Hello, it's been about 8 months since I left Japan. I would say spending in the states only 8 months may change one's way of thinking. I'm not sure if I will be able to assimilate to Japanese society just like before. I might say that spending a long time away from one's homeland seriously gives us objective perspectives toward their home countries and also I would like to say it easily turns to be worthless without accepting the host culture and persisting on their own. I highly recommend for those who want to study abroad to integrate into your host culture and learn from them no matter how it costs or no matter what happens.
Then, I went to NYC over the winter break and London over the spring break, though vacations were too limited compared to Japanese ones. Studying and catching up with assignments in the States were quite extremely hard and busy. Some might think studying abroad always makes girls slutty and forget what is called "Yamato Damashi," literally means Japanese spirit. But I would say it is untrue here in UCLA. Most of the students, we call them "bruins," love to hold a party and drink, but seemingly they never get drunk quite badly like Japanese hard workers because they are too rational to be true to do their homework in the next day. So I always needed to rest a moment to prepare for the next quarter coming up. Anyway, I only have one semester coming up in Japan, it will be perfect cause I went through the hardest time ever had in the states and have nothing to fear for.
2009年10月25日日曜日
Banana Boat Song
It's been 40 days since I left from Japan and this is the first post that I've ever been in the States. Apparently there has been nothing wrong with me, though the culture is different from that of Japan. But still, I sometimes dream of Japan, I just don't know why it happens but I wake up to find myself in the States and feel a gentle breeze of California. Thanks to the modern technology, I can contact with my family and local friends.the feeling of homesick surely will be disappeared in 10 years.
Ostensibly American characteristic is said to have been frank and cheerful, but I found that it is just a myth. They are exactly sarcastic and cheerful, but sometimes are calm, rational, and objective. The ethnic diversity appears here: Asian American guys make a fuss whenever they are together,but are so calm when they are alone,while European American is calm when they ( they basically act individually) come together, it seems to me that Japanese, if anything , are close to Asian American. My Japanese friends in UCLA also say "we are actually Asian, and I have much Asian American friends than European ones." But they don't have Asian American friends just because Japanese are Asian, To tell the truth, I have only a few Asian American friends, almost all of my friends are European American or exchange students from Europe.But as I wrote, Japanese is Asian, I'm not the exception. I think the difference between me and other Japanese students is, to say the least of it, the lack of Japanese knowledge:particularly pop culture one.
Ostensibly American characteristic is said to have been frank and cheerful, but I found that it is just a myth. They are exactly sarcastic and cheerful, but sometimes are calm, rational, and objective. The ethnic diversity appears here: Asian American guys make a fuss whenever they are together,but are so calm when they are alone,while European American is calm when they ( they basically act individually) come together, it seems to me that Japanese, if anything , are close to Asian American. My Japanese friends in UCLA also say "we are actually Asian, and I have much Asian American friends than European ones." But they don't have Asian American friends just because Japanese are Asian, To tell the truth, I have only a few Asian American friends, almost all of my friends are European American or exchange students from Europe.But as I wrote, Japanese is Asian, I'm not the exception. I think the difference between me and other Japanese students is, to say the least of it, the lack of Japanese knowledge:particularly pop culture one.
Last week, my room mate's uncle visited our room and questioned me that "are your parents, you know, traditional?," proving that the images of Japan for Europeans have been same as that of 19th century, that is, Orientalism, including video games, cars, and cartoons. To my surprise, Asian Americans has so many information about us especially singers and anime industry. But unfortunately, I have no idea about them. I love American and British music, and what is worse, I'm English literature major. So, I'd rather live in the society where Japanese images are Harakiri, Kamikaze, and Geisha than the society where Japan is cool.
I do want to study such a thing right now, but don't know the appropriate major. Sociology or Ethnology?
2009年8月17日月曜日
Hurry, Hurry, Waste of the time
I have only about 1 month left. I'll go to LA within a month.
The only thing I've got to do is just getting flight ticket. I still miss Japanese friends.
But there will be my precious time in UCLA. This will be my greatest time that I've ever experienced in my life.
I have something stuck in my heart, what to do? what to do?
The only thing I've got to do is just getting flight ticket. I still miss Japanese friends.
But there will be my precious time in UCLA. This will be my greatest time that I've ever experienced in my life.
I have something stuck in my heart, what to do? what to do?
2009年7月15日水曜日
Unprepared
I have only 6 or 7 weeks left. I'll be in Los Angeles in the early next September.
Probably, my friends have kept promised me to drink during my rest summer vacation in Japan, but obviously, my unpreparation has prevented me from being sentimental.
I've got a confirmation from UCLA already and just have to get some Visa stuff from them, unfotunately, I haven't got it yet, wondering whether my last undergraduated summer vacation as a free man will cast something sentimental or something horrible.
Lately, I've got a lot of term papers to get done until July the 31st. This is really tough. Even today, University office called me that I had not received the paper about credits on UCLA. I was just skeptical. Receiving the paper was more important than what I had thought to be.
THEY ACTUALLY GAVE MY HOME A RING.
But, my expectation of receiving that very paper was truly ruined; the officer of English literature had already gone back to home. I was just confused because only one shot would make everything crap.
I have some extra-classes tomorrow by another teacher; the teacher has been sick for long time. Finally, I post a Van Halen's classic
Is Japanese humid summer too hot for teacher?
Probably, my friends have kept promised me to drink during my rest summer vacation in Japan, but obviously, my unpreparation has prevented me from being sentimental.
I've got a confirmation from UCLA already and just have to get some Visa stuff from them, unfotunately, I haven't got it yet, wondering whether my last undergraduated summer vacation as a free man will cast something sentimental or something horrible.
Lately, I've got a lot of term papers to get done until July the 31st. This is really tough. Even today, University office called me that I had not received the paper about credits on UCLA. I was just skeptical. Receiving the paper was more important than what I had thought to be.
THEY ACTUALLY GAVE MY HOME A RING.
But, my expectation of receiving that very paper was truly ruined; the officer of English literature had already gone back to home. I was just confused because only one shot would make everything crap.
I have some extra-classes tomorrow by another teacher; the teacher has been sick for long time. Finally, I post a Van Halen's classic
Is Japanese humid summer too hot for teacher?
2009年7月4日土曜日
The Comedy of Errors
The last Wednesday, I had a class about British humour and it made me realize that how different types of joke. First, we saw Monty Python's sketches;everybody laughed because Monty Python is universal comedy. But, the 2ND one, Little Britain, which will be one of my favorite comedy programs in my life, seemed controversial.
I love that comedy and actually I like dirty jokes and always am joking about it with sarcasm. So,some friends talk to me only when I'm sober,always talking about business. The reason why I've gotten used to these kind of comedy is quite simple;my father really loves American comedies. When I was just 10 or 11 years old, my dirty comedy life just started;I was crazy about "The Simpsons." That animation starring yellow skinned people has westernized my way of joking. My friends and club members obviously think that I have a terribly sharp tongue and am sarcastic. So, my jokes possibly make Japanese people angry. This is sad but true.
But, I came to think the definition of Japanese laughter. what is that?
It probably is connected with imagination and sense of rhythm;the former is just a absurd and fantastic story.The latter is just like rap music. The imagination always gives us nothing, no conflicts,no ideology, and no criticism. That is because Japanese people hate to criticize one and another;to me, they think laughter is just laughter. Perhaps, history of Japan Can be related.Samurai did not laugh, just like old proverb says "A samurai smiles once every three years, and then only with one cheek," actually I don't like smiling, but love laughing.
The sense of rhythm also gives us nothing,only clapping hands and laughing like festivals or carnivals.(telling you the truth, those comedians are so boring that I can't stop beating poly meter with my hands.) When Japanese people see Britain or American comedies, they suppose immediately that they are dirty and crap.
Think again, some"intelligent" comedians often appear on TV and quarrelling with politicians. and became mayors or something,sometimes talking on big.
But, actually they have not given nothing to us. The comedy that gives only laughter to us is beyond comedy,just absurdity.
I love that comedy and actually I like dirty jokes and always am joking about it with sarcasm. So,some friends talk to me only when I'm sober,always talking about business. The reason why I've gotten used to these kind of comedy is quite simple;my father really loves American comedies. When I was just 10 or 11 years old, my dirty comedy life just started;I was crazy about "The Simpsons." That animation starring yellow skinned people has westernized my way of joking. My friends and club members obviously think that I have a terribly sharp tongue and am sarcastic. So, my jokes possibly make Japanese people angry. This is sad but true.
But, I came to think the definition of Japanese laughter. what is that?
It probably is connected with imagination and sense of rhythm;the former is just a absurd and fantastic story.The latter is just like rap music. The imagination always gives us nothing, no conflicts,no ideology, and no criticism. That is because Japanese people hate to criticize one and another;to me, they think laughter is just laughter. Perhaps, history of Japan Can be related.Samurai did not laugh, just like old proverb says "A samurai smiles once every three years, and then only with one cheek," actually I don't like smiling, but love laughing.
The sense of rhythm also gives us nothing,only clapping hands and laughing like festivals or carnivals.(telling you the truth, those comedians are so boring that I can't stop beating poly meter with my hands.) When Japanese people see Britain or American comedies, they suppose immediately that they are dirty and crap.
Think again, some"intelligent" comedians often appear on TV and quarrelling with politicians. and became mayors or something,sometimes talking on big.
But, actually they have not given nothing to us. The comedy that gives only laughter to us is beyond comedy,just absurdity.
2009年6月25日木曜日
21st year Schizoid Man
Yesterday was my very last day of being 20-year-old. To talk about my 20th year, I dare say it was twice as faster as old proverb saying" Time flies like an arrow".
It was damn like a bullet rather than an arrow. But, to be honest, nothing has changed for a year. Looking back on the last years diary, I wrote about what my 20's will happen, but actually,nothing's happened so far.
This 21st year, I'll go to California from this September and I definitely expect myself to be changed a lot.
Well, I'm looking forward to some changes.
On the second thought, I am 21 year old, 42, just twice as my age, is thought to be still young age now. Life is not that short, I've got a lot of time left.
The Beatles sings" Life is very short, there is no time", but life is quite long and I am completely at a loss for my long and vast life. People say " Get married earlier and have baby earlier!" or " Get the proper job", but is this the only way the life to be? I don't want to lose myself for my life, and would like to have a family when I realize what I am.
Obviously, my-last-class-being-20-year-old was about Monty Python.
This year is going to be really fun.
It was damn like a bullet rather than an arrow. But, to be honest, nothing has changed for a year. Looking back on the last years diary, I wrote about what my 20's will happen, but actually,nothing's happened so far.
This 21st year, I'll go to California from this September and I definitely expect myself to be changed a lot.
Well, I'm looking forward to some changes.
On the second thought, I am 21 year old, 42, just twice as my age, is thought to be still young age now. Life is not that short, I've got a lot of time left.
The Beatles sings" Life is very short, there is no time", but life is quite long and I am completely at a loss for my long and vast life. People say " Get married earlier and have baby earlier!" or " Get the proper job", but is this the only way the life to be? I don't want to lose myself for my life, and would like to have a family when I realize what I am.
Obviously, my-last-class-being-20-year-old was about Monty Python.
This year is going to be really fun.
2009年6月22日月曜日
The Importance of Being Stupid
Yesterday, I had a freshmen speech competition in Totsuka. We've got a little bit failure but it was totally succeeded because of us. But, to tell the truth, the quality of speech was so awful that I couldn't help plugging my ears.
Then, I had a drinking party to celebrate our success with about 30 other people. We, our club members, were always quiet and calm when we were drinking. But, this time, the theory turned out to be just a myth.
That was complete different from what I've experienced so far, it was just like hooligans. I love making a fuss when I'm drinking, but they were like beasts at that time. some were vomiting, others were lying on the floor. I was too upset to talk comfortably with others. Then, the worst thing occurred to me.
I really looked forward to having takoyaki with some beer and waited for a bottle of beer to come. But suddenly, a guy flew up to my takoyaki like a raven and ate them all!!! I was really pissed off and said "What the hell are you doing! these were mine! How dare you!!" " Heey! we are having ball now, don't bother! OK!" I think this is more disastrous than stupid.
Riding on the train, I came up with the last Wednesday's lesson about Oxford University. The article was that Oxford students traditionally jump off the bridge on May Day. I think I love that stupidity because no one would hurt and be upset. Obviously, I've done lotta things like Oxford guys, so I know the feeling. But, in the class, my teacher and I was so astonished that no one loved to be a fool. Being stupid is the only way to release stresses and free from it, just like backing to primitive.
However, these people as mentioned above, mistake stupidity as some kind of freedom. I declare it is totally bullshit. Being stupidity requires duty of being it, responsible for it, and manage of being it.
I've found something from UCLA's stupidity on You tube. I'll go and check it.
Then, I had a drinking party to celebrate our success with about 30 other people. We, our club members, were always quiet and calm when we were drinking. But, this time, the theory turned out to be just a myth.
That was complete different from what I've experienced so far, it was just like hooligans. I love making a fuss when I'm drinking, but they were like beasts at that time. some were vomiting, others were lying on the floor. I was too upset to talk comfortably with others. Then, the worst thing occurred to me.
I really looked forward to having takoyaki with some beer and waited for a bottle of beer to come. But suddenly, a guy flew up to my takoyaki like a raven and ate them all!!! I was really pissed off and said "What the hell are you doing! these were mine! How dare you!!" " Heey! we are having ball now, don't bother! OK!" I think this is more disastrous than stupid.
Riding on the train, I came up with the last Wednesday's lesson about Oxford University. The article was that Oxford students traditionally jump off the bridge on May Day. I think I love that stupidity because no one would hurt and be upset. Obviously, I've done lotta things like Oxford guys, so I know the feeling. But, in the class, my teacher and I was so astonished that no one loved to be a fool. Being stupid is the only way to release stresses and free from it, just like backing to primitive.
However, these people as mentioned above, mistake stupidity as some kind of freedom. I declare it is totally bullshit. Being stupidity requires duty of being it, responsible for it, and manage of being it.
I've found something from UCLA's stupidity on You tube. I'll go and check it.
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