ラララ。。。

Well, not quite. I’ve still got an essay and presentation in Japanese, some short essays to write for Archaeology, and one test, but I’m free of the 2 research papers I had to write. I stayed up until 4 to work on my Foreign Relations paper, about the IMF and the World Bank. All the books I used for the paper are still lying around my room… I didn’t even prepare for my classes today b/c I was so wrapped up in trying to finish that paper. That really hurt me when we were analyzing an article I didn’t even read in Japanese class today. I could have gotten my way through it in English, but it’s really hard to B.S. in another language.

Oh, and I’m also going to Chicago to take the Japanese language profiency test and to visit extended family I haven’t seen in years. I’m not sure how I feel about going back, since so many things have changed since I was there my freshman year in high school. My cousins are married and have kids… wow. I do know that I want to go eat at Connie’s pizza. Anyone who’s been to Chicago knows what I’m talking about. ^_^ ^_^ ^_^ And maybe go to Navy Pier, tho it’s going to be realy cold…

Good things that happened this week:
Going to the Japanese Gardens w/Monica + Tony, so far from school (Not this week but I’m adding it anyway). Those gardens are gorgeous! Some of the leaves were turning as well. I’ve got photos if anyone wants any. Hanging out w/Tony + Monica was cool, got to know them a bit better I think. Getting sick was no fun, but overall I had a great time!
Presenting about the Japanese countryside to Japan Club. Talking about my experiences in Ayabe reminded me of one of my best experiences in Japan, and one of my main reasons for going there. Although the conditions there aren’t exactly like what the photograph books would have you to believe, it is just as beautiful. The shrines I visited there capture the essence of Japanese culture, the culture I find so beautiful. However, now I think it’s time to explore somewhere else, perhaps France, or Thailand, I still haven’t decided.
Talking to Anna. It’s been so long since we’ve talked, so I’m really glad I ran into you today! I would have liked to have talked longer, but alas, it could not be so. Hopefully, we’ll talk again soon.
Red Eye. Not such a bad movie after all, and afterwards I talked w/Andreas + Azusa, that was interesting.

I’d like my next post to be a translation of a Mr Children song, so be on the lookout for that post. I haven’t decided which one yet, but Owarinaki Tabi is my fav, so maybe that one?

After about 2 weeks of planning and stressing out about it, the Japan Club had our first Japanese Cooking night at my dorm. Originally I was planning on making only okonomiyaki (Japanese dish- like pizza, with cabbage, flour, egg, and a choice of meat), but after discussing with the group, we also decided to cook yakisoba and onigiri. This was a great decision in the end, b/c then everyone got to make a variety of things, and sample a lot of Japanese food that’s usually not in restaurants (prob b/c it’s simple to make). That was my main goal in doing this – exposing the members to the Japanese culture I was fortunate to experience while I was there.

When most of the cooking was over, and I was finally able to relax, I realize that I was stressed out way too much about this, and some other things currently going on in my life. I’ve been really pissed off at everyone all the time, and I really hate that feeling of being mad and not having a reason. So I’m going to try to get over the things I’m dealing with and try to be less angry all the time. Midterms are over, so hopefully I’ll be able to do that.

Memories….
If you read this,
even if we do not speak often,
comment with one memory of me.
It can be anything you want,
good or bad.
Just as long as it happened.
Then post this on your livejournal.
See what other people remember about you…

I planned on posting something earlier, but I forgot my password, and didn’t feel like changing it until now…. Also, it’s midterm week, so I’ve been trying to study as much as I can for my ipcoming tests. I had Japanese today, I’m not sure how I did. The class isn’t quite what I would like it to be, but I’m going to try to make the best out of it. I have gotten something out of it - it’s becoming easier and easier for me to read kanji, to guess the correct reading of it. I still struggle, but I feel like I’ve made some progress.

I highlight of this week was when I made Japanese curry rice. I had to go to the Japanese market to buy okonomiyaki ingredients for class, and saw the curry stuff there, and thought why not buy it too? (Also bought some aloe yogurt, ate it w/my mom. I forgot how good aloe tasted) SO I had curry rice for dinner on Monday and Tuesday. It wasn’t quite like Japan (I diluted it too much) but it was good!!! ^_^ Reminded me of all the Japanese food I’m missing, and thinking about it now, I want to make nabe, takoyaki, gyoza (I know it’s Chinese but I made it in Japan…), homuraisu, and other things. This brief escape, and also hanging out w/friends, has made this week bearable. I’ll get a vacation from school school, which I’ll use to relax and get back to doing things that I enjoy (outside of school).

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.