This past weekend was quite eventful. I met my host mother on Saturday, a nice japanese woman named Atsuko. We spoke about our lives for a while, and I found out she has a shy, introverted son who is in 8th grade. Atsuko has difficulty communicating with him, and after school he just goes home and plays video games (sounds too familiar haha). I look forward to meeting him and pulling him out of his shell a little bit. Maybe I can be a model for him, show him how to relate to his mother and get involved in some school activities.
On Sunday, I planted rice with some fellow students. It was a fun experience; sloshing around barefoot in cold mud was humbling to say the least. The first task was to create rows and columns in the mud, so we could plant the rice more efficiently. Then, all the students entered the muddy field to begin planting.
For 30 minutes, I was an expert fieldhand; my left hand held a large chunk of the rice-plant, and my right hand was used for pinching off a few strands of the plant by the roots and submerging it just a few inches in the mud. It was a challenge to stay in the rows we marked, and the many farmers who were standing by helped us by throwing us advice, encouragement, and some more rice-plant when we would run out (those who couldn't catch the plant that was thrown at them instead recieved a splash of mud and laughter from the rest of us haha). I got 4 leeches on my legs during the planting, which I had to rip off of leg when we cleaned up and left the field. I guess I'm a pretty tasty meal haha.
I'm really enjoying Judo Club, and I'm starting to understand the human body in a completely new way, the aspect of physical balance. We usually warm up on the tatami mats with stretching, rolling, and crawling around. Then we move to practicing ukemi (quick recovery), many types of throws, some groundwork, and anything we can think of. Finally, we spend about 30 minutes with Randori, which is a freeform grappling encounter.
The Environmnt and Ecology Club is starting to become more active. We've been meeting weekly, and now we've starting planting green beans and lettuce. We've got some activities to plan, and we're currently trying to devise ways to regulate the amount of paper printed in the library. I suggested that instead of overtly controlling the amount a student can print, we offer a system of rewards to positively encourage limited paper consumption. Now we need to come up with prizes that will actually encourage this behavior!
It's really difficult to get into the habit of making websites! Besides making the time to work on the websites (I'm in Japan, there's other stuff I can be doing!!!), the part I struggle with is adding a mechanic to the site that I have no idea how to do, mainly because it takes so long to find out how to do it, then actually impliment it. The payoff is great though, to learn a new technique that will benefit future projects. I'm trying to develop the habit of spending 1 hour a day working on websites/games, and my current goal is to finish Your Image Center's updated website by the end of this month. Then I'll move on to adding a shopping cart to the site, making my own website, taking on clients, making money, becoming an independent adult, yada yada.
Tonight I'm meeting Atsuko-okaasan (mother) at Kappa Sushi! If the weather is nice, I'll hopefully be going fishing this weekend with Sakamoto-sensei on the sea. If so, I'm gonna catch red snapper and make sushi, not to mention be ON A BOAT!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7yfISlGLNU&feature=PlayList&p=ED9441CFC963F147&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=1
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Kakunodate and Tazawa- Samuari Town and Beautiful Lake
The rhythm of life in Akita has settled into a driven composition of academics, clubs, friendships, and personal projects. Classes are fairly easy and I think my first Japanese test on Friday went well. Before the semester is over, I'll be writing papers on the Bushido (samurai code of ethics) and the presence of martial arts and military influence on traditional Japanese theater. My first Judo session was fun, and I think I've grasped some of the basics of groundwork grappling. For Ecology and Environment Club, I'll be helping to promote some long-term green projects to be carried out here at AIU, including planting trees and (hopefully) getting an Akita pet!
This weekend, many Japanese and international students took the opportunity to visit some of the beautiful locale in Akita Prefecture. First stop was Dakikaeri Gorge, a natural gorge turned to tourist stop. There were some interesting old buildings, a shrine, an old well, and a suspension bridge allowing access to the small waterfalls. At one point on the stop, I noticed a small statue on the top of large rock structure. I wanted to get a picture of it, so I held my camera in my mouth by its laniard and hopped into knee-high, chilly water. A steep rock climb followed, and I made it to the buddhist statue. A few old-looking 10 yen coins lay at its feet, and after some pictures I left a coin and made a wish. The decent from the top of the rock was much easier: from the high vantage point I could see an easy, walkable path around the sloping backside of the rock! I was also able to catch a small frog by the lake, and I let it hop out of my hand and onto a startled Hannah.
Lake Tazawa is Japan's deepest lake (423 meters), with beautiful, clear blue water and plenty of tourist distractions. I was tempted to rent a motorcycle or ATV for 30 minutes, but I decided to save my money and ride a space-ship paddleboat with some friends for 500 yen. There were plenty of overpriced, locally made trinkets, but nothing stood out as a must-have souvineer. We also viewed the Tatsuko-hime statue, a large golden woman standing on a tall cement base that allows her to "stand on water" just off the shore. I'm not sure of the legend behind her, but somehow she became a dragon that now lives under the lake.
Kakunodate, a samuari town that has existed since the feudal times of the 1600's, still retains a sense of tradition despite necessary modernization. The old-style manor architecture and drainage ditches contrast with the newly cement-paved roads and large traffic signs. We were provided tickets to view the Aoyagi Samuari family Manor Museum. I was getting exhausted by this leg of the trip, but my interest was peaked by the large collection of ancient katana, tanto, yari, full body armor, spears, and even some western-style rifles. I also spied what appeared to be the first prototype motorcycle; a bicycle fitted with large machinery and pedals for accelation and braking. Before leaving the manor, I managed to aquire a samuari sake cup that will make a fine addition to the other shot glasses and epic goblets I use for drinking.
That's about all the news to report for now. I continue my long-term ambitions of website development, body-mind training, and game design. Go play my first game now, it's cute and simple! Let me know what you think of it!
http://www.playcrafter.com/#gameID=46043&invitedBy=12128
This weekend, many Japanese and international students took the opportunity to visit some of the beautiful locale in Akita Prefecture. First stop was Dakikaeri Gorge, a natural gorge turned to tourist stop. There were some interesting old buildings, a shrine, an old well, and a suspension bridge allowing access to the small waterfalls. At one point on the stop, I noticed a small statue on the top of large rock structure. I wanted to get a picture of it, so I held my camera in my mouth by its laniard and hopped into knee-high, chilly water. A steep rock climb followed, and I made it to the buddhist statue. A few old-looking 10 yen coins lay at its feet, and after some pictures I left a coin and made a wish. The decent from the top of the rock was much easier: from the high vantage point I could see an easy, walkable path around the sloping backside of the rock! I was also able to catch a small frog by the lake, and I let it hop out of my hand and onto a startled Hannah.
Lake Tazawa is Japan's deepest lake (423 meters), with beautiful, clear blue water and plenty of tourist distractions. I was tempted to rent a motorcycle or ATV for 30 minutes, but I decided to save my money and ride a space-ship paddleboat with some friends for 500 yen. There were plenty of overpriced, locally made trinkets, but nothing stood out as a must-have souvineer. We also viewed the Tatsuko-hime statue, a large golden woman standing on a tall cement base that allows her to "stand on water" just off the shore. I'm not sure of the legend behind her, but somehow she became a dragon that now lives under the lake.
Kakunodate, a samuari town that has existed since the feudal times of the 1600's, still retains a sense of tradition despite necessary modernization. The old-style manor architecture and drainage ditches contrast with the newly cement-paved roads and large traffic signs. We were provided tickets to view the Aoyagi Samuari family Manor Museum. I was getting exhausted by this leg of the trip, but my interest was peaked by the large collection of ancient katana, tanto, yari, full body armor, spears, and even some western-style rifles. I also spied what appeared to be the first prototype motorcycle; a bicycle fitted with large machinery and pedals for accelation and braking. Before leaving the manor, I managed to aquire a samuari sake cup that will make a fine addition to the other shot glasses and epic goblets I use for drinking.
That's about all the news to report for now. I continue my long-term ambitions of website development, body-mind training, and game design. Go play my first game now, it's cute and simple! Let me know what you think of it!
http://www.playcrafter.com/#gameID=46043&invitedBy=12128
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