Hey homies,
As I said before, not everything about Japan is shiny and sugar coated, and there are a few things I dislike. Since I'm leaving in a few days (sob sob) I figured I'd start bracing myself for the forthcoming emotional breakdown by discussing some aspects of Japan I dislike.
You can't get a decent cup of black tea anywhere. It's like it doesn't exist. Oh sure, there's Earl Grey and Oolong and Jasmine and all those fancy kinds, but when you're homesick for a nice cuppa? Forget it. Nowhere to be found.
Shopkeepers' voices. It's especially annoying in cafes and restaurants, when you're trying to enjoy your food and every few minutes you hear the abnormally high pitched, nasal "IRRASHAIMASE" (welcome)
The fear of gaijin (foreigners). It's not racism as such, but in a country with a 95% indigenous population, Japanese people are a little freaked out by foreigners; meaning people actively avoid sitting next to me on the bus or handing me flyers and such. I guess it's nice when you want peace and quiet, but it does make you feel a bit lonely.
There are almost no food vending machines. In Ireland you can always find a machine to buy crisps or chocolate - in Japan, not so. There are drink, cigarette, ice-cream, even alcohol vending machines - but I am yet to find one selling food. Though apparently in Akihabara Station there is a banana machine.
The fact that all manners dissolve on a busy train. People will push and shove and never apologise if it means they'll get a seat. And for that matter, Japanese people prefer to sit with an empty space on either side, so it's ridiculously difficult for two or more people to get neighbouring seats on the train.
The fact that, although I say "mou ichidou itte kudasai" (please say it again) in perfect Japanese, many Japanese people take it to mean "SPEAK ENGLISH NOW" and they usually just give up at that point and get someone to translate. Like, I am asking you to repeat yourself because you're speaking absurdly fast, not because I can't speak your language.
The insects. are. HUGE.
The thing I dislike most about Japan is that all of these things really have added to my experience, and I'm gonna miss them. I don't want to go home.
クイーヴァ
Caoimhe
Wednesday 31 July 2013
Monday 29 July 2013
My Weekend
Hey gang,
So I`m 18 now whaaaaat
I can`t get my head around it
I went to Numazu City with my host family and went to the fireworks festival, which was awesome. I got to wear yukata, which is Japanese summer kimono, and I`ll upload a photo when I get the chance. :)
Then we ate in a pasta restaurant where we were served by a Romanian woman who also had her birthday that day so we all sang "Happy Birthday" in English, bemusing the Japanese people in the restaurant. And I got melon soda best day ever :D
The next day, I did something I haven`t done in thirteen years - went to the cinema to see Pokemon. I still remember going to see Pokemon The Movie 2000 when I was five years old, and going to see Pokemon ExtremeSpeed Genesect at the age of 18 was pretty nostalgic. I must say, Japan does cinema way better than we do. Upon buying my ticket, I was given a password to download Genesect for free into Pokemon Black 2 or White 2 (unfortunately, I don`t have either of those games) and was able to buy a bunch of Pokemon merchandise - I got a keyring with Pikachu, Eevee and the new Eeveelution, Sylveon (Nymphia in Japanese). Then, at the food stall, I was able to buy a big plastic Pokemon tub of popcorn, with a free Pokemon strap and Eevee phone charm. It was so coooool!
And the best part was, I was pretty much able to follow the film, despite it being all in Japanese, so I feel more confident with my Japanese speaking ability than before.
After that, we did some shopping, and I bought this kickass hat that I can`t find online but it says "HELLO my name is" like the stickers so it`s coooool
And then I got to eat MOS BURGER WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Laters,
クイーヴァ
Caoimhe
So I`m 18 now whaaaaat
I can`t get my head around it
I went to Numazu City with my host family and went to the fireworks festival, which was awesome. I got to wear yukata, which is Japanese summer kimono, and I`ll upload a photo when I get the chance. :)
Then we ate in a pasta restaurant where we were served by a Romanian woman who also had her birthday that day so we all sang "Happy Birthday" in English, bemusing the Japanese people in the restaurant. And I got melon soda best day ever :D
The next day, I did something I haven`t done in thirteen years - went to the cinema to see Pokemon. I still remember going to see Pokemon The Movie 2000 when I was five years old, and going to see Pokemon ExtremeSpeed Genesect at the age of 18 was pretty nostalgic. I must say, Japan does cinema way better than we do. Upon buying my ticket, I was given a password to download Genesect for free into Pokemon Black 2 or White 2 (unfortunately, I don`t have either of those games) and was able to buy a bunch of Pokemon merchandise - I got a keyring with Pikachu, Eevee and the new Eeveelution, Sylveon (Nymphia in Japanese). Then, at the food stall, I was able to buy a big plastic Pokemon tub of popcorn, with a free Pokemon strap and Eevee phone charm. It was so coooool!
And the best part was, I was pretty much able to follow the film, despite it being all in Japanese, so I feel more confident with my Japanese speaking ability than before.
After that, we did some shopping, and I bought this kickass hat that I can`t find online but it says "HELLO my name is" like the stickers so it`s coooool
And then I got to eat MOS BURGER WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Laters,
クイーヴァ
Caoimhe
Friday 26 July 2013
Update
Hey gang,
sorry I haven`t written much lately. Tomorrow is my 18th birthday and my family are taking me to Numazu City for the weekend, so I won`t be online until Monday. Sorrrrry :(
I`ll think of something interesting to write over the weekend, I promise!
Sorry guuuuys :(
sorry I haven`t written much lately. Tomorrow is my 18th birthday and my family are taking me to Numazu City for the weekend, so I won`t be online until Monday. Sorrrrry :(
I`ll think of something interesting to write over the weekend, I promise!
Sorry guuuuys :(
Wednesday 24 July 2013
Goodbyes
Hey gang
Today was, bar none, the most emotional day of my life since the end of CTYI `11. Today the summer holidays started in Japan - meaning my time at Minato Sohgoh has come to an end.
I am heartbroken to be leaving.
(I still have two weeks left in Japan but still)
Today, I had to make a speech in front of the whole school for the second time. The first time, I was nervous as heck, trying to hold back nerves as I introduced myself in shaky Japanese. This time, I was trying to hold back tears as I thanked everyone for taking me under their wings and making me feel so welcome.
After the speech, a group of my friends ushered me to the cafeteria, insisting we eat together because it was my last day. But as soon as we sat down, they all jumped up again and said, "ok let`s go back to class."
I had no idea what was happening!
Then, I was ushered back into the classroom, where I was greeted by exploding party poppers and applause. "THANK U FOR COMING TO JAPAN" was written on the board in big letters, and all the tables were pushed back except for a few in the middle, upon which sat two beautiful cakes and a huge bag of snacks. The whole class and our Home Room teacher began to sing Happy Birthday (although with the Japanese accent it`s "happy basuday") and some of the boys held up big signs saying Happy Birthday. Then, Manami (my amazing buddy) gave me a gift, a beautiful handmade card that everyone had written a message on. I immediately burst into tears.
I can`t believe that I meant so much to my classmates that they went to the trouble of organizing a whole birthday party for me (and it`s not even my birthday until Saturday) with such a beautiful gift. The teacher also gave me a wonderful gift - a leather bracelet with the school`s logo imprinted onto it; it had been handmade by the Leather-craft class of the nearby Special Needs High School. I have only known these people a month and yet they treated me like an old friend from childhood. Everyone wrote such touching letters on the card, in English and Japanese, so much that I`m choking up just reading them now.
If any of Class 1-6 are reading this, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. The party was the sweetest, kindest thing anyone has ever done for me; and I will always remember you, and treasure our time together.
I will come back to you all one day, like I promised.
I don`t know when, or for how long
but I will
I promise.
クイーヴァ
Caoimhe
Today was, bar none, the most emotional day of my life since the end of CTYI `11. Today the summer holidays started in Japan - meaning my time at Minato Sohgoh has come to an end.
I am heartbroken to be leaving.
(I still have two weeks left in Japan but still)
Today, I had to make a speech in front of the whole school for the second time. The first time, I was nervous as heck, trying to hold back nerves as I introduced myself in shaky Japanese. This time, I was trying to hold back tears as I thanked everyone for taking me under their wings and making me feel so welcome.
After the speech, a group of my friends ushered me to the cafeteria, insisting we eat together because it was my last day. But as soon as we sat down, they all jumped up again and said, "ok let`s go back to class."
I had no idea what was happening!
Then, I was ushered back into the classroom, where I was greeted by exploding party poppers and applause. "THANK U FOR COMING TO JAPAN" was written on the board in big letters, and all the tables were pushed back except for a few in the middle, upon which sat two beautiful cakes and a huge bag of snacks. The whole class and our Home Room teacher began to sing Happy Birthday (although with the Japanese accent it`s "happy basuday") and some of the boys held up big signs saying Happy Birthday. Then, Manami (my amazing buddy) gave me a gift, a beautiful handmade card that everyone had written a message on. I immediately burst into tears.
I can`t believe that I meant so much to my classmates that they went to the trouble of organizing a whole birthday party for me (and it`s not even my birthday until Saturday) with such a beautiful gift. The teacher also gave me a wonderful gift - a leather bracelet with the school`s logo imprinted onto it; it had been handmade by the Leather-craft class of the nearby Special Needs High School. I have only known these people a month and yet they treated me like an old friend from childhood. Everyone wrote such touching letters on the card, in English and Japanese, so much that I`m choking up just reading them now.
If any of Class 1-6 are reading this, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. The party was the sweetest, kindest thing anyone has ever done for me; and I will always remember you, and treasure our time together.
I will come back to you all one day, like I promised.
I don`t know when, or for how long
but I will
I promise.
クイーヴァ
Caoimhe
Sunday 21 July 2013
Weeaboos
Uuuugh Weeaboos
A weeaboo is a Westerner who is obsessed with and claims to be an fountain of knowledge about Japan, despite knowing very little about the culture or language.
Hate them
The word weeaboo was invented by the Internet and as such doesn't mean anything
Weeaboos are generally big anime fans and they learn their "Japanese" from Hetalia or the like. They are generally desperate to go to Japan so they can see "all the manga and anime and I will fit in" newsflash no you won't.
What's annoying about Weeaboos is that they fetishize Japanese culture. In a weeaboo's eyes, Japan can do no wrong. And obviously, as with any country, this is not true.
Weeaboos are the type you see in Western sushi bars, eating sushi and drinking Ramune (despite the fact that these do not go well together at all) simply because "it's Japanese." I have had the misfortune of meeting Weeaboos, at home and in Japan, who upon learning that I speak Japanese, will suddenly start calling me "Caoimhe-chan kawaii desu ne" which is the extent of their Japanese (and just nonsense) and it's just like... No. If you spoke like that in Japan people would avoid you like the plague.
Now don't get me wrong, people who actually bother to learn a bit about the language and culture of their beloved country are fine with me. As are people who don't know much about Japan but don't claim to. It's the Weeaboos, with their "Konnichiwa! THATS JAPANESE FOR HELLO I LEARNED IT FROM NARUTO" that piss me off. you are not the king of Japan please stop
Rant over.
クイーヴァ
Caoimhe
A weeaboo is a Westerner who is obsessed with and claims to be an fountain of knowledge about Japan, despite knowing very little about the culture or language.
Hate them
The word weeaboo was invented by the Internet and as such doesn't mean anything
Weeaboos are generally big anime fans and they learn their "Japanese" from Hetalia or the like. They are generally desperate to go to Japan so they can see "all the manga and anime and I will fit in" newsflash no you won't.
What's annoying about Weeaboos is that they fetishize Japanese culture. In a weeaboo's eyes, Japan can do no wrong. And obviously, as with any country, this is not true.
Weeaboos are the type you see in Western sushi bars, eating sushi and drinking Ramune (despite the fact that these do not go well together at all) simply because "it's Japanese." I have had the misfortune of meeting Weeaboos, at home and in Japan, who upon learning that I speak Japanese, will suddenly start calling me "Caoimhe-chan kawaii desu ne" which is the extent of their Japanese (and just nonsense) and it's just like... No. If you spoke like that in Japan people would avoid you like the plague.
Now don't get me wrong, people who actually bother to learn a bit about the language and culture of their beloved country are fine with me. As are people who don't know much about Japan but don't claim to. It's the Weeaboos, with their "Konnichiwa! THATS JAPANESE FOR HELLO I LEARNED IT FROM NARUTO" that piss me off. you are not the king of Japan please stop
Rant over.
クイーヴァ
Caoimhe
Japanese Etiquette
Hey gang,
Sorry I haven't posted the last few days. Have been having so much fuuuuun~
One of the biggest culture shocks for me was the common etiquette in Japan, so different from back home. It's cool! This'll probs just be like bullet points of random observations.
Everyone bows on first meeting with one another. The more important the person, the lower your bow. Like if you met the Prime minister or something you'd do a 90degree bow.
In shops, customers are treated like royalty. The whole staff shouts "IRRASHAIMASE" (welcome) whenever somebody enters the shop. In the case of a restaurant, the whole staff will also shout "ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU" (thank you very much) when you leave.
In restaurants in Japan, you don't tip. It's considered very rude to leave anything other than the cost of your bill - the mentality is that the service is covered in the cost of the food, so why pay extra?
Japanese language has varying levels of politeness, and it's very important to use the appropriate form when speaking to people. Thankfully, I learned polite, formal Japanese before coming here, and I've come to the conclusion that you should always use polite Japanese until you're on a first name basis with someone.
As a Westerner, lots of people try to shake my hand, which is really cute. I've had a few half bow, half handshake incidents..
On the train and bus, it's very rude to talk on the phone. Not only is this common courtesy, but it's requested by the train companies themselves that you set your phone to silent and refrain from talking. Near the priority seats, you're not supposed to use your phone at all.
Instead of prefixes such as Mr and Dr, Japanese uses suffixes, and there are lots. The most common is -San, meaning Mr or Mrs. It's a polite word and generally applied to strangers' names or elders' names.
Then there is -Sensei, meaning Teacher but also Doctor.
-Chan is a term of endearment used mainly for children. It's also commonly used between teenage girls. It's not applied to teenage boys, and never for adults (except maybe close women)
-Kun is used for boys or men younger than yourself.
-Sama is a more formal version of -San
-Senpai is your elder or superior in a club or work environment
Weeaboos (oh don't worry I'll explain them) are infamous for misusing the suffixes. I think Littlekuriboh put it best on his YouTube series of Naruto Abridged with his weeaboo impression
"David Bowie-sama-Senpai-Sensei-San-Senpai-San-sama....Kun"
Hate Weeaboos
Love
クイーヴァ
Caoimhe
Sorry I haven't posted the last few days. Have been having so much fuuuuun~
One of the biggest culture shocks for me was the common etiquette in Japan, so different from back home. It's cool! This'll probs just be like bullet points of random observations.
Everyone bows on first meeting with one another. The more important the person, the lower your bow. Like if you met the Prime minister or something you'd do a 90degree bow.
In shops, customers are treated like royalty. The whole staff shouts "IRRASHAIMASE" (welcome) whenever somebody enters the shop. In the case of a restaurant, the whole staff will also shout "ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU" (thank you very much) when you leave.
In restaurants in Japan, you don't tip. It's considered very rude to leave anything other than the cost of your bill - the mentality is that the service is covered in the cost of the food, so why pay extra?
Japanese language has varying levels of politeness, and it's very important to use the appropriate form when speaking to people. Thankfully, I learned polite, formal Japanese before coming here, and I've come to the conclusion that you should always use polite Japanese until you're on a first name basis with someone.
As a Westerner, lots of people try to shake my hand, which is really cute. I've had a few half bow, half handshake incidents..
On the train and bus, it's very rude to talk on the phone. Not only is this common courtesy, but it's requested by the train companies themselves that you set your phone to silent and refrain from talking. Near the priority seats, you're not supposed to use your phone at all.
Instead of prefixes such as Mr and Dr, Japanese uses suffixes, and there are lots. The most common is -San, meaning Mr or Mrs. It's a polite word and generally applied to strangers' names or elders' names.
Then there is -Sensei, meaning Teacher but also Doctor.
-Chan is a term of endearment used mainly for children. It's also commonly used between teenage girls. It's not applied to teenage boys, and never for adults (except maybe close women)
-Kun is used for boys or men younger than yourself.
-Sama is a more formal version of -San
-Senpai is your elder or superior in a club or work environment
Weeaboos (oh don't worry I'll explain them) are infamous for misusing the suffixes. I think Littlekuriboh put it best on his YouTube series of Naruto Abridged with his weeaboo impression
"David Bowie-sama-Senpai-Sensei-San-Senpai-San-sama....Kun"
Hate Weeaboos
Love
クイーヴァ
Caoimhe
Thursday 18 July 2013
Bulk Photo Post #2
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| Me and the cool Hawaiian English teacher Carl :) ALOHAA |
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| Real life Mario Kart in Tokyo |
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| Random ninja strolling around Tokyo |
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| Myself and the Daibutsu |
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| Maneki Neko! (lucky cat!) |
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| saw this in the toilets of a cafe run by two sweet old ladies |
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| NOM NOM NOM PANDA in Chinatown |
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| Classmates in Yokohama :) |
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| Myself and Chipi, the family`s 9 year old Budgie :) |
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| Skytree! 634 metres :O |
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| View of Tokyo from 450metres in Skytree |
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| Daibutsu |
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| Me in the Shaolin temple :) |
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