2009年5月17日

Disney:
Disney is awesome, isn’t it?! If you don’t think so, perhaps Japan isn’t right for you. Of course there are people who don’t really care about Disney, but I’ve come across many who share my love of Disney. Everywhere you go, you should be able to find some reference to the big mouse. I think the exposure of Disney might even rival franchises such as Sanrio. Picture all the Hello Kitty and Disney merchandise bombarding customers every day in all parts of Japan. Sometimes you may wonder how a store in Japan can be so colorful. Think about the red and pink of Hello Kitty, blue from Stitch, yellow from Pooh, and insert other cute lovable characters as you please. As one of my friends put it the other day, Japan excels in cuteness.

People here are getting to know me more and all my interests (some call them obsessions =/ ). Anyway, I bond really well with some students because of my love for Disney. My family bought me a Mickey watch from Disney World when they went a few months ago. I’ve been wearing it lately and all the Disney-philes in Japan spot it from a mile away. Sometimes I’m just minding my own business when I hear a student pointing at my watch and shouting, “Mickey! MICKEY!”

This is a fitting post to mention that I watched the trailer for the newest Disney animated film coming out during the holidays in the USA. I’m not talking about a PIXAR movie, but rather a Disney film going back to its roots. If you don’t know about The Princess and the Frog, you must watch the trailer NOW! I’m not going to be an ad for Disney, so if you are like me and love Disney, I'm sure you won’t hesitate to check it out.

Let Disney’s brainwashing continue!

En français:
L’AET, qui était ici avant moi, a revenu à Japon la semaine dernière. J’ai rencontré avec elle pour la première fois vendredi. Il était super parce que la communication avant vendredi était par l’Internet seulement. Je sais que des personnes ont voulu rencontrer avec elle. Alors, j’ai accueilli une fête aujourd’hui.

日本語で:
最近生徒は本当に元気だ!それから、毎日疲れて日本語を勉強してない。日本語でもちろん間違いがいっぱいあるけど、がんばります! 次回この新しいパートはもっと長いだよ!

今週の聖書の詩: “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.”
- Titus 3:1-2 (NIV)

今週の写真: May 5, 2009 at Miyajima – This is the shrine that some of you may have seen pictures of. My friends and I went at low tide so that we can go out to the gate. Then we walked around, ate a lot, saw some of the deer in the area, and went to many of the small shops around the island. It was very beautiful. I didn’t think it was so great at first, but I warmed up to the shrine and the island. The deer were fun to see. They were quite friendly, although I have heard that sometimes the deer do indeed attack people. Miyajima is considered #1 of the 3 most beautiful scenic places in Japan. I don’t think you really need to think much of such a list as there are a lot of lists in Japan. Maybe this is the origin of why many people here seem to love standing in line. Sometimes I wonder if it’s a legitimate hobby… oh my… So without further ado, take a gander at my Miyajima pictures! =)







2009年5月10日

今週の漢字: 休み

Break:
I’m still here! I haven’t forgotten about my blog. I’ve been really busy. Okay, I’m sure I could’ve found the time to update my blog. My workload at school has increased compared to last year. Part of the extra work is due to my requests and offers. I want to be of as much use as I can to the school. Because of school consuming the bulk of my energy, I don’t have enough to motivate me to update my blog. Well, I hope all that can change with me trying to get back into the habit.

Some of you might be wondering what else I’ve been up to. I’m traveling a bit, hanging out with friends, talking to people from the states, exploring unknown territories, and trying to manage all my hobbies. I'd say my first year in Japan was more about exploring as much of Japan as I could. The second year was about accomplishing my theatrical needs and getting to know more of the local community. My third year seems like it'll focus heavily on travel. I also really want to continue with my language studies, but I just don’t have the time for it these days. My lack of energy does not help either.

So enough with my daily activities! Golden Week has just ended in Japan. This is a time of a few national holidays all within a week. Usually, companies would get a week or more off, but schools don’t. Also, I found out that most of my students had to go to school for clubs or studying. I feel sorry for them in that they can’t get the time completely off.

As many students had schoolwork and activities to do, I went on a trip with some friends to Nagasaki, Miyajima, and Hiroshima. Why not show you about those places through pictures?! I’m sure you must all be dancing with joy. Take a look at the pictures section for Nagasaki. I hope to update regularly again. Next time I will write about... whatever I feel like writing, but I’ll definitely also post pictures and my impression of Miyajima.

En français:
J’ai besoin de mettre à jour ce blog. Ils y ont beaucoup de choses que je peux écrire. Récemment, je n’ai pas l’énergie pour continuer les langues que je suis apprenant. Ils y ont des moments quand je ne veux pas parler en anglais. Pourtant, je dois essayer. Cette est une réussite que j’ai chanté un chanson japonais au karaoke. Il est super, n’est-ce pas?!

今週の聖書の詩: “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
- Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NIV)

今週の写真: May 2, 2009 to May 4, 2009 at Nagasaki…

Chinatown gate with friends (Natalie and Jack)

Another Chinatown gate at night

Map of the Nagasaki Chinatown. Don't you also think it's small?

Dejima: This was an artificial island made for the Dutch traders when Japan closed itself off to foreign trade except for with the Dutch. You should notice an East meets West style.


Oura Catholic Church: There aren't many Christian churches in Japan. If you walk around and see what appears to be a church, you're probably looking at a chapel of which is only used for what people term "Western-style marriages."

There are many shops near the church. Here's an entrance I just found too funny.

Giant catfish at the Penguin Aquarium (yes, you read correctly!)

Giant spider crab

Awww... look at the cute penguins

Penguin March

Penguin touch: This little dude felt sort of like rubber despite the feathers.