Natsu Yasumi!!! 夏休み！！ Summer Break!!

Today is the start of Natsu Yasumi!!! We have the whole month off. Initially I was planning to go to Thailand, Vietnam, or Bali or something for a week or so and just chill out. But I decided to stay here and get a bit more grounded.

I'm still looking for a part-time job, I have a few interviews next week, so wish me luck!!!

Other than the serious stuff, I'll be playing :) Eating a lot, drinking a lot and playing alot in Kansai. Living life.

This video is a change from my usual video, but I must say this has been the best July I've had in a looong time. I spent about three summers slugging away at the books to get out early, and it was worth it!! Now it's time to get ready to go to Kyoto for the night!!



By the way, I like the UK Funky House version of this better, a bit more uptempo. UK Funky House just sounds propa in the summer time for me. Check out the video below to hear a bit. Last time I was in London the girls go madd to these tunez!!!

Last Day of Class, Reflection

Today was the last day of class before summer break!! Today was ok, but then near the end there was a bit of turbulence. There was a forum where universities came to talk to the students about their schools and what they had to offer. That's fine, but it was not optional and we had to ask questions, so I had to go.

Anybody that knows me, knows that as open minded as I can be, I hate being forced into things. Anytime I feel a forcing feeling I run like the wind...lol If there's a good reason behind something, or if I just straight up have to do it, I'll do it. But no matter what, whether it's a relationship, a shoe, a situation, I hate forced stuff. I like to just flow with things as natural as possible. Now that I think about it, even force ripe fruit, I won't touch it. It has to be propa.

Probably the biggest reason for this feeling is that I dread having to go back to school. After grinding out school and even finish college early, I just don't want anything to do with it. Between how the education system is run, and financial reasons I just get the creeps thinking about going to school. After all the slugging, what does the piece of paper mean? I have the capability to do any job somebody were to give me, whether in Japanese or English, or whatever language, wherever,I just need somebody to believe that. I'm not much of a talker, because I don't believe that's what sells a product or a person. Action is the key. In any many situations, performance is what gives something lasting credibility and leaves a lasting impression.

So when I do find a job, and any other aspect of my life, people will see what I have to offer through my actions.

The Sound of Summer

You finally know it's summer when you hear the sound of the semi (cicada). Every morning, as long as it's not raining, I'm greeted with a wake up call from the semi. I usually sleep with my window open, since I'm not a fan of A/C too much, so its like my alarm clock for the summer :)　They probably start up the same time every morning, which reminds of the rooster my cousin had in Jamaica, which would start crowing every morning at 6A.M. on the dot...lol 懐かしいな！
R.I.P. Charlie :)

I noticed their shells on the ground maybe last week or so, but never saw them until yesterday. In the park near my house, I saw some little girls catching them. By the time I came, they had a pet box with about 5 semi in it, buzzing away. I helped them catch a few more hiding in the trees, but didn't dare touch them. These things are huge and ugly...lol, but one of the girls was a pro, and was not afraid to grab one with her bare hands. I'll leave that to her :p

天神祭！！Tenjin Matsuri!! Pt.2

This is me trying to catch some fishies!!　This is actually called Kingyo sukui (金魚すくい）, or Goldfish scooping. I caught about 5 fish before my net thingy broke.

Last week I did the same thing with turtles at Gion Festival. There's actually a funny story with that, that I didn't tell before.

So after I caught about 3 turtles, I was able to keep one. I was happy, I won a turtle. We all even went as far as to name it Yuka. Maybe 30 min. later, I start thinking, "How am I going to take care of this turtle?" "What do turtles eat again?" "Where is it going to live?" "I'm not ready to be a daddy yet!?" lol It's enough just trying to take care of myself, but everyone thought I should raise it.

On the way home I ran back to the turtle catching place, and I told the guy sorry, but I can't take care of the turtle!! It was a sad night, I had to part with Yuka. :(

But I'm glad, I didn't want the turtle's life left in my hands :)These were the last big fireworks which look and sound more like explosions or some crazy gunshots...lol

Look out for more to come!!! Summer break is coming up! The summer is just getting hot!!

天神祭！！Tenjin Matsuri!! Pt.1

Sunday night I went to Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka. When I say it was packed, the place was full up of people!!! From getting on the train to just walking around, you could hardly move. But it was well worth it. The food was delicious, and not to mention the fireworks. It was my first time seeing fireworks in Japan, and it was amazing. Around summer, fireworks, or hanabi (はなび・花火）　are very popular.
These were my partners in crime for the night. 楽しかったな！
In the beginning, the fireworks were small, but as the night when on, they gradually got bigger until they just looked like big explosions!
Ramen burger!!!おいしいな！

UGA Reunion!!

I haven't really talked about my past life before Japan yet, but I went to the University of Georgia, in Athens, Georgia. During those 3 and a half years these are some of the people I met. Since some of us live in the Kansai area we often hang out when we can since we are all in Japan now, but some are busy with job hunting, or are working so we don't really get to see them. When everybody has a chance we try and meet up when we can. This is group of people I met at what would have been the end of my junior year, but was like the beginning of my senior year...about Spring 2009 if I can recall correctly :). We took trips together and just hung out. Especially after we took a trip to Florida for Spring Break we always hung out after that. After about a year, we are able to get almost everybody together.


This was the beginning of my Sunday!!

祇園祭・Gion Matsuri!!

Last week Thursday I took my first trip to Kyoto, to attend Gion Matsuri!!! It's one of the most famous festivals in Japan. Luckily the rain held up for most of the night. It was a lot of fun!!!

Video of the Day, Chehon - Likkle More

Good Song!

日本で初めてバイト面接の経験

今週の火曜日面接があったんだ。３１アイスという会社だ。失敗しまったけどいい経験だと思う。

とりあえず、違うの電車線に乗ってしまった。係の人は阪神を乗るってけど調べる時、変な電車沿道を見せてので阪急を乗った。でも西宮北口の阪急線と阪神の西宮はぜんぜん違う！それで緊張したかも。

それから阪急の店員に聞いて、みんなは俺を手伝ってよかった！係の人に電話して、「すいません、でも遅くになりますかもしれません」って。そのあと、阪急の店員はタクシーを見つかった。

１０分早くに着いた！！窓からみんな俺だった知ってた。笑　面接が５分かかったかもしれない。短かった！よかったけどあと丁寧な言葉と礼儀とかあまり使わなかったと気づいた。

でもやっぱりな、俺その会社のイメージに合わないと思う。想像しにくいな、日本で黒人の方はアイスクレーム店で、「いらっしゃいませ！」ちょっと変な。でもそれ関係ない、その仕事は簡単だ。さらに、俺がいったら、その仕事は面白くなるかも。　笑

何か面接のとき１０秒に人の印象に残ることができるので、間違ったとしても、その会社俺をほしかったら、きのう電話してくれたと思う。

人と接するのバイト本当にしたい。もしそれができたら、いつも日本語練習ことができるうえにたくさん人に会える。

残念だったでも相変わらず俺頑張るよ。

いい経験だった。

諦めへん。

Video of the Week, Barbie Japan

Barbie Japan is an artiste I found out about maybe a year ago just surfing Youtube. A nice Trini/Japan vibe. I keep up with her blog every now and then. She always events going on, but in Tokyo :(

Motivation, Filling in the Gaps

Everyday I feel like I am understanding more and more, which therefore, leads to me being able to express myself more and clearly. Right now I want to feel the gaps in my understanding. I'm going to keep doing what I do, I am at the point where I just want to suck in all the information to fill in the gaps. そうします。

The gaps in my understanding are slowly, but surely get smaller, at least when it comes to everyday things.

Well, I'm going to get back to feeding myself Japanese, I just felt like writing a bit more. :)

Interview

Today was my interview with the ice cream shop. The name is 31 Ice Cream, which is the Japanese branch of Baskin Robbins, I think.

Right after class I made my way to the interview location. I ended up taking the wrong train line. I was told to take the Hanshin Line, but when I went to research the train schedule, it was giving me a funky looking route for the train I was supposed to take, and it looked longer, so I took Hankyuu. They both go to the same place, but the stations are in different locations and the Hankyuu Station is a lot farther than the Hanshin Station from where I needed to be.

I asked for help at the train station, and they were very nice. They quickly printed a map for me and helped with no hesitation. I called the store and told them that I might be a bit late because I took the wrong line. Afterward, one of the train staff led me to a taxi. After 10 min. I was there. If I didn't take a taxi it probably would've have been impossible to reach on time.

I was probably 10 min. earlier, but since the store has big windows and they were expecting me, I was greeted with a smile from a few of the employees and the manager, and I gladly returned it. We had the interview outside. I didn't know what to expect, but I was preparing long spiels last night on what to say and manners and stuff. The interview lasted about 5 minutes!!

The manager first asked for my resume, then asked if I could work summer and winter since those are the busiest times, and then asked where I was from. She also told me when training would start and stuff. I didn't really have any questions because it seemed pretty straight forward. The only thing I wished I would have asked is the name of the person that was interviewing me, and if transportation fees were covered. In job ads, it is usually stated clearly if transportation is covered or not, but it's always good to ask!

After being thrown off by getting lost, I feel like I forgot a few things like business manners and stuff. It was a pretty relaxed atmosphere, but it's always good to use manners!!! I believe that no matter where I am. As my mother and father would say, "Manners will take you a long way.", and it's true. Hopefully even though I forgot a few things, I left a good impression.　After I have so many interviews and more experiences, things will definitely flow a lot smoother since I'll know what to do. Putting things into action is the best way to learn.
It seems like a cool place to work, improve my skills, get more indoctrinated into the Japanese society, and meet a lot of different people.

Afterward, I couldn't resist, I had 3 scoops of ice cream. If I am going to work there, I need to know the product :p I'll hear the result tomorrow if I get it!!! Wish me luck! If not it's back to the grind!

First Interview in Japan!

Tomorrow I go for my first interview here at an ice cream shop. I'm definitely looking forward to it. I shaved off my beard and mustache fully for the first time in my life, so it feels a bit weird, but I figured it was the best way to go...lol Another stage in life! For the rest of the night I'll just be resting up and preparing my spiel.

Wish me luck!!

This is week is another busy one, so I'll keep you up to date!!! A lot of events coming up for the summer!!

Going Back to My Hometown, Himeji

I had a pretty busy weekend. It started off at a nomikai, and then I went to the club afterward. The next day I went to see Toy Story 3. It was really good, as I expected. Also it was my first time to try out the 3-D glasses at the movies!! The movie theater is very expensive in Japan! Even after a student discount, its was still about $16 including the 3-D glasses if I remember correctly :p

The highlight of my weekend was going back to Himeji. If you remember, Himeji is where I started my journey, so I feel like it is my birthplace here :) My friend has a piano recital on Sunday so I went to help out with that.

I love going back, I always feel like I'm apart of my friend's family. They just talk to me normally, like I'm Japanese..lol, which I like because often people don't think I understand so they always slow down their speech. There are times when I don't understand, but I would rather have them naturally repeat it over and over than to slow it down. I will definitely say that at school things are a lot slowed down, so I think I understand Japanese until I go hang out with my other friends and their families...lol Especially since they teach standard Japanese at school, and I live in Kansai. But I guess knowing both dialects is good.

Anyway, Himeji was fun. I came back to Kobe last night well taken care of.

Tanabata ・七夕

Last week Wednesday day, was Tanabata, which is a Japanese star festival. Usually people write their wishes on a piece of paper and hang them on a bamboo tree. At school last Friday, we had a Tanbata celebration! It was lots of fun!


Oh yea, I forgot about these!
I always forget what the guy one is called, but the girls got to wear yukatas after the celebration.

Karaoke!!!!

Yesterday I had my first karaoke experience. After 3 months?, I've finally made it to my first official karaoke session, where all you can drink drinks are necessary for all the singing. I met up with one of the exchange students from my university to go study, but we decided to go karaoke first! 楽しかった！！Yesterday I had my first karaoke experience. After 3 months?, I've finally made it to my first official karaoke session, where all you can drink drinks are necessary for all the singing. I met up with one of the exchange students from my university to go study, but we decided to go karaoke first! 楽しかった！！

夏の恋

Here's a poem I wrote, I'm not going to translate it now, because it's still fresh but here it is. :)
If you can read it that's good, if you want to try and use the translator, that fine as well. Maybe one day I'll try and translate it myself. :p There's no intended rhyme scheme or format, just me saying what I want to say.


夏の雨君とそばにいたい
君の体からいい香りがして、
肌がやわらかい
君の心僕が暖める
冬の寒さ忘れて、
前の恋の冷たさを消す
今夏の恋が突然始まる
夏の恋だから
恋の雨に降られる

Summer Time!!

I can officially say it's summer time. Besides the fact that the place has heated up, there's tons to do. Soon there will be matsuri's and hanabi in August. Lately all of my weekends have been filled with fun people, and things to do. Even during the week :)
Last weekend I went out in Osaka to a Nomikai, and ended the weekend in Suma beach. Suma beach is about 10 minutes by train from Sannomiya. It's not as pretty as any beach I've been to in Jamaica, but still nice vibes, still beautiful. They have stalls by the water playing all kinds of music. Apparently is summer, reggae is the music of choice, which makes me feel right at home :).

オジー自慢のオリオンビール

Today my teacher was Yamada Sensei. He always has interesting and fun lessons. Today he played the Sanshin(三線), which is a traditional Okinawan instrument.

Filling out My Rirekisho! (Resume)

This is what one side of a Japanese resume looks like, it has my preferred position, hours, and a place where I can tell them about the skills I have that are relevant to the position I am applying for. The other side has my picture, and other basic information about me.
I'm going to try and see what I can find within the month since summer break will start in August!

1 year Anniversary ...lol

Today marks the official day, when I started loading myself up with Japanese arsenal and firing away. I remember it like it was yesterday. Probably weeks ago, a year ago I was still trying to figure out how I could get started studying Japanese. There are many methods to the madness, but I really wanted something that I could stick with and create a nice momentum. The only thing that seemed reasonable is AJAAT, which I happened to stumble upon one day at work after Spanish class. I went to my room, read the whole website and then it all made sense. I had been doing a bit of it with Spanish, but not to the same degree.

AJAAT basically just tells you to keep a Japanese environment. Do everything in Japanese. You can do it with any language you want to learn, and it doesn't have to be a forced thing. You just make it your lifestyle.

I literally disregarded any deterrent that told me, "NO!", whether it was a person, a negative thought(Because a positivity wi seh!:p), or whatever, and changed my lifestyle. All of my dear Spanish stuff, all of my reggae/dancehall, reggaeton, salsa, bachata, my english and spanish poetry as well, I neatly filed away, and I did everything I could in Japanese from that point.

People looked at me like I was crazy. Even people that smiled and said I could do it, I know they were thinking I was crazy. I had been talking about moving to Japan for about a year at this point, but I don't think it was really clicking that I was serious.

My last 6 months of university I devoted to Japanese. I did my IT work in Japanese as much as possible while listening/watching Japanese. I made sure that was the beginning, middle, and end of my day. My coworkers probably thought I was crazy too. (If you all are reading, I miss you, sorry I haven't shot you a mail or anything) When I first started working there, I was always quiet. As it went on you could always here reggae or reggaeton coming from my office. After I started my new lifestyle my office was full of Japanese lyrics on the wall, and me trying to sing :p

Step by step, word by word, slowly but surely I will get to wherever I'm supposed to be . Every moment is fun!!

Current Goal

Right now, my biggest goal is to get a part-time job. Most people think, "Just teach English." But I want to take things from a different angle and try getting a part time job that any other Japanese person would have. Why? It's a great experience, and I can better surround myself in the real Japanese environment. Right now, I'm looking at different onsen's, resorts, and things of that nature where interaction with people is necessary. I think I work pretty well with people and so I can definitely meet new people, whether co-workers or just people I meet on the job. If all else fails, I will think about teaching English, but I'm ready for a real challenge, even if it doesn't pay as well.

Free Time

Today I decided to stop going to my afternoon classes. The afternoon class is the course which prepares one for tests to enter universities in Japan, and also for the Japanese Language Proficiency test.
They were really starting to wear me down a bit, especially with the tests coming up. I'm not taking any of them, but I signed up for the classes just to keep my options open, and see what they had to offer.
However, now I have a good extra 4 hours and I don't think I'll be as tired. I can definitely put in a few more hours of my own study time and definitely a lot more play time :).
Since my goal is more of being able to use the language, playing is a lot more important than pushing my head in books too hard. Plus, I did that already in high school and university :-p. I'm not as concerned with passing tests and stuff.
If you need someone to manage your studying and stuff, I definitely recommend it, but I've always been a fan of macro management.
I really like my morning class though, because it focuses on the fundamentals, which is important in anything. The more I can practice the fundamentals, whether at school, in my room, or with my friends, the better I'll get.
Right now the most important thing is understanding. The more I can understand, after a while the more I can output.
もっと頑張ります！