http://gillianjapan.shutterfly.com
More new photos! Some of my house, many of the fall leaves, a few from the silk factory I visited yesterday, and a few from our Thanksgiving celebration!
11/28/10
11/27/10
Remember me?
Sorry it's been so long! For the past week there has been a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach reminding me it's time to write, and I've been suppressing it relentlessly. But, it's time to get back on the bandwagon. Lots to tell, but I'll keep it brief (relatively-- I don't think I really understand the meaning of that word when it comes to writing..) tonight and talk about this weekend.
Well, I was told on Thursday that my host-dad's company was inviting me to come along on a trip hosted by the company to a farm outside Tokyo. This farm provides some of the produce used in the grocery store chain my father acts as a Public Relations rep. for, and I was very excited to go! It was going to be employees, stock holders, customers, and families, so a very fun group. I had made plans for Saturday but decided this would be a really interesting way to get to know my host family better and to better understand my host dad's role in his company, so I made plans to go.
When I came home on Friday night, I was told by my host dad who had also just returned home that my host brother had suddenly broken out in a rash and was feverish, so my host mom had taken him to the hospital around eleven pm. I was so shocked! It made sense though because when I walked in the door, the lights were all still on, an unusual occurrence, and I understood that they must have been in a hurry to get out the door. My host dad promptly ate a quick dinner (at eleven thirty pm) and then headed over to the hospital. I went to bed, and I guess they didn't return home until four am! Kojirou is fine- just some allergic reaction to something he ate, but still it was pretty scary I think and not something any parent wants to see their child go through.
Thus, because of Friday night's excitements, Kojirou and Machico-san were not able to come with Kenichi-san and me today to the farm, which was really too bad because the weather was PERFECT for a day spent outdoors! I must comment here on Tokyo fall- absolutely wonderful! The leaves are only just changing and beginning to fall, and my favorite part is that many trees look like a gradation with reds and yellows and greens naturally flowing into one another on the same tree. The weather has been very warm as well- probably highs of 60 degrees today. So wonderful!!
Kenichi-san and I left the house at six forty-five am this morning and had to run to make our train. We got off the train at Shinjuku, a central point in Tokyo, and from there took a two hour bus ride to the area we were going to, I think a place called Guma prefecture. We were able to tour an old silk factory which was interesting for me because a) it was neat to see such a historical place, b) It was good practice in my Japanese comprehension skills and c) because I was the only obvious foreigner in site, so lots of people came up to me and spoke to me in both Japanese and in English.
Afterwards we had a quick "bento" (lunchbox) lunch. I was able to meet many of the coworkers that Kenichi-san works with on a regular basis, and they were very very kind to me and indulged me in conversation. It was really interesting to see Kenichi-san in a work environment, to see the way he talks to his bosses, to the children of customers, to his coworkers, to me. Japan has a really strong "in-group/out-group system". By this I mean, people are very conscious of which groups they belong to (ie family, school, company, etc). I have a hard time deciding where I fit in in many occasions- I live with the Yasuda family but I am still a guest in their home. Am I "in" or "out"? I go to Waseda but am not Japanese and am not a four-year student. Am I "in" or "out"? I learned that today at least I was "in" with Kenichi-san. He asked me to wait until everyone else had taken a lunch before we did, and talked about me in a humble way, as one would about a family member. So that was both an interesting and confusing experience, trying to figure out where I fit in when I really don't fit in anywhere. And this is important because depending on your "in" and "out" group status, the types of language you use with another person will be different.
And I digress. After lunch we all hopped back on the bus and went to a farm where we were able to pick our own green onions and sweet potatoes to take home! Really fun! The vegetables were really large and look so delicious- I was worried I had picked too much and that Machico-san would be at a loss with what to do with so many green onions! But no worries, she was very happy and is looking forward to all the ways she can use them. Phew! It was quite a site though, Kenichi-san and I (a Japanese and an American), in the subway train with a huge box of green onions, Kenichi-san and I each carrying bulging bags bursting with produce! But it was really fun, and we had a lot of really nice conversations. We really wished that Machico-san and Kojirou-kun could have spent the day with us, but Kojirou-kun was running around full of energy when we got home!
Well, I was told on Thursday that my host-dad's company was inviting me to come along on a trip hosted by the company to a farm outside Tokyo. This farm provides some of the produce used in the grocery store chain my father acts as a Public Relations rep. for, and I was very excited to go! It was going to be employees, stock holders, customers, and families, so a very fun group. I had made plans for Saturday but decided this would be a really interesting way to get to know my host family better and to better understand my host dad's role in his company, so I made plans to go.
When I came home on Friday night, I was told by my host dad who had also just returned home that my host brother had suddenly broken out in a rash and was feverish, so my host mom had taken him to the hospital around eleven pm. I was so shocked! It made sense though because when I walked in the door, the lights were all still on, an unusual occurrence, and I understood that they must have been in a hurry to get out the door. My host dad promptly ate a quick dinner (at eleven thirty pm) and then headed over to the hospital. I went to bed, and I guess they didn't return home until four am! Kojirou is fine- just some allergic reaction to something he ate, but still it was pretty scary I think and not something any parent wants to see their child go through.
Thus, because of Friday night's excitements, Kojirou and Machico-san were not able to come with Kenichi-san and me today to the farm, which was really too bad because the weather was PERFECT for a day spent outdoors! I must comment here on Tokyo fall- absolutely wonderful! The leaves are only just changing and beginning to fall, and my favorite part is that many trees look like a gradation with reds and yellows and greens naturally flowing into one another on the same tree. The weather has been very warm as well- probably highs of 60 degrees today. So wonderful!!
Kenichi-san and I left the house at six forty-five am this morning and had to run to make our train. We got off the train at Shinjuku, a central point in Tokyo, and from there took a two hour bus ride to the area we were going to, I think a place called Guma prefecture. We were able to tour an old silk factory which was interesting for me because a) it was neat to see such a historical place, b) It was good practice in my Japanese comprehension skills and c) because I was the only obvious foreigner in site, so lots of people came up to me and spoke to me in both Japanese and in English.
Afterwards we had a quick "bento" (lunchbox) lunch. I was able to meet many of the coworkers that Kenichi-san works with on a regular basis, and they were very very kind to me and indulged me in conversation. It was really interesting to see Kenichi-san in a work environment, to see the way he talks to his bosses, to the children of customers, to his coworkers, to me. Japan has a really strong "in-group/out-group system". By this I mean, people are very conscious of which groups they belong to (ie family, school, company, etc). I have a hard time deciding where I fit in in many occasions- I live with the Yasuda family but I am still a guest in their home. Am I "in" or "out"? I go to Waseda but am not Japanese and am not a four-year student. Am I "in" or "out"? I learned that today at least I was "in" with Kenichi-san. He asked me to wait until everyone else had taken a lunch before we did, and talked about me in a humble way, as one would about a family member. So that was both an interesting and confusing experience, trying to figure out where I fit in when I really don't fit in anywhere. And this is important because depending on your "in" and "out" group status, the types of language you use with another person will be different.
And I digress. After lunch we all hopped back on the bus and went to a farm where we were able to pick our own green onions and sweet potatoes to take home! Really fun! The vegetables were really large and look so delicious- I was worried I had picked too much and that Machico-san would be at a loss with what to do with so many green onions! But no worries, she was very happy and is looking forward to all the ways she can use them. Phew! It was quite a site though, Kenichi-san and I (a Japanese and an American), in the subway train with a huge box of green onions, Kenichi-san and I each carrying bulging bags bursting with produce! But it was really fun, and we had a lot of really nice conversations. We really wished that Machico-san and Kojirou-kun could have spent the day with us, but Kojirou-kun was running around full of energy when we got home!
11/11/10
Name that face, name that race
One aspect of importance I have come to realize in Japanese society is the ability to identify and, to an extent, classify, people into racial and national categories. This makes sense to me in many ways- Japan has been historically notorious for their emphasis on, and even pride for, racial hegemony. Hundreds of years of economic isolation kept immigration inside and outside of the island nation of Japan minimal. Also, from my Korean friends I have learned the importance of what it means to be "racially" Korean. This is not only simply being born of Korean parents, but different groups emerge depending on if the child grows up abroad, is half Korean, or decides to immigrate to another country. Race and country affiliation are important parts of the Japanese sense of self-identity.
Perhaps having grown up in America, the "melting pot" nation, I don't really assume to be able to read much about one's cultural background by the way their face looks. Americans come in all shapes, colors, languages, religions, and cultural practices, and thus it is impossible to clearly classify what it is to be "American" based on such external observations. I have found it very interesting then that many people are often surprised to find out that I am from America. I have been thought to be from Italy, France (many times), Germany, Russia, and Scandinavia. The latter makes sense I suppose, but I am always stunned when people tell me I don't "look" American. What do Americans look like? That was never a question I really thought to consider as to me there is no consistent feature, physically or otherwise, that is common among all US nationals. When talking to my host family about this, they revealed how, when they were children, all foreigners were thought to be from America due to a heavy cultural influence coming from the States during the 1970s and 1980s. All white people were lumped into the category of American, no questions asked. I find it interesting now that this has changed so much, that I do not fit the mold of what a typical American should look like.
Furthermore, other Asian-American students on the Japan Study trip have at various times felt their race to be a disadvantage to them when living in Tokyo, especially in times when native English speakers are sought after. For example, the way that most of us Japan-Study-ers are earning money is by advertising ourselves on a website in which individuals who want to learn English search and contact us. As a part of our profile, we are asked to post a photo, and the results among the group were interesting. Women who appeared to be white had little trouble finding tutoring positions. The same was true for the half-Japanese (It was the opinion of some in the group that Japanese find people of mixed Japanese race to be especially interesting). American students whose families came from other Asian countries or who didn't look "white" enough (ie Hawaiian) had much more trouble finding students. Perhaps because, in Japan anyway, historically America was linked with white skin, blonde hair and blue eyes, and thus those with those features would be contacted first.
Very interesting to me to see the way race is considered and thought about in Japan. These are very sweeping generalizations and really my first go at these complex ideas, but race is a topic that interests me a lot- so perhaps look for more future postings on my attempt at social enlightenment!
peace peace
Perhaps having grown up in America, the "melting pot" nation, I don't really assume to be able to read much about one's cultural background by the way their face looks. Americans come in all shapes, colors, languages, religions, and cultural practices, and thus it is impossible to clearly classify what it is to be "American" based on such external observations. I have found it very interesting then that many people are often surprised to find out that I am from America. I have been thought to be from Italy, France (many times), Germany, Russia, and Scandinavia. The latter makes sense I suppose, but I am always stunned when people tell me I don't "look" American. What do Americans look like? That was never a question I really thought to consider as to me there is no consistent feature, physically or otherwise, that is common among all US nationals. When talking to my host family about this, they revealed how, when they were children, all foreigners were thought to be from America due to a heavy cultural influence coming from the States during the 1970s and 1980s. All white people were lumped into the category of American, no questions asked. I find it interesting now that this has changed so much, that I do not fit the mold of what a typical American should look like.
Furthermore, other Asian-American students on the Japan Study trip have at various times felt their race to be a disadvantage to them when living in Tokyo, especially in times when native English speakers are sought after. For example, the way that most of us Japan-Study-ers are earning money is by advertising ourselves on a website in which individuals who want to learn English search and contact us. As a part of our profile, we are asked to post a photo, and the results among the group were interesting. Women who appeared to be white had little trouble finding tutoring positions. The same was true for the half-Japanese (It was the opinion of some in the group that Japanese find people of mixed Japanese race to be especially interesting). American students whose families came from other Asian countries or who didn't look "white" enough (ie Hawaiian) had much more trouble finding students. Perhaps because, in Japan anyway, historically America was linked with white skin, blonde hair and blue eyes, and thus those with those features would be contacted first.
Very interesting to me to see the way race is considered and thought about in Japan. These are very sweeping generalizations and really my first go at these complex ideas, but race is a topic that interests me a lot- so perhaps look for more future postings on my attempt at social enlightenment!
peace peace
11/9/10
Week of Fun
I've had literally almost an entire week off of school due to various national and Waseda-related holidays, so I have a lot of things to write about. To be more time effective, I will make a list of all the really fun things I did in the last seven days!
Went to Korea-town with my friend where we had a super delicious Korean lunch, plus free coffee and a great view, and then walked around for an hour or so taking in the sights.
Found the building in Shinjuku (think Manhattan) where one of my English students is the CEO of a big-deal consultant company.
Walked around the Shinjuku gyoen- a beautiful beautiful park landscaped in the traditional Japanese style, but also with French and English influences. Even cooler are the huge skyscrapers in the background!
Went to a RAMEN MATSURI (festival) with two of my friends!! Just as cool as it sounds! A huge festival devoted to the celebration and eatery of all things ramen. nom nom nom.
Attended Waseda-sai--- a huge two-day festival at Waseda University where I go to school. Many different clubs sell food, and there are lots of performances, especially dance groups. These groups are so professional looking- one can tell the clubs put lots of time, money, and energy into preparation. Really impressive! Also-- so crowded it was really difficult to walk. One of the most famous festivals in Tokyo!
Was invited to a party at a Japanese friend's apartment where my friend and I were served delicious homemade pizza, pasta, salad, and chicken! yummm! Also, it was nice to relax in some one's home, rather than in a cafe or other public space.
Went to a really fantastic rock concert for free- the concert featured three groups, one pop-rock, one that used his computer to mix tracks and performed with two live drummers, and then one hard rock/punk group. Each very different but each very very good!
Attended my friend's host mom's koto concert. A koto is a Japanese traditional stringed instrument-- link attached: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koto_(musical_instrument) ). My friend told me his host mom is very good at playing the koto, and it was really interesting to attend a concert and listen to the pieces- very relaxing! There were flutes, shaminsen (guitar-like instrument), and koto, and all those playing were dressed in kimono.
Ate at a McDonalds for the first time! Yum yum! We went after the koto concert, and my friend, who apparently has lots of McD experience, said that Japanese hamburgers are far superior to those of America's. I must admit, it was very delicious!
Was able to meet my host mom's father- he was here for the weekend, and although I was gone most of the time, we were able to eat dinner together one night and it was really nice to meet him and interesting to see how he interacted with his daughter, son-in-law, and grandson.
Had some really wonderful conversations with my host family- a thing that might seem rather trivial or unimportant, but I feel like we have grown a lot closer this weekend. It was so nice to just chat and laugh with them for a few hours. Also, I really feel like my Japanese is improving a lot. Still lots and lots and lots of words I don't know, but conversation is so much easier, and it's not stressful anymore.
Randomly ran into my host mom at Waseda campus yesterday- she had an appointment and I was walking from campus to the subway station when our paths crossed! I was so surprised, but it was really great because we were able to walk together and I took her on a tour of the University's campus garden. So fun when unexpected things like that happen!
Spent an evening by myself in Kichijoji, a smaller (but really trendy) town near mine on my subway line. Apparently in Kichijoji, Christmas has come- the night I was there was the night of the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, and all of the shops were blasting Christmas carols.
Even more wonderful things happened to me this week but I think I'll leave it here for now. Anyway, it's back to the grindstone now!!
Went to Korea-town with my friend where we had a super delicious Korean lunch, plus free coffee and a great view, and then walked around for an hour or so taking in the sights.
Found the building in Shinjuku (think Manhattan) where one of my English students is the CEO of a big-deal consultant company.
Walked around the Shinjuku gyoen- a beautiful beautiful park landscaped in the traditional Japanese style, but also with French and English influences. Even cooler are the huge skyscrapers in the background!
Went to a RAMEN MATSURI (festival) with two of my friends!! Just as cool as it sounds! A huge festival devoted to the celebration and eatery of all things ramen. nom nom nom.
Attended Waseda-sai--- a huge two-day festival at Waseda University where I go to school. Many different clubs sell food, and there are lots of performances, especially dance groups. These groups are so professional looking- one can tell the clubs put lots of time, money, and energy into preparation. Really impressive! Also-- so crowded it was really difficult to walk. One of the most famous festivals in Tokyo!
Was invited to a party at a Japanese friend's apartment where my friend and I were served delicious homemade pizza, pasta, salad, and chicken! yummm! Also, it was nice to relax in some one's home, rather than in a cafe or other public space.
Went to a really fantastic rock concert for free- the concert featured three groups, one pop-rock, one that used his computer to mix tracks and performed with two live drummers, and then one hard rock/punk group. Each very different but each very very good!
Attended my friend's host mom's koto concert. A koto is a Japanese traditional stringed instrument-- link attached: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koto_(musical_instrument) ). My friend told me his host mom is very good at playing the koto, and it was really interesting to attend a concert and listen to the pieces- very relaxing! There were flutes, shaminsen (guitar-like instrument), and koto, and all those playing were dressed in kimono.
Ate at a McDonalds for the first time! Yum yum! We went after the koto concert, and my friend, who apparently has lots of McD experience, said that Japanese hamburgers are far superior to those of America's. I must admit, it was very delicious!
Was able to meet my host mom's father- he was here for the weekend, and although I was gone most of the time, we were able to eat dinner together one night and it was really nice to meet him and interesting to see how he interacted with his daughter, son-in-law, and grandson.
Had some really wonderful conversations with my host family- a thing that might seem rather trivial or unimportant, but I feel like we have grown a lot closer this weekend. It was so nice to just chat and laugh with them for a few hours. Also, I really feel like my Japanese is improving a lot. Still lots and lots and lots of words I don't know, but conversation is so much easier, and it's not stressful anymore.
Randomly ran into my host mom at Waseda campus yesterday- she had an appointment and I was walking from campus to the subway station when our paths crossed! I was so surprised, but it was really great because we were able to walk together and I took her on a tour of the University's campus garden. So fun when unexpected things like that happen!
Spent an evening by myself in Kichijoji, a smaller (but really trendy) town near mine on my subway line. Apparently in Kichijoji, Christmas has come- the night I was there was the night of the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, and all of the shops were blasting Christmas carols.
Even more wonderful things happened to me this week but I think I'll leave it here for now. Anyway, it's back to the grindstone now!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)