Time is Flying

I guess the old "time flies when you're having fun" adage is quite true. I am having a blast in Japan and now I only have 2 teaching days left until 1st term is over.

These first 4 months have given me a lot to think about over natsuyasumi (summer vacation). I feel like I was just fitting into the elementary schools and now I'll be moving to a junior high 4 days a week with a new elementary school on Tuesdays for 2nd term (I'll go back to the elementary schools in January for 3rd term). I like what I'm doing, a lot, and I'm starting to think one year isn't long enough. If I continue to make friends and enjoy my work I may try to stay another year.

How could I not love a place this beautiful?

There are still so, so many gaps to be filled. I need to improve my Japanese, I want to try more things, I want to explore the country more and I don't want to have any regrets about things I could have done while here.

Still, I really do miss my family and friends. Sometimes, Facebook gives me a much needed lift and makes me happy but it also reminds me that the people I miss are doing completely different and fun things without me. I'm doing different and fun things without them too but it does make me miss them.

There's still plenty of time but I'm going to do my best to make the most of this year and if, in the end, I decide to stay longer than it will happen when it happens. If I decide to go home ... or try out Korea ... then that will happen when it happens too.

The first term has flown by but there's still more to come!

Kanuma City outside my new friend's family's restaurant.

'Nuff Said,
Crysania

Drama, drama, drama

I love these Tommy Lee Jones commercials for Boss coffee. They crack me up. Apparently the campaign started in, like, 2007 but I didn't know about it until I arrived. It's just one of the things I'm enjoying in here on TV.

I'm a little in love with Asuko March at the moment. I watch it on Sunday nights then wait for the net subtitles to come out. I've been surprised at how much I catch but the details and "why" is what I often miss ... that and Nao's speeches. I can never catch all of what she says. Still, I enjoy it.

I don't always dig the heroines in a lot of the "male harem"-style manga/anime (Asuko March is based off a manga that I, sadly, cannot find in English) - they are often annoying and wimpy, but I like Nao Yoshino. She's no Amu from "Shugo Chara" or Haruhi from "Oraun High School Host Club" but she's not too bad. I think that's in large part to Emi Takei, the lead actress. She has a very likable presence and can really be adorable. She pulls off some of Nao's more annoying behaviors without coming across that way, at least in my opinion.

I've really gotten into it now that the story's moving along. I'm really rooting for Tamaki-kun! I think the drama really favors Aruto but Tamaki-kun's just such a sweetie! Aruto, played by Tori Matsuzaka, is definitely cute and normally I pull for the cute guy but Tamaki-kun, played by Kento Kaku, is so adorable! He's too sweet, a good guy and I'm a sucker for someone that dedicated to their family. I don't normally root for someone so much but Tamaki-kun has captured my heart and I want him to capture Nao's.

The other drama I watch, Rebound, just ended. I watched it because I like Hayami Mokomichi (he's an "ikeman"!), and I ended up liking the series too. It had a good ending. Aibu Saki is adorable too.

That's all I really watch though. Now that Rebound is over I don't know what I'll do. I'm not really a "drama"  kind of person but I was pleasantly surprised with these two.

I think I've nerded out enough for now, though, anyways. I think I'll post more music next time ... or maybe a little bit of a "thinking" post before it.

'Nuff Said,
Crysania

A Little Bit of Music Never Hurt Anyone ... Or Did It?

As I am growing more accustomed to life and culture in Japan, I think it's important for me to learn more about Japanese music. Well, at least current music ...

Before coming to Japan I'd had little bit of experience with some Japanese rock. I really like The Pillows (who just came out with a new album!) and Polysics, and everything I've heard from Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra I've enjoyed as well. I had also heard a few songs from Ore Ska Band, PuffyAmiUmi, Asian Kung Fu Generation, Dir En Grey, Minmi and Utada Hikaru due to anime and such but I'd never really gotten too big into it. I liked it but I was surrounded by other music and I liked that too.

I'm making more of an effort to pay attention to the music scene here but it is difficult with language barriers and not knowing too many people. I am also having problems with hearing songs I like but not being able to get the artist because I can't read or I missed their names. However, I've come to find a few bands/artist I'm interested in.

I'm finding that I like some Japanese pop and bit more than American pop - though that could be because I don't understand the words. Korean pop seems big here and it's not too bad either. I'm not sure why but I seem to like more of it here than back home. I'm not exactly running out to get it but I don't mind it so much.

Anyways, I've decided to post some songs I like so far. I'll admit I haven't done enough "research" to say that I fully dig all of the artists but I do like these songs by them at least.



I'm finding a lot of Japanese bands use English ... but not correctly. I like that The Bawdies songs make sense. I looked up a bit of their music and dig the lead singer's voice. AI is an r&b artist and I dig her voice too ... but not so much some of her other songs.



UVERworld I discovered while watching a fairly anime called "Ao no Exorcist" (The Blue Exorcist). I won't go into details but I dig the anime and this song (I have seen the translated lyrics too and it rocks).



This was actually not the first song I heard from Kanjani8 - I just like "The Beatles"-ish feel of the video. I first heard My Home (which I may like more) then saw them during promotion for the latest "Shin Chan" movie with their song TWL. They're a pop/rock band I guess but I think they're fun.



I haven't done too much looking into Kana Nishino but I like this song; it reminds me of the song I like by Minmi called "Shiki no Uta".



This is a song from the Korean pop group Girl's Generation. It's not my typical style but I like it. Also, the proceeds from this song (their first original Japanese song - the others were translated from Korean) and the other with it on the single (don't ask me the name) are all going to Japanese Earthquake/Tsunami relief.




This one is my favorite of the videos. Wait through the message in Japanese, it's worth it. I only saw this video on TV a couple days ago so I haven't looked into MinxZone too much yet but I dig it.

That's all for now. Honestly there are a few more I could put up but I think I'll save that for another day.

Music has always been a big part of me and in order for me to feel more connected to things here I feel it's necessary to explore more Japanese music, even if I don't understand the words. If anyone has suggestions feel free to send them my way because I'm definitely interested. I plan on attending a live show or two while I'm here, well, at least I hope to.

'Nuff Said,
Crysania

"Though I know I'll Never Lose Affection For People and Things That Went Before"

So today is my best friend's birthday. Happy Birthday Kristin! Ha, you are now 24 and old like me!

Today is my best friend's birthday, Friday is my nephew's birthday ... I've already missed one of my niece's birthdays, my mom's, dad's and cousin Darnell's birthdays. These are all people I am close to. I hate not being near to celebrate or not being able to send gifts yet. Today, it bummed me out.

I wanted to talk to them, to see them, to give them a present and eat some ice cream or cake or ice cream cake but I can't. I've yet to make any real friends here as well. I was told that part would be difficult but when I stop to think about it, I miss already having friends close by. 

I really like my job. I like the kids, I enjoy the classes, I think the teacher's are very nice and helpful. I come home everyday tired but in a good mood. But sometimes, when I see that barrier of not only language but the one from not being at one school all the time and being familiar with your co-workers, I feel isolated.

I've taken 2 Intercultural Communications classes so I know mentally what I'll be going through, but really feeling isolated and really missing home is different. It's hard to be somewhere new when you love where you came from. 

But still, I feel like I'm supposed to be here and the good is outweighing the bad. It's challenging and some days I feel very alone, but during the course of the day I often get a "pick-me-up" from my kids. I get a "Crys-sensei! Asobimashoo (Play with us)!" or a little group yelling "Hi Crys-sensei!" from down the hall or have a particularly fun class and I can't help but feel blessed for this experience. 

The lonliness does come and go and I know it will continue to as I have only been here a couple of months. I don't think that's a bad thing though. I'm lucky to have people I love and miss so much. People who supported me and send me e-mails and Facebook messages or stay up until 1:15am to talk to me via Skype.

The title line is from "In My Life" by The Beatles. It doesn't totally go with what I'm saying but I love the song. So here it is:

 'Nuff Said,
Crysania

There's Still a Long Way to Go

Being in Japan for nearly two months has taught me many things. Things like living on your own does not change your clumsiness, grocery shopping is difficult when you can't exactly tell what your buying, and knowing how to cook and wanting to cook are two totally different things.

But, recently, the biggest thing I've learned is that, in some ways I'm not a grown up at all. I'm not talking about the "kid" in me that makes it easy to relate to elementary school kids or the fact that I like that I get to watch One Piece and Detective Conan on TV. I mean the I don't have the experience that makes me a good "adult".

I chose this picture because it has Ace and Zoro in it and they were my favorite characters when I started watching. I moved to Japan to find out my favorite, Ace, just died ... SAD DAY! I don't know if I wanna catch up to where they are now ... on the plus side though Ace is more popular in Japan and "One Piece" is still huge here and I can actually find Ace goodies! It was difficult in America. If Zoro dies, I may give up on anime, my favorite characters have that habit.

I don't think I've spent my money all that wisely, I get nervous easily and there have been times when I should've spoken up but didn't when it came to taking control of situations. There are many things I've never had to handle on my own before and handling them for the first time while adding language barriers has made me realized I was sheltered and more unreliable then I had thought.

Despite knowing how to do things on my own, I've relied on my family for a lot of help all my life. If I was low on cash I knew I could count on them for gas money or go places with friends. When I was down or lonely I could call someone and change my mood. I've relied on others more than I'd like to admit.

I'm changing but there's a long way to go. I realize that I'm a bit naive and don't have the best self-control; even now I've relied on my parents to help by sending things, but I'm doing my best to do things myself and rely on God more than others.

I don't know where I'm headed yet as a person but I know that, right now, I'm heading in the right direction.

In other news, I was informed the quote I posted last time was not 100% MLK so I've taken out the line that was under debate. Still, I think a challenge to not even celebrate the death of an enemy is a good one.

That's all for now.

'Nuff Said,
Crysania

I Guess I'm Just Weird ...

So after I got home yesterday my allergies were bugging me. I put a hot towel over my eyes (see doctor? I listen sometimes) ... and fell asleep. Roughly 45 minutes later I woke and turned on the news - there was a special on Ryo Ishikawa visiting some camps people are still living in after the earthquake and tusnami up north. I logged on to Facebook and discovered Osama bin Ladin had been killed. "And?"

I didn't rejoice. I didn't fist-pump or jump out of my chair (like I did when I watched Andre Ethier move his hit-streak to 26); I just sat there and scrolled through the hundreds of posts I'd missed throughout the day. And ... I'm quite disappointed, even annoyed, with more than a few of them.

Maybe I'm just weird ... maybe I'm a California hippie (though, really, I'm not), maybe I'm an un-American, non-patriotic, wimp. I don't know. What I do know is the reactions of my "social circle" and of other Christians surprised me.

Around 2 weeks before I turned 20 my brother was killed in Iraq ... not Afghanistan or Pakistan. My brother and the thousands of other people there were not looking for Osama bin Ladin, in fact, they weren't even looking for Sadam Hussein anymore. And I can honestly say that when I found out it was a remote IED that some bastard had pulled the trigger on ... I hated that man.

I mean, really hated him. As far as I was concerned a coward hid and watched a convoy of trucks then randomly decided the one my brother was in was the one he'd hit the button on. I hated that man. I had never in my life wanted one person to die, to suffer so much.

And that was wrong. I hope I never hate like that again.

Not only does the Bible teach us to love out enemies, bless them that curse us and pray for those who mistreat us (Luke 6:27-28), but when I found out that man had been captured ... I didn't feel any better. My brother was still dead and there were still people losing soldiers daily. I had been selfish and childish; I had let a horrible, disgusting hate rest in my soul. I tried to tell myself that I felt justified, but I just felt wrong.

I still don't understand, really, why my brother was in Iraq but I want to believe there was a real purpose behind it. I do know he wasn't looking for Osama bin Ladin.

I don't think Osama bin Ladin was a good person. He hid and sent others to go out and kill for his hatred and he plotted a horrible act against America on 9/11/01. I remember it. I was getting out of the shower when the first plane hit and no one knew why yet ... I remember the fear and the pain of watching those people. I remember the aftermath. But killing Osama bin Ladin doesn't seem to do much but satisfy our childish, selfish thinking that we deserve this retaliation. That perpetuating hate and celebrating in the streets over some asshole's death is a good thing.

I don't get it.

Osama bin Ladin is dead ... but it didn't bring back my brother. It didn't bring back the Twin Towers, and it hasn't put an end to Al Queda.

Maybe I'm disconnected. Maybe I'm confused. Maybe I should hang an American flag and my brother's plaid shirt outside my window and play the national anthem. Again, I don't know. But I don't think many of the things I've read on Facebook are right.

I believe my God is a just God. I believe there is justice and that it will come to us all, but I don't think we need to celebrate that and say some truly stupid crap on the internet. I do love my country, being in another has made me realize how much I love the variety of California and America but the death of one man, no matter how bad, is just the death of one man.

If I'm wrong tell me, but be nice ... because I really don't get it.

I do like this quote someone posted on their Facebook though:

"Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that"
— Martin Luther King Jr.

'Nuff Said,
Crysania

Oh dear ...

It seems in my move to Japan I have neglected my blog! ... My bad.

Moving to a new country is a little exhausting, but I'm enjoying it.

I'm waiting on something to come through before I post much more but this month has been ... an adventure. I've already had many ups and downs ... and I really need to study more Japanese!

It's fun though. I'm enjoying what I do and liking where I am. I miss having friends with me though. I should've packed a few of them in my suitcase.

I know it's short but that's all for now. It's almost 1 pm and I've yet to do much other than send a few e-mails and watch the Dodger game. Go Andre Ethier! He's got a sexy 26-game hitting streak going on! And Matt Kemp has been red hot too. Love it.

'Nuff Said,
Crysania