So...I have a girlfriend now.
It's been years since I had an actual girlfriend. And there I was saying that I don't want a Japanese girlfriend because of (stereotype, stereotype, and stereotype). But, I found one that makes me eat my words.
8.12.2010
8.10.2010
Mt. Fuji
The climb to Mt. Fuji took place a week after Yakushima. It was quite possibly the most physically excruciating experience of my life. With my fat ass and slow pace, it was 6 hours of pain going up and 4 hours of more painful pain going down.
The adventure started with Sara, Tuan, Michelle, and Leigh. We met up with Mayumi, Tuan's girlfriend, at Fukuoka Airport, from where we departed to Haneda. We crashed at a capsule hotel for the night, then met up with Hiromi, Michelle's friend, at Shinjuku, then hopped on a bus towards Kawaguchiko in Shizuoka-ken. We walked around and wandered the majority of the day before hopping on the last bus towards Fuji. We started our hike at around 11pm from the 5th station.
Fuji has a total of 9 stops: 8 stations and the summit. We started halfway and reached the top just in time for the sunrise. During the way up, I was getting week from the altitude change. I was so tired, that when I reached the top, I napped for a good 2-3 hours.
The way down was tougher than the way up, in my opinion. Sure, it was faster, but it was very steep and 90% of the way was filled with soft sand. So basically, if you were like me and didn't wear ankle covers, rocks entered your shoes and the soft sand made it very easy for your feet to rub against the inner part of your shoes. Needless to say, I got blisters. Lots of them.
After the climb, we spent about 3 hours on various bus routes trying to find our way to our hotel in Hakone, where we basically crashed immediately. The next day we spent walking around town and finally heading back to Haneda, then Fukuoka, then back home.
Some highlights taken from my Flickr.
The adventure started with Sara, Tuan, Michelle, and Leigh. We met up with Mayumi, Tuan's girlfriend, at Fukuoka Airport, from where we departed to Haneda. We crashed at a capsule hotel for the night, then met up with Hiromi, Michelle's friend, at Shinjuku, then hopped on a bus towards Kawaguchiko in Shizuoka-ken. We walked around and wandered the majority of the day before hopping on the last bus towards Fuji. We started our hike at around 11pm from the 5th station.
Fuji has a total of 9 stops: 8 stations and the summit. We started halfway and reached the top just in time for the sunrise. During the way up, I was getting week from the altitude change. I was so tired, that when I reached the top, I napped for a good 2-3 hours.
The way down was tougher than the way up, in my opinion. Sure, it was faster, but it was very steep and 90% of the way was filled with soft sand. So basically, if you were like me and didn't wear ankle covers, rocks entered your shoes and the soft sand made it very easy for your feet to rub against the inner part of your shoes. Needless to say, I got blisters. Lots of them.
After the climb, we spent about 3 hours on various bus routes trying to find our way to our hotel in Hakone, where we basically crashed immediately. The next day we spent walking around town and finally heading back to Haneda, then Fukuoka, then back home.
Some highlights taken from my Flickr.
7.22.2010
More Photo Snobbing
Hey guys.
I always hear that taking photos of food is tacky.
You know what I think is more tacky?
Three things:
1. Taking multiple pictures of the same thing at angles that aren't really different, and uploading ALL of them.
2. Taking pics of a random space in a landscape.
3. Assuming the DSLR takes good pictures automatically and letting it do all the work for you. Hey guys, there's a reason the DSLR has all those settings and also why we have software like Photoshop and Light Room.
I'm not a master photographer myself, but I must say I think I've learned from mistakes and have grown all these years...
^Click to view my Flickr photostream^
In it are pics from the Yakushima trip, as well as Japan escapades to date.
I always hear that taking photos of food is tacky.
You know what I think is more tacky?
Three things:
1. Taking multiple pictures of the same thing at angles that aren't really different, and uploading ALL of them.
2. Taking pics of a random space in a landscape.
3. Assuming the DSLR takes good pictures automatically and letting it do all the work for you. Hey guys, there's a reason the DSLR has all those settings and also why we have software like Photoshop and Light Room.
I'm not a master photographer myself, but I must say I think I've learned from mistakes and have grown all these years...
^Click to view my Flickr photostream^
In it are pics from the Yakushima trip, as well as Japan escapades to date.
7.20.2010
Yakushima
This past weekend was a trip to Yakushima (pics to come a bit later).
Our party of seven left Sasebo at Saturday, 130am. 3.5 hours and a 6700 yen toll later, we reached Kagoshima. 4 hours on a ferry later, we reached Yakushima. The island was filled with lush forests, beautiful mountain hike trails, and many beach-side onsen, which was best used at night under the stars.
Yakushima has the forest that the famous Studio Ghibli film Spirited Away was based off of. Unfortunately we didn't visit it. Yakushima also houses the oldest tree in Japan, if not the world. Unfortunately, we didn't visit that either. What does that mean?
2 days is not enough to fully enjoy Yakushima. I'd say 4 days at the minimum.
What else am I trying to say? Another visit will be happening in the future.
In the meantime, it's time to prepare for Mt. Fuji this coming weekend. Oh I love being fat with no stamina. =P
Our party of seven left Sasebo at Saturday, 130am. 3.5 hours and a 6700 yen toll later, we reached Kagoshima. 4 hours on a ferry later, we reached Yakushima. The island was filled with lush forests, beautiful mountain hike trails, and many beach-side onsen, which was best used at night under the stars.
Yakushima has the forest that the famous Studio Ghibli film Spirited Away was based off of. Unfortunately we didn't visit it. Yakushima also houses the oldest tree in Japan, if not the world. Unfortunately, we didn't visit that either. What does that mean?
2 days is not enough to fully enjoy Yakushima. I'd say 4 days at the minimum.
What else am I trying to say? Another visit will be happening in the future.
In the meantime, it's time to prepare for Mt. Fuji this coming weekend. Oh I love being fat with no stamina. =P
7.15.2010
Whirlwind July
This past weekend was pretty crazy.
Last Friday was Mutia's Farewell Party in Hasami. Had to miss out on Fiona's Farewell Party in Hirado, but it's alright because there was another dinner just last night.
So at Mutia's, met up with a lot of good folks, including my fellow Hasians (the Asian JETs of our area) which I don't see often. The party involved a small 食べ飲み放題 and a lot of pseudo-model pictures involving various parts of the cafe (as seen on my Flickr).
Such as this one by Qi.
And this one of Gen.
Met new friends, and hung out with friends I had only met once before. Then had a blast in karaoke afterwards. 90% of parties where Ray is present usually end in karaoke! =)
-----
The next day was the Water Park / Beer Garden Party for leaving JETs.
Didn't feel like going to the water park in the rain, so Sho and I decided to watch movies at the theater until the Beer Garden dinner started. We watched Predators first, then Gen joined us to watch Toy Story 3. Both movies were awesome and worth the money spent.
Beer Garden was funtimes. I didn't want to drink at first because I had driven to Sasebo and was worried about where to leave my car (it's illegal to drive in Japan even if you have .01% alcohol in your blood). But, after some peer pressure and sorting out of where I would be able to crash for the night, drinking started. After all, it'd be bad to let a 食べ飲み放題 go to waste like that.
After-party was at a small bar called Greedy, which led to more alcohol-induced hilarity, including a happy Gen proclaiming that she had made out with just about every female JET present.
The night was spent crashed in Kawatana at Kim's.
'Twas a fun weekend. I love my placement.
Last Friday was Mutia's Farewell Party in Hasami. Had to miss out on Fiona's Farewell Party in Hirado, but it's alright because there was another dinner just last night.
So at Mutia's, met up with a lot of good folks, including my fellow Hasians (the Asian JETs of our area) which I don't see often. The party involved a small 食べ飲み放題 and a lot of pseudo-model pictures involving various parts of the cafe (as seen on my Flickr).
Such as this one by Qi.
And this one of Gen.
Met new friends, and hung out with friends I had only met once before. Then had a blast in karaoke afterwards. 90% of parties where Ray is present usually end in karaoke! =)
-----
The next day was the Water Park / Beer Garden Party for leaving JETs.
Didn't feel like going to the water park in the rain, so Sho and I decided to watch movies at the theater until the Beer Garden dinner started. We watched Predators first, then Gen joined us to watch Toy Story 3. Both movies were awesome and worth the money spent.
Beer Garden was funtimes. I didn't want to drink at first because I had driven to Sasebo and was worried about where to leave my car (it's illegal to drive in Japan even if you have .01% alcohol in your blood). But, after some peer pressure and sorting out of where I would be able to crash for the night, drinking started. After all, it'd be bad to let a 食べ飲み放題 go to waste like that.
After-party was at a small bar called Greedy, which led to more alcohol-induced hilarity, including a happy Gen proclaiming that she had made out with just about every female JET present.
The night was spent crashed in Kawatana at Kim's.
'Twas a fun weekend. I love my placement.
6.27.2010
乱舞龍 Happenings
There are a ton of children in Emukae Ranburyuu. They are either my elementary school students, junior high students, or kids 5 years and younger. I saw one of the 4 year old boys walking towards me, and so I say "Hello" on instinct. Here's what followed.
Me: Hello!
Boy: *blank stare* HELLO じゃねぇよ！*assumes fighting stance*
Me: Huh?
Boy: ゴセイキック！*proceeds to punch and kick me*
Me: ゴセイジャ？何色？
Boy: Tシャツが黒と白だから、ボクはゴセイナイト！*starts doing roundhouse kicks in his area*
HAHAHA it was so funny! OK so here's a translation.
Me: Hello!
Boy: Don't Hello me!
Me: Huh?
Boy: Gosei Kick!
Me: Goseiger? What color?
Boy: My T-shirt's black and white, so I'm GoseiKnight!
In case you didn't know, Goseiger is this season's Super Sentai, or Power Rangers as we Americans call them. And GoseiKnight is, of course, one of the heroes. Seeing a child imitating his favorite super hero takes me back to my own days as a kid and how I used to pretend I was Godzilla and Hulk Hogan.
Good times. I love kids.
Me: Hello!
Boy: *blank stare* HELLO じゃねぇよ！*assumes fighting stance*
Me: Huh?
Boy: ゴセイキック！*proceeds to punch and kick me*
Me: ゴセイジャ？何色？
Boy: Tシャツが黒と白だから、ボクはゴセイナイト！*starts doing roundhouse kicks in his area*
HAHAHA it was so funny! OK so here's a translation.
Me: Hello!
Boy: Don't Hello me!
Me: Huh?
Boy: Gosei Kick!
Me: Goseiger? What color?
Boy: My T-shirt's black and white, so I'm GoseiKnight!
In case you didn't know, Goseiger is this season's Super Sentai, or Power Rangers as we Americans call them. And GoseiKnight is, of course, one of the heroes. Seeing a child imitating his favorite super hero takes me back to my own days as a kid and how I used to pretend I was Godzilla and Hulk Hogan.
Good times. I love kids.
6.26.2010
Upcoming Plans
I kinda dislike how Ranburyuu practices are on Saturdays. It hinders my plans to go out with friends and such.
A bunch of folks are hittin' up Fuk today. I wanted to go too, especially since Emily posted this on my Facebook:
http://www.fukuoka-now.com/directory/show/842
It's been a long time since I had Filipino food (that I can't cook). I reeeaaally wanna go and try. I'm thinking about next weekend, but I don't know if anybody is up for accompanying me.
Also, thanks to Sasebo stopping my 引き落とし(essentially, automatic payments) for my rent back in April, my money is going to be tight again this month, and especially with the payment for car tax due. I really wanted to get a TV and games this month, but I guess that'll have to wait until next month.
Also, during the three day weekend in July, a bunch of folks are travelling to Yakushima, where I really wanted to go. But alas, money issues are existent. The next weekend is Fuji weekend too, and the last time I had two trips in a month, I was deadbroke with at least 2 weeks before the next paycheck haha! We'll see...
A bunch of folks are hittin' up Fuk today. I wanted to go too, especially since Emily posted this on my Facebook:
http://www.fukuoka-now.com/directory/show/842
It's been a long time since I had Filipino food (that I can't cook). I reeeaaally wanna go and try. I'm thinking about next weekend, but I don't know if anybody is up for accompanying me.
Also, thanks to Sasebo stopping my 引き落とし(essentially, automatic payments) for my rent back in April, my money is going to be tight again this month, and especially with the payment for car tax due. I really wanted to get a TV and games this month, but I guess that'll have to wait until next month.
Also, during the three day weekend in July, a bunch of folks are travelling to Yakushima, where I really wanted to go. But alas, money issues are existent. The next weekend is Fuji weekend too, and the last time I had two trips in a month, I was deadbroke with at least 2 weeks before the next paycheck haha! We'll see...
6.23.2010
New Laptop
...frickin rocks!
I feel like I already recovered and re-downloaded all the necessary software that I was using in the old lappy, including the necessary Photoshop, Vegas, Reason, Acid, etc.
I ended up going with a Toshiba. It was price-slashed on Newegg for $900, with 50/50 reviews. There was a comparable Sony (with better reviews and a BD burner) for about $1200 (if I remember correctly), but I decided to go with this mainly for the price. I'm not disappointed yet.
...well the only thing I have to complain about is the low resolution, and the dull colors especially when watching HD videos. However, it's very minimal complaints. It's a huge upgrade from my old lappy.
[geek]
And in trolling the net today, I saw the confirmation of Kamen Rider Oz (or Kamen Rider OOO). I remember leaks of the concept art a month or two ago, but it was recently confirmed.
The Rider's design seems (damn) cool. Also...
The name "Oz": seems like a knock off of Faiz, which was the hero's name and the way you read the title "555".
Henshin concept: seems like just an extension of the idea of Double. Double used two devices at a time to change (so two simultaneous forms), and Oz uses three (three simultaneous forms).
But whatever, let's see how it pans out. [/geek]
I feel like I already recovered and re-downloaded all the necessary software that I was using in the old lappy, including the necessary Photoshop, Vegas, Reason, Acid, etc.
I ended up going with a Toshiba. It was price-slashed on Newegg for $900, with 50/50 reviews. There was a comparable Sony (with better reviews and a BD burner) for about $1200 (if I remember correctly), but I decided to go with this mainly for the price. I'm not disappointed yet.
...well the only thing I have to complain about is the low resolution, and the dull colors especially when watching HD videos. However, it's very minimal complaints. It's a huge upgrade from my old lappy.
[geek]
And in trolling the net today, I saw the confirmation of Kamen Rider Oz (or Kamen Rider OOO). I remember leaks of the concept art a month or two ago, but it was recently confirmed.
The Rider's design seems (damn) cool. Also...
The name "Oz": seems like a knock off of Faiz, which was the hero's name and the way you read the title "555".
Henshin concept: seems like just an extension of the idea of Double. Double used two devices at a time to change (so two simultaneous forms), and Oz uses three (three simultaneous forms).
But whatever, let's see how it pans out. [/geek]
6.22.2010
Busy month
It's been a busy month.
At the start of this month was the 佐世保市中学校体育大会, or the Sasebo City-wide Jr. High Sports Festival. It's basically where all the Jr.Highs of Sasebo choose their representatives from their appropriate sports clubs and compete against sports clubs of other schools. It was an intense first day (our boys and girls tennis, volleyball, soccer, and table tennis clubs kicked butt). However, only the tennis clubs made it to day three. The trade-off for showing up for "work" on the weekend was 代休, or compensatory day off. So basically, the rest of the week was a two-and-a-half workweek (Wednesday, Thursday, and half-day Friday). It was a good week, followed by Kim's birthday celebration on Friday.
Good times with new friends.
The next week was Sara's birthday celebration in Sasebo, followed by more laughs at Chants in Saza. All this was proceeded by a visit to the theater and viewing of Episode Yellow (the latest Kamen Rider movie). Love being able to catch movies in the theaters here before fansubbers and internet downloaders get their paws on them.
On the downside, we get U.S. movies really late over here. I was finally able to watch Iron Man 2 last Tuesday.
The next big event WAS going to be the FO'CHO Music Festival/event, but was cancelled due to the JLPT. Oh well, the 4th of July should have some fun celebrations going on.
All that's left is Ranburyuu practice and our two July performances.
Too lazy to really post any details today. So I'll leave this entry at this.
At the start of this month was the 佐世保市中学校体育大会, or the Sasebo City-wide Jr. High Sports Festival. It's basically where all the Jr.Highs of Sasebo choose their representatives from their appropriate sports clubs and compete against sports clubs of other schools. It was an intense first day (our boys and girls tennis, volleyball, soccer, and table tennis clubs kicked butt). However, only the tennis clubs made it to day three. The trade-off for showing up for "work" on the weekend was 代休, or compensatory day off. So basically, the rest of the week was a two-and-a-half workweek (Wednesday, Thursday, and half-day Friday). It was a good week, followed by Kim's birthday celebration on Friday.
Good times with new friends.
The next week was Sara's birthday celebration in Sasebo, followed by more laughs at Chants in Saza. All this was proceeded by a visit to the theater and viewing of Episode Yellow (the latest Kamen Rider movie). Love being able to catch movies in the theaters here before fansubbers and internet downloaders get their paws on them.
On the downside, we get U.S. movies really late over here. I was finally able to watch Iron Man 2 last Tuesday.
The next big event WAS going to be the FO'CHO Music Festival/event, but was cancelled due to the JLPT. Oh well, the 4th of July should have some fun celebrations going on.
All that's left is Ranburyuu practice and our two July performances.
Too lazy to really post any details today. So I'll leave this entry at this.
6.05.2010
Random Happenings
Started the day off with a trip to Sasebo and checked out the new Chou Den-O Movie (Episode Blue). It was really good (keeping in mind it's a Kamen Rider movie). I would say that I thought it was better than Episode Red save the fact that Airi had 60% of the screen time in Ep. Red. Overall, satisfied. Now to wait 2 weeks for Episode Yellow to come out! Woo!
And Wiki says they're coming out with a Final Den-O movie? With Satou Takeru? Haha man...they're really riding Den-O's popularity (not that I complain).
Afterwards I did some shopping in prep for some elementary school lessons and the upcoming Jr.High Sports Meet. When I was about to walk home, I ran into Hannah, Katrina, and Fiona. The latter two ended up leaving after a short chat, and Hannah mentioned that she was gonna hit up a music studio in the arcade were folks could rock out on guitars and drums. Indeed, I asked if I could tag along. We found the place and rented a room for an hour and jammed to our hearts content. And MAN, could she play the drums. I was totally blown away and deemed myself not worthy, like Wayne and Garth when they met Alice Cooper.
It inspired me to take music seriously again. After all, Hannah and I are talking about starting up a small band!
On our way out from the studio, we ran into Gen and Qi. We caught them during Gen's Sasebo cafe hunt, and joined them for a small lunch at The Sofa Cafe. It's a comfy place where the tables have sofas instead of standard chairs. I've been there once before, but it was the others' first time there. Eventually Emily came down and joined them, as she was going to have dinner with Qi and Gen.
The five of us split later on. I made my way back to Emukae for a 乱舞龍 practice. It was good seeing everyone again, especially the little kids who run around a muck during rehearsal.
Tiring day, but indeed it was fun. Arrived at Sasebo at 1100am, and didn't leave until 6pm. Totally unplanned happenings. =)
And Wiki says they're coming out with a Final Den-O movie? With Satou Takeru? Haha man...they're really riding Den-O's popularity (not that I complain).
Afterwards I did some shopping in prep for some elementary school lessons and the upcoming Jr.High Sports Meet. When I was about to walk home, I ran into Hannah, Katrina, and Fiona. The latter two ended up leaving after a short chat, and Hannah mentioned that she was gonna hit up a music studio in the arcade were folks could rock out on guitars and drums. Indeed, I asked if I could tag along. We found the place and rented a room for an hour and jammed to our hearts content. And MAN, could she play the drums. I was totally blown away and deemed myself not worthy, like Wayne and Garth when they met Alice Cooper.
It inspired me to take music seriously again. After all, Hannah and I are talking about starting up a small band!
On our way out from the studio, we ran into Gen and Qi. We caught them during Gen's Sasebo cafe hunt, and joined them for a small lunch at The Sofa Cafe. It's a comfy place where the tables have sofas instead of standard chairs. I've been there once before, but it was the others' first time there. Eventually Emily came down and joined them, as she was going to have dinner with Qi and Gen.
The five of us split later on. I made my way back to Emukae for a 乱舞龍 practice. It was good seeing everyone again, especially the little kids who run around a muck during rehearsal.
Tiring day, but indeed it was fun. Arrived at Sasebo at 1100am, and didn't leave until 6pm. Totally unplanned happenings. =)
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