Just for Fun

I have actually kind of planned out my next post, but it's one of those things I don't want to publish before I have the chance to look over it again. I've actually been putting some thought into it. However, this post is about a couple things that just make me smile.

The first is a video I give my niece's boyfriend due credit for showing me. It makes me laugh.



I am a big Lord of the Rings nerd. I really am. I also love this song from Mulan - have a lot of good memories with it; so this was pretty much perfect for me and a few of my close friends.

Next, I have found a new Japanese drama I like, Don Quixote. It's got a fun and interesting story line and good actors. It's quite charming. I think Shota Matsuda (the main actor) is perfect in this role, Katsumi Takahashi (the other lead role) is too. They form a good pair.

Finally, I randomly discovered a new "Doo Wop"-esque band randomly on Youtube, The Overtones. I haven't really talked about it much but I really love old school pop. And I don't mean "old school" like the 90s, I mean the 40's, 50's and early 60's with swing music, jazz, rhythm and blues and the beginning of rock and roll. I mean Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, Elvis, The Andrew Sisters, The Temptations, The Penguins and The Shirrelles - things of that nature.

I don't know what it is about that old music but I have always liked it. The structure of the music, the harmonies, the purity of it all I guess. I know, I have a very wide, and somewhat odd, range of music I like but it's true. My friend posted a video of "For the Longest Time" by Billy Joel and while watching it, I happened upon The Overtones cover. They are apparently gaining popularity in Britain and all of their songs are in more of a simple doo-wop style with 5-part harmonies. It makes me giddy; I dig it.

Their original songs aren't bad either. I like their style, it's very much old school with a bit of a modern vocal sound (Timmy, the lead vocalist, has a definite more current pop sound to his voice but I like it ... and I like that he's Irish).



It just makes me smile.

'Nuff Said,
Crysania

The Little Things

Being in a new country has meant many big changes. A new job, picking up more of a new language, living alone for the first time, being away from family, friends and church for more than two weeks; these are just a few of the major changes I've been adjusting to. So far, I think I'm doing well with that, but there are times when the big just seems so big, so different.

I'm a week into Natsu Yasumi (summer vacation) and some of the big things were getting me down with no work to distract me and having to save money along with that. But then the little things started popping up.

A friend sent me some new music (including the new Hillsong United cd which gave me a bit of a spiritual recharge), I received a package that included my favorite cereal from my family, I was able to text a new friend for translation help and she came through, I cooked some food with a Japanese twist I'd picked up eating school lunches, and, today, I went to an elementary school volleyball tournament.

About a month before the end of term volleyball practice began at Yasuzuka Shogakko (Elementary School), the school I taught at every Tuesday. I asked to watch one day and the coach invited me on the court to help and play. After that they said I could go to practice every Tuesday and so I did. The team is small (only 7 memebers, 6 of whom are 6th graders and one 3rd grader) but they work hard and I've been really impressed with them. I've also been impressed with their families. The parents show up and help out at practices and really support their girls.

Although the 1st term has ended the coaches told me about the tournament and so I exchanged a few texts (in Japanese, hence the need for translation help) with "Momo's Mama" and went to the tournament. The parents and the girls were so sweet! They seemed happy that I was there and tried to chat with me during breaks. When there was a break for lunch, the girls talked to me and we worked on my Japanese and their English (well, a little), then Nozomi gave me a One Piece cell phone charm.

It was a small thing and she had a couple extras from a trip to Round One in Utsunomiya, but because I like One Piece she gave it to me. That small gesture made my day. It reminded me why I'm enjoying my time here and made getting up early and finding my way to Kanuma completely worth it.

Hawkeye Mihawk fits nicely with my Ace screen cover. 

It is completely corny but it really is the little things that make the days good.

'Nuff Said,
Crysania

"I'm an Odd Soul"

I am so much more excited than I though I would be for MUTEMATH's newest release "Odd Soul"! These guys ... I love them. They are always so refreshing and I seriously adore Paul Meany's voice! I really do.

I was surprised when I first heard this track as it is quite a change from their normal sound (which I also love) but it's still very much MUTEMATH, especially when it comes to the lyrics. I am definitely looking forward to hearing a more bluesy sound coming from them and am hoping they may also add a little more jazz (as they gave us a bit on their last album "Armistice").

It's definitely different, but I dig it the more I listen to it.

Something else that is very cool is that if you click http://mutemath.com/oddsoul/ you can remix the song! The band has broken the video and the tracks into 6 pieces (drums, bass, guitar, vocal, synth and background vocals) so you can play with it both musically and visually! I think that' pretty awesome.

Here's the vocal visual stem to give you an idea of what I mean ... and because it shows off Paul Meany's fantastic voice which, like I said, I adore.



Enjoy!

'Nuff Said,
Crysania

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