At the end of September, I went to TGS 2009 with Sean. It was his first time there, and the two of us had a grand time. As usual, there were a fair amount of people in costumes, and we got to look at some exclusive trailers for some upcoming games. After the show, we had dinner in Shinjuku together, and then we went home.
Tonight, I met up with Miwa at 6 so we could go out to dinner and go over some things she wanted me to check. As we walked to Koh Phi Phi, a cozy Thai restaurant, we talked about how the female teachers at work dress (very nicely). Over spicy vegetables and pineapple fried rice, we discussed her addictions (manga and real umeboshi) as well as some movies she liked. We were still a bit hungry after dinner, so we decided to get some dessert at a nearby Baskin Robbins. I had a double sundae, while she looked absolutely adorable eating her cookies-and-cream crepe. We sat in the food court, and after we discussed her writing, we continued to talk about her favorite type of guys (on TV, she likes older, wild, and dangerous guys like Harrison Ford, Andy Lau, and Koichi Sato, but in real life, she prefers funny guys closer to her own age). Before we knew it, it was 10, and we had to leave since the food court was closing. So, we caught the train home. Since I had paid for everything, Miwa was a bit distraught, but I placated her by accepting her suggestion of paying for the next time we go out. I can't wait!
Today's video is called "Koi ni ochitara", which means "When you fall in love". It's sung by Crystal Kay, a Korean-American who speaks fluent Japanese.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The Best 2.5 Hours of My Life
So, I bet you're wondering how I spent the best 2.5 hours of my life. Well, I met Mayuko for dinner on the 5th, and we went to Denny's. We had a good time talking about our students, especially her kiddie students. Was that the best 2.5 hours of my life? Well, no, but I thought I'd just throw that in.
OK, so how about the school festival that took place over the weekend? While the strings orchestra and the brass band both put on impressive performances, no, no, this did not qualify as the best 2.5 hours of my life either.
Now those of you who know me are probably thinking that the best 2.5 hours of my life involved a girl. You're right. And, if you've read the last few posts on my blog, you know I'm absolutely crazy about Miwa. Well, the best 2.5 hours of my life was basically going out to dinner with Miwa...just the two of us. We went to A La Campagne (my choice), an Italian restaurant with a great atmosphere. I could swear I heard my heart pounding through my chest the whole night; never had I experienced such a roller-coaster ride of emotions. I didn't just stare at her the whole night (though that would have been fine with me). We talked about so many things: her desire to get a postgrad degree at a Swedish university (apparently they offer free tuition!), Canada's education system vs. Japan's education system, and cool guys vs. funny guys. I was surprised to learn how similar our teaching styles are; she doesn't like Japan's test-and-memorization-oriented system and would rather have her students think critically, so she's not always truthful with her students. I do the same thing with my students - sometimes, I'll make stuff up just so students have to think about whether what I'm saying is true or not. This is great fun for me, but my students don't think so! We also talked about whether talkative and funny guys are more or less attractive than taciturn and handsome guys. To my relief, Miwa seems OK with talkative guys. She's also a big Brad Pitt fan...I wonder how talkative he is! To top the night off, we made plans to go see the Egyptian exhibit at Yokohama Museum and (keeping my fingers crossed here) a co-worker's musical in November. I paid for the whole dinner (does that make it a date?), but it could have been ten times the price and still would have been a bargain because of how high I was the whole time. The best 2.5 hours of my life, and second place is not even close.
Today's music video is called "Sounan", and it's by a band called Tokyo Jihen, which is fronted by Ringo Shiina, who is a pretty famous solo singer in her own right. This band is probably one of the more eclectic-sounding bands j-pop has to offer.
OK, so how about the school festival that took place over the weekend? While the strings orchestra and the brass band both put on impressive performances, no, no, this did not qualify as the best 2.5 hours of my life either.
Now those of you who know me are probably thinking that the best 2.5 hours of my life involved a girl. You're right. And, if you've read the last few posts on my blog, you know I'm absolutely crazy about Miwa. Well, the best 2.5 hours of my life was basically going out to dinner with Miwa...just the two of us. We went to A La Campagne (my choice), an Italian restaurant with a great atmosphere. I could swear I heard my heart pounding through my chest the whole night; never had I experienced such a roller-coaster ride of emotions. I didn't just stare at her the whole night (though that would have been fine with me). We talked about so many things: her desire to get a postgrad degree at a Swedish university (apparently they offer free tuition!), Canada's education system vs. Japan's education system, and cool guys vs. funny guys. I was surprised to learn how similar our teaching styles are; she doesn't like Japan's test-and-memorization-oriented system and would rather have her students think critically, so she's not always truthful with her students. I do the same thing with my students - sometimes, I'll make stuff up just so students have to think about whether what I'm saying is true or not. This is great fun for me, but my students don't think so! We also talked about whether talkative and funny guys are more or less attractive than taciturn and handsome guys. To my relief, Miwa seems OK with talkative guys. She's also a big Brad Pitt fan...I wonder how talkative he is! To top the night off, we made plans to go see the Egyptian exhibit at Yokohama Museum and (keeping my fingers crossed here) a co-worker's musical in November. I paid for the whole dinner (does that make it a date?), but it could have been ten times the price and still would have been a bargain because of how high I was the whole time. The best 2.5 hours of my life, and second place is not even close.
Today's music video is called "Sounan", and it's by a band called Tokyo Jihen, which is fronted by Ringo Shiina, who is a pretty famous solo singer in her own right. This band is probably one of the more eclectic-sounding bands j-pop has to offer.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Giant Tuna Head & Yet Another Lunch
On Sunday, I met up with Shiho, our friend Chiharu, and Shiho's coworker Naoka in Shinjuku for dinner. Chiharu is studying in the States; she just came back to Japan for a vacation. We went to an izakaya that was like any other izakaya, but the girls ordered something noteworthy: a giant tuna head. Let me type that again: a giant tuna head, complete with giant eyeballs and everything. I have to say, it wasn't the most pleasant thing to look at, but at least the meat tasted just like regular good ol' tuna. We had fun talking about ideal boyfriend/girlfriend types, and after dinner, we went to a frozen yogurt place for dessert.
Today I had an unplanned lunch with Miwa again. She wanted to ask me about my summer vacation to the Caribbean and about Canada as she's thinking of interning there. We started off talking about our summer vacations, but we ended up getting so sidetracked that we ran out of time before we could talk about Canada! While I was enjoying myself on my summer holiday, she studied and went to school every day. She did find the time, however, to become a godmother to one of her close friends' son. Miwa told me that this particular friend had had a shotgun wedding, which was very surprising for her considering the friend was very traditional. Miwa told me that she herself is also traditional. Then, the conversation focus shifted towards high school friends; we talked about our high school lives and how the friends we've kept in touch with since then are our closest friends. Finally, we talked about how much we have changed since we were high school students. I told her that I was shy and quiet when I was in high school, and she told me that she changed from an outspoken tomboy in elementary school to a shy, hesitant student in high school as well. However, we both noted that we have changed since we started working at the school; we've both become so comfortable that neither of us hesitates to say what we think now. In case you're wondering, Miwa and I have been working at the same school for more than six years. We ran out of time at that point, and all too soon we had to go back to school.
Today's video is the newest one from Nami Tamaki, and it's called "Friends!". Warning: extreme J-pop cuteness ahead. You've been warned.
Tamaki Nami - Friends!! (PV)
Uploaded by ChaOko_01. - See the latest featured music videos.
Today I had an unplanned lunch with Miwa again. She wanted to ask me about my summer vacation to the Caribbean and about Canada as she's thinking of interning there. We started off talking about our summer vacations, but we ended up getting so sidetracked that we ran out of time before we could talk about Canada! While I was enjoying myself on my summer holiday, she studied and went to school every day. She did find the time, however, to become a godmother to one of her close friends' son. Miwa told me that this particular friend had had a shotgun wedding, which was very surprising for her considering the friend was very traditional. Miwa told me that she herself is also traditional. Then, the conversation focus shifted towards high school friends; we talked about our high school lives and how the friends we've kept in touch with since then are our closest friends. Finally, we talked about how much we have changed since we were high school students. I told her that I was shy and quiet when I was in high school, and she told me that she changed from an outspoken tomboy in elementary school to a shy, hesitant student in high school as well. However, we both noted that we have changed since we started working at the school; we've both become so comfortable that neither of us hesitates to say what we think now. In case you're wondering, Miwa and I have been working at the same school for more than six years. We ran out of time at that point, and all too soon we had to go back to school.
Today's video is the newest one from Nami Tamaki, and it's called "Friends!". Warning: extreme J-pop cuteness ahead. You've been warned.
Tamaki Nami - Friends!! (PV)
Uploaded by ChaOko_01. - See the latest featured music videos.
Friday, July 17, 2009
It's Gettin' Hot in Here
Japanese summers are hot and humid, and this summer is no exception. In fact, if it weren't for the lovely summer fashion that all the cute Japanese girls wear, I'd say the summer here has no redeeming qualities. It's not quite as hot as Hong Kong and nowhere near as bad as the Caribbean, but it's still in the so-hot-you'll-sweat-in-the-shade range.
Today, I had another lunch with Miwa. The two of us walked to a Chinese restaurant (the same one we went to last time), where I was supposed to go over her writing. We ended up talking so much that we ran out of time! I found out some interesting things about her, such as the fact that even though she loves travelling, she gets airsick, seasick, and carsick quite easily (trains are OK). She even hates the smell inside planes and cars. Apparently, this isn't a problem for her mother, who used to be a flight attendant. Also, Miwa confirmed what I already knew: she's one of a kind - no brother or sisters. Miwa described herself as a tomboy growing up because she was sporty. She still plays tennis, and she has a match coming up even though it's so hot and humid (or, as she said, it's "in hell"). Since she said she's much better at racquet sports than direct sports (e.g. basketball, soccer, volleyball), we said we would teach each other how to play our favorite sport. Before I had a chance to go over her writing, we had to hurry back to school because she had a class. However, lest you think that I was irresponsible, we did meet again after her class, and I went over her writing with her. She was grateful, but the pleasure was all mine; if I can help her and make her smile, that's enough for me.
I'm flying back to Toronto on Monday, and I'll be there for a month, so if you're reading this in Toronto, see you soon! Give me a call, or e-mail me, and let's catch up.
Today's music video is by the newest techno group to hit Japan, Perfume. "Polyrhythm" was their first big hit, and they've become more and more successful with each new song. This one's called "One Room Disco".
Perfume - One room disco : HQ
Uploaded by movie_master. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.
Today, I had another lunch with Miwa. The two of us walked to a Chinese restaurant (the same one we went to last time), where I was supposed to go over her writing. We ended up talking so much that we ran out of time! I found out some interesting things about her, such as the fact that even though she loves travelling, she gets airsick, seasick, and carsick quite easily (trains are OK). She even hates the smell inside planes and cars. Apparently, this isn't a problem for her mother, who used to be a flight attendant. Also, Miwa confirmed what I already knew: she's one of a kind - no brother or sisters. Miwa described herself as a tomboy growing up because she was sporty. She still plays tennis, and she has a match coming up even though it's so hot and humid (or, as she said, it's "in hell"). Since she said she's much better at racquet sports than direct sports (e.g. basketball, soccer, volleyball), we said we would teach each other how to play our favorite sport. Before I had a chance to go over her writing, we had to hurry back to school because she had a class. However, lest you think that I was irresponsible, we did meet again after her class, and I went over her writing with her. She was grateful, but the pleasure was all mine; if I can help her and make her smile, that's enough for me.
I'm flying back to Toronto on Monday, and I'll be there for a month, so if you're reading this in Toronto, see you soon! Give me a call, or e-mail me, and let's catch up.
Today's music video is by the newest techno group to hit Japan, Perfume. "Polyrhythm" was their first big hit, and they've become more and more successful with each new song. This one's called "One Room Disco".
Perfume - One room disco : HQ
Uploaded by movie_master. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.
Friday, May 8, 2009
What I've Been Up To Recently
At the beginning of April, I met up with Yumi and her friend, Masae, at an Italian restaurant in Roppongi. It was my first time in Roppongi; Roppongi has a certain reputation that makes me want to avoid it (it's sleazy), but we went to the ritzy area, and it was quite nice. Masae and Yumi met in Hong Kong since they go there often on business; Yumi helps people sell methane, and Masae is a liason between Japanese and Hong Kong entertainment stars. Anyway, we had a good time just chatting the night away.
A couple of Saturdays ago, my friend Sean came over to my place to hang out. Over dinner, we talked enthusiastically about hobbies that we share, and it was great just debating over certain topics with him.
Last Friday, there was a teachers party to welcome the new teachers and say goodbye to the retiring teachers. We have this party every year, and we normally go to a nearby hotel, but this time, we went to a Chinese restaurant in Jiyugaoka. There were about 50-60 teachers, and we played a "Where is this?" game that many of the teachers surprisingly got into. After the party, we split off into groups, and I followed some English teachers (including the new cute English teacher) to an izakaya for a second drinking session, which was fun.
Last week was Golden Week, which meant I had Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday off. I took care of some things (shopping at Costco, renewing my passport), but I did find time to hang out with Mayuko Tuesday night. We went to Hachioji for dinner, and after dinner, we went to karaoke. Since neither of us had gone to karaoke in a long time, we had a good two-hour session, and then we went home.
Today's music video is by Nana Tanimura, a 21-year-old law student at Aoyama Gakuin University. She entered a beauty contest while she was in high school, and while she didn't win, she impressed some people with her singing ability (enough, apparently, to get a record contract). This song is called "Jungle Dance".
NANA TANIMURA 「JUNGLE DANCE」
Uploaded by banana10000t -
A couple of Saturdays ago, my friend Sean came over to my place to hang out. Over dinner, we talked enthusiastically about hobbies that we share, and it was great just debating over certain topics with him.
Last Friday, there was a teachers party to welcome the new teachers and say goodbye to the retiring teachers. We have this party every year, and we normally go to a nearby hotel, but this time, we went to a Chinese restaurant in Jiyugaoka. There were about 50-60 teachers, and we played a "Where is this?" game that many of the teachers surprisingly got into. After the party, we split off into groups, and I followed some English teachers (including the new cute English teacher) to an izakaya for a second drinking session, which was fun.
Last week was Golden Week, which meant I had Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday off. I took care of some things (shopping at Costco, renewing my passport), but I did find time to hang out with Mayuko Tuesday night. We went to Hachioji for dinner, and after dinner, we went to karaoke. Since neither of us had gone to karaoke in a long time, we had a good two-hour session, and then we went home.
Today's music video is by Nana Tanimura, a 21-year-old law student at Aoyama Gakuin University. She entered a beauty contest while she was in high school, and while she didn't win, she impressed some people with her singing ability (enough, apparently, to get a record contract). This song is called "Jungle Dance".
NANA TANIMURA 「JUNGLE DANCE」
Uploaded by banana10000t -
Sunday, March 29, 2009
The Last Week of Spring Holidays 2009
The last week of my spring holidays is here. It's been a relaxing spring holiday, but I've also had my fair share of new experiences. It's holidays like these that make me forget that I actually have to work! (^-^)
On Tuesday, I met up with Carol for dinner. We went to Grandberry Mall, and we looked around the shops before we went to Vietnam Alice for dinner. After dinner, Carol came over to my place to hang out. This was one of her last nights in Japan as she left on Friday.
I went to Costco on Wednesday with Naoko. I had just gone the previous week, but Naoko had never gone before and wanted to go, so she drove us there after a brief stop at a giant Don Quixote store (think of a store that sells everything). Naoko, like me, is a little thrifty, so she was interested in all the cheap bulk items, but she had trouble understanding how to eat or use everything ("tabekirenai" and "tsukaikirenai" in Japanese). We had dinner there, and then she drove me home.
The high school brass band was putting on a concert Friday night, and I was invited, so I went. A couple of my favourite students in the band graduated this year, so it was their final concert. The students played well, and I was happily entertained.
Yesterday, I walked to Machida to meet Miho for dinner. After walking around trying to find a place to eat, we decided on A La Campagne, a French restaurant. Afterwards, we stopped by McDonald's to continue our conversation, and then I walked home.
Today's music video is called "How?", and it's by another pretty Japanese singer named Kyoko Fukada.
深田恭子 - How？ 【PV】
Uploaded by utadalove
On Tuesday, I met up with Carol for dinner. We went to Grandberry Mall, and we looked around the shops before we went to Vietnam Alice for dinner. After dinner, Carol came over to my place to hang out. This was one of her last nights in Japan as she left on Friday.
I went to Costco on Wednesday with Naoko. I had just gone the previous week, but Naoko had never gone before and wanted to go, so she drove us there after a brief stop at a giant Don Quixote store (think of a store that sells everything). Naoko, like me, is a little thrifty, so she was interested in all the cheap bulk items, but she had trouble understanding how to eat or use everything ("tabekirenai" and "tsukaikirenai" in Japanese). We had dinner there, and then she drove me home.
The high school brass band was putting on a concert Friday night, and I was invited, so I went. A couple of my favourite students in the band graduated this year, so it was their final concert. The students played well, and I was happily entertained.
Yesterday, I walked to Machida to meet Miho for dinner. After walking around trying to find a place to eat, we decided on A La Campagne, a French restaurant. Afterwards, we stopped by McDonald's to continue our conversation, and then I walked home.
Today's music video is called "How?", and it's by another pretty Japanese singer named Kyoko Fukada.
深田恭子 - How？ 【PV】
Uploaded by utadalove
Monday, March 23, 2009
Now This Is My Idea of a Vacation
The last day of work before spring vacation was March 15th, but I'd had sporadic days off before then. Let me tell you how I spent the past week and a half.
On March 13th, I met up with Suna for dinner in Shinjuku. We went to the Asian Kitchen in west Shinjuku, at the top of the Sumitomo Building. The view at night was really nice, and the food and the company were both good. I particularly enjoyed their non-alcoholic strawberry cocktail - easily one of the best drinks I've ever had. Suna and I talked about movies, my students, and her busy life. After dinner, she went back to work, and I went home.
On the 17th, I met Shiho in Shinjuku, once again for dinner. We went to a soup restaurant that Shiho had chosen. Over dinner, we talked about how her fiance had proposed to her and about her recent trip to Hawaii. It was good to catch up with her; I think the next time I see her, she'll be a Mrs.!
On the 18th, I went to a restaurant near the school to attend a co-worker's farewell party. There were about 10-15 people there, and we had a good time eating and drinking. Do you know how some co-workers are different outside of work? I got to see a whole new side to some co-workers that I never knew existed.
I went to Costco on the 20th, and on the 21st, I went to Odaiba to meet Carol (the co-worker who is leaving). I really like Odaiba; it's an interesting place that doesn't feel like it's in Japan. We went to a coffee shop first, and then we went to Joypolis, an indoor video-game amusement park. We had fun going on the Halfpipe Canyon ride (twice!) and playing the moving shooting games. We stuck around until 11, and then we went home.
Yesterday was a fairly relaxing day. I didn't do much other than play basketball. Even though I was fairly tired, I managed to play well, and my team had a rousing come-from-behind victory - 140 - 138! I had the game-saving block. There are few things I find more euphoric than winning, and I was feeling pretty happy.
Japan has its fair share of boy bands, but I'm sick of them because they're all my students talk about. (-_-) Today's music video is by a Korean boy band that's popular in Japan but not really talked about in my school. They're known as Tohoshinki, and the name of the video is "Mirotic".
MIROTIC
Uploaded by sofa03
On March 13th, I met up with Suna for dinner in Shinjuku. We went to the Asian Kitchen in west Shinjuku, at the top of the Sumitomo Building. The view at night was really nice, and the food and the company were both good. I particularly enjoyed their non-alcoholic strawberry cocktail - easily one of the best drinks I've ever had. Suna and I talked about movies, my students, and her busy life. After dinner, she went back to work, and I went home.
On the 17th, I met Shiho in Shinjuku, once again for dinner. We went to a soup restaurant that Shiho had chosen. Over dinner, we talked about how her fiance had proposed to her and about her recent trip to Hawaii. It was good to catch up with her; I think the next time I see her, she'll be a Mrs.!
On the 18th, I went to a restaurant near the school to attend a co-worker's farewell party. There were about 10-15 people there, and we had a good time eating and drinking. Do you know how some co-workers are different outside of work? I got to see a whole new side to some co-workers that I never knew existed.
I went to Costco on the 20th, and on the 21st, I went to Odaiba to meet Carol (the co-worker who is leaving). I really like Odaiba; it's an interesting place that doesn't feel like it's in Japan. We went to a coffee shop first, and then we went to Joypolis, an indoor video-game amusement park. We had fun going on the Halfpipe Canyon ride (twice!) and playing the moving shooting games. We stuck around until 11, and then we went home.
Yesterday was a fairly relaxing day. I didn't do much other than play basketball. Even though I was fairly tired, I managed to play well, and my team had a rousing come-from-behind victory - 140 - 138! I had the game-saving block. There are few things I find more euphoric than winning, and I was feeling pretty happy.
Japan has its fair share of boy bands, but I'm sick of them because they're all my students talk about. (-_-) Today's music video is by a Korean boy band that's popular in Japan but not really talked about in my school. They're known as Tohoshinki, and the name of the video is "Mirotic".
MIROTIC
Uploaded by sofa03
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