March 29, 2003
*S*U*M*O*
yay! The pictures have finally returned! Sumo wrestling was definitely a "cultural experience". We were smart and went early - buying the cheap tickets and watching the "amateurs". Of course, we don't know the difference between the good and the bad when it comes to sumo, so it was all a blast for us!
March 28, 2003
x4
From a 40 cent camera......we accidently rewound some of the film, so there are a few double exposures. It's pretty fun....maybe I'll hang on to the camera! Here's one of the resulting pictures; click "more" for the rest!
Mountain Walls x4
Craig and Kristen x4
Andy/Kristen x4
Craig and Kristen x4 again!
Kristen x4
Sea x4
Sky x4
Snowman x4
Mountain Walls - Look Closely!
March 22, 2003
Excursions
Craig and I took a different route on the way to a restaurant yesterday - essentially our first time out since the Iraq war has started. The atmosphere was interesting, in that there was no hostility, but more an awareness that I had never had before. A sense that I really do stick out - and not just to the Japanese, but to the other communities in Japan. We rode our bikes through what seemed to be a heavily populated Arab community nearby our house, and after that we landed smack dab in the middle of an anti-war protest. The stares were endless. People don't even know for sure that I'm "American", but it is a common assumption here. I don't think my "New York" sweatshirt helped much either. It made me nervous, but it also brought on the realization that I am here as a representative of my country. Peaceful relations is still my standard of living, and my Arab friends are still as much my friends now as they were before. America doesn't hate the Middle East, we are just taking action that our leaders feel is the best for remedying the situation quickly. Maybe I wouldn't be so nervous if our grant director had not sent all the embassy warnings on avoiding Arabic groups and avoiding war protest....oopsie! But I am not going to shut myself in and hide. First, Japan is generally in support of the war. Second, I am not at war with anyone here, in fact I am here just as me. The me I was before and the me I am now. If anyone knows me, they will agree. If anything changes, it should be an overall sense of unity with those around me as we all sit back and watch to see what happens.
March 21, 2003
Changes
So I can't make up my mind about anything, which is why every time you look at my site, it seems different. One day maybe I'll settle down......(ha!)
March 20, 2003
5,000,000 Yen Question
The 5,000,000 yen (~$50,000) on tonight's "Who Wants to be a Billionaire" (yen that is), was as follows:
In the Disney production, Cinderella, what was the name of the prince that Cinderella fell in love with?
A) Prince Handsome
B) Prince Nice
C) Prince Charming
D) Prince Pretty
The contestant was baffled and had to phone a friend, who equally had no idea. We didn't wait through the drawn out response and commercials to find out who wins (it takes like 10 minutes per question here!).
Harajuku
Lolita Rain
Lolita Peace
Lolita Goth
March 19, 2003
South Manitou
My aspiring artist friend, Tim, is working on a movie and has recently released the trailer. Check it out at southmanitou.com. It actually kind of freaked me out, but it looks really interesting. Oh - and if anyone knows of a producer who is interested in making a film like this, definitely hook us up!!
Time Flies
Dang! I can't believe it's almost spring!!!!!!!!! I wonder if they do daylight savings in Japan..........
Evil Eye
Okay, I don't know what's up with the people in this country sometimes, but today I got the evil eye TWICE from different people. I don't know exactly how I am supposed to interpret this glaring look - did I do something wrong? I was simply riding my bike to school, a seemingly harmless activity. Point being, it sucks to get glared at just because you look different. So, if you see someone today and maybe you don't feel in the happiest mood, at least give them a smile - it will make them happier, and maybe you too!
March 18, 2003
Speakings
Frankly, I sometimes truly despise this world. I am not a strong advocate one way or another towards the particular political arguments regarding the war. I just hate the fact that yet again another time is approaching when our world will have to endure war – along with all its hate, killing, and dissent. I am sorry that I have to live at a time where I see these things, and I pray that it will be over as quickly as it starts. I am also sad that our Nation has failed to work within the democratic bounds it established – an utter diplomatic failure. Some of my hope in this world rests in the idea that our governments can work together, and recent events seem to me to be otherwise. I don’t know all the arguments flying back and forth, I haven’t watched one newscast, and I have talked to maybe 5 other Americans about it. All I know is what I read in the news, and I pray that whatever happens is in God’s hands and that He will benevolently intercede for those who are innocent and caught in the fatalities of war.
March 10, 2003
Japanese Website
Just in case anyone reading this is interested in Japanese, my friend recommended an awesome site to me. The way it works is it will read the kanji on any Japanese page you are navagating, and give the pronunciation and meaning if you hold your cursor over the word. Go to Rikai.com and enter in the Japanese page url that you want to view. If you've been trying to use Japanese web sites, but don't have the greatest kanji knowledge, this is an extremely useful tool. (Besides, it's just really cool.)
March 05, 2003
Nice Claup
This is the name of a store that I occasionally stroll by on my city outings. It always brings a chuckle because I have no idea what a claup is, but such phrases as "My, what a nice claup you have!" and "Did you see that claup over there!!!??" come to mind. I even ran the word at webster.com to see if it really was a word, which it's not. Somehow a whole clothing line decided this would be a marketable name for it's retail stores. It's really fun to run it through the sloganizer....... this results in wonderful claup slogans such as "Do you, uh, Claup?" and "Snap into a Claup!" You should check out this website and see what kind of claup phrases you get! You can also try any other word, and it is great when the writer's block is in full force and creative energy totally drained....
Side note: I'm going out of town for a few days, so there might be a lapse in my posts for a few days! Oh....and I got a scanner today, so soon you will be able to view some of my photos of recent.
Music for the soul
I just picked up India Arie's CD, "Voyage to India." It's spectacular, and I'm torn between this one and her first one. If you haven't heard her, you should definitely check her music out. Also, I am trying to get my hands on the Alicia Keys remix of her original CD Songs in A Minor. I hear the remixes are great, and well worth the purchase. Although, I am not sure you can beat her original CD. Both these artists are very smooth and relaxing, with great beats to chill to. Check em out!!!!
March 01, 2003
Our_Sick_Country
We are indeed diseased. I read an article today regarding the federal court of appeals decision to hold a ruling stating that the pledge of allegiance is "unconstitutional because of the words 'under God'". You can read the article on the NY Times for yourself if you don't believe me. As of now, 9 western states prohibit the recitation of the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE in school because it is said to violate our separation of church/state laws. Let's consider this situation...The founding fathers created the Pledge as an honor to their country and in it they stated their feelings about the country. It was, at that time, one nation, founded under God. Those founding fathers who created and spoke the pledge did themselves believe in God, and their work in forming the United States was indeed done under and in the name of God. I am disgusted at the fact that our own just court system can claim that the recitation of something that is merely the writing of our founders in what they believed to be true is a violation of separation of church and state. Frankly, the church has nothing to do with the pledge of allegiance. It is a piece of history, a piece of our hearts. You cannot forbid it in schools. That is interference with historical remembrance and truth.