I'll talk about 2 things today - my New Years Resolutions and the government (essentially, what I would do if I could run the government myself).
First off, my New Years resolutions.
First and foremost, I would like to attempt to improve my body image. This will mainly take place in January, but I would like to focus on burning the calories I eat as opposed to just changing my diet. I also plan to eat healthier, but not reduce how much I eat or any bullshit like that. I think adjusting how much you eat, especially if you don't think you eat all that much to begin with, is the stupidest thing I've heard of. My roommate in my first semester would literally eat once a day and she was NOT skinny at all. Eating less forces your body to turn it to fat instantly because it thinks you're starving (and you are). Eating vegetables, fruit, and meats (mainly fish and chicken) instead is healthier.
As always, I would like to become more studious and less lazy. I'm angering myself at my laziness when it comes to classes.
I plan to study abroad by fall this year. In order to do this, I must earn a minimum of $1950 between now and September. Ideally, I would like to earn $4500, but that's the height of my goal. I may also, in my second semester in college abroad, take up a part-time job depending on how funds are running, but hopefully this is a last resort.
And finally - earn at least $5k in scholarships, preferably $15K or more.
Next Section - The Government.
For whatever reason, the majority of the cuts the Tea Party have pushed forward cut opportunities for MY generation (age group 15-25). Neither side of the budget debate really touched on Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid or even the Defense budget. I will state that sometimes things look better on paper and have issues being applied, but if you have a comment/disagreement, please post. I like discussing these things - not arguing over them.
First off, we need to focus on home. Pull completely out of Afghanistan - not only does our presence further incite hatred of the locals, but we are not the police of the world. It is not our job to dictate what government a country should have. We argue that the Taliban are a threat to national security, etc, etc, but what's the point if the government can't spend the money it needs to on it's own people? Our soldiers die for oil, not for a true cause. We have to leave sometime, might as well get it over with and stop wasting trillions of tax payer dollars.
I would like to further my commentary on military spending by stating that the government black-budgets the Department of Defense. Meaning there is considerable spending that goes unreported in the discretionary budget (military research and such). I also feel that the power of the TSA should be limited and their budget cut back a bit. They really pushed the expensive full body scanners and while they've published a bunch of reports on them, apparently several independent research agencies (the American Cancer Society and several universities) have said that the published reports do not have verifiable data or good comparisons. This leads me to believe that proper research on such machines hasn't been done, so why are we spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on things that have the possibility of giving citizens cancer? Plus, the TSA has NEVER caught a terrorist. They use what has been called "security theater", it makes you feel safe that they put certain measures in, but they're not actually effective. I feel like those hired for such jobs do NOT get proper background checks as well as being corrupt (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transportation_Security_Administration#Criticisms).
The tax-cut shit. Yes, people are hard pressed and everyone hates it when taxes rise. It's the most common theme across history. Budget gets low? Tax the poor even more! However - raise the taxes on those who make more than a certain amount. The rich don't even pay taxes on the full amount of their money anyway, using bank games and a large transfer network, most millionaires/billionaires avoid getting taxed for the full amount of their fortune. I would say to raise corporate taxes too, but I feel like that might have negative effects on the economy (essentially the consumer would pay for it anyway). Eliminating tax breaks for oil companies is a good idea, but again, I feel like it'll come back to the consumer anyway.
Require a means test for Social Security and Medicare. There is probably a large percentage of people that depend entirely on social security and medicare. They can keep it. It's the older folk I know that pull in a considerable amount in retirement that also collect both SS and Medicare that piss me off. We, the younger folk, pay for the older folk to retire. A lot of people argue that they paid into it, so they should get it. However, not only is it the LARGEST part of our nation's budget, but people who don't actually need it are able to get it because of the paid-in BS. I'm 19 and I pay for social security, an unsustainable program that will eventually need to be cut. I will likely never see the money I paid into it, despite that it's promised to me. Reduce it now, before it just needs to be straight up cut. Medicare too - reduce it based on a means test. I find it ridiculously that I'm paying for elderly individuals to get healthcare. I'm a healthy person - I only visit the doctor a couples times a year, if that. If they can afford it otherwise, they should, rather than depending on their grandchild to pay for them.
IMPROVE the Department of Education. I don't remember which GOP runner wanted to cut it, but that's the most annoying thing of all. Don't cut, improve, the department of Education. It should not be left entirely up to the states AND I feel that there should be certain mandates country wide. It would make it easier for students to transfer from a different state if the majority of core requirements (for instance, an improved version of no-child left behind) were the same. The NCLB act was a good idea, but put into poor action. Since I took the HSAs, which were required to graduate, I have found that they have made them increasingly easier. This I disagree with - graduating high school isn't required in life. I feel like they dumb everything down, even in the accelerated classes, in the majority of the country. I literally never had to try until my senior year of high school and even then, I still graduated with a 4.25 GPA. I do believe some requirements should be left up to the state, but schools should remain religion free. There is diversity in schools and teaching Christian beliefs to those who practice other religions is setting the school up for fights based on religion.
Either adjust financial aid requirements or eliminate the programs. We're already loosing this battle - my dad works with big brains and it is increasingly foreigners. The financial aid requirements haven't changed since the early 90s, but college costs have increased by at least 4X that. Student loans don't help either - having massive amounts of debt upon graduation prevents our younger generations from buying a house, a car and spending in general. I say if the financial aid requirements cannot be increased, then eliminate the program entirely. Yes, people would rage, but colleges would no longer be able to charge terrifying amounts of money because few could pay it. Supply and demand - if the supply cannot be afforded, the demand goes down and prices must go down to increase the demand again.
Ugh, when I start thinking about all the problems, it makes my head hurt. There is no one solution, nor is it as black and white as I have posted.
The ramblings of a college student, whether on travel or in the middle of exams.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Webcomics Galore!
So awhile back (I think it was June?), I mentioned some webcomics. Well, I have since found a lot of rather good ones. I will not review them each (I think I have 10?), but I will give each a brief synopsis. The fact they are posted is because I recommend them and I will repeat the previously mentioned ones.
Tea House
http://teahousecomic.com/news.html
Tea House is a delightful comic about a brothel of the same name. It's 18+ for obvious plot-related reasons. The artwork is spectacular, the characters with unique personalities and back stories and the buttsecks...is buttsecks. A must-read for any yaoi fan. Updates every Wednesday, unless otherwise specified. Pages done in full color.
STARFIGHTER
http://starfightercomic.com/index.php
A science fiction comic about Cain and Abel. There is rather naughty buttsecks and the author is absolutely adorable. Again, it's 18+ (sorry minors). It's currently on a little hiatus as the artist is working on some sort of comic related project. Updates sporadically with pages in a odd, but unique sort of color format.
STRAYS
http://www.straysonline.com/
An interesting fantasy comic about a mercenary and a young girl. For those that love slowly revealed worldly bits, this is a great comic. With every couple pages, I'm left wondering about something that happened. Lots of relationship building (and not in a pervy way, as some weird people keep getting excited over an estimated 26 year old "caring" for a 12 year old. It's a sibling-like relationship, idiots). Currently on a hiatus until January 6th because one of the creators is home for the holidays, but updates on Fridays and pages are in full color.
Sandra and Woo
http://www.sandraandwoo.com/
An adorable little comic with shorts about a raccoon named Woo and a girl named Sandra. There are both arcs and oneshots mixed together. Each arc/oneshot has a theme based off of whatever the author credits in the comment section. Definitely recommend to anyone who enjoyed Calvin and Hobbs. It usually updates about twice a week, around Wednesday and Friday. It used to be black and white, but they recently invested in a coloring artist.
GAIA
http://www.sandraandwoo.com/gaia/
Gaia is a fantasy comic that started about a month or two ago. It is from the creators of Sandra and Woo; hence the shared website. I recommend it because not only is the art well done, but it seems to have quite the potential. I'm not sure of the update schedule yet, but I'm pretty sure it's once a week minimum. Full color.
Artifice
http://webcomics.yaoi911.com/about/
Artifice is a science-fiction comic about an android soldier who falls in love with the "enemy". Seems interesting enough. There isn't really explicit buttsecks, but it's strong enough that I'd give it a PG-13 rating minimal. The comic updates on Saturdays, but lately the donators have been donating enough to make it come out consistently on Wednesdays as well (so twice weekly). Full color.
The Meek
http://www.meekcomic.com/about/
I have to say, this comic has a LOT of potential. It's relatively well written and the artwork is good. It's about a girl raised in a forest commune who has to save the world. However, it hasn't really progressed all that far in the past 3 years due to highly sporadic updates (sometimes spanning months with nothing new). Currently, the author seems to have a decent update schedule, but we'll see how long this lasts. Full color.
Sfeer Theory
http://sfeertheory.littlefoolery.com/index.html
Sfeer is pronounced "sphere", I think. I don't even know whether to classify this as a science fiction or a fantasy. It's essentially both, intermixed beautifully. Relatively well written with fantastic ideas regarding magic and artwork that makes you sigh. I'm not sure about the update schedule but it seems to be about once a week or so, maybe a week and a half. Full color.
Demon of the Underground
http://www.bob-artist.com/demon/archive.php
I'm not sure if there are shounen-ai themes as of yet (it's hinted in a character description, but not in the comic yet), but it's essentially a science-fiction about the underground networks and black markets of Chicago. Pogo literally falls into this world and has to make it on his own, with his new friend Annie. Updates on Mondays and is done in pencil with splotches of significant color. Rated M (18+).
Oglaf
http://www.oglaf.com/archive/
Definitely 18+ as it's essentially sex comedy. Apparently it started as porn but failed miserably at keeping any serious tone. Gotta say, I genuinely feel sorry for the apprentice. Recommended because it makes me laugh. Full color and updates on Sundays (like today).
Always Raining Here
http://alwaysraininghere.smackjeeves.com/news/
An adorable shounen-ai about a male who recently realized he's gay and wants a f-buddy. However, the only other available gay male has no interest. Not big on high school drama, but this is adorable. Written by Canadians (so there are a couple cultural differences), in color and updates Thursdays.
Zombie Waffe
http://www.zombiewaffe.com/home/
A zombie apocalypse comic with a male main character trying to skillfully work his way out of the hell life's become. Usually in full color with somewhat sporadic updates and I'd rate it PG-13 for gore and some sexual themes (all implied).
Loki
http://loki.smackjeeves.com/
Loki is an interesting western/fantasy comic with no currently apparent plot nearly 3 chapters in. One character is likely gay or bi (there is a racy scene with buttsecks). However, it seems to have just started getting really interesting. The art is in partial color and updates about once a week, sometimes more. I'd rate it PG-13.
Powernap
http://www.powernapcomic.com/archives.html
A science-fiction comic about a man allergic to a pill that makes everyone never need to sleep and strange things have started appearing. Definitely recommend to anyone who's ever suffered from insomnia. It hasn't progressed too far, but I'd rate it around a PG-13 for possible future stuff. Pages in full color and updates sporadically.
The Fox Sister
http://www.thefoxsister.com/news.php
A Korean-mythology themed comic about a woman and her dog searching for her Kuniho sister so that she may kill her and avenge her family. Looks promising, but isn't too far alone in the plot. I'd rate probably a PG-13 for future violence; pages in full color and updates on Thursdays with occasional double updates.
Unsounded
http://www.casualvillain.com/Unsounded/comic+index
I love this comic. It's a fantasy centering on a girl with a tail and a man that is sort of dead. At first, I wasn't sure it was going to be all that great because the first chapter feels somewhat rushed with 2-D characters (I feel like it was written before the author had fully developed her sense of the characters). BUT, it is currently rather far along (I think it's nearly 250 pages?) and the character development after the first chapter is rather significant. You're essentially learning with the two main characters, Duane and Sette (neither know all that much about the other). There are other characters of importance, but they haven't been developed as significantly as the other two yet. DEFINITELY recommend. Updates MWF, in full color and I'd rate PG-13 and maybe R (16+) for more mature themes.
Spindrift
http://www.spindrift-comic.com/index.php
It's a fantasy comic with a lot of potential, but it just started in October. That being said, the artwork is great and build-up is fantastic, but it's only a few pages in after the prologue. In full color with pages released on a weekly basis. At least a PG-13 rating.
Tea House
http://teahousecomic.com/news.htmlTea House is a delightful comic about a brothel of the same name. It's 18+ for obvious plot-related reasons. The artwork is spectacular, the characters with unique personalities and back stories and the buttsecks...is buttsecks. A must-read for any yaoi fan. Updates every Wednesday, unless otherwise specified. Pages done in full color.
STARFIGHTER
http://starfightercomic.com/index.phpA science fiction comic about Cain and Abel. There is rather naughty buttsecks and the author is absolutely adorable. Again, it's 18+ (sorry minors). It's currently on a little hiatus as the artist is working on some sort of comic related project. Updates sporadically with pages in a odd, but unique sort of color format.
STRAYS
http://www.straysonline.com/An interesting fantasy comic about a mercenary and a young girl. For those that love slowly revealed worldly bits, this is a great comic. With every couple pages, I'm left wondering about something that happened. Lots of relationship building (and not in a pervy way, as some weird people keep getting excited over an estimated 26 year old "caring" for a 12 year old. It's a sibling-like relationship, idiots). Currently on a hiatus until January 6th because one of the creators is home for the holidays, but updates on Fridays and pages are in full color.
Sandra and Woo
http://www.sandraandwoo.com/An adorable little comic with shorts about a raccoon named Woo and a girl named Sandra. There are both arcs and oneshots mixed together. Each arc/oneshot has a theme based off of whatever the author credits in the comment section. Definitely recommend to anyone who enjoyed Calvin and Hobbs. It usually updates about twice a week, around Wednesday and Friday. It used to be black and white, but they recently invested in a coloring artist.
GAIA
http://www.sandraandwoo.com/gaia/
Gaia is a fantasy comic that started about a month or two ago. It is from the creators of Sandra and Woo; hence the shared website. I recommend it because not only is the art well done, but it seems to have quite the potential. I'm not sure of the update schedule yet, but I'm pretty sure it's once a week minimum. Full color.
Artifice
http://webcomics.yaoi911.com/about/Artifice is a science-fiction comic about an android soldier who falls in love with the "enemy". Seems interesting enough. There isn't really explicit buttsecks, but it's strong enough that I'd give it a PG-13 rating minimal. The comic updates on Saturdays, but lately the donators have been donating enough to make it come out consistently on Wednesdays as well (so twice weekly). Full color.
The Meek
http://www.meekcomic.com/about/I have to say, this comic has a LOT of potential. It's relatively well written and the artwork is good. It's about a girl raised in a forest commune who has to save the world. However, it hasn't really progressed all that far in the past 3 years due to highly sporadic updates (sometimes spanning months with nothing new). Currently, the author seems to have a decent update schedule, but we'll see how long this lasts. Full color.
Sfeer Theory
http://sfeertheory.littlefoolery.com/index.htmlSfeer is pronounced "sphere", I think. I don't even know whether to classify this as a science fiction or a fantasy. It's essentially both, intermixed beautifully. Relatively well written with fantastic ideas regarding magic and artwork that makes you sigh. I'm not sure about the update schedule but it seems to be about once a week or so, maybe a week and a half. Full color.
Demon of the Underground
http://www.bob-artist.com/demon/archive.phpI'm not sure if there are shounen-ai themes as of yet (it's hinted in a character description, but not in the comic yet), but it's essentially a science-fiction about the underground networks and black markets of Chicago. Pogo literally falls into this world and has to make it on his own, with his new friend Annie. Updates on Mondays and is done in pencil with splotches of significant color. Rated M (18+).
Oglaf
http://www.oglaf.com/archive/
Definitely 18+ as it's essentially sex comedy. Apparently it started as porn but failed miserably at keeping any serious tone. Gotta say, I genuinely feel sorry for the apprentice. Recommended because it makes me laugh. Full color and updates on Sundays (like today).
Always Raining Here
http://alwaysraininghere.smackjeeves.com/news/
An adorable shounen-ai about a male who recently realized he's gay and wants a f-buddy. However, the only other available gay male has no interest. Not big on high school drama, but this is adorable. Written by Canadians (so there are a couple cultural differences), in color and updates Thursdays.
Zombie Waffe
http://www.zombiewaffe.com/home/
A zombie apocalypse comic with a male main character trying to skillfully work his way out of the hell life's become. Usually in full color with somewhat sporadic updates and I'd rate it PG-13 for gore and some sexual themes (all implied).
Loki
http://loki.smackjeeves.com/
Loki is an interesting western/fantasy comic with no currently apparent plot nearly 3 chapters in. One character is likely gay or bi (there is a racy scene with buttsecks). However, it seems to have just started getting really interesting. The art is in partial color and updates about once a week, sometimes more. I'd rate it PG-13.
Powernap
http://www.powernapcomic.com/archives.html
A science-fiction comic about a man allergic to a pill that makes everyone never need to sleep and strange things have started appearing. Definitely recommend to anyone who's ever suffered from insomnia. It hasn't progressed too far, but I'd rate it around a PG-13 for possible future stuff. Pages in full color and updates sporadically.
The Fox Sister
http://www.thefoxsister.com/news.php
A Korean-mythology themed comic about a woman and her dog searching for her Kuniho sister so that she may kill her and avenge her family. Looks promising, but isn't too far alone in the plot. I'd rate probably a PG-13 for future violence; pages in full color and updates on Thursdays with occasional double updates.
Unsounded
http://www.casualvillain.com/Unsounded/comic+index
I love this comic. It's a fantasy centering on a girl with a tail and a man that is sort of dead. At first, I wasn't sure it was going to be all that great because the first chapter feels somewhat rushed with 2-D characters (I feel like it was written before the author had fully developed her sense of the characters). BUT, it is currently rather far along (I think it's nearly 250 pages?) and the character development after the first chapter is rather significant. You're essentially learning with the two main characters, Duane and Sette (neither know all that much about the other). There are other characters of importance, but they haven't been developed as significantly as the other two yet. DEFINITELY recommend. Updates MWF, in full color and I'd rate PG-13 and maybe R (16+) for more mature themes.
Spindrift
http://www.spindrift-comic.com/index.php
It's a fantasy comic with a lot of potential, but it just started in October. That being said, the artwork is great and build-up is fantastic, but it's only a few pages in after the prologue. In full color with pages released on a weekly basis. At least a PG-13 rating.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Guide to Tokyo Accomodations
Here's a quick synopsis of all the accommodations I've found in Tokyo over my obsession for the last 2 years (quite literally). Please note that the exchange rates change frequently, so please check using Google.
Personally, I suggest you carefully weigh what is important to you when it comes to going abroad. I know it seems really dumb, but people do get horrified by certain conditions and end up wasting money by requesting a transfer to another place or canceling their reservation altogether. I've sat in Yadoya's Maruman and watched this occur with two young French women.
Ask yourself things like:
Am I going to be staying there for awhile or just a few days?
Do I have to have AC? Internet Access? A locker for valuables? Access to a washing machine?
Do I need a private room? Do I need a private bathroom or can I tolerate a communal one?
Do I need storage capacity for a long term stay?* Do I need a TV?
Do I have to have a bed or can I do a Japanese-style futon?
Do I want the place nearby something specific? **
*This is the one I'm really hung up on - I plan on staying at Yadoya for cheapness, but I may end up doing Freshhouse or Oakhouse if I am able to secure a scholarship or two.
**Another hang-up. I fell in love with Nakano, due to the proximity of everything. Otherwise, I'll consider Tama Branch of TenTen Guest House because it's close to my school. Close = walkable distance = save on transportation costs.
Places that have daily rates:
Yadoya
http://www.cheap-accommodation-tokyo.com/
Review: I personally have stayed at Yadoya's Maruman branch. It's good for both short and long stays. While stuff was everywhere due to another young woman living there, it was fairly clean and very inexpensive. The mattresses were thin (cheap Japanese-style futon mattresses) and on wooden slats, but they gave me a comforter, which I put on the mattress and then placed a bed sheet on it. There was a free washer and a small place to dry your clothes outside. Small, but complete, kitchen and a refrigerator. I didn't really have any problems with the other tenants, who literally shared the room with me. Sometimes they did come back late and turned the light on because they were drunk, but no one really yelled or anything. The neighborhood is very well placed. Less than a 5 minute walk to Nakano station, which is less than 5 minutes from Shinjuku. Two convenience stores literally right outside the building in opposite directions, a post office (the foreigner's best friend due to international ATMs) within 50 feet of the exit, Nakano's shopping district and several department stores within 10 minutes of walking. 100 yen shop, etc. AC was included, And this place only cost me 39,000 yen (roughly $450 at the time, now around $500). I plan on staying here again when I study abroad, mainly due to the proximity of my university and the cheapness of the place.
Khaosan
http://www.khaosan-tokyo.com/en/index.html
Haven't stayed here, but it seems cheap and effective for backpacking, but not necessarily long stays. They start at 2000 yen a night ($25) and have several different branches to choose from.
Oak Hotel
http://www.oakhotel.co.jp/english/
Oak Hotel is a sub-company of Oakhouse and is placed in Asakusa, so it's fairly close to the city center. Rooms start at 5800 yen ($75) a night and include: free internet, private shower, access to a kitchen, a laundry facility and a security locker.
Sakura Hostel
http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/?gclid=CJbR77Dzj60CFQXd4Aodu30OoA
Not nearly as cheap as some of the other hostels (Khaosan, Yadoya), Sakura Hostel is a sub-company of Sakura House. It claims to be the largest hostel group in Tokyo, but I literally hadn't heard of them until now because the information wasn't as readily available as their guest house info. They do offer a "special rate" for people who reserve up ahead as much as 3 months, making it around 1900 yen a night ($24) and they offer a discount depending on the duration of stay. Like most hostels in the Tokyo area, this one is located in Asakusa.
Sakura Hotel
http://www.sakura-hotel.co.jp/rate.php
Like Sakura Hostel, I hadn't heard of this hotel until now. However, it's a sub-company of Sakura House. Room rates start at around 6090 yen ($80) for a single small room. It's located near the Imperial Palace at the Tokyo Metro stop of Jinbocho.
K's Hostels
http://kshouse.jp/tokyo-e/index.html House Tokyo
http://kshouse.jp/tokyo-oasis-e/index.html Tokyo Oasis
http://kshouse.jp/fuji-e/index.html Fuji-san
First off, they have a Fuji-san guest house, for those interested in seeing that. Secondly, they are fairly priced and located in Asakusa. 2800 yen ($36) for a dormitory and 3000 yen (40) for a women's dormitory at House Tokyo and starting at 2900 yen ($38) a night for the more private Tokyo Oasis.
Places better for longer stays:
Oakhouse
http://www.oakhouse.jp/eng/
Haven't stay here either, but it seems best for long term stays (unless you do Oak Hotel, see below). Unlike the Maruman Branch of Yadoya, Oakhouse gives you a private room, unless otherwise specified. You can even rent apartments. However, you pay dearly for the private room - around 75000 yen ($975) a month, usually more. The further out you get from Inner Tokyo, the larger your room gets, so the prices don't really vary much. They do have a huge coverage area across the Tokyo area, unlike Khaosan, which is focused in Asakusa.
Sakura House
http://www.sakura-house.com/en/
I have read mixed reviews on Sakura House. Some of their buildings are quite old and they seem to use low resolution pictures in the suspicious looking rooms. However, they are the competition of Oakhouse and therefore priced similarly, so I suggest checking them out at your own discretion. Sakura House also offers apartments.
Freshroom
http://www.freshroom.jp/en/houses
I've only discovered them in the last couple of months, but they look legit. They are similarly priced to Oakhouse and Sakura House. The pictures they have online are VERY clean - but this cannot be taken without a grain of salt because of the existence of programs like Photoshop.
Borderless House
http://guesthouse-tokyo.jp/
While most of their facilities are further away from the city center, they generally cost less by around 10000 yen or so ($125).
TenTen Guest House
http://www.tokyo-guesthouse.com/
This place looks very cheap. Not really much else I can say unless I go there - They offer some images of their guest houses, but they don't really specify whether the room is private or not. At 33000 yen ($425) a month near Shinjuku and Ikebukuro, I'd definitely check it out. In fact, as I'm going through their website, I've found yet another wonderful possibility (Tama Branch) for my study abroad, as it's close to my university.
Shinjuku Guest House
http://www.guest-house-tokyo.com/index-en.html
Another new one. It's located in Kagurazaka, Shinjuku, Tokyo and starts at 33000 yen ($425) a month. It doesn't seem like there are any private rooms, but the location is prime real estate.
Bamboo House
http://www.bamboo-house.com/
Bau House
http://www.bauhousetokyo.com/index.html
Guest House Hanata
http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/i/hanata/rates.html
Interwhao
http://www.interwhao.com/english/g_gakugei.html
Koyomiya House
http://koyomiya.jp/englishindex.html
U & I House
http://home.att.ne.jp/sun/U-I_house/
Yoshida House
http://yoshidahouse.net/en/index_en.html
If you have anything to contribute to this, please leave a comment. It can either be another guest house/hostel or a review. I will personally edit this and quote your review (as long as it sounds fair). Simple saying, "I went there and it was great/terrible" isn't sufficient. Please give pros and cons their weight.
Personally, I suggest you carefully weigh what is important to you when it comes to going abroad. I know it seems really dumb, but people do get horrified by certain conditions and end up wasting money by requesting a transfer to another place or canceling their reservation altogether. I've sat in Yadoya's Maruman and watched this occur with two young French women.
Ask yourself things like:
Am I going to be staying there for awhile or just a few days?
Do I have to have AC? Internet Access? A locker for valuables? Access to a washing machine?
Do I need a private room? Do I need a private bathroom or can I tolerate a communal one?
Do I need storage capacity for a long term stay?* Do I need a TV?
Do I have to have a bed or can I do a Japanese-style futon?
Do I want the place nearby something specific? **
*This is the one I'm really hung up on - I plan on staying at Yadoya for cheapness, but I may end up doing Freshhouse or Oakhouse if I am able to secure a scholarship or two.
**Another hang-up. I fell in love with Nakano, due to the proximity of everything. Otherwise, I'll consider Tama Branch of TenTen Guest House because it's close to my school. Close = walkable distance = save on transportation costs.
Places that have daily rates:
Yadoya
http://www.cheap-accommodation-tokyo.com/
Review: I personally have stayed at Yadoya's Maruman branch. It's good for both short and long stays. While stuff was everywhere due to another young woman living there, it was fairly clean and very inexpensive. The mattresses were thin (cheap Japanese-style futon mattresses) and on wooden slats, but they gave me a comforter, which I put on the mattress and then placed a bed sheet on it. There was a free washer and a small place to dry your clothes outside. Small, but complete, kitchen and a refrigerator. I didn't really have any problems with the other tenants, who literally shared the room with me. Sometimes they did come back late and turned the light on because they were drunk, but no one really yelled or anything. The neighborhood is very well placed. Less than a 5 minute walk to Nakano station, which is less than 5 minutes from Shinjuku. Two convenience stores literally right outside the building in opposite directions, a post office (the foreigner's best friend due to international ATMs) within 50 feet of the exit, Nakano's shopping district and several department stores within 10 minutes of walking. 100 yen shop, etc. AC was included, And this place only cost me 39,000 yen (roughly $450 at the time, now around $500). I plan on staying here again when I study abroad, mainly due to the proximity of my university and the cheapness of the place.
Khaosan
http://www.khaosan-tokyo.com/en/index.html
Haven't stayed here, but it seems cheap and effective for backpacking, but not necessarily long stays. They start at 2000 yen a night ($25) and have several different branches to choose from.
Oak Hotel
http://www.oakhotel.co.jp/english/
Oak Hotel is a sub-company of Oakhouse and is placed in Asakusa, so it's fairly close to the city center. Rooms start at 5800 yen ($75) a night and include: free internet, private shower, access to a kitchen, a laundry facility and a security locker.
Sakura Hostel
http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/?gclid=CJbR77Dzj60CFQXd4Aodu30OoA
Not nearly as cheap as some of the other hostels (Khaosan, Yadoya), Sakura Hostel is a sub-company of Sakura House. It claims to be the largest hostel group in Tokyo, but I literally hadn't heard of them until now because the information wasn't as readily available as their guest house info. They do offer a "special rate" for people who reserve up ahead as much as 3 months, making it around 1900 yen a night ($24) and they offer a discount depending on the duration of stay. Like most hostels in the Tokyo area, this one is located in Asakusa.
Sakura Hotel
http://www.sakura-hotel.co.jp/rate.php
Like Sakura Hostel, I hadn't heard of this hotel until now. However, it's a sub-company of Sakura House. Room rates start at around 6090 yen ($80) for a single small room. It's located near the Imperial Palace at the Tokyo Metro stop of Jinbocho.
K's Hostels
http://kshouse.jp/tokyo-e/index.html House Tokyo
http://kshouse.jp/tokyo-oasis-e/index.html Tokyo Oasis
http://kshouse.jp/fuji-e/index.html Fuji-san
First off, they have a Fuji-san guest house, for those interested in seeing that. Secondly, they are fairly priced and located in Asakusa. 2800 yen ($36) for a dormitory and 3000 yen (40) for a women's dormitory at House Tokyo and starting at 2900 yen ($38) a night for the more private Tokyo Oasis.
Places better for longer stays:
Oakhouse
http://www.oakhouse.jp/eng/
Haven't stay here either, but it seems best for long term stays (unless you do Oak Hotel, see below). Unlike the Maruman Branch of Yadoya, Oakhouse gives you a private room, unless otherwise specified. You can even rent apartments. However, you pay dearly for the private room - around 75000 yen ($975) a month, usually more. The further out you get from Inner Tokyo, the larger your room gets, so the prices don't really vary much. They do have a huge coverage area across the Tokyo area, unlike Khaosan, which is focused in Asakusa.
Sakura House
http://www.sakura-house.com/en/
I have read mixed reviews on Sakura House. Some of their buildings are quite old and they seem to use low resolution pictures in the suspicious looking rooms. However, they are the competition of Oakhouse and therefore priced similarly, so I suggest checking them out at your own discretion. Sakura House also offers apartments.
Freshroom
http://www.freshroom.jp/en/houses
I've only discovered them in the last couple of months, but they look legit. They are similarly priced to Oakhouse and Sakura House. The pictures they have online are VERY clean - but this cannot be taken without a grain of salt because of the existence of programs like Photoshop.
Borderless House
http://guesthouse-tokyo.jp/
While most of their facilities are further away from the city center, they generally cost less by around 10000 yen or so ($125).
TenTen Guest House
http://www.tokyo-guesthouse.com/
This place looks very cheap. Not really much else I can say unless I go there - They offer some images of their guest houses, but they don't really specify whether the room is private or not. At 33000 yen ($425) a month near Shinjuku and Ikebukuro, I'd definitely check it out. In fact, as I'm going through their website, I've found yet another wonderful possibility (Tama Branch) for my study abroad, as it's close to my university.
Shinjuku Guest House
http://www.guest-house-tokyo.com/index-en.html
Another new one. It's located in Kagurazaka, Shinjuku, Tokyo and starts at 33000 yen ($425) a month. It doesn't seem like there are any private rooms, but the location is prime real estate.
Bamboo House
http://www.bamboo-house.com/
Bau House
http://www.bauhousetokyo.com/index.html
Guest House Hanata
http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/i/hanata/rates.html
Interwhao
http://www.interwhao.com/english/g_gakugei.html
Koyomiya House
http://koyomiya.jp/englishindex.html
U & I House
http://home.att.ne.jp/sun/U-I_house/
Yoshida House
http://yoshidahouse.net/en/index_en.html
If you have anything to contribute to this, please leave a comment. It can either be another guest house/hostel or a review. I will personally edit this and quote your review (as long as it sounds fair). Simple saying, "I went there and it was great/terrible" isn't sufficient. Please give pros and cons their weight.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Monotheistic Religions
I'm in the middle of exams, so obviously I'm looking for any reason to avoid studying. Take this article, for example:
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/eo20111219gd.html
It's so sad that it's mostly true. What's wrong with being a woman who can drive? What's wrong with beautiful female voices? Heck, what's wrong with the idea that sex is between lovers, not necessarily husband and wife? Why are orthodox religions obsessed with this? The reason they married people off was so that paternity wasn't as much in question and therefore paternal child care wasn't a problem. Plus people couldn't support themselves in that time. People married young because they died young and depended on each other for survival. Now? If I'm lucky, I'll live to be 100. I haven't even hit 20 yet. Why marry the man I love if we both know and understand that we love each other and aren't ready to tie the knot?
And why does every religion point the finger at women being corrupting? In my experience, men will think about women no matter what. It's genetics. The men who think about getting dirty with women more often will be more likely to get it on more often and therefore produce offspring with that gene. That being the case...it doesn't matter if you throw a birqa on a woman. Hiding the elephant isn't going to make it go away.
And to leave it with a quote for the day: "Not a sermon, just a thought."
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/eo20111219gd.html
It's so sad that it's mostly true. What's wrong with being a woman who can drive? What's wrong with beautiful female voices? Heck, what's wrong with the idea that sex is between lovers, not necessarily husband and wife? Why are orthodox religions obsessed with this? The reason they married people off was so that paternity wasn't as much in question and therefore paternal child care wasn't a problem. Plus people couldn't support themselves in that time. People married young because they died young and depended on each other for survival. Now? If I'm lucky, I'll live to be 100. I haven't even hit 20 yet. Why marry the man I love if we both know and understand that we love each other and aren't ready to tie the knot?
And why does every religion point the finger at women being corrupting? In my experience, men will think about women no matter what. It's genetics. The men who think about getting dirty with women more often will be more likely to get it on more often and therefore produce offspring with that gene. That being the case...it doesn't matter if you throw a birqa on a woman. Hiding the elephant isn't going to make it go away.
And to leave it with a quote for the day: "Not a sermon, just a thought."
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Overpriced College Shit
So, as much of my generation understands, college prices are rising while average incomes are not. But I'm not ranting today about the bullshit of spending $20K + a year for living away at an INSTATE college. I'm here to rant about the bullshit of the college "meal plan".
Every university does it a little differently, but it's all the same. First off, the crap food you get is overpriced. Now don't get me wrong, some of the choices are quite delicious. But plastic-tasting macaroni, greasy pizza and a slice of pie shouldn't come out to about $8. In high school, it would've cost $5 and students were complaining then. But the majority of meals are much more expensive than that. I usually spend about $10 for rice, some meat and veges and a soda. The meat isn't even quality - I constantly pick around at bits of fatty, tough or grisly meat and I've even gotten a chip of bone a couple of times.
Next, they force you to buy a "meal plan". My average meal plan costs me around $1950 (a couple dollars short). It's fucking ridiculous. $1900 worth of food for 3 months? You're shitting me. That's roughly $160 a WEEK on just food. But no, not only does that NOT roll over to the next semester, it also gets $500 skimmed off the top for a "facilities fee". The university does NOT pay for having food available on campus. The on-campus student does. So you pay $1950 for the following breakdown 1049 meal points, 275 special points, and 16 meals at the new all-you-can-eat place. The special points are the good ones - you can go to the university-run convenience stores on campus and buy things at ridiculous prices ($1.50 for 450mL of juice, $4 for a half gallon of juice, $5.50 for a tray of 30 oreos, just to name a couple). They have emergency school supplies, medical supplies, etc as well. The meal points and special points are essentially dollars named points. The meals are usually $18 a pop, but are included in your plan at a discounted rate.
But wait, there's more! So if you include all of the cash points, you have roughly $110 a week to spend. That's still really high and training students to start terrible habits. Between the two of them, my dad and brother usually spend around $75 a week on what I get $110 for. And as I mentioned above, if I don't use all of my remaining $250 in the next week and a half, I loose it. This is with me treating my roommates to a fancy restaurant using those points and dishing out money to pay for the special all-you-can-eat place about 6 times. Part of it is I don't eat much, part of it is I go home on the weekends for work.
So that's based on the "average" plan. So I looked into the "additional" options offered after your first year on campus. The CHEAPEST meal plan offered is at a whopping $1749.50. That's not even the best part - for that $200 discount, you get ONLY 304 points. My roommate was saying they add up differently and are not equivalent to dollars at all, but with her eating every other meal from home (mother sending her food all the time) and her going home every weekend, she'll barely have enough points at the end of the semester. So my option is go hungry and carefully keep track of where I eat OR spend $200 more on something I don't need? I'm torn.
College is a bitch.
Every university does it a little differently, but it's all the same. First off, the crap food you get is overpriced. Now don't get me wrong, some of the choices are quite delicious. But plastic-tasting macaroni, greasy pizza and a slice of pie shouldn't come out to about $8. In high school, it would've cost $5 and students were complaining then. But the majority of meals are much more expensive than that. I usually spend about $10 for rice, some meat and veges and a soda. The meat isn't even quality - I constantly pick around at bits of fatty, tough or grisly meat and I've even gotten a chip of bone a couple of times.
Next, they force you to buy a "meal plan". My average meal plan costs me around $1950 (a couple dollars short). It's fucking ridiculous. $1900 worth of food for 3 months? You're shitting me. That's roughly $160 a WEEK on just food. But no, not only does that NOT roll over to the next semester, it also gets $500 skimmed off the top for a "facilities fee". The university does NOT pay for having food available on campus. The on-campus student does. So you pay $1950 for the following breakdown 1049 meal points, 275 special points, and 16 meals at the new all-you-can-eat place. The special points are the good ones - you can go to the university-run convenience stores on campus and buy things at ridiculous prices ($1.50 for 450mL of juice, $4 for a half gallon of juice, $5.50 for a tray of 30 oreos, just to name a couple). They have emergency school supplies, medical supplies, etc as well. The meal points and special points are essentially dollars named points. The meals are usually $18 a pop, but are included in your plan at a discounted rate.
But wait, there's more! So if you include all of the cash points, you have roughly $110 a week to spend. That's still really high and training students to start terrible habits. Between the two of them, my dad and brother usually spend around $75 a week on what I get $110 for. And as I mentioned above, if I don't use all of my remaining $250 in the next week and a half, I loose it. This is with me treating my roommates to a fancy restaurant using those points and dishing out money to pay for the special all-you-can-eat place about 6 times. Part of it is I don't eat much, part of it is I go home on the weekends for work.
So that's based on the "average" plan. So I looked into the "additional" options offered after your first year on campus. The CHEAPEST meal plan offered is at a whopping $1749.50. That's not even the best part - for that $200 discount, you get ONLY 304 points. My roommate was saying they add up differently and are not equivalent to dollars at all, but with her eating every other meal from home (mother sending her food all the time) and her going home every weekend, she'll barely have enough points at the end of the semester. So my option is go hungry and carefully keep track of where I eat OR spend $200 more on something I don't need? I'm torn.
College is a bitch.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Definition of Reality
So this is a curious topic. Reality means, by definition on the Merriam-Webster webpage, totality of real things or the quality/state of being real. This in turn, makes me look up the strict definition of real. Real, again using the Merriam-Webster dictionary website, means not being artificial, fraudulent or illusory. Again, this makes me look up the definition of illusion. An Illusion, according to Merriam-Webster, is the state of being intellectually deceived or the perception of something objectively existing in such a way that causes misinterpretation.
Based on this, reality seems relatively straightforward. But these definitions don't necessarily give the concept of one's own reality. In fact, what you perceive to be true, whether or not it is the truth, drastically effects how you perceive your reality. So truth is all subjective.
Take this situation as an example: your diamond ring goes missing. At the same time, your friend obtains a ring that looks exactly like the one you lost, leading you to believe that they stole it from you. The evidence does point to your friend being the perpetrator, but your friend tells you that she bought the ring the day before yours went missing. However, when asked to produce a receipt, she cannot because she threw it away. While this was an error on her part (almost everyone I know throws away their receipts, even though I was always taught to keep them), she did actually buy the ring. But everything points to your friend stealing your ring. Therefore, you shape this into your reality and you can no longer trust your friends. It doesn't matter what your friend says, because you've already unconsciously passed judgement and no longer trust her.
Take another situation: your lover goes away on a business trip. He returns with lipstick on his collar or perfume on his clothes. If you want dramas or movies, obviously he was having an affair. But he tells you he had gone to a bar or a strip club with some colleagues and that a woman had come onto him, which he politely declined. There is nothing you can do to prove otherwise, because you weren't there. You ask him to produce a receipt and he says that there was a joint tab and one of his other colleagues paid it off. This wears at your conscience and eventually you lose trust in your partner.
Now in both of these situations I used the pronoun "you" as means of immersing you, the reader, into the situation. While I gave you, the reader, all the major facts, the you in the situation only knows one side. Please keep this in mind when thinking about these situations.
And now for the final bit: your reality and memories can change via suggestion. For instance, I can suggest that your lover also hadn't answered his phone that day. You would then further attribute that as evidence to his affair, even though it was because he had been in a meeting all day and was unable to answer it. I could also suggest that your friend had been near your jewelry box on the day your ring disappeared, even though she was helping your clean your house. Again, further evidence.
I find that those with a very vivid imagination (those who tend to write, read, or draw especially) tend to do this a little less than the average person, and I think this is in part because they walk the fine line between the worlds/lives they create and the world we live in. But I also find in the case with many people that in part, they have a tendency to exaggerate facts or recounting of details. Just about everyone has done this, to some degree.
Now this is not necessarily a bad thing. It makes for an interesting story, for sure. But the tricky part is when you do this with memories. You have the ability to change your memories over time. The key example is societies who recite history and stories orally. Over time, they are warped into something considerably different than what actually happened. "He was rather tall" turns into "he has as big as a house". Or, in the case above, "My lover hadn't really talked to me that day" turns into "he never talks to me" which turns into "he's grown so cold toward me". Now you might not think this is all that valid, but think about it the next time you exaggerate.
Last bit of food for thought is how a positive memory can turn negative. If you bring up a positive memory when you are feeling down, it gets a slightly negative connotation. If you do it enough, eventually the memory will become negative. So, for instance, you're upset and you look at a picture of the person who you're upset with. It, for me, usually brings mixed feelings to the surface and usually results in me throwing the picture down in disgust. The better thing to do is listen to music when you're upset - that way you don't ruin all your good memories.
Based on this, reality seems relatively straightforward. But these definitions don't necessarily give the concept of one's own reality. In fact, what you perceive to be true, whether or not it is the truth, drastically effects how you perceive your reality. So truth is all subjective.
Take this situation as an example: your diamond ring goes missing. At the same time, your friend obtains a ring that looks exactly like the one you lost, leading you to believe that they stole it from you. The evidence does point to your friend being the perpetrator, but your friend tells you that she bought the ring the day before yours went missing. However, when asked to produce a receipt, she cannot because she threw it away. While this was an error on her part (almost everyone I know throws away their receipts, even though I was always taught to keep them), she did actually buy the ring. But everything points to your friend stealing your ring. Therefore, you shape this into your reality and you can no longer trust your friends. It doesn't matter what your friend says, because you've already unconsciously passed judgement and no longer trust her.
Take another situation: your lover goes away on a business trip. He returns with lipstick on his collar or perfume on his clothes. If you want dramas or movies, obviously he was having an affair. But he tells you he had gone to a bar or a strip club with some colleagues and that a woman had come onto him, which he politely declined. There is nothing you can do to prove otherwise, because you weren't there. You ask him to produce a receipt and he says that there was a joint tab and one of his other colleagues paid it off. This wears at your conscience and eventually you lose trust in your partner.
Now in both of these situations I used the pronoun "you" as means of immersing you, the reader, into the situation. While I gave you, the reader, all the major facts, the you in the situation only knows one side. Please keep this in mind when thinking about these situations.
And now for the final bit: your reality and memories can change via suggestion. For instance, I can suggest that your lover also hadn't answered his phone that day. You would then further attribute that as evidence to his affair, even though it was because he had been in a meeting all day and was unable to answer it. I could also suggest that your friend had been near your jewelry box on the day your ring disappeared, even though she was helping your clean your house. Again, further evidence.
I find that those with a very vivid imagination (those who tend to write, read, or draw especially) tend to do this a little less than the average person, and I think this is in part because they walk the fine line between the worlds/lives they create and the world we live in. But I also find in the case with many people that in part, they have a tendency to exaggerate facts or recounting of details. Just about everyone has done this, to some degree.
Now this is not necessarily a bad thing. It makes for an interesting story, for sure. But the tricky part is when you do this with memories. You have the ability to change your memories over time. The key example is societies who recite history and stories orally. Over time, they are warped into something considerably different than what actually happened. "He was rather tall" turns into "he has as big as a house". Or, in the case above, "My lover hadn't really talked to me that day" turns into "he never talks to me" which turns into "he's grown so cold toward me". Now you might not think this is all that valid, but think about it the next time you exaggerate.
Last bit of food for thought is how a positive memory can turn negative. If you bring up a positive memory when you are feeling down, it gets a slightly negative connotation. If you do it enough, eventually the memory will become negative. So, for instance, you're upset and you look at a picture of the person who you're upset with. It, for me, usually brings mixed feelings to the surface and usually results in me throwing the picture down in disgust. The better thing to do is listen to music when you're upset - that way you don't ruin all your good memories.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Advisers
If you have ever gone to college, you have probably had to meet with an adviser at least once, either for your major or for a transfer or some other reason. What was your experience with them?
I have, in my experience, only had one adviser who actually read my e-mails. My study abroad adviser never answers all of my questions and he rarely knows anything. In fact, I went for an appointment because the deadline was moved up to Jan 16th as opposed to March 15th and he didn't even believe me. He went and checked and then apologized. To me, this is NOT a good sign of the person I have to work with for the next 6th months to make my study abroad real. I have had advisers totally misunderstand my e-mails and not answer any of my questions. I have had advisers e-mail me last minute accepting my appointment time (as in, within a half hour before). They've even answered my e-mail in depth and then at my appointment have no idea about anything they had e-mailed me about (leading my to suspect someone else wrote the e-mail).
I suppose one must simply fight through the idiocracy, eh?
I have, in my experience, only had one adviser who actually read my e-mails. My study abroad adviser never answers all of my questions and he rarely knows anything. In fact, I went for an appointment because the deadline was moved up to Jan 16th as opposed to March 15th and he didn't even believe me. He went and checked and then apologized. To me, this is NOT a good sign of the person I have to work with for the next 6th months to make my study abroad real. I have had advisers totally misunderstand my e-mails and not answer any of my questions. I have had advisers e-mail me last minute accepting my appointment time (as in, within a half hour before). They've even answered my e-mail in depth and then at my appointment have no idea about anything they had e-mailed me about (leading my to suspect someone else wrote the e-mail).
I suppose one must simply fight through the idiocracy, eh?
Friday, November 25, 2011
More on Travel
I recently came across another packing tutorial for studying abroad in another country. He makes all the same points I did in a more condensed fashion, although I must say I disagree with the no iPod rule. In Japan, you're supposed to be quiet on trains, so when you're on a train for an hour with nothing to do, it can be pretty boring.
I will say that I also had the same feelings the first time I packed for myself. "Am I bringing too much?" Again, I'll reiterate my rule of thumb. If you cannot lift all of your bags simulataneously off the ground and walk easily, you have way too much. For men, a hiking backpack/sturdy suitcase and a laptop bag. For women, a handbag/laptop bag and a hiking backpack.
http://usac.unr.edu/information/packing-tips.aspx
This is a pre-departure list, also from USAC. You should be able to figure out if it applies to you (either your study abroad or your trip).
http://usac.unr.edu/information/know-before-you-go.aspx?display=115
I will say that I also had the same feelings the first time I packed for myself. "Am I bringing too much?" Again, I'll reiterate my rule of thumb. If you cannot lift all of your bags simulataneously off the ground and walk easily, you have way too much. For men, a hiking backpack/sturdy suitcase and a laptop bag. For women, a handbag/laptop bag and a hiking backpack.
http://usac.unr.edu/information/packing-tips.aspx
This is a pre-departure list, also from USAC. You should be able to figure out if it applies to you (either your study abroad or your trip).
http://usac.unr.edu/information/know-before-you-go.aspx?display=115
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Thoughts on Japan
A lot of people who know me personally know that I really do love Japan (and am slightly obsessed with getting my butt back over there). However, there are some issues that I'd like to address.
警察 (keisatsu)
The police system in Japan has issues. That goes for any authority, world wide. But Japan's issue revolves around a couple general themes. Raising questions and the cultural value of saving face are the two main problems and they kind of go hand-in-hand.
Article A
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fl20111101zg.html
Article A details the death of a man named Abubakar Awudu Suraj. He had lived in Japan for 20 years, had married and I would assume that he had a job. However, he was told that he was to be deported one morning. He struggled a bit, but it's obvious from the excessive and illegal force used that they probably didn't care whether he struggled or not from the beginning.
The reason this article was published was mainly because people, who had read the case, wondered why no one else was asking questions. The article mentions that a similar incident happened in the UK, but the government stepped in and apologize to the family for his death. In Japan, his wife wasn't even told he was to be deported. She was called in to identify his body later.
Anyone can see that this is a rather serious issue. It would bring race issues up in America. But no one even flinched in Japan because of the unquestioning attitude. "The police know what they're doing." "Just doing their job." I feel like those are the kind of thoughts that cause this case to float in one ear and out the other. But I'm glad that this view IS changing. Western influence along with the sadly decreasing youth of Japan find that this kind of thing is wrong.
Another thing I would like to mention is the low crime rates of Japan. While I do think it's true they have less crime in general, I feel like people get obsessed with this "fact". The most contributing factor toward the low crime rate of Japan is because a lot of crimes aren't reported or are reported as "accidents". Difficult murder cases get closed and deemed as suicides (a significant problem in Japan for the same reason I'm about to go into) or accidents. This is so the police force can "save face". It would look bad if they said it was a murder and couldn't solve it, right? This is something even the Japanese people have come to recognize. While no police force in "incompetent", shows like Bounty Hunters (a drama around 4 women) sort of further degrade the image of the police. Rapes are hardly reported in Japan. Marital rape doesn't "exist" over there because it's not considered rape.
But anyway, I'd like to make my strongest point. Foreigners in Japan are targeted. Not because they're hard working citizens who contribute to Japanese society but because they look funny. I feel it's a lot more scandalous if it's a foreigner who committed a murder (or gets convicted while innocent) or if a foreigner stole something as opposed to a Japanese person. This is my only fear while abroad in Japan. You must have your gaijin card or passport on you at all times; not having it is grounds for arrest. They CAN and WILL detain you for up to 27 days, without a lawyer and with extensive interrogation, even if you're just near a crime. The only way to get a lawyer is for a friend to pay for one from the outside. And if you plan on going alone, like me, that could be a serious problem. There is also an extremely high conviction rate, which is probably due to a judge only system. Corruption and laziness in finding the truth can easily result in false convictions. It can also be the "save-face" problem again where the prosecutors only bring the ones they know 100% to be true and leave the rest alone (leading to other problems).
I'll get off this topic for now, I just wanted to get that off my chest.
警察 (keisatsu)
The police system in Japan has issues. That goes for any authority, world wide. But Japan's issue revolves around a couple general themes. Raising questions and the cultural value of saving face are the two main problems and they kind of go hand-in-hand.
Article A
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fl20111101zg.html
Article A details the death of a man named Abubakar Awudu Suraj. He had lived in Japan for 20 years, had married and I would assume that he had a job. However, he was told that he was to be deported one morning. He struggled a bit, but it's obvious from the excessive and illegal force used that they probably didn't care whether he struggled or not from the beginning.
The reason this article was published was mainly because people, who had read the case, wondered why no one else was asking questions. The article mentions that a similar incident happened in the UK, but the government stepped in and apologize to the family for his death. In Japan, his wife wasn't even told he was to be deported. She was called in to identify his body later.
Anyone can see that this is a rather serious issue. It would bring race issues up in America. But no one even flinched in Japan because of the unquestioning attitude. "The police know what they're doing." "Just doing their job." I feel like those are the kind of thoughts that cause this case to float in one ear and out the other. But I'm glad that this view IS changing. Western influence along with the sadly decreasing youth of Japan find that this kind of thing is wrong.
Another thing I would like to mention is the low crime rates of Japan. While I do think it's true they have less crime in general, I feel like people get obsessed with this "fact". The most contributing factor toward the low crime rate of Japan is because a lot of crimes aren't reported or are reported as "accidents". Difficult murder cases get closed and deemed as suicides (a significant problem in Japan for the same reason I'm about to go into) or accidents. This is so the police force can "save face". It would look bad if they said it was a murder and couldn't solve it, right? This is something even the Japanese people have come to recognize. While no police force in "incompetent", shows like Bounty Hunters (a drama around 4 women) sort of further degrade the image of the police. Rapes are hardly reported in Japan. Marital rape doesn't "exist" over there because it's not considered rape.
But anyway, I'd like to make my strongest point. Foreigners in Japan are targeted. Not because they're hard working citizens who contribute to Japanese society but because they look funny. I feel it's a lot more scandalous if it's a foreigner who committed a murder (or gets convicted while innocent) or if a foreigner stole something as opposed to a Japanese person. This is my only fear while abroad in Japan. You must have your gaijin card or passport on you at all times; not having it is grounds for arrest. They CAN and WILL detain you for up to 27 days, without a lawyer and with extensive interrogation, even if you're just near a crime. The only way to get a lawyer is for a friend to pay for one from the outside. And if you plan on going alone, like me, that could be a serious problem. There is also an extremely high conviction rate, which is probably due to a judge only system. Corruption and laziness in finding the truth can easily result in false convictions. It can also be the "save-face" problem again where the prosecutors only bring the ones they know 100% to be true and leave the rest alone (leading to other problems).
I'll get off this topic for now, I just wanted to get that off my chest.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Traveling and Packing
Traveling
So you’ve decided that you want to go on vacation. Obviously you must decide where you want to go, but you must also decide the HOW. What do I mean? There are a variety of options. The old fashion way to travel was to go to a travel agent. I feel that travel agents are a waste, especially with the internet making things like flights, maps, and other such things readily available. No longer do the travel agents have the best deals. Another more popular way to travel is to take part in a group tour. Asians tend to do this a lot more than Americans or Europeans, but everyone seems to like this method. I find it prevents you from picking all the places you’d really like to see and you’re always time constrained. Most of those I know of who went on such group tours (People to People, etc) were exhausted around the clock. While going to a new place can be exhausting, not having the freedom to choose a break time or to eat when you’d like can be quite stressing. I also find these programs to be ridiculously expensive. A People to People trip costs roughly $7000 for one person, not including things like luggage, passports, souvenirs, etc. To put in into perspective, I was able to go to Japan for 3 weeks (same duration of time as a PtP trip) on about $1800, which included all sorts of souvenirs, my flight, and everything else. Granted, I used frequent flier miles for the flight, which turned out to be a miniscule $78.
So to stop beating around the bush, plan your trip yourself. You don’t need expensive tours or an agent to do this. Get acquainted with my free friends – Lonely Planet and Wikitravel. Figure out when you want to go (spring, summer, winter, fall). Look at the weather stats offered for cities on Wikitravel and Wikipedia. While they cannot always be trusted (the wiki for Sapporo said they get 28 feet of snow a year, which didn’t make sense at all), in general they offer good temperature averages and make mention of rainy seasons. Also, if you’re going to the Southern Hemisphere, keep in mind the seasons are reversed.
Next, look for cheap flights using not only websites like Expedia or Travelocity, but also airline websites (United, Continental, Jetblue, etc). A lot of people make the mistake of using only websites that say they offer “discounted” flights. However, most airlines have seasonal specials to specific places (with blackout dates, of course). I have often found that these specials are considerably cheaper than what other websites offer. Also, a lot of tips say to purchase as far in advance as possible. That is NOT true. Out of all my research, I have found that 1 to 3 months in advance offer the greatest deals. Also, it may be annoying but early morning flights and night flights are often cheaper than day flights. Flying on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday also seems to be cheaper (but not always). Once you’ve found the best deal (shop around for several days, play around with the dates), make sure you buy on a Tuesday afternoon. It’s said that they offer the lowest prices on a Tuesday.
Plan a budget. This can be tricky, especially if you’ve never done it before, but Microsoft Excel works quite nicely when crunching numbers. If you’re on a tight budget (around or below $4000), use Wikitravel for cheap accommodation. Use as many search words in Google to find cheap places to stay. Hostels are a great way to save and though I’ve never tried it, I hear couch surfing can be a good method as well. Before you start getting uppity about hostels, make sure they include some pictures. If the place looks like a dump, then don’t stay there. If you’re traveling alone as a woman, like myself, then stay in hostels that have private rooms or a women’s only section. Hotels can be cheap, especially during the week days. Shop around. Don’t reserve the first place that seems good. Wikitravel also has information on cheap places to eat, but my family and I have a motto: “Eat where the locals eat.” For instance, if it’s lunch or dinner time and the restaurant is crowded, look at the menu. If it looks cheap, it probably is. Thai restaurants, while not necessarily the local cuisine, seem to be a cheap eat in Europe (I’ve eaten at two, one in London and one in Innsbruck, both of which were deliciously cheap). In Japan, don’t eat at a fancy restaurant. It’ll kill your budget. Saizeriya, ramen shops, and conbini (convenience stores) can be fairly cheap places to eat. I usually spent 1000 yen ($10) or less on a meal and you can save even more by eating a huge lunch and a tiny dinner.
So, in your budget, be sure to include accommodation, food/drinks, travel (public transit, airfare), incidental expenses and entrance fees (to museums, parks, and other tourist attractions). The best way to budget for entrance fees is to get together a list of all the things you would like to see and visit their website or Wikitravel for information. As for incidentals, this is your “buffer”. Usually about $200 or so will do for a trip about 10 days long, but it may be more depending on exchange rates and other factors (accident prone? Compulsive buyer?). For those visiting Japan, website you may be interested in are: Tokyo Metro Transfer Guide, JR website, Japan Rail Pass, Yadoya guest house, Oakhouse, and Khaosan Hostel. Please note that some train lines only allow you to buy tickets X far in advance. I’ve seen it as low as a week in advance.
Establish a basic plan or “frame” for your trip. If you’re like me, I plan each day out carefully to maximize what we see each day. Zig-zagging across a country and doubling back waste precious time when, if you plan out by region, you’ll have much more time to spend exploring rather than on a train. Also, as mentioned above, find places you want to see or visit. Sometimes, a city with a lot of historical sites will offer a day pass for all the sites or maybe a multi-place ticket (for instance, combining the tickets of the Monument and Tower Bridge in London). Also make sure each site will be open on the day or season you plan to visit. Again, research. Your final step in the basic plan is to finalize it into an itinerary.
Now you can purchase the things like airline tickets, accommodations and rail tickets. You should reserve accommodation as far in advance as possible, mainly because you can always cancel it later. This is especially true if you plan to travel during the summer. For things like airline tickets and rail tickets, you should probably wait until about a month before your departure date before purchase. Please refer to the above note that you may have to wait longer due to limitations from the company. Also remember to buy things like plug converters, but we’ll get into what to pack momentarily.
How to Pack Light
For those who plan to go to a foreign country, for any length of time, packing light is a must. The most important thing to keep in mind, when determining how much you should pack, is whether or not you can lift your own baggage. If you cannot lift it all above your head, you’ve packed way too much or you’re exceptionally weak. I’m the weakest person I know and I can successfully lift my own baggage.
The second most important thing is duration. If you’re staying for a week, you should probably pack for a week. But if you’re staying for a month and plan to travel around a lot, you should pack about 5 shirts and 3 pairs of pants. Remember, weather can be a determining factor. If you’re going in the winter or summer, pack accordingly. If you’re going in spring or fall, when the weather is unpredictable, you should probably pack an extra pair of pants and varying degrees of jackets (heavy, medium, light). Why keep clothes to a minimum? Space. Clothes take up the majority of space when packing and you almost always have access to a means of washing your clothes. Even if it means using body soap in a hotel room. You may think it’s gross, but would you rather bring your wardrobe and not have space for things you’d like to buy? Or worse, have to check your bags and then have them lost?
“Do I really need this?” I would heavily advise AGAINST bringing things like a hairdryer, hair straightener, a cell phone, all of your cash, and a massive amount of feminine hygiene products. The last part is the exception – if you’re going to a country where hygiene products are not readily available, please look into alternatives. Sensitive electronics, like a hairdryer, will get fried by foreign currents. If you bring a lot of cash, you’ll have to declare it and the country will take a big bite out of the money you brought through taxes. Bringing your cell phone is dumb. Not only will it cost a phenomenal rate just to keep it on in another country (please research rates if you are set on bringing it, Verizon’s rate for Japan is about $1.50 a minute just for your phone to be on, not including calling charges), but you can probably get a prepaid phone in the country you plan to visit. I would also mention not bringing shampoo, but because the TSA requires every liquid to fit in a quart sized bag, you won’t be able to over pack in this area.
I DO suggest bringing a NETBOOK. A huge bulky laptop will not do. A tiny little netbook will not only be easy to pack, but it will give you internet access. Through the internet, you can then call home via Skype for FREE if your family has a Skype account set up. Google has a similar option. Plus, as long as you have a plug adapter, your netbook will not fry because it has an electric converter box built into the plug. This should probably be the only thing that plugs into a wall that you bring. Bring your camera, but I would avoid bringing one that has a rechargeable battery, unless it has the electric converter box mentioned above. Bring 2 copies of your passport with you, stored in different locations in your bags. Also leave a copy at home with your family. This is in case you lose your passport. Remember to research wall plugs. Europe has a variety, but they sell plug variety packs on Amazon. Japan has the same as the US except without a ground. A plug adapter will still be needed. Other things you may want to bring are a pocket dictionary and a print out of everything you’ve brought with you. This way, you don’t lose anything. Other things you should avoid bringing: boots (unless you plan to go wading), hiking boots (unless you plan to hike), umbrella (buy it there and leave it there),
Condense what you’re packing. Roll your clothes instead of folding them (I usually fold and then roll). Put all the clothes in and then use panties and socks as “crack” stuffers. If you’re staying for a short duration of time, my boyfriend’s mother recommends the “old panty and sock” method. Bring old panties and socks on the verge of death and throw them away as needed. For this method, you’ll need to probably have a set for each day. This way, by the end of the trip, you’ll have freed that much more space up in your suitcase.
I think that’s about it. Questions or concerns?
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Another Day, Another Rant
How about I post a basic lesson in Japanese on the days I don't have anything to write about? Does this sound good? I think it does indeed.
First thing you must know:
SOUNDS
Japanese follows a consonant - vowel pattern without exception (or almost without exception). There are only 5 vowels and the pronunciation is set. Meaning if you see a certain character, it will ALWAYS be pronounced the same way. The slight exception is in Japanese slang, but that's an entirely different lesson. English is way different in that the "a" in say, father, and man are all pronounced differently. The consonants are all the same as well, with a couple exceptions. Please note that the "R" sound in Japanese is the same as an "L" sound and often doesn't sound like either English equivalent. The best two ways to learn it are by listening to it repetitively and keeping this in mind "Falalalala rararara" (to the tune of the Christmas song, Deck the Halls).
Basic Sounds
Vowels
あ a - (ah) as in "father"
い i - (ee) as in "key"
う u - (oo) as in "flu", but a little more nasal
え e - (eh) as in "say"
お o - (oh) as in "no", but a little more nasal
Consonants
か ka - (kah) as in "cot"
き ki - (key) as in "key"
く ku - (koo) as in "coo"
け ke - (keh) as in "kettle"
こ ko - (co/ko) as in "coke" or "cocoa"
さ sa - (sah) as in "saliva"
し shi - (shi) as in "she" or "sheet"
す su - (sue) as in "sue" or "sew"
せ se - (seh) as in "set"
そ so - (soh) as in "so"
た ta - (tah) as in "beta"
ち chi - (chi) as in "cheese"
つ tsu - (tsu) as in "tsunami"
て te - (teh) as in "table"
と to - (toh) as in "toe"
な na - (nah) as in "arena"
に ni - (nee) as in "knee"
ぬ nu - (noo) as in "new"
ね ne - (neh) as in "neigh", but a little more nasal
の no - (no) as in "no"
は ha - (hah) as in "hahahaha"
ひ hi - (hee) as in "heed"
ふ fu - (foo) as in "food", but a less sharp "f" sound. Form the "f" but puff air out and make the "u" sound
へ he - (heh) as in "hehe" or "head"
ほ ho - (hoh) as in "hoe"
ま ma - (mah) as in "mama"
み mi - (mee) as in "me"
む mu - (moo) as in "moo"
め me - (meh) as in "met"
も mo - (moh) as in "ammo"
や ya - (yah) as in "yawn" or the Germanic "ja"
ゆ yu - (yoo) as in "you"
よ yo - (yoh) as in "mayo"
ら ra - (rah) as in "rot"
り ri - (ree) as in "reed"
る ru - (roo) as in "rue"
れ re - (reh) as in "red"
ろ ro - (roh) as in "row"
わ wa - (wah) as in "water"
を wo - (oh) as in "cold" but more nasal.
I find it funny that the example words were the hardest because I kept thinking of Japanese words with the sound. "ka...ka...muika? Dakara? Kana?" , "ne...ne...megane? Neko? Nezumi?"
These aren't all the sounds, but all the sounds I shall post in one sitting. Tomorrow, we should see the wonderful tenten and tiny ya, yu, yo and tsu.
First thing you must know:
SOUNDS
Japanese follows a consonant - vowel pattern without exception (or almost without exception). There are only 5 vowels and the pronunciation is set. Meaning if you see a certain character, it will ALWAYS be pronounced the same way. The slight exception is in Japanese slang, but that's an entirely different lesson. English is way different in that the "a" in say, father, and man are all pronounced differently. The consonants are all the same as well, with a couple exceptions. Please note that the "R" sound in Japanese is the same as an "L" sound and often doesn't sound like either English equivalent. The best two ways to learn it are by listening to it repetitively and keeping this in mind "Falalalala rararara" (to the tune of the Christmas song, Deck the Halls).
Basic Sounds
Vowels
あ a - (ah) as in "father"
い i - (ee) as in "key"
う u - (oo) as in "flu", but a little more nasal
え e - (eh) as in "say"
お o - (oh) as in "no", but a little more nasal
Consonants
か ka - (kah) as in "cot"
き ki - (key) as in "key"
く ku - (koo) as in "coo"
け ke - (keh) as in "kettle"
こ ko - (co/ko) as in "coke" or "cocoa"
さ sa - (sah) as in "saliva"
し shi - (shi) as in "she" or "sheet"
す su - (sue) as in "sue" or "sew"
せ se - (seh) as in "set"
そ so - (soh) as in "so"
た ta - (tah) as in "beta"
ち chi - (chi) as in "cheese"
つ tsu - (tsu) as in "tsunami"
て te - (teh) as in "table"
と to - (toh) as in "toe"
な na - (nah) as in "arena"
に ni - (nee) as in "knee"
ぬ nu - (noo) as in "new"
ね ne - (neh) as in "neigh", but a little more nasal
の no - (no) as in "no"
は ha - (hah) as in "hahahaha"
ひ hi - (hee) as in "heed"
ふ fu - (foo) as in "food", but a less sharp "f" sound. Form the "f" but puff air out and make the "u" sound
へ he - (heh) as in "hehe" or "head"
ほ ho - (hoh) as in "hoe"
ま ma - (mah) as in "mama"
み mi - (mee) as in "me"
む mu - (moo) as in "moo"
め me - (meh) as in "met"
も mo - (moh) as in "ammo"
や ya - (yah) as in "yawn" or the Germanic "ja"
ゆ yu - (yoo) as in "you"
よ yo - (yoh) as in "mayo"
ら ra - (rah) as in "rot"
り ri - (ree) as in "reed"
る ru - (roo) as in "rue"
れ re - (reh) as in "red"
ろ ro - (roh) as in "row"
わ wa - (wah) as in "water"
を wo - (oh) as in "cold" but more nasal.
I find it funny that the example words were the hardest because I kept thinking of Japanese words with the sound. "ka...ka...muika? Dakara? Kana?" , "ne...ne...megane? Neko? Nezumi?"
These aren't all the sounds, but all the sounds I shall post in one sitting. Tomorrow, we should see the wonderful tenten and tiny ya, yu, yo and tsu.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Yay~
I remembered to actually post two days in a row!
But that's beside the point. I think I hit my calf muscle at work yesterday. Hopefully it won't give me too much of a problem tonight, but it may.
ANIME RECOMMENDATION of the WEEK:
Ao no Exorcist (English Title: Blue Exorcist)
Okumura Rin is sort of a failure to society. He dropped out of school, he gets in fights, he's rather foul tempered. But he always tries his best - and it's not always enough. This is a key concept that goes against typical Japanese beliefs. The thing I like most about the show, however, is that it focuses a lot on character interactions. The music may be corny at times, but I feel like most shounen genre manga and shows really skip over building a relationship with friends. This one incorporates the relationships with the action (particularly the anime - a whole extra episode is added at the beginning to better show Rin's relationship with his father).
The show is definitely worth a watch. Episode 11 should be coming out within the next two days or so. The manga is also definitely worth a read. It's a monthly manga, but with 25 chapters around 35+ pages each, it should occupy the greater part of two days if you have a life aside from reading manga.
As a close-out, I wanted to remind myself that True Blood starts tomorrow night. Game of Thrones was awesome, but it's sadly over until next year. For those of you who haven't seen either series, True Blood is a decent watch but Game of Thrones is amazing.
----
Edits!
Rather than make a new post, I thought I would edit it. I would like the also recommend several webcomics.
1.) Teahouse by Emirain
If you want amazing artwork, spectacular plot, hot yaoi smut, good writing, and amazing artwork (yes, said it twice), please look into Teahouse. The story takes place in a brothel and is therefore rated 18+, but if you're of age and interested, check it out! It updates every Wednesday.
2.) Starfighter by HamletMachine
Starfighter has edgy artwork, rough love and is a science fiction comic with starships. The plot is pretty good so far, but again, this comic is 18+. Minors beware. SF doesn't update regularly, but it normally updates on the weekends.
3.) Zombie Waffe by Malin
Zombie Waffe is essentially about a hot Scandinavian guy surviving the zombie apocalypse. The artwork is pretty well done, but the comic doesn't update regularly at all. There is usually about a week and a half between pages.
http://www.zombiewaffe.com/archives.html
4.) Will Work For Blood by Shannon
There aren't too many pages of Will Work For Blood yet, but it updates on Tuesdays. It's a supernatural comic and the author has hinted several times at future and past relationships.
http://wwfb.smackjeeves.com/archive/
5.) Loki by Ukiiukii
Loki is about two guns for hire. It seems pretty interesting, but there aren't that many pages out yet. It updates about twice a week around Tuesdays and Fridays.
http://loki.smackjeeves.com/
But that's beside the point. I think I hit my calf muscle at work yesterday. Hopefully it won't give me too much of a problem tonight, but it may.
ANIME RECOMMENDATION of the WEEK:
Ao no Exorcist (English Title: Blue Exorcist)
Okumura Rin is sort of a failure to society. He dropped out of school, he gets in fights, he's rather foul tempered. But he always tries his best - and it's not always enough. This is a key concept that goes against typical Japanese beliefs. The thing I like most about the show, however, is that it focuses a lot on character interactions. The music may be corny at times, but I feel like most shounen genre manga and shows really skip over building a relationship with friends. This one incorporates the relationships with the action (particularly the anime - a whole extra episode is added at the beginning to better show Rin's relationship with his father).
The show is definitely worth a watch. Episode 11 should be coming out within the next two days or so. The manga is also definitely worth a read. It's a monthly manga, but with 25 chapters around 35+ pages each, it should occupy the greater part of two days if you have a life aside from reading manga.
As a close-out, I wanted to remind myself that True Blood starts tomorrow night. Game of Thrones was awesome, but it's sadly over until next year. For those of you who haven't seen either series, True Blood is a decent watch but Game of Thrones is amazing.
----
Edits!
Rather than make a new post, I thought I would edit it. I would like the also recommend several webcomics.
1.) Teahouse by Emirain
If you want amazing artwork, spectacular plot, hot yaoi smut, good writing, and amazing artwork (yes, said it twice), please look into Teahouse. The story takes place in a brothel and is therefore rated 18+, but if you're of age and interested, check it out! It updates every Wednesday.
2.) Starfighter by HamletMachine
Starfighter has edgy artwork, rough love and is a science fiction comic with starships. The plot is pretty good so far, but again, this comic is 18+. Minors beware. SF doesn't update regularly, but it normally updates on the weekends.
3.) Zombie Waffe by Malin
Zombie Waffe is essentially about a hot Scandinavian guy surviving the zombie apocalypse. The artwork is pretty well done, but the comic doesn't update regularly at all. There is usually about a week and a half between pages.
http://www.zombiewaffe.com/archives.html
4.) Will Work For Blood by Shannon
There aren't too many pages of Will Work For Blood yet, but it updates on Tuesdays. It's a supernatural comic and the author has hinted several times at future and past relationships.
http://wwfb.smackjeeves.com/archive/
5.) Loki by Ukiiukii
Loki is about two guns for hire. It seems pretty interesting, but there aren't that many pages out yet. It updates about twice a week around Tuesdays and Fridays.
http://loki.smackjeeves.com/
Friday, June 24, 2011
Bucket List!!
My Bucket List. If you have any suggestions, by all means suggest them! Please note that quite a few of the things on my bucket list actually fall under number 21.
Visit Tokyo- Hike Mount Fuji and watch the sunrise from the peak
- Visit Kyoto and Osaka
- See the Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto
- See Osaka-jo in Osaka
- Visit Sapporo
- Visit the Galapagos Islands
- See the Maoi on Easter Island
- See The Great Pyramids of Giza
- Backpacking through Japan
- Backpacking through Europe
- Visit South Korea
- See the Great Wall of China
- See the Taj Mahal
- Learn basic vocabulary and grammar in at least 4 languages (
English,Japanese, Korean,Latin) - Become fluent in at least 3 languages (
English, Japanese, Korean) - Visit Ireland
- See Stonehenge
- Visit Moscow and St. Petersberg
- See the Aurora Borealis
- See at least half of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Gah
I really don't mean to put so much time between my posts. It's been over a year since I first made this blog.
My Marine cousin graduated from infantry training last Friday. He'll continue to be at his camp until January. Then he'll be deployed. I'm hoping he gets deployed to Japan or South Korea as an embassy guard, but I think that's a little hopeful. We should get to see him around Thanksgiving, but his girlfriend really likes to absorb all his time. I don't think everyone would be so resentful toward her if she shared his time better.
My mother still hasn't moved out, but it's kind of painful to see stuff that hasn't moved all my life be packed away into a box. I've never moved before and I'll continue to live with my dad, but it still kills me. At least my mother is respectful of the things that are mine and my brother's.
I've been trying to get a jump start on kanji for Japanse next semester. My friend Fix-san is taking my fall courses over the summer so he can graduate in time with a Japanese minor, so he's been e-mailing me the kanji and how they're read. On top of the kanji I learned last semester, I now sort of know about 135 kanji. I'm way shy of the 2000 I need to get by reading manga, but I think it's not too bad for someone who knew 3 kanji in January.
I finished my first year of college with a GPA of 3.066...not too bad for a lazy person like me! I had straight Cs in all my science courses, an A in all the courses I truly enjoyed. Guess that says something about how my brain absorbs information, eh?
My schedule for next semester is as follows:
Japanese 201 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (my only class those days)
Korean 101 on Tuesdays and Thursdays
East Asian Civilization on Tuesdays and Thursdays - my friend Adamson-san says it's a lot of reading, but I should be okay. Our major and minor are the same, so we'll have Korean together. XD
Viking Literature and Culture on Tuesdays and Thursdays too. I'm still on the waitlist, but now I'm first (I was 3rd)...so hopefully someone else'll drop by the end of summer.
Now, someone might call BS and say, "you're only taking 4 classes? Isn't that just 12 credits?" No, it's definitely not. Japanese at my university is 6 credits, making it the most weighted class they offer (other courses weighted so heavily are other intensive language courses, like Russian and Chinese).
I am now employed. I work at a local restaurant as a waitress. I also finally have my license (even though I'm nearly 19...).
Now some delicious side notes:
I plan on studying abroad from Fall 2012 to Spring 2013. A full 11 months in Japan should drastically increase my fluency. I will most likely (95% chance) stay in the place I stayed last time, despite having to share a room. I decided this because most of the time, the room is empty during the day (people exploring or working). Even at night, people don't always come back until the sun comes up. And above all, it's cheap. For the entire year, the only additional costs are my airfare. The deal is, I must pay the difference myself. Being a young teen, I tend to blow money in every which direction, so cheap is good.
I am going to start a bucket list! For those unfamiliar with this term, a bucket list is a list of things you want or plan to do before you die. My best buddy A-chan gave me the idea. Love you, A-chan! http://acosplay.wordpress.com/
My Marine cousin graduated from infantry training last Friday. He'll continue to be at his camp until January. Then he'll be deployed. I'm hoping he gets deployed to Japan or South Korea as an embassy guard, but I think that's a little hopeful. We should get to see him around Thanksgiving, but his girlfriend really likes to absorb all his time. I don't think everyone would be so resentful toward her if she shared his time better.
My mother still hasn't moved out, but it's kind of painful to see stuff that hasn't moved all my life be packed away into a box. I've never moved before and I'll continue to live with my dad, but it still kills me. At least my mother is respectful of the things that are mine and my brother's.
I've been trying to get a jump start on kanji for Japanse next semester. My friend Fix-san is taking my fall courses over the summer so he can graduate in time with a Japanese minor, so he's been e-mailing me the kanji and how they're read. On top of the kanji I learned last semester, I now sort of know about 135 kanji. I'm way shy of the 2000 I need to get by reading manga, but I think it's not too bad for someone who knew 3 kanji in January.
I finished my first year of college with a GPA of 3.066...not too bad for a lazy person like me! I had straight Cs in all my science courses, an A in all the courses I truly enjoyed. Guess that says something about how my brain absorbs information, eh?
My schedule for next semester is as follows:
Japanese 201 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (my only class those days)
Korean 101 on Tuesdays and Thursdays
East Asian Civilization on Tuesdays and Thursdays - my friend Adamson-san says it's a lot of reading, but I should be okay. Our major and minor are the same, so we'll have Korean together. XD
Viking Literature and Culture on Tuesdays and Thursdays too. I'm still on the waitlist, but now I'm first (I was 3rd)...so hopefully someone else'll drop by the end of summer.
Now, someone might call BS and say, "you're only taking 4 classes? Isn't that just 12 credits?" No, it's definitely not. Japanese at my university is 6 credits, making it the most weighted class they offer (other courses weighted so heavily are other intensive language courses, like Russian and Chinese).
I am now employed. I work at a local restaurant as a waitress. I also finally have my license (even though I'm nearly 19...).
Now some delicious side notes:
I plan on studying abroad from Fall 2012 to Spring 2013. A full 11 months in Japan should drastically increase my fluency. I will most likely (95% chance) stay in the place I stayed last time, despite having to share a room. I decided this because most of the time, the room is empty during the day (people exploring or working). Even at night, people don't always come back until the sun comes up. And above all, it's cheap. For the entire year, the only additional costs are my airfare. The deal is, I must pay the difference myself. Being a young teen, I tend to blow money in every which direction, so cheap is good.
I am going to start a bucket list! For those unfamiliar with this term, a bucket list is a list of things you want or plan to do before you die. My best buddy A-chan gave me the idea. Love you, A-chan! http://acosplay.wordpress.com/
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Long Time - As Usual
Another 3 months have passed. Shit has seriously gone down.
My cousin graduated from the USMC bootcamp last Friday. We're all so proud of him. He's only got about a week and a half left before he leaves again. I got to go down to watch his graduation, which was awesome. He looks good in his uniform.
My uncle committed suicide last month - that was really hard. I was on campus when I found out, so I had to wait two days before I could come home. I also had to write a paper the night of his death - somehow managed to BS my way up to an A. My cousin's grandfather also died about 2 weeks later - his mom's father. He was on his way out with Alzheimer's, but it was an awful time to go when the family was already in so much turmoil. I had to miss his funeral because I needed to be in school.
My parents are splitting in early June. It's a real bummer, but I feel like it's better than them hating each other all the time.
I placed into Japanese. I'm 100% that it's going to be my major and I think I'm just going to minor in Korean and MAYBE Chinese. I feel like I'll be so much better at it.
---
School. Yeah. It's hell right now.
I dropped my chem lab the week of my uncle's funeral. I was taking 17 credits anyway, so it doesn't hurt me.
I'm taking Japanese 201 and Korean 101 for the fall semester. I'm also trying to take Asian Art and Viking literature to get my CORE classes out of the way, but the lit class is already full and the Asian Art class is at a time where it might conflict with my Japanese courses if I can't get into the section I need.
Currently, I have a chemistry exam Thursday, a geography exam on Monday and a biology exam on Tuesday. I'm pretty sure I also have a Japanese exam next week too, but my sensei hasn't mentioned anything about it yet. If you hadn't guessed, I'm procrastinating studying. I feel like I'm even worse at studying than I was last semester. I wonder if my brain just avoids work in general?
I'm out for now, I'll update again at a later date.
My cousin graduated from the USMC bootcamp last Friday. We're all so proud of him. He's only got about a week and a half left before he leaves again. I got to go down to watch his graduation, which was awesome. He looks good in his uniform.
My uncle committed suicide last month - that was really hard. I was on campus when I found out, so I had to wait two days before I could come home. I also had to write a paper the night of his death - somehow managed to BS my way up to an A. My cousin's grandfather also died about 2 weeks later - his mom's father. He was on his way out with Alzheimer's, but it was an awful time to go when the family was already in so much turmoil. I had to miss his funeral because I needed to be in school.
My parents are splitting in early June. It's a real bummer, but I feel like it's better than them hating each other all the time.
I placed into Japanese. I'm 100% that it's going to be my major and I think I'm just going to minor in Korean and MAYBE Chinese. I feel like I'll be so much better at it.
---
School. Yeah. It's hell right now.
I dropped my chem lab the week of my uncle's funeral. I was taking 17 credits anyway, so it doesn't hurt me.
I'm taking Japanese 201 and Korean 101 for the fall semester. I'm also trying to take Asian Art and Viking literature to get my CORE classes out of the way, but the lit class is already full and the Asian Art class is at a time where it might conflict with my Japanese courses if I can't get into the section I need.
Currently, I have a chemistry exam Thursday, a geography exam on Monday and a biology exam on Tuesday. I'm pretty sure I also have a Japanese exam next week too, but my sensei hasn't mentioned anything about it yet. If you hadn't guessed, I'm procrastinating studying. I feel like I'm even worse at studying than I was last semester. I wonder if my brain just avoids work in general?
I'm out for now, I'll update again at a later date.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Forever Ago
I know it's been a really long time, but I figured I should add blogging as part of my New Years Resolution, especially since I'm moving away for the semester.
Some things:
Japan was, all-in-all, pretty awesome. It was awesome enough I made it my major and I hope to minor in Korean. I need to study really hard for my Japanese placement test, which takes place on the 21st of January (a Friday). がんばります！
I never really posted about my experience with the Japanese fireworks festival in Chofu, but I'll let you know it was worth suffering through the massive amounts of dust to watch. The dust was so bad I ended up needing to wash my clothes that night and I had to rub it off my shoes. When I showered, it ran dark brown down the drain and when I cleared my nose and throat, it was dark brown as well. >< I met a couple who were both daigakusei (university students). The guy knew English much better than the woman, but both were dressed in traditional Japanese clothing (for both men and women, yukata are worn to fireworks festivals, although the patterns greatly differ). I have to say, it was like going back 100 years. Approximately a third of the 15000 people attending wore their traditional Japanese attire, since firework festivals are one of the only times in the current era to wear them. The fireworks themselves where fantastic. They had so many shaped fireworks that I didn't know existed. Simple rings were uncommon, most were flowers, smilie faces and animals. The rest were timed with music to add dramatic effect. Considering the distance from the fireworks and the speaker system, it was timed almost perfectly.
I know I mentioned them before, but I love the Korean girl group Girl's Generation (SoShi). They have such cute outfits and the songs are always happy. If I ever need some serious mood improvement, I just need a song or two from them to get my spirits up.
My cousin left for the USMC on Sunday. I know he'll do well, even if I'll miss him. がんばってください。
I found out that most American stores don't sell Japanese short grain rice. I have to specially order it from California. ><" It's required if I want to make onigiri (rice balls), sushi, or other tasty Japanese foods.
---
I plan to post more often with my university experiences in order to prep myself for a full year study abroad in Japan. In fall of 2012 (a year and a half), I plan to study at either Rikkyo, Aoyama Gakuin or Waseda Universities in Tokyo.
Some things:
Japan was, all-in-all, pretty awesome. It was awesome enough I made it my major and I hope to minor in Korean. I need to study really hard for my Japanese placement test, which takes place on the 21st of January (a Friday). がんばります！
I never really posted about my experience with the Japanese fireworks festival in Chofu, but I'll let you know it was worth suffering through the massive amounts of dust to watch. The dust was so bad I ended up needing to wash my clothes that night and I had to rub it off my shoes. When I showered, it ran dark brown down the drain and when I cleared my nose and throat, it was dark brown as well. >< I met a couple who were both daigakusei (university students). The guy knew English much better than the woman, but both were dressed in traditional Japanese clothing (for both men and women, yukata are worn to fireworks festivals, although the patterns greatly differ). I have to say, it was like going back 100 years. Approximately a third of the 15000 people attending wore their traditional Japanese attire, since firework festivals are one of the only times in the current era to wear them. The fireworks themselves where fantastic. They had so many shaped fireworks that I didn't know existed. Simple rings were uncommon, most were flowers, smilie faces and animals. The rest were timed with music to add dramatic effect. Considering the distance from the fireworks and the speaker system, it was timed almost perfectly.
I know I mentioned them before, but I love the Korean girl group Girl's Generation (SoShi). They have such cute outfits and the songs are always happy. If I ever need some serious mood improvement, I just need a song or two from them to get my spirits up.
My cousin left for the USMC on Sunday. I know he'll do well, even if I'll miss him. がんばってください。
I found out that most American stores don't sell Japanese short grain rice. I have to specially order it from California. ><" It's required if I want to make onigiri (rice balls), sushi, or other tasty Japanese foods.
---
I plan to post more often with my university experiences in order to prep myself for a full year study abroad in Japan. In fall of 2012 (a year and a half), I plan to study at either Rikkyo, Aoyama Gakuin or Waseda Universities in Tokyo.
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