tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233439596812580622024-03-14T02:14:20.126-07:00Cultural Craft 'n WhimsyA fun place to learn about different cultures, types of crafts and all the whimsical nonsense that I love.FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-78462906329425705182015-04-04T10:09:00.001-07:002015-04-04T10:10:03.035-07:00Again...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">My husband and I both applied to the JET Program this year with the hopes that at least one of us would get in. I tried not to think of what would happen if we both got put onto the alternate list, it's like putting your life on hold. But naturally the result that I was hoping for the least is what came to pass.</span></div><div><br></div><div>So now we have a whole year (or maybe less) of waiting to hear back from JET that one of us is needed, it didn't happen last year so I'm not holding my breath. I'm wondering if we are just not what they are looking for, that seems likely. But maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised, expect for the worst and hope for the best.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aJAT_zFsk1k/VSAavZb9tDI/AAAAAAAABr0/ZPMEco_DR6Q/s640/blogger-image--1912461526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aJAT_zFsk1k/VSAavZb9tDI/AAAAAAAABr0/ZPMEco_DR6Q/s640/blogger-image--1912461526.jpg"></a></div>FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-60687020066667769072015-03-21T20:56:00.000-07:002015-03-21T20:56:32.943-07:00Japanese Hanko Signatures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Signatures in Japan are really interesting. When I was studying in Nagasaki I often had to fill out paperwork that had a little signature box, definitely not accommodating of a Western style signature. Most of the time they would tell us to just put our initials because the space is meant for a Japanese hanko (a small stamp with one or more kanji characters representing a person's name). Since most foreign names don't have corresponding kanji (they can be written in katakana the Japanese phonetic alphabet for foreign words, but that is usually just as long as Roman letters) it takes a bit of effort for a foreigner to get their own hanko for signing things.<div>
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The easiest way to do it is to have a native speaker help you look up the phonetic sounds that make up your name (either first or last, I don't think it matters since you will most likely have a unique name) or pick one or two characters that you like that work well together.</div>
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I'm not positive exactly what I will do for my hanko if I return to Japan but I did have a fun experience in my Japanese calligraphy class during which the teacher helped me pick out a kanji character to represent my name so I could sign my projects. My name is Kristi which is spelled ku-ri-su-te-i クリステイin Japanese but I go by Ke– ケー (pronounced Kay in English). I took on this nickname because in my Japanese classes both my husband and I have the same last name so he was called B– and I was called K–. Anyway, the teacher found that the character 恵 megumi (which means blessing) can also be pronounced Ke like my nickname. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My teacher's example of how my kanji character can be written. <br />The first character is essentially the Japanese version of cursive.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My attempts at calligraphy with brush and ink.</td></tr>
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I'm still trying to decide if I want to stick with just the one character (I can buy pre-made stamps with that character on it easily) or if I want to do something else, maybe with a second character that both my husband and I have? I love the idea of having control over my own name and how it is represented, it isn't often that a person has an opportunity like that so I'm going to make the most of it. </div>
FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-18995282618625889362015-02-23T12:34:00.000-08:002015-02-23T12:34:00.802-08:00Informational Japan Pt. 2 - Japanese Language<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"Where can I get Japanese language learning resources for free on the web?" I know this is a really popular topic because I see it on forums and other sites all the time. So here is a partial list of the online resources I currently use to learn and practice my Japanese.<br />
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<u style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.erin.ne.jp/en/" target="_blank">Erin's Challenge</a></u> - Recommended to me by my college Japanese teacher, this is my favorite online resource. It's free, fun and really helpful for language learning. You register with the site and it keeps track of you progress, you can even personalize a little avatar and your profile. The site centers around a foreign exchange student named Erin coming to Japan to study and her adventures with language and culture. There are great videos (both beginner and advanced) featuring Erin or other Japanese people in everyday situations as well as grammar and vocabulary lessons all with transcripts that you can review line by line. There are also cultural learning videos that are really interesting, especially if you've never been to Japan. The site also offers vocabulary lessons, quizzes, a fun role playing game using your avatar and a ton of other resources. Seriously, if you haven't already seen it you should really check it out.<br />
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<i><u><a href="http://lang-8.com/" target="_blank">Lang8</a></u></i> - There's a good chance you've already heard of this site because it is mentioned a lot by other bloggers and vloggers but it is really is worth another mention. I used this site a lot when I was taking Japanese classes so that I could check my homework and get some extra practice. It's basically a blogging website where you are able to blog in the language you are learning, but the twist is that native speakers of that language can read and correct your language. This is super helpful when you are learning to write but you don't know if you are making mistakes. I've also seen people post speeches they are going to be giving and letters they want to send to pen pals among other things. I'm slightly disappointed with it because you can no longer post pictures in the free version so it's not as useful in a purely blogging sense (I usually put my blogpost on Lang8 and then copy the corrected text to a blogger site so I can add images). But all in all it's a great resource.<br />
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<a href="http://japaneseclass.jp/" style="font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Japanese Class</a> - Lately I've been using this a lot to practice my vocabulary. It's basically a flashcard/quiz sort of site where you start as a beginner and work your way up to more kanji by earning points. There is a ranking system so if you are competitive you can try to earn more points than the other users and show up on the ranking board. It keeps track of your progress and how often you are practicing and suggests that you practice at least 20 words a day (I do it right before I go to bed). It does have an article reading section but I find that the articles are way beyond my current level and have vocabulary that isn't relevant to me personally, but the option is available. I find that this site is a good resource for reviewing and practicing what I've already learned.<br />
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<i><u><a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/learn-japanese-japanesepod101com-audio-7181" target="_blank">Learn Japanese - Japanese Pod 101</a></u></i> - This is technically a free resource that you can get on iTunes and Stitcher Radio but I wanted to preface this by saying I like it so much I buy the compilation on Audible as audio books. The downside to the free version is that you have to figure out what order they go in, because they release different levels at the same time so it isn't as easy as listening to them in order. However, if you can get around that problem (the episodes are clearly marked with the level and episode number) then this is a really fantastic resource. The hosts are interesting and easy to listen to and the lessons are great for listening comprehension and learning new vocabulary and grammar. I love to listen to this while I'm doing chores or taking a walk and I always learn a lot from every episode.</div>
FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-74941937670731374152015-02-16T15:34:00.000-08:002015-02-23T11:17:13.263-08:00Informational Japan Pt. 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At the moment I'm pretty obsessed with Japan, but since I have no idea if or when I will be going back I have to content myself with listening and reading about it. I figured now would be a good time to go over some of my favorite informative online sources for information about Japan that isn't necessarily pop-culture related.<br />
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<u><i><a href="http://busankevin.com/category/just-japan-podcast/" target="_blank">Just Japan Podcast</a></i></u><b> - </b>By far my favorite Japan podcast at the moment. Kevin O'Shea has more than fifty podcast episodes in which he interviews various people living in Japan about a wide range of topics. He has a very original point of view being a mature family man and his topics range from questions about the JET Program to community involvement, fast food and being a foreign woman in Japan. Not only is the podcast a great listen, but Kevin is very involved with his listeners and often gets his topic suggestions from them.</div>
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<u style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://blog.gaijinpot.com/tag/podcast/" target="_blank">GaijinPot</a></u> - Another great Japan podcast, although the episodes don't come out quite as often they are usually worth waiting for. His topics and interviews are very professional and informative. He has great information about getting to Japan, apartments, language and other resources for Japan information.</div>
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<u style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://mullysplace.com/" target="_blank">Mully's Place Podcast</a></u> - Mully is a really interesting fellow and his podcast is usually a chatty style with Dave or his wife Tomoko. My favorite are the bedcasts and drivecasts with his wife (although I tend to relate more to her point of view than his.)</div>
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<b>Youtube</b></div>
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<u style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/myargonauts" target="_blank">Myargonauts Jason</a></u> - I've spent many hours watching most of his old videos and I'm always looking forward to his new ones. He is fairly informal but extremely informative about everyday life in Japan. He has a lot of older videos about the JET Program but lately he's mostly focusing on his current teaching and life experiences.</div>
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<u style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/MyHusbandisJapanese" target="_blank">Rachel & Jun</a></u> - A newer find for me, I am blasting through these videos. Rachel is very intelligent and well educated and brings a scientific viewpoint to a lot of Japan related questions. It's also nice to watch Japan videos from a married female perspective. I particularly like her videos about Japanese deodorants and the Senkaku Islands. Alternatively her husband also does videos from a Japanese perspective which is harder to find, my husband really relates to the "Being Tall in Japan" episode and he has some great language learning tips.</div>
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<u style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/cookingwithdog" target="_blank">Cooking with Dog</a></u> - Despite the unfortunate name choice (my husband can't help snickering whenever I mention it) the recipes on this channel are fantastic. The narrator is witty and well spoken and the instructions are clear and easy to follow. The recipes range from Japanese sweets and cakes to traditional Japanese dishes and Western-influenced foods.</div>
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<u style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmCXtUpZcCBulG_ylbcxJNg/feed" target="_blank">Kimono World</a></u> - I really love the videos on this channel despite the fact that there are only a few available. Sheila Cliffe is an Englishwoman who is a kimono expert and introduces various types of Kimono, shops and kimono making techniques. Beautifully produced and narrated these videos are really wonderful for the Kimono enthusiast. I am really hoping that she posts some more in the future.</div>
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FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-8700613616622513342015-02-06T16:29:00.002-08:002015-02-16T15:35:12.632-08:00Ohisashiburi ne?I can't believe that I went an entire year without blogging. I'm more up to the task to blog this year, there are more interesting things going on in my life anyway. Most of last year consisted of being isolated at home with my toddler, being very uninspired and unproductive.<br />
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This year is very different. My red-haired firecracker of a boy is two years old this month. He's now talking in several word sentences and exploring his world like never before. Now is the perfect time for us to pursue our goal of getting to Japan.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute kitty obi in Japantown SF</td></tr>
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My husband an I spent last Tuesday driving down to San Francisco in order to go to our JET Program interviews on Wednesday. This year we both applied and were given interviews so there is a possibility that we could be in Japan as assistant English teachers by the end of the year. I think I did pretty well overall, I'm pretty rusty on my Japanese language but I was confident for everything else. I feel like I couldn't really have done a whole lot better so they will either want me for who I am or they will think I'm just not right for the job. Either way my outlook is much more positive right now. I'm working as a Graphic Designer, being a lot more creative at home and have a lot more ideas that I'd like to share with everyone. So hopefully this is just the start of more great things to come.<br />
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<br />FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-37856175097503376162014-04-12T15:09:00.000-07:002014-04-12T15:10:02.101-07:00Still waiting...Wow, I am getting lax about keeping up with this blog. Sorry, sometimes I just don't have anything interesting in my life to talk about, and I'm not really interested in this just being a mommy blog.<br />
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I do have a few interesting things to add to my previous post. The first is that after all the crazy application process for the JET program my husband got an interview. This meant heading over to San Francisco, which I certainly didn't complain about.<br />
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This is one of the first times we've felt justified to splurge on a hotel room for a couple days, which we booked in our favorite part of SF, Japantown. We generally go there once a year or so but with my son being a toddler it was sure nice to be able to run up to the room whenever we needed to. I had plenty of time to explore the mall and have several fairly authentic Japanese meals, so even though my husband was a ball of nerves it was quite enjoyable for me.<br />
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That was in February, between then and April there was another period of waiting. Brian fretted and I got it into my mind that we probably weren't going and started thinking about other things. Then lo-and-behold we got a notice April 2 that he is now on the alternate list. This basically means that he neither got into the program nor has been rejected. He is on a list of candidates who will replace anyone who decides not to go or drops out of the program.<br />
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Guess what that means, MORE WAITING...uggh...FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-16791182493588962222013-11-01T13:42:00.001-07:002013-11-01T13:42:56.242-07:00Maybe there's a chanceSo we found out from my husband's professor that nobody from UNR (our college) has gotten into the JET program in several years. He told us to not get our hopes up, or to put all our eggs in one basket. I think this just made my hubby more determined. He has decided to set up a resume on Gaijinpot.com and will probably apply for other positions if he doesn't get an interview with JET. He's also thinking of substitute teaching in the US if the Japan thing doesn't pan out at first.<br />
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I'm kind of mixed, I'm trying to psyche myself up for moving to another country without setting myself up for disappointment if we don't get to go. Our plan is to put all our things into storage while we are gone, so I figure this is my opportunity to cull a lot of the crap we have accumulated.<br />
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My family are also really mixed about our desire to leave the country for a year or more. Some of them are very supportive of our desire to experience amazing things while we are still able to, and others are apprehensive that we are taking our son out of the country and away from his family. I think this is actually the best time for us to do this, Saru-chan is too young to have much of an issue with pulling up his roots or culture shock. The Japanese love children and I am pretty sure that he will be adored. And more than likely we will be back before he starts school and really needs to adjust to where he is living.<br />
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Either way we are going ahead with the application process, so only time will tell.FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-90345340591766031022013-10-28T07:51:00.000-07:002013-10-28T07:54:04.971-07:00Here and back again?This week the JET Program posted their application online. My husband and my original plan, before getting our BA, doing the study abroad program and having a child, was for both of us to apply and live in Japan for at least a year. When I first returned from my study abroad program, I wanted nothing to do with this plan. I was very tired and shell shocked and needing to be home for a while. But as time has passed I find myself missing many of the day to day aspects of Japan. So recently we have decided to go ahead with a modified version of our original plan.<br />
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So my husband is applying for the JET Program this month, he is working on all the parts of the application process and the craziness is beginning. It isn't really an option for me to apply with him since there are a lot of factors involved, the possibility that we wouldn't be placed together, the need to find childcare for O (which I'm not sure I would want to do anyway), and the fact that I still haven't resolved my degree so that I can graduate. I am hoping that the degree problem will be resolved before we go (if we go) so that there is a possibility I could get a part time job outside of JET.<br />
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In the meantime I am doing a lot of research about JET and living in Japan, but it is actually a bit hard to find information about bringing a family. I think that is because most JETs are young and single. There are also a lot of varying factors, such as not knowing where exactly where we would end up if he is accepted. It would be really nice if we can end up near Nagasaki since we already have friends and familiarity there, but we won't know until it happens. So I figure that I will share my experiences so that others will know what we go through.FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-74822168447699023072013-10-26T07:44:00.000-07:002013-10-28T07:53:38.308-07:00New MusingsIt's been quite a while since the last time I posted. I never realized just how much my life would change after having a child. I guess I should let you know just what has been happening in the last year.<br />
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I returned home from Japan after a very long flight and a horrible airport experience in which we almost got stuck in LA. Being pregnant, sick and tired made this experience all the more trying. But in the ensuing months I was able to readjust to life in the US again just as my body started to expand. Coming into the holiday season also helped a lot, as I am a sucker for all the Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities.<br />
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In February I had my lovely little boy, I'll probably refer to him as O or Saru-chan (means little monkey in Japanese) and my life changed yet again. I am just now adjusting to the ups and downs of new motherhood, sleeplessness, sustaining someone that isn't myself, and all the smiles and giggles that I love so much. I am no longer working so I have been able to devote my attention to him and some other projects around the house. It's difficult to do without my income but I think that the time I am spending with him has really been worth it.<br />
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So I have a lot going on, and some exciting things coming up which I will be writing about in future posts. Not only have I been doing some great creative projects but we have some major life changes in the works. So keep an eye out for new posts!<br />
<br />FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-79517224667266989922012-08-05T20:15:00.001-07:002013-10-28T07:52:52.038-07:00Final DazeThe last few weeks have been filled with mixed emotions and a frenzy of activity. Doctors appointments, final exams, packing and last moments spent with good friends who I may never see again face to face. These last few weeks were not without happy moments though, festivals, concerts, karaoke and laughter also filled my days with memories that will last the rest of my life.<br />
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There are so many more things about my trip I wanted to share with everyone online, but as life got more hectic I focused more on the experiences rather than documenting everything. But I have more than enough pictures and memories to continue writing about my adventures for quite a while, even after I return home.<br />
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Japan is amazing, interesting and very strange. It's just like anywhere else in a lot of ways and yet there are so many things that make it so unique. Nagasaki is beautiful and vibrant, alive with old and new culture and so many things to see and do. I am so thankful for the opportunity to come here and expand my worldview.<br />
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So now I am here at my last day in Nagasaki, with only a few days left before I return to the US. I am happy to be returning to the familiarity of my home and family but there are definitely people and things in Japan that I will miss. So I bid farewell to the land of the rising sun, it's quirks and beauty as well as its faults. And I hope some day I will be able to revisit this wonderful land and discover what new adventures await me in the future.<br />
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Location:<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Nagasaki,Japan%4032.783827%2C129.857759&z=10">Nagasaki,Japan</a></div>
FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-45850558307338817972012-07-11T15:23:00.000-07:002012-07-11T15:24:25.069-07:00In the land of the Kimono<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of my all time favorite things about Japan has to be the textiles. Japan has such a rich history of textiles usually seen in the form of the iconic kimono. While I've been here I've done several presentations on the history and culture of the kimono. I also took a class were I was able to see and learn how to wear a kimono for myself. One of the most amazing things about this historical garment (aside from the amazing textiles) is how simplistic the design is and yet how versatile it can be.<br />
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A traditional kimono is made from a single bolt of cloth which is a specific width. It is then sewn in four long panels with two long sleeves and diagonal lapels. The design is such that all kimono are meant to fit almost all Japanese people (this is assuming of course that a person will not be very wide in the hip area). The kimono is wrapped around the body always with the left lapel over the right and cinched in place by several ties. It can be a bit tricky to get the fabric to lay straight but the benefit to this style is that the kimono can be adjusted for most heights. Once the kimono is firmly in place, the obi (sash) is placed on the waist just under the bust and tied in an elaborate knot at the back.<br />
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There are a lot of different types of kimono and obi and since they have such a rich history there is a lot of symbolism and meaning to the colors and patterns on the textiles. There are also different types of kimono for different seasons, ages and genders. The basic shape is almost always the same but the variations in the fabrics, colors and length of the sleeves determine when and by whom the garment should be worn. There are also many different types of obi and a variety of different ways they can be tied from simple bows to an elaborate knot that looks like a rose.<br />
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<br />FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-36436951744468329992012-06-24T15:23:00.000-07:002012-07-11T15:24:57.966-07:00The Best SouvenirSo I haven't blogged in a while because this trip is turning out to be more of an adventure than I expected. It started several weeks ago when I started getting sick to my stomach. I kinda had a feeling there was something going on but I wrote it off as the flu. But all that strange food I blogged about earlier started smelling and tasting disgusting to me. I could hardly eat anything but bread and fruit. After a solid week of this, with no other flu symptoms I had a pretty good idea what was going on although my husband was skeptical.<br />
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I went to the store and bought myself a pregnancy test, which was an adventure in and of itself (thank goodness for the ability to show my phone dictionary to the employee to help me find it). I came home all nerve wracked only to have the test result be completely blank...a defective test. *sigh* So the next afternoon it was back to a store, and this time I bought two. And this time they were undeniably positive within very little time waiting.<br />
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Haha, so the adventure continues! I'm experiencing morning sickness and other signs of pregnancy and I'm in a foreign country as a student. Thankfully I am married, have my husband with me and am old enough to be going through this without any guilt. I've been seriously blessed with new friends who are really helping me through this time.<br />
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Last week a friend helped us go to a ladies clinic where I have confirmed most definitely that there is a living being growing inside me. I saw the heart beating on a monitor and it was the most amazing experience. So although I am certainly feeling some homesickness, I have to say that this is going to be the most awesome story for me to tell to my kid in the future. Three cheers for my Nagasaki baby! <br />
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<br />FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-39854197998928779652012-06-06T00:03:00.001-07:002012-06-06T00:03:34.669-07:00Food from another world<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ok, so this is a post I've been putting off because I have had so many strange things. I can't even describe what half the stuff is I've tried. And while I know that my host mother is trying to keep our meals more western styled, they are still very very unusual. Some of the food is fantastic (although it's usually the sweets) but most of it is just...different. I never understood why people always raved about eating bread all the time, but I've figured it out, it's the safest most filling, least revolting food in Japan. Regardless, here are some of the many pictures of food that I've eaten so far:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical breakfast</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolat de Tomato?? Umm...no thanks...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sakura mochi, Yum!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curry Rice, super popular here in Japan. <br />It's not spicy like Indian curry, it's very sweet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-whFjSlefV5M/T874yOFQBkI/AAAAAAAABVg/RV2YWRCLT2A/s1600/IMG_1527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-whFjSlefV5M/T874yOFQBkI/AAAAAAAABVg/RV2YWRCLT2A/s320/IMG_1527.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast: A ham sandwich and <br />french toast (with sugar on top instead of syrup)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They call this a hamburger, the sauce is sweet. <br />The blue bowl has veggies, some of which is bamboo shoot.<br />The black bowl is a chicken salad with strawberries.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast, some sort of sweet egg salad</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At a bread store</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McDonald's teriyaki burger with egg...<br />It was actually pretty good.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I only vaguely guess what this stuff is...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxqrdzoctUg/T8748pM86HI/AAAAAAAABWU/Tzr4sPYxpzI/s1600/IMG_1620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxqrdzoctUg/T8748pM86HI/AAAAAAAABWU/Tzr4sPYxpzI/s320/IMG_1620.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toppings on rice on the bottom, <br />the blue bowl is bamboo shoot and beef<br />tempura veggies and cold noodles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-70pu6JjmL1M/T874-PbD-HI/AAAAAAAABWc/PiUTApqIbGA/s1600/IMG_1624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-70pu6JjmL1M/T874-PbD-HI/AAAAAAAABWc/PiUTApqIbGA/s320/IMG_1624.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anpan Man</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CnBRU64uZZM/T874_5ZPoCI/AAAAAAAABWo/o-5LWrncOro/s1600/IMG_1628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CnBRU64uZZM/T874_5ZPoCI/AAAAAAAABWo/o-5LWrncOro/s320/IMG_1628.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese Pizza, broccoli and ham<br />there is no real cheese in Japan...just white gooey stuff.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kUgpHmHYmas/T875CPPi6YI/AAAAAAAABWw/Ry6Fld8y7so/s1600/IMG_1745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kUgpHmHYmas/T875CPPi6YI/AAAAAAAABWw/Ry6Fld8y7so/s320/IMG_1745.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The plate with the flowers is pasta with meat sauce</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This fish has huge teeth...<br />I was told the bigger the eyes, the better the fish.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnAC3LAy7wU/T875Fuh_JvI/AAAAAAAABXA/-lq2KEZjvdk/s1600/IMG_1779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnAC3LAy7wU/T875Fuh_JvI/AAAAAAAABXA/-lq2KEZjvdk/s320/IMG_1779.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mochi for Children's day.<br />The fish represent the koi that fight to swim upstream to spawn <br />and the hope that the children will inherit that strength</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chirashi Sushi. <br />Various toppings over rice, it is sooooooo good!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e5nSW53dAhw/T875JROEIaI/AAAAAAAABXM/P8lInrZaAYw/s1600/IMG_1788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e5nSW53dAhw/T875JROEIaI/AAAAAAAABXM/P8lInrZaAYw/s320/IMG_1788.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The top left is a crab salad (I think), the rest are mostly veggie dishes.<br />The bottom two have bamboo shoot that was harvested <br />on a mountain near my friend's house, this meal was amazing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh bamboo shoot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IM8qA3cQSto/T875KlwEgrI/AAAAAAAABXY/Btni3jLU4I8/s1600/IMG_1795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IM8qA3cQSto/T875KlwEgrI/AAAAAAAABXY/Btni3jLU4I8/s320/IMG_1795.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon ice, isn't it pretty?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oaUNMSW6hKw/T875MjQqKdI/AAAAAAAABXk/uKM2V7KDpIo/s1600/IMG_1802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oaUNMSW6hKw/T875MjQqKdI/AAAAAAAABXk/uKM2V7KDpIo/s320/IMG_1802.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Italian cream pasta with spinach and bacon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cxFG96JTYkQ/T875OjSTqkI/AAAAAAAABXs/y5UlHTh-glg/s1600/IMG_1912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cxFG96JTYkQ/T875OjSTqkI/AAAAAAAABXs/y5UlHTh-glg/s320/IMG_1912.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hamburger with potatoes and other veggies, yum!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steak and a few corn kernels, Brian was craving meat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QkndfbRYs08/T875T7jEciI/AAAAAAAABYE/_fOwrmc_5mI/s1600/IMG_2114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QkndfbRYs08/T875T7jEciI/AAAAAAAABYE/_fOwrmc_5mI/s320/IMG_2114.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tempura veggies, chicken and shrimp</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McDonald's shrimp filet burger<br />I'm so sad we don't have this in the states, it's awesome!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sort of like chow mien?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went to this place for Brian's birthday. <br />It was an all-you-can-eat in 70 minutes.<br />You use a touch pad to order whatever meat you want <br />and you get to grill it yourself. We stuffed ourselves silly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-79499380036163212212012-05-25T16:32:00.000-07:002012-05-25T16:41:46.415-07:00Ships and Hanabi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the great festivals I've had the good fortune to experience was a Ships Festival. Large old fashioned sailing ships came into the Dejima pier and all around the area was food and music. The ships themselves were incredible, I didn't realize how HUGE they could be.<br />
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During the afternoon we walked around and looked at all the ships, and watched dance performances. The festivals bring in a lot of people from all over so it was really crowded. In the late afternoon we met up with some friends and decided to go have kaiten sushi. This type of sushi consists of a bunch of little plates on a conveyor belt and you grab whatever you want and are charged by how many plates you have. It can actually be a really cheap way to eat sushi and you have a lot of options. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corn sushi...??</td></tr>
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After dinner we headed back to the pier and the ships were even more amazing than before. They had all been strung with lights and as the sun went down the whole place glowed, It was really beautiful.<br />
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But the best was yet to come. We settled ourselves in a big park overlooking the water and when it was dark enough watched an absolutely incredible fireworks display over the glittering ships.<br />
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<br />FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-18402674778961969122012-05-18T16:20:00.004-07:002012-05-25T16:37:04.319-07:00Just a Day<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends in my kimono class. That's me on the top left.</td></tr>
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I have to admit I'm a lot better adjusted now that I've been in Japan for a while. Now that I'm passed the jet-lag, the settling in and the majority of my culture shock, I am really enjoying myself. I still have issues with communication and understanding such a different culture but I've learned that I have to treat each encounter individually and not let my bad experiences overshadow the good ones.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My church home while I'm in Japan. </td></tr>
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So far the key to my happiness is to just try and be friendly with everyone. To build connections, friendships and to network. I did a little of this before I came here and that led to my wonderful singing experience, but finding a church family, being friends with the other foreigners and my Japanese conversation partner are helping too. I can't believe how expanded my worldview already is from the small time I've been away from home.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at Dejima Pier</td></tr>
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The other thing that is helping is that I am connecting with the things I am most interested in. I love crafts and creative things and I am constantly seeing beautiful things that inspire me. I try to take lots of pictures (even though I'm often thought of as a crazy tourist) because I don't want to forget a lot of the things I'm seeing. I also try to stop and just enjoy the view, it's so easy to get caught up in the day to day existence of school and home necessities. But I constantly tell myself to look out the window, clear my mind and enjoy the sights that I have never seen before and might not get a chance to see again.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the cute clothing stores at Coco Walk mall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese Aflac duck</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese road construction barriers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most adorable hair accessories</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My host mother wrote my name on an omuraisu (omelette with rice inside)</td></tr>
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<br />FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-73042116757380780242012-05-14T03:22:00.001-07:002012-05-25T16:33:40.828-07:00AmazingLast Sunday was beyond amazing. The day started off simply, relaxing at home. Then we met a friend and did a little sightseeing. <br />
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But it was the evening that was nothing like I expected before I came here. In a wonderful little pub overlooking the beautiful Nagasaki Dejima Pier I sang with my friends.<br />
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It's not unusual to sing in a pub or with friends, but how often does a person get to sing with an incredibly talented Irish band in Japan? Yes, that's right, I sang for the first time in front of an audience with the O'ttories. Needless to say, I was terrified but I wouldn't have missed it for the world.<br />
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<br />FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-14171005095950396402012-05-07T06:00:00.000-07:002012-05-25T16:36:10.689-07:00Sightseeing Unzen pt. 3The second morning in Unzen was misty and surreal. I spent the early morning looking out the window, listening to the birds sing, drinking hot green tea and knitting. Needless to say, it was a wonderful way to greet the day.<br />
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After breakfast (which was a lot of fish and other things I couldn't identify) we were given a small amount of free time. </div>
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We went exploring and saw a fantastic Japanese shrine with incredible gates and statues. After that was the source of the onsen hot water, the hot springs themselves. The very ground around us was boiling and smelled like sulfur. Towards the end of our walk we found a stand selling eggs that were hard boiled by the steam, I had two and they were the best hard boiled eggs I've ever had.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This sign says: "Do not enter Hell, it's dangerous"</td></tr>
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<br />FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-12799494976699288922012-05-03T06:00:00.000-07:002012-05-25T16:35:09.335-07:00Food and Fun Unzen pt. 2Besides the onsen and the hotel there were a lot of other things to see and do on our field trip. The first day, before we ever made it to Unzen, we stopped at a place that sells the best fried potatoes on a stick. It is called Jyaga-chan (Jyaga is the Japanese word for potatoe and -chan is a suffix that you put on the end of someones name, usually someone cute or young) There was even a theme song at the booth that was singing about the potatoes. Certainly a unique experience.<br />
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After we arrived at the hotel and put all our things away in our rooms, we piled back onto the bus and headed up towards the top of the mountain. Unfortunately that weekend a storm was brewing and the wind was too strong to go hiking or ride the rope-way. So we stood for a very funny, windy group photo and then wandered around for a few minutes before we returned to the hotel again.<br />
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Before dinner we went for a walk in the rain to a fantastic retro toy store down the road. It was full of vintage style toys and candy reminiscent of the 1950's and up until now. My favorite purchase so far has been the Kiki's Delivery Service playing cards which have a different movie scene on each card.<br />
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<br />FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-40773374230872760612012-04-24T19:58:00.001-07:002012-04-29T22:30:35.367-07:00Japanese Onsen Unzen pt. 1<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100635133906487017024/CulturalCraftNWhimsy?locked=true#5737044175157984690"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2w0IChyvjnM/T54TR_kD_bI/AAAAAAAABH4/w_IjVDkBYf8/s288/9.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><center><br /></center><br />
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<center style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></center>This past weekend we went to a place called Unzen which is high on a mountain East of Nagasaki city. This was my first hot springs 'onsen' experience and it gave me an interesting look at Japanese culture.<br />
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<center style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></center>The hotel was a Japanese style, similar to my home stay apartment but a lot nicer. It was one main room, a toilet room, washroom and bathing room (all separate) and a lovely area with a table and chairs where you can look out the window at a Japanese style garden.<br />
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<center style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></center>I shared the room with two other American women which I haven't done since high school. But both ladies were mellow and ended up being good roommates. In the room was a cotton Yukata (summer kimono) and a beautiful purple jacket for colder weather. It was like playing dress up to wear these down to the hot springs and while we were socializing.<br />
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The hot-spring baths were a bit of a shock as they are communal and you must be completely naked. It was really difficult for most of us to get past our Western inhibitions, but since everyone felt the same way we all focused on ourselves and didn't pay attention to each other. First you have to wash yourself off because the baths are only fore bathing, not for washing. Then you soak in the bath, there were two in the woman's section (which switched to men in the morning) a large hot indoor pool and a cooler outer pool surrounded by a garden and small waterfall. The water smelled like sulfur but felt wonderful and was so murky that we couldn't see anyone below the surface.<br />
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<center style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></center>In the evening we had a very traditional meal on low tables with floor cushions and were served by women in lovely kimonos. After that was games and Karaoke which were a blast. <br />
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<br />FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-59427071277522355132012-04-19T18:10:00.001-07:002012-04-19T18:10:23.246-07:00Dream come true<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/100635133906487017024/CulturalCraftNWhimsy?locked=true#5733283994800368914'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-koenrIp5qiU/T5C3asKCLRI/AAAAAAAABGw/RycZxREdi1s/s288/0.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />So far the most exciting part of my studies has been my traditional arts classes. Monday was Calligraphy which is very similar to Sumi-e painting. We were taught about the materials used, the brushes and types of animal hair used and how to rub the ink stick on the stone with water to make the ink. The lecture was completely in Japanese but I was able to get the gist of it. So far we are simply getting used to working with the brush but hopefully I'll have something decent to show after a few classes.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/100635133906487017024/CulturalCraftNWhimsy?locked=true#5733284055354075570'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MUGkztEBHgU/T5C3eNvKabI/AAAAAAAABG4/dOMHLSaVTNA/s288/1.jpg' border='0' width='187' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The other part of the class which is on Thursdays is the Kimono class. Also in Japanese, the teacher was really pleasant and fun to listen to. She described the differences between winter versus summer kimono (two layers of silk for winter, one layer of thinner silk for spring) and the cotton yukata used in summer. Four of us were chosen to model the different types of kimono, myself included. My kimono was a silk summer kimono and was most expensive one worn by the class, I believe she said it cost what would be about $3000. The fabrics were gorgeous and I really enjoyed myself. I can't believe I got to wear a silk Kimono in Japan!!!<br />FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-72189722047815456942012-04-16T01:57:00.000-07:002012-04-16T01:57:01.943-07:00First Reflection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Time is really strange here, I feel like I've been in Japan a long time and yet I also can't believe it's already been more than two weeks. I'm feeling really comfortable in Nagasaki, the buses are really handy, the scenery is beautiful and the city is interesting. Most of the time people ignore us, gawk at us or are really friendly, we haven't had any negative experiences with the locals yet.<br />
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School is a little more trying, I was pretty sure when we arrived that both of us would be in the level 2 language class. We've learned a lot but we haven't had much practice with speaking or listening and we really need to review. I was shocked when the placement test put me in level 3 and Brian in level 2. Naturally we want to be in the same class, we are at the same level despite what the test said. But I assumed that if I got into lvl 3 than Brian should take the lvl 3 challenge exam. But after a week of studying and frustration they refused to let him move up (he missed it by 1 point..). So today I was faced with a dilemma, I've been going to lvl 3 classes all last week and it is definitely the level I should be in, but I've decided to take a hit to my pride and drop down so I can be with him. It wouldn't have been so bad but they made me have a meeting with one of the ladies in charge so I could answer questions about why I was moving down, and if I was sure I wanted to do this. I essentially had to lie about needing to be in that level, although I will still learn new things either way. Needless to say, both of us feel like crap about the whole situation. Hopefully we will get used to this class and it will give us the opportunity to really understand all the things we've learned up to this point.<br />
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ANYWAY, everything else is wonderful. Our other classes are Culture, History, Cinema and Literature and we are really excited about all the great things we are learning. There is so much to see and do here that I know that we will have a great experience no matter what.FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-65723844868300102832012-04-11T09:00:00.000-07:002012-04-11T09:00:08.913-07:00School Field trip pt. 3<span style="text-align: left;">After the lunch and Saikai Bridge we got back on the bus for about an hour and then stopped at the Strawberry Forest. It was INCREDIBLE! They let you in for 45 minutes with a pair of scissors and you eat as many strawberries as your stomach can hold. They were </span><span style="text-align: left;">gorgeous</span><span style="text-align: left;">, ripe, juicy and sweet and I think it was one of the funnest things I've done so far. They are also addictive, not matter how full we were there was always another beautiful ripe strawberry and we would have to eat "just one more".</span><br />
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After that was the Bio Park. It was a zoo that had very few enclosures so the animals were able to wander around and interact with people. There were a lot of monkeys and parrots. It was smaller than I expected but enjoyable none the less. The strangest part was that there was a petting area for domesticated animals like cats, dogs and rabbits.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-76448722984747570002012-04-09T09:00:00.000-07:002012-04-09T09:00:01.070-07:00School Field trip pt. 2Our next stop on our field trip was Sikai Bridge Park overlooking an inlet from the sea. When the water from the ocean hits the water in the bay it creates whirlpools. The large bridge built over the water has an amazing view of the whirlpools as well as the beautiful trees and flowers on either side.<br />
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We ate lunch at Toto Market and they served a multi-course traditional Japanese meal. We sat at the fish table but there was also a chicken table. Some of the Japanese teacher sat at our table and helped us understand how to eat the unusual food. Some of it (the shrimp, sashimi and grilled vegetables) were delicious and other parts (some kind of custard with mushrooms and...some other things we couldn't identify) were not so good. But all in all it was filling and a fun experience.<br />
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After lunch we were free to walk around for a while so we went over the bridge. On the other side was a grove of sakura (cherry) trees in full bloom. With the contrasting blue/green water and the fresh air it was just breathtaking.</div>
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<br />FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-9092004456687919982012-04-07T00:06:00.000-07:002012-04-07T00:40:34.161-07:00School Field trip Pt. 1After a week long orientation to get ready for school in Japan, the end of the week was a field trip. Some parts were cultural, others just about experiencing the beauty of the area but the whole day was wonderful. We began a the school where we all piled into two large charter buses.<br />
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Our first stop was a rest stop overlooking the ocean where we all posed for a group photo and to take pictures of our own. I really can't tell you how gorgeous Nagasaki is, but you can see for yourself. The air was fresh and moist and there were all kinds of birds singing and flying around.<br />
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After that we went to Satome where we toured Shitsu church which was built by a French priest, and a fantastic Museum of History and Folklore. The museum was filled with old tools, cooking implements, fishing gear and all kinds of other old household goods. There was also quite a few artifacts from Nagasaki's Christian past. But my favorite part of the museum was the spinning wheels and looms and the different fibers that were used with them. It was very interesting.</div>
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<br />FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223343959681258062.post-67897635212711406182012-04-04T03:09:00.001-07:002012-04-04T03:16:39.618-07:00Kite Festival<a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/100635133906487017024/CulturalCraftNWhimsy?locked=true#5727485471273772386'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UKrVxvxgfn0/T3wdsMt75WI/AAAAAAAAA-w/VYMA5jlAGKQ/s288/12.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br />Sunday one our senpai (more experienced student) invited us to a Kite Festival. I can't tell you exactly where because I'm still overwhelmed with all the new places. All I know is that we took a trolley downtown and then a bus up to a tall hill and a park. <br /><br />It was filled with families flying kites, kids and parents running all around. There was Japanese traditional music playing and some food stands. The main event was a kite battle during which people with big kites with glass tied to the strings tried to wrap their sting around another persons and cut it down.<br /><br />It was such a beautiful day, the Sakura are blooming and everybody was happy. Somebody even handed me and Brian a kite and we had fun trying to fly it.<br /><br /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/W-2EfL0Nj5I" width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/W-2EfL0Nj5I" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><!-- Fallback content --><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-2EfL0Nj5I"><img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/W-2EfL0Nj5I/0.jpg" width="400" height="300" />YouTube Video</a></object><br /><br />FaeDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099149275062485962noreply@blogger.com0