to look after them too yah know. So your girl is going to do her best you know! Well that's about it chao!

Making Friends here

I have to admit it it's hard making friends here. I think even harder since this culture is too indirect say one thing and mean another. i've gotten use to it well sometimes I'm still bitter about it though. So when I first meet someone I look at their actions instead of what they say. but other than that it's hard to tell if someone likes you here or not because some people are too good at hiding their emotions. So I don't really trust people here nor approach them as in oppose to America. I'm starting to keep to myself and only befriend those that are into the the black,american and european culture. In other words, I befriend those that want to befriend me. The irony of it here is that even though there's so much indirectness there's also a lot of of japanese people that want to befriend foreigners like us. It's too the point where you can find 3-4 parties every month of a japanese/international exchange party! Not only that but there are language exchange communities where there are thousands and I do mean thousands of people that are members of it! So my advice to those that want to find friends befriend those that are into the western culture and that want to be your friend. Then things will happen. But I am very grateful and pleased that people want to befriend us here. It's not like in America where there's like "Befriend a Mexican" party every month hahah I know it's mean but you know what I mean though. So if you're here go to those international parties and join communities where there are literally thousands and look at the ads too! Because people aren't willing to come to you if you can't take advantage of their opportunities yourself!

My dorm on fire....

Hey yall' sup?! Long time no talk well anyways I was sleeping and then all of a sudden I hear the fire alarm go off so I woke up and ran all the way downstairs to see smoke. A fire well small had just occured it was raining outside and I was screaming out kaji kaji fire fire. Then the dorm manager came and put out the fire. What was the cause of the fire. Well some idiot decided to leave 2 cookies in the toaster oven and then go to sleep! Because of this they took away all the cooking electronics away which means we can't cook nor boil water on sundays. I'm like come on! So so long to toasting up my chicken for chicken sandwiches boo... other than that there are earthquakes but their mostly tiny ones like a rumble jumble and that's it. Like shake shake ok earthquake over. Well thats my update but I will get back to you on my life because school has been kickin my @$$ peace!

Stores, Louis Vutton Purses at a USED STORE, obersvations

Hey yall, well anyways I've just been busy studying and exploring Japan. I've been having so much fun studying japanese lately that I'm motivated to learn more things outside of class and that I find it a nice hobby of mine. Sitting in a room listening to enka or japanese music and studying japanese. It's so peaceful for me esp. since I'm always out and about. One of my nice friends here not going to say his name is in a lot of trouble. He failed his entrance exams (Every student in Japan must pass an enterance exam to enter into a university exam) and he failed it 3 times. He's very disappointed and thinks he failed it again. I wish that he passes it so he can get into his dream school Kansai Gaidai, but he's in a world of peril right now he's what you call in japanese a ronin. A person that didn't pass after their 1st year. I feel so bad because I offered to be there for him because he's helped me so much but he wants to be alone. I feel bad because of course he doesn't want to deliever pizza all his life. He has aspirations. So I feel very bad for him... aww I hope something good comes out of it, but I think what he should of done is taken a bunch of exams instead of just one and then just keep taking the one for Kansai Gaidai so he can transfer out and he doesn't get in he'll still be in college getting a degree. Well, that's my opinion though but I hope he passes. Other than that, I went to this secondhand used store with my girl Maeria and Chris. It wasn't that good in my opinion but it was ridiculous because there were 3 glass cases full of Louis Vutton bags. Three glass cases and some were unattended!! I was like man only in Japan. Would you find a bunch of Louis Vutton, fendi and coach at a used store. I was shocked because back in the states you would not see that esp. those unattended. But yes, it was very very interesting though. Then I saw someone else give away their Louis Vutton too. Hehehe Other than that, I was going to pick up something and these group of japanese boys pointed at me and were laughing. So I was like let me confront them so then I came up to them and was like sumimasen and then they were shocked and then I choked up and ran. I didn't know what to say I was like "ogenki desu ka?! nihongo o hanaseru" they looked at me and then I ran yeah. Then they had more jokes so I just embarassed myself! I thought I was able to be slick since I've been studying and staying here for 6 months but I choked up... I wish I was fluent bleh!! Well anyways, peace!

Differences between Japanese and American Sushi

Japanese Sushi American Sushi

This is a popular question since everyone asks me "How's the sushi there?" Well in Japan, the sushi is well just fish on top of rice that's what it is. Some of it is just $2.00 200 yen with the al acarte and conveyor belt. The spiciest sushi I ever had here was with fish on top of the rice with wasabi. The fish is obviously fresher here but other than that, it's just simple. There's no california roll with the fish in the middle rice in the outer core with toppings on it. I haven't seen a restuarant with all you can eat sushi here but in the States there's a lot of it. But I feel american sushi is way more creative and better than sushi in Japan because well they put in all sorts of toppings in Texas there's even a pull pork sushi. But then again the foods and the resources to make a variety of foods in America is cheaper and keep in mind Japan is an island where there's not a lot of farmland. But that could change due to the population declining and low birth rate. So in the end it is american sushi for the win!

One thing that I like about here....

Even though, there can be some racism or xenophobism against foreigners. The one thing that I really like is that I feel that there are also a lot more people that want to get to know us immigrants compared to America. In America, asian people (no offense) are so clicky. But here, you have online communities of meet ups of english/ japanese groups that have japanese people that want to practice their english and want to meet other immigrants like us. You also have some japanese people post up ads that want to befriend us. I find this to be so cool. I really like how you still have open minded people hence why there is an America Mura in Osaka. I'm worried about finding another japanese language partner when I get back home because I find it much more easier to find it here thanks to mixi and online communities! I also like how in my area there's so much to do that I've been going out alot and been getting my japanese practice on. So yes, I am improving!! Yay. Cheers to that

Smoking and Drinking....

I find it to be so amazing how everyone drinks and smokes but yet at 35 people can pass for being 21. How do japanese people smoke and drink but yet age so gracefully. It just boggles my mind sometimes the amount of people smoking here is ridiculous we're talking about cigarette vending machines on every corner. Then you have co workers that go out to drink like maybe all the time or sometimes but you do see drunk co workers walking around late at night. If you drink and smoke in America, a few might get away with aging gracefully but here it's like everyone gets away with and to me that is amazing. Other thing here, is that curry rice is very popular to the point where you'll see more indian restuarants than usual and a shop that just sells all types of curry. I admit it I love japanese curry but it is so sweet but when you see that sauce in a frozen package it makes you want to be like eww I'm eating that eww. Other thing, is that wasting food is not the vocabulary here they cook every part of the chicken including the fat one time I had a chicken sandwich at a mcdonalds and I can taste the melted fat it was like ewww. That taste was digusting yuck! But I love how they're karoke is great here though. They even have a magazine of the newest songs coming out in Karoke. I like how they have every song from a CD instead of just hit songs from the artist. I also like how it's a cool just to hang out and plus the karoke place that I go to is dirt cheap during the day time it is 200 yen an hour $2.00. Hey I like the sound of that! Well, anyways peace

Beware of International Fees!!

Never ever ever use your debit card overseas esp. in Japan! Just use your cash! Because these international fees are autrocious. Like if you use a debit card to purchase a $1.05 of cookies at a convenient store it'll come out to be $9 damn you have international fees!! So remember just use cash! Also don't check your balance on the atm machine because it'll cost you $5 more. Also instead of waiting at the post office to get money in Japan you can go to the convenient store like 7 Surplus to take money out whenever there is a plus star on the ATM and if it's on your card you can take money out! and it's 24/7. Well, that's all and beware of the international fees!

Nightclubs

So Lately, I've been to about 4 nightclubs in the Shinsaibashi area in Osaka. They've been good well 2 out of 4 not bad, but I decided to well I'm going to focus on more sightseeing. I want to see the rest of Japan and the beauty of it besides I have Las Vegas as my nightclub paradise. But I must say Club Azure is one of the best nightclubs in my personal opinion in the kansai area. The people are friendly, the guys are cute and the music is hip hop! So if you want to go to a good nightclub 4th saturday ladies 500 yen aka $5 and dance the night away. But yeah, now I just want to do sightseeing and nope I feel that I'm not going to miss out on anything! Byezz

S.I.J Sistas in Japan

I have decided to create a group called SIJ the Sistas in Japan! Since, I live in the kansai area I have put out ads calling out black women in this area for our monthly outing. Every month, we meet up just to discuss the life of a black woman in Japan. I haven't had my first meeting but it will take place at Sweets Paradise in Nishinomiya. I am very excited to have this meeting esp. to combine different flavas and shades of chocolate women in Japan to be together once a month. I feel once a month is good enough so you won't take it for granted,it's convenient, and since it's scare you won't take it for granted again! Plus every week, is a little bit too excessive so once a month is perfect. Other than that, I'm very excited and Sweet Paradise is an all you can eat dessert restuarant for $14! Yay!! So I will get back to you on how the first meeting goes.

True Friends

At my school back in Las Vegas, University of Nevada Las Vegas I knew a lot of people and a lot of people knew me. It was easy for me to talk to others and share my sense of humor with others. But then, I got to Kwansei Gakuin and since my japanese isn't up to par I found it difficult for me to make a lot of friends. It was hard for me to find someone that understood me and had the paitence for my non native abilities to speak japanese. So I joined an online english and japanese community to seek out language partners and others that understood my situation. I mean don't get me wrong I put myself out there at Kwansei Gakuin but it was just tough but then I ended up making a small amount but fabulous friends outside of Kwansei Gakuin. This made me evaluate what a friendship means to me. I feel that it's easier to find out who your true friends are when you can't speak the language compared to when you're native because when you're native it's just mostly words but when you're not you have to go by actions. Basically, true friends are made of action not words but actions. The people that I met at Kwansei Gakuin are amazing and I know will do great things. It's a dream come true to meet others that share the same passion for japanese and that are smart or better yet smarter than me and that can teach me things. UNLV is not a bad school but sometimes I felt where are the ones that pay attention in their classes and want to share their wealth of knowledge. At Kwansei Gakuin, I love my international friends the study abroad students like me because they're so intelligent not the "Oh I think I know everything but I don't" but the down to earth intelligent students that are very worldy which is a huge plus. So now I really do want my circle to be smaller and tighter where I can have life long friends that are not all about words but that are about actions and how they can help. I'm so happy to meet a few good japanese people in Osaka that see my personality beyond my non native japanese language skill. They make me smile, laugh and show me around Osaka and other parts of Japan. Other than that, I'm attempting to be a freelance write for a Kansai magazine for the Kansai area of Japan. I will submit my resume and hopefully I will be able to write for them and be able to meet wonderful people in Osaka. I will keep you posted if I get the job! Well laters!

The best Cell phone to get in japan

The best cell phone to get in Japan hands down is SOFTBANK! I love this company but sadly I have docomo. Don't get docomo docomo is too expensive unlimited text messages per month is $39! While unlimited text messages for softbank is $3.00! To get a prepaid phone is about $140 or less with softbank. Docomo the cheapest phone can run between $200-and up depending on what store you go to. Every store you go to has different phones and some don't even have phones so keep this in mind! But when in Japan, do yourself a favor and get softbank! Another thing to the best school that I think is the best for foreign students in the kansai osaka area is hands down Kansai Gaidai. I think it's safe to assume that they are really friendly towards international students because it's common for students there to study abroad! I really like this school and the messages that I recieved were actually Kansai Gaidai students. I don't think Kwansei Gakuin students are very friendly towards international students. Unless, you japanese is great they're really not that friendly. Trust me I'm very friendly and I've tried to participate in clubs and hang out with fellow students but it doesn't work they're not very friendly. Other than that for Docomo, yeah don't get docomo! Just get softbank.

My biggest complaint about this country and Inauguration Day

Like always, every morning I read Japan Times Online and I was reading this article on how the ministry wants to boost up the number of vocabulary words the students learn from 1300 to 1800. Well, many teachers are furious and complain that it's not going to help and that they need more practice on speaking, and more classes available during the school time. They also complain about how they don't understand anything and what goes on. The teachers had compelling argument but because of the culture they stay indirect and keep quiet to avoid conflict. The sad part is that the government knows this and they take advantage of this! So in a way, the manipulate this to always have their way! But if there's a problem about foriengers everyone gets loud and points fingers! This is when they start to protest (the japanese people) get to together and start saying what's really on their mind! Is that something! Now if they can do that with issues that affect them they would get somewhere. Other than that, I wish there were viewing parties in Osaka but there was none but a lot of them were in Tokyo though. In that aspect I like Tokyo more because they're more progressive and international. They know what's going and plus they have Shibuya which is hella cheap for shopping. But yeah, I was asleep and then I watched it. I was so pleased to see him elected president he deserves it! He proved those arrogant politicians wrong which was a huge relief. But his speech made me proud, and I feel that America will become more open minded. For once, I am very proud to be an american. God bless America.

Fresh Fresh Bento everyday

One of the things that I really like about Japan, is the every day fresh made bentos that the supermarket provides! Everyday, the supermarket makes fresh sushi and bentos prepared of that day every hour the prices goes down until closing time when it is super cheap because it is not fresh anymore. In America, we do it by the day what we call fresh is usually about a couple of days old and then maybe on the last day of the week there might be a 30% discount. For example, I got a nice delicious bento for about $2.80 and it was on a 30% discount. I was in heaven it was okinamiyaki and yakisoba..yum yum I love okinamiyaki! I also noticed that they only have drink vending machines not vending machines with snacks just drinks. Another factor, on why japanese people are soo skinny but then again there's also a cigarette vending machine to it too. I shall post pics. of this next time but here's a pic. of a bento

Kwansei Gakuin Playas

Well, today I was having lunch with one of my friends Win and he told me something very interesting about my school that of course the ryugakusei's don't know about. Well, the nihongo partners esp. the girl ones are partners because well they want a foreign boyfriend. Basically, the team up with a cute foreign guy and then when he leaves the nihongo partner gets a new one. For non Kwansei Gakuin students basically at my school with get nihongo partners *japanese partners to help us adjust to school and life in Japan. Some of them do it just to switch up foreign boyfriends every year... I know pretty sneaky... hahah! Other than that, he told me how he went to South Africa and he saw women that are mixed with black/indian and think that they are so beautiful while he told me that black/japanese people mainly look black. This was interesting because he was so honest and very worldly. I also feel that if you're an immigrant it's easier to find who your true friends are because you'll meet people that are paitent with you and that are willing to go the extra mile as in oppose to if you were native in that language! Well, stay tune next time peace!

Confrontation in Japan

I was talking to my friend Fara about confrontation in Japan. In America, whoever is the loudest is the winner of the confrontation and the one that is getting yelled at is looked upon as being weak and meer and very easy to pick on. IF you're in public and someone is confronting you you don't say anything because if you don't then you're looked at as the winner of the battle. Confrontation is a huge no no in Japan esp. in public. If you confront somebody in Japan in public, you're looked as being crazy. I remember when this lady wanted to start something with me because she thought I was in the military. Because I'm black she assumed I killed people and that I was in the military. Well, she was old and crazy because we were in Nishinomiya. The military bases are in Yokohama and Okinawa. I pretty much just walked away. I felt bad because I should of confronted her but my dad told me to be silent and plus i don't have the advantage of speaking japanese. So my dad was right I did do the right thing. So when in Japan, if someone picks a fight with you just ignore and walk away! Because in the 3rd person's eye you won the battle!

Drama vs. Real life

Well, if you know me I'm a huge fan of japanese dramas esp. the fellas but other than that I would like to depict real life and the dramas

Drama
The characters are very direct. They say what's really on they're mind and can be downright mean about it. Sometimes to the point where they can be confrontational.

Real
Who wants to be direct everyone is just indirect meaning they just beat around the bush. Personally, I just got accustomed like here's a great example If you ask an american hey you want a pizza? American= no Japan= Well, it's ok I mean pizza is good for sure.....
Makes sense how they can be indirect beacause of the custom and the whole team mentallity

Drama
The men are the conquerers and very romantic. They send you cute notes sing to you and will even fight for you!

Real
I have never seen a japanese man get into a fight I mean I can't even imagine how that would turn out...plus I heard the guys here don't really express their romantic sides as much!

Other than that, the dramas are pretty accurate with real life but I just had to point out the 2 biggest things that I noticed! Plus it's so wierd how in japanese dramas the people are soo direct and to the point. Hmm... you'd think that occur more in real life... because usually media is the reflection of society but I guess not....

KFC Party and Tokyo

Sorry, for keeping yall' waiting but yes I am in a blogging mood and taking a break from studying but I have to start back up again pretty soon. Well, on christmas day I did have a party at KFC yep in the restuarant. I know you're thinking hahah that's funny a black girl hosting a KFC party *hence the african american stereotype of liking fried chicken! But we had about 8 people all together which was a great mix indeed. We had KFC chicken feasts and talked about everything. Even my good buddy Takaaki came but then he told me the dreaded news. KFC for christmas is not a japanese tradition!! ahhh He told me it's just basically commercialism.! AHHH I was tricked man I tell yah I was tricked! But it was good and the funniest part is that some of my guests didn't even like KFC hahah they just came for a good time! But, yes I have pictures of my party at KFC! I was disappointed because for the amount I paid I didn't get enough chicken and no biscuits pssh I mean come on no biscuits. Other than that, for 2 days I saw my cousin and his family in Yokohama. My cousin is married to a japanese woman name Junko. I had so much fun and Mike is sooo lucky to have a great family. I mean they pay for his schooling, bought his car, and do so much for him! Not only that, but mike talked about how good he's doing and how he's even in Japan. I'm so proud of him because it shows that his wife was a great influence on him and he's even going to study Japanese! Good for him! They have to beautiful blasian kids together Jayden and Janario. They're so beautiful. Tokyo was fun I went back there for 2 days from Yokohama because Tokyo and Yokohama are very close to each. So I did some good shopping at Harajuku and bought this really cute hat and a cute poster of this nice asian guy. But I didn't feel like Harajuku was the same though. I felt that it was too commericialized because there was a claires and now HM has a huge block of it in Harajuku. I felt that Harajuku lost it's oldness and it's youth which meant to go against the big boys and to start out own style and trend. I hate that when big business has to come and corrupt everything. But other than that, I went to the maid cafe in Akihabara I wanted to take soo many pictures but it's prohibited so I was like aww so I had a $5 poloraid picture but it was worth. Of course Mike had to go up there and put his hoody on acting thuglike hahah but it was all fun though. I appreciated him and his wife company. At least we can say we actually went to a maid cafe. But yeah, Tokyo is soo big and I just feel overwhelmed by it because there's always something to do. Like since Junko grew up in Yokohama she always went to Harajuku and Tokyo. Basically Tokyo was her playground and she can take the train. I know nice huh!! But yeah, in Vegas there is nothing to do unless you're 21 with a car! But yeah, how cool growing up with always having something to do. Other than that I had to get the family something before I left so I got them Krispy Kreme donuts since it's very popular in America and they've never had it before. Well, anyways it's the only Krispy Kreme in Japan it's only in Tokyo and the lines were loong but everyone kept they're cool and moved quickly. See what I mean about Japan having the best customer service fast, and nice! But yes, Yokohama was soo much fun and so was Tokyo we were going to this one club in Yokohama but it was dead no one was there but there was a bunch of black military guys I was happy Mike was there because they would of tried to talk to me. I was definitely not going to talk to them either buncha dogs. So even though the girl that came with us Kaori felt bad I was like it's ok I'm glad I didn't go because I didn't want to talk to any playas! But yeah, other than that I have to admit besides the studies the hardest part in studying abroad is the friendship. It's tough making good friends when u're language isn't native but luckily I'm content because I have developed a small but GREAT friendships and that's all I need here. So I'm pretty happy about that besides I don't need a bunch of acquaintences if I can have a small amount that I can always practice my language. Well, anyways I have exams ttyl peace

Top Things I noticed about Osaka Region

Hey yall, I can't believe it is 2009. I'm getting older but yea I'm adjusting more and more to this lifestyle in Japan well Osaka because I don't want to forget every perspective and every region is soo different! Well my top perspectives

Politeness
I can't seem to stress this enough. I like how people on the trains don't talk on their cell phone because of the fact that they're being courteous and plus maybe everyone doesn't want to hear your conversations! I like how the trains are always clean too and there's always someone that wants to pick up the trash too.

Safe
Even though, of course some parts are not safe. I must say it's pretty safe compared to the States where you see men with their wallets hanging out in their back pockets! Like literally, where sometimes you'll see credit cards sticking out. Or how when you drive by stores like one time I went past a car shop and there was merchandise outside! Wow, you know if they're auto parts back in the states sticking out like that people would steal them in a heartbeat!

Places to eat if the clubs suck!
Osaka Region I can assume safely that mcdonalds, ramen and udon shops are the places to go if the nightclubs suck or you're having a bad night. The internet cafe is a huge place to spend the night if you night is not going so well and you just wanna chat and have a cheap place to spend the night!

Osaka
Seems to have a huge underground music scene.. seems like a lot of people want to be musicians like singers, rappers and RB singers. How do I know well, the amount of performances I saw at Club Candy. The fact that I seem to meet a lot of musicians in the area esp. in Shinsaibashi

Accent
Seems to be the coolest must have accent in Japan esp. in Tokyo. Everyone loves it and wants it! like for example to say thank you ありがとう＝おきに　おいしい＝うまい　とても＝めちゃ　あかな　あかな　いいねええ　なんでいね　<-- I know I spelled this wrong but yea arigato= okini oishi=umai totemo=mecha

I know some people are like polite but it's fake well sometimes I prefer that instead of the rude and direct approach. Sometimes I just wanna do my thing without hearing rude talk! I mean save the rude drama for your mama! But other thing the women here seems to be more like playas and dogs then the men. Every japanese guy I spoke broke up because their girl was cheating on them! Daang in America it's the opposite but I guess it seems like it's hard to find a genuine good japanese girl, but then again one of my homegirls use to be a playa too. She didn't say it but my vibes told me and I had to use a lot of that to keep me from trouble and it's always worked!! Yay!! Well will blog more peace