ラララ。。。

Maybe it’s my upcoming quiz and lack of understanding in Japanese class today that’s getting to me, but I’ve been feeling frustrated lately. I’m trying to turn this into some positive energy. I’ll try to chill out while I finish the rest of my studying, so that tomorrow I won’t feel this way. ^-^

I’m currently listening to the CD that I received from the UNESCO club I joined. I’ve listened to it a lot lately – it brings back fond memories of Japan. For some time, I wanted to avoid thinking about my time there; I guess b/c all I could think about was either sad or negative memories. But when I look through my photos, or receive a letter from a Japanese friend, or chat online with a friend, I realize what a great experience I’ve had. I’ve decided to take the level 2 JLPT, to see if I have what it takes to use my Japanese in Japan.

I’ve started narrowing down future career possibilities, and translating is one of them. I was recently translating Okuru Kotoba – a classic Japanese song played in the Kinpachi-sensei drama. While translating the song, I realized how much I like to translate songs, and that translating is an option. I’m still thinking about other things, but I don’t want to rule out this possibility.

First, about Tokyo Eyes - GREAT MOVIE! The cinematography was great, Shinji Takeda is a great actor (I loved how he took that character and made him his own, the mannerisms he took made his protrayal more believable, and he’s sooooo hot!), and the supporting cast was good too. The ending was shocking tho. A must-see if you like good Japanese movies, and love films.

Now, about how I’ve been feeling at the moment. I guess it’s b/c I spent so long in Japan, but sometimes I feel that things have changed here so much that I don’t fit in anywhere. I feel out of the loop more often than not with alot of my old friends. It’s something that alot of us exchange students talked about before we all returned. It helps that I’ve met alot of new people, which have made my last yr in college turn out differently that I had imagined (but in a good way). The people who live in the Multicultural House are so cool, nice, and friendly. They’re so interesting too - I just like listening to their stories sometimes, and they’re really interested in hearing about how my year in Japan was. My house requirement, tho at first I wasn’t too thrilled about before I had picked it, is a great way to do what I like to do anyway, and learn more about different groups on campus.

Tho in many ways this year has started out well, it still makes me feel a bit sad that my friendships with my old friends just don’t feel the same anymore. Perhaps this always happens with change - it’s just a matter of finding a new balance. One year’s a long time, things can and do change, but I guess I thought that change was going to come more from me than anyone else.

Ha! Finally, I’m going to get to see Tokyo Eyes, the movie I’ve been wanting to see for months has finally arrived at the rental store. My mom told me when I called her today, and so while I was with her we dropped by and got it. It’s got Shinji Takeda in it, an actor who I first discovered while I was in Japan, surfing through the channels, trying to find something interesting on TV. I started watching this drama about a deaf woman married to a man w/hearing. It’s the story of their life together and trying to raise a girl. And, true to Japanese dramas, they played an 80s song, Stevie Wonder’s “A Just Called” (to say I Love You). I wonder if the creaters knew how old that song was.

Anyway, the premise to Tokyo Eyes is really diff’t. I’ll fill you in after I finishe watching it!

Yesturday I got a great opportunity to see a rock concert for the first time - Pablo, a friend of mine, had a ticket to the Weezer and Foo Fighters concert. At first I wasn’t going to go, b/c I had a class during that time, but I thought that it was a good oppurtunity, since I haven’t been to a concert in forever it seems. I’m not going to say the concert I went to before, it’s so far back.

We got there really early, so we had to listen to the opening band. I think their name is May. They sang this song called How was your weekend. We all were talking about how the guitar guy looked like a snake. There was so much prep for Weezer - they changed the background, and they had specail props for all of areas, like the drummer’s area had this prop next to it. I’m not describing this so well, guess you just have to have been there to understand.

I haven’t listened to much of Weezer, just a few songs here and there, but I did enjoy this experience. They played Island in the Sun, and INstant Photograph. I believe it was the latter song that the drummer was singing and playing the guitar. For the ending of the song, all 3 of the other members were playing on the drums while the other guy is doing something cool on his guitar. For Island in the Sun, the lead vocal guy (sorry, don’t know their names…) was in the middle of the audience playing on an acustic guitar. I though it was a nice touch.

Foo Fighters was ok, I don’t know them very well, and I’m rather upset b/c the lead singer was screaming into the microphone, the results which I am still suffering from. I could barely hear when we left. So now I know, if I ever go again, no matter how lame it is, I’ll remember to bring one thing: earplugs.

This is my new blog. I’ll post something longer later. BTW, what do you think of the layout?