Happy Holidays!

This year I celebrated Christmas... Japanese style!

No.. there was no cozy fireplace or any pretty trees to put presents under, but there were fireworks! I guess listening to Christmas music (weather its English or the good old Japanese versions of Christmas carols) from stacks of large speakers while watching 花火 is the way they do it here.

So, its my first holiday season away from my usual friends and family, but I think us international students are holding up alright. This year we went to Beppu's firework show. Although Christmas isn't an official holiday here, people still like to put up lights all over downtown and open up booths to sell food, making the occasion very festive. Right on the beach several stacks of speakers were set up. You could hear everything from a Japanese version of Jingle Bells to Jackson 5's Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

For this Christmas occasion, most of still in Oita decided to take it easy. We threw a Secret Santa Party in the Kaikan lobby complete with a few games of 7/11 double. Nobody had to go bankrupt buying presents, but everyone still got something cool. On Christmas Eve we spent the evening eating dinner together at a nearby Izakaya. Later going to McDonald's and Family Mart for ice cream and cinnamon rolls!

Also, for Christmas Day some of us headed to Jun & Jesse's for another evening of fine dining and another game of 7/11 double. Honestly, not a bad holiday experience so far in Japan!

School..school...school

I skype every now and then with a few folks back home and then i remember just how different the things are here with the school system. I can't believe the semester is already over for most of my friends, but i've still got stuff to worry about until the end of January. Even though Christmas isn't a holiday (a huge date day actually), we still get a two week break. To most of us Americans its god awful that we have technically have classes on the 25th. I believe the overall consensus though is that none of us will attend. Luckily though, all of our teachers understand the importance of Christmas for every other country so they are canceling it.

I suppose school in America wasn't so different just ten years ago. I remember when everyone would have a two week break for Christmas, but still have to take finals in January. Then someone finally realized that there is no way in hell that any child, teenager, or grown up would ever consider studying over enjoying the important holiday season. I guess Japan just never adjusted along with the rest of the world. But, to keep things fair, the classes us exchange students take here are for the most part fun. Tomorrow I have a presentation in my Pop Culture class. The topic: Fighting Magical Schoolgirls.

沖縄 Adventures

This past weekend, a few of us decided to spontaneously buy plane tickets to Okinawa. When I came here, I didn't think of Okinawa as a place that would be on my travel list. After this weekend though, I believe if there is any place in "Japan" i would like to move to, it would be Okinawa. It reminds me alot of San Diego, but a foreign country other than Japan at the same time. It has its nice ritzy looking places and its rastafarian worn down places just like SD has LaJolla and Ocean Beach.

The people here are different too. They refer to themselves as Okinawans and they move at their own pace. Some two hundred years ago Okinawa used to be called RyuKyu until Japan took it over, but alot of their original culture still exists. Something about living in a place where the weather allows you to wear shorts while the rest of the country is wearing double layers of jackets might have some affect on the personalities of these people. Though it was only a short weekend, It was great to learn about Okinawa and its people. Its definitely a different side of Japan. While people in the main islands are "go go go" these guys are laid back and seem stress free. Their families are bigger and they never seem to be in a hurry.

Anyway, I really hope that anyone who has the chance to visit Okinawa takes advantage of it. The most expensive part is transportation to get there (200USD). One there, you can find a number of hostels for 12-18USD. The whole trip was a little less than 4,500yen. About $500.

Aquarium with the larges fish ive ever seen!

These things are called Shisa. Every Okinawan home has two of these guarding each door.

Life Aquatic!

Look! You can see other islands depending on what part of the coast you stand on.

Nagasaki!長崎！

From Oita, it is possible to make a weekend trip to Nagasaki for 30,000円　or less. (About 350 USD) This includes the round trip transportation by bus and train while passing by Fukuoka. Two nights of lodging at the Akari youth hostel and transportation within the city is included. Temple entrance fees and food for three days are covered.

Epic Streetlamp

Nagasaki's Cathedral

Spectacle Bridge built in 1634

Peace Park

One of many album covers to come.

Statue near ground zero

Waterfall near the Seaside Park

The picture doesn't do this view any justice

Seeing Nagasaki is a great weekend getaway from Oita as the scenery changes from a busy bustling town to a smaller peaceful seaside community with a strong feel of historical presence. As eight of us galavanted around this small town, we got to see everything from the Peace Memorial to a view of the entire city from the top of a mountain.

Of course, as Americans we obliged ourselves to visit ground zero and the Atomic Bomb memorial. It was most definitely a sobering experience. Most of us in the states or any country don't give much thought or care to how wars affect innocent populations. Yes, its unfortunate that so many people have to pay the price for the quarrels of such small groups of people in power. It was a sobering experience that reminded me or made me realize, wars are never good. I pray that we all can continue to learn from the past. Overall, Nagasaki was a pleasant mini vacation. Im glad I went with the people I did.

Its made out of paper cranes!

A little thought...

I rarely use myspace these days. But today was just one of those days, like checking the contents of that container in your fridge thats been sitting there for years. Or actually more like looking through an old album. As i checked my inbox, i realized that the tabs went up to #116. There were THOUSANDS of old messages i hadn't read since 2005. Long story short, of the messages I scrolled through, some from old friends or people I've lost touch with, It brought me back. I don't know why I never got around to deleting my account, but some old memories still sit in that box. Some good, some bad and others legendary.

I know my time so far in Oita has been a blast. No really, amazing! But behind the scenes I have to remember the bigger things which go on unnoticed. The reason why I came to Japan in the first place wasn't about partying, acquiring skills to get a good job, or to run from that past. No, it was to find myself. The kind of personal growth that helps you to be the best version of yourself albeit for your own sake, your future soul mate or whatever you can imagine.

A part of me got just a little bit gloomy remembering some of the old heartbreaks, trials, tribulations. But I also remembered the times I persevered. All truth be told, i've had a few moments of ups and downs here. Yet, I hear that voice that reminds me not to waste this God given opportunity. No matter what you've had in the past if it didn't work out, you always have something better to look forward to.

Had certain things I wanted in the past actually worked out, I can't even imagine where I would be. I know I'd rather be where I am now. So take a good look at your past, but not too hard. Learn from what you've experienced and leave behind whatever holds you back. Don't look back, don't hold back.

Maybe thats what all those nightmares about waking up in California have been about?

Mac & Cheese

For those of you planning to go to Japan in the future, you should know that there is a mac & cheese shortage. Actually, they simply don't carry it, at least not anywhere i've been. So unless you plan on bringing a suitcase full of boxes or having your friends mail some to you, don't plan on eating it for a while...

But fear not!! I have successfully recreated mac & cheese with a few simple ingredients i was able to find:

Powdered Cheese (the same as parmesan but finely ground)

Lowfat Milk

Penne Pasta

Spreadable Butter

Yup, thats all you really need!

True, its not quite the same, but throw a little bacon and a few herbs and you'll be good to go! It's the next best thing if you don't plan on receiving any packages soon.

Fun Times in Hita!

Our first field trip in the Discover Oita class was to Hita!

Heres the video!

Yay for school field trips!

So I just woke up after a short 3 hour nap. Sometimes you just gotta take care of yourself after a long day. Today we went to Hita area. Our most important stop was the Kyushu Sapporo Beer Factory! Yes, it was a school sponsored field trip with free beer on tap!! Ahh!, pictures cannot do justice to one of the best field trips of my life, but for now a few will do. I will be posting a much more informative video later. Peace!

Fun Times in Oita!

Hey everyone, i finally got some of the videos and pictures of fun times we've had together and compiled them in to a sort of video/slideshow. Thanks to everyone made this possible and I look forward to more fun with all of you soon! Please Enjoy!

Ok, so i added a slightly better quality version on my youtube account in case this was too small.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Banjo270E

Beppu

After a long, fun but exhausting weekend Japan still spoils us with holidays. "Culture Day" meant classes were not in session. Today, in order to relax a little and celebrate culture day, Zach and I decided to try out Takegawara Onsen in Beppu. Just a few exits away, it was an inexpensive train ride to the next city over. After rinsing in cold water I decided to get into the hotspring as fast as I could... Bad Idea!! It was hotter than any spa ive ever been in back home. As hot as it was, it was a great experience. Rinsing in buckets of warm water after such heat felt good. After leaving the place I felt more relaxed than I had been since I got here.

After the onsen, we walked around Beppu for a few hours finding more onsen for future visits and seeing some of the many cool buildings and attractions that you can find in Beppu. Next time I have to go see the monkeys that you can only find in this city.

Of course, right here we had an Engrish moment. "Let's build a beautiful town. It makes bloom a flower to Beppu and needs."

This was cute. A dog riding a bike carrying a plant!

This shirt made my day! Haha, I found it in a Japanese thrift store and couldn't help but want to share this.