Video of The Day

I love watching things on Youtube, especially music related. From now on, I'm going to start posting a video of the day, so you all can see what I'm listening to and watching in Japanese.
Enjoy. The first post is from　トータルテンボス（Total Tenbosu), a Manzai group in Japan. I'm not sure how popular they are now, but no matter how many times I watch this it's funny.
面白いなぁ！（笑）

仲原みすず・初恋 First Love、Misuzu Nakahara

HatsuKoi (First Love), based on a fictional autobiography by Nakahara Misuzu, Nakahara claims responsibility for a robbery that was committed in the 1960s. Also known as the "300 Million Yen Robbery", this was the biggest robbery in Japanese history, and followed up with the biggest police investigation in Japanese history. On December 10, 1968, a Nihon Shintaku Bank car transporting almost 300 million yen was stopped by someone posing as a police officer. While supposedly checking for a bomb under the car, this person set off a smoke flare, and the bank employees ran from the site, thinking a bomb was about to explode. The culprit then got into the car, and drove away with the money. The perpetrator remains a mystery to this day. The story has been romanticized because of its success and simple plot.
Source: YesAsia
I randomly watch movies, and happened to come across this movie. After a few times of watching it, and slowly being able to understand what was going on, I did a bit of research on the movie, and found the book. I just started reading it in Japanese today, and it definitely seems interesting.

What a View!

Japan is known for having some of the best views in the world, so I've been told. Yesterday, I went to a 飲み会（のみかい・Nomikai）in 甲東園(Koutouen) where we froze our butts off, but it was worth it because of the view.　A Nomikai is basically a drinking party/ get together. After about 20 min of walking in complete darkness, around the corner I am greet with the beautiful view of the Kansai area. From where we were, we could see Umeda in Osaka, and a lot of other things I'm not sure of, but it was beautiful.

Patty cake, Patty Cake, Baker's Man

Before coming to Japan, food staples like bread and rice were always a part of my daily diet. Since coming to Japan, I have noticed that there are a lot of bakeries here. In the center of Kobe, there must be a bakery on every corner. Fresh bread! Every morning, on my way to school I must resist the temptation of the smell of fresh bread. I often look through the window and glare at all of the bread, like a hungry dog whose owner's are feasting on a delicious meal. Every now and again I have to fulfill that urge. Today after jogging I stopped by a bakery, because actually, food is all that's on my mind lately..lol
Bread is very nostalgic for me.

• The bakeries here remind me of when we used to get fresh harddough bread from the bakery, and before reaching home, I would have already had my way with the steamy, soft bread between the thick harddough crust. Also, before I even thought of going near a stove to cook, this was the food of choice when hungry :)
  
• Bakeries also remind me of when I spent a lot of time in Germany. Every morning, my sister would have a hot pretzel waiting for me, or I would go to bakery and pick it up myself, using my great German skills :p.

Here is a picture I quickly snapped on my way to school.

Learning How to Wash My Clothes....Again

Everyday, I am faced with either learning how to do something I have never done before, or relearning how to do something in Japanese. This weekend, I figured it was time to wash clothes, so I learned how to wash my clothes again. Actually, it's not too different from what I'm used to, however, half of the buttons I couldn't read what they said, so with hesitation, I put my clothes in, and closed my eyes. No, I had my electronic dictionary to help me figure out what was what!

Sunny Day!

Well, with the change of seasons I think the weather has been a bit weird, but Saturday was absolutely beautiful. These were taking Saturday morning, while I was hanging my clothes to dry.

Balcony View

From my dorm in Shinkobe, I have a beautiful view of the city! This is what I see when I look outside.

奇麗なぁ！

First Piece of Mail in Japan!

Today I received my first piece of mail in Japan. It turned out to be the card for National Health Insurance. In Japan, insurance is compulsory just in case anything is to happen, and covers a certain percentage of medical fees depending on age and situation.

First Day of Class

Today was my first day of class at Kobe Toyo. I was placed in the C class based on a placement test we took last week. The classes range from A to F, A being for beginners and F being the most advanced class. Today I had class with Yamada-Sensei. He seems to be a very entertaining teacher. We rotate teachers, so tomorrow Furokawa-Sensei will teach the C class. This is good because we have a variety of teachers to interact with instead of just one all of the time. Today we reviewed what was learned in the previous class before Spring break. Also, everyday there is a kanji test. Usually, I practice writing kanji by myself so hopefully I can do well!
After class, I had lunch with my roommate and his friends at Pegase! It was delicious. Not to mention, students get half off!

日本語を喋る？My Japanese Studies

Tomorrow is the first day of class at the Kobe Toyo. Before coming to Japan, I studied Japanese for about 7 months. I had been planning to come to Japan about 2 years ago, but I did not start learning until 7 months ago. Before that, I use to watch a lot of Asian movies, a lot of them just happened to be in Japanese. 7 months ago, I found out about AJATT. A lot of the things he mentions about language learning, I had been doing before without even realizing it, just with other aspects of my life. I literally used to eat, sleep, and drink Reggae/Dancehall, I still do now just in Japanese :). I also, while learning Spanish used to learn songs, and watch movies, just not in enough dosage to become fluent.Now, after 8 months of "being" Japanese, I can have basic conversation, understand basic situations, and get through some books and stuff and actually have got something from it. I still have a long way to go, but I just always make sure that I'm in contact with Japanese whether I'm actively learning something new, or I'm just having fun.
Being in Japan, I make it a point to talk to someone Japanese, even if it's just asking for directions, or asking where something is in a store. (Trust me, there are people here that have been here for a long time, and they don't know much Japanese, I don't know how they get by, but I guess they do.)
Since majority of the students at the language school are Chinese, our main language of communication is Japanese. I think that is pretty cool. Even while staying with my friend, I would go whole days without speaking a word of English, if I did speak it, it was probably to myself. lol
Seeing your progress is fun, and it's also good motivation to keep going! The more I realize I understand more than yesterday, the more I want to learn, the more I want to read, the more I want to write, the more I want to speak, the more I devour Japanese! 頑張ります！！

入学式・Nyugakushiki at Kobe Toyo

This weekend the Nyugakushiki for Kobe Toyo Japanese Language School at Tokyu Inn. Nyugakushiki means School Entrance Ceremony. The entrance ceremony, like a graduation is a very formal occasion, and everyone wears a suit. Here Kobe Toyo welcomed all of its new students. Unfortunately, my camera was dead so I did not take pictures. Afterwards, we all walked back to the school and had a reception at Pegase, which is a delicious restaurant in the same building as the school. We were able to meet other Japanese people that just entered the Kobe Toyo Medical School. We also had a great time playing bingo. Tomorrow is the first day of school! I will make sure my camera is charged!

Living Off of Positivy

Yesterday, I changed rooms. Such a difference. I do however feel bad for the new people that had to move in. A cleaning crew was supposed to come today, but I'm not sure if they came. Over the weekend, I tried not to focus on the fact that I had a dirty room. I shifted my attention to what was outside of that room. Beautiful scenery, beautiful sounds, beautiful people. I was not going to stay in the dutty room and "vegetate, " as my friends and I would say. lol

Since moving to Kobe, I've been meeting new people, trying to try new foods, shopping for necessities, and trying to get myself situated in a new place.As I encounter each new experience, each new face, each new place, I try to put my best foot forward and keep things positive, realistic, but positive. Every situation won't be good, but by putting it in a positive light I can get the most of each experience. Everyday is a new day to start over. Mistakes will be made, and circumstances will arise, but reacting positively will definitely affect the outcome.
Today the weather was great, about 70 degrees F or 20 degrees C. I'm looking forward to tomorrow and the next day. Even though money is low, I think I'm in the mood for dessert tonight :) I must say I've been treating myself well despite diminishing funds. :)
We only live once, so it's time to live!

Mison B @ Kings Cross

Last night I went to a Reggae club to see Mison B perform. The place was pretty small, I think it could literally hold on about 50 to 75 people, but it never got too packed. The selectas (DJs) played a good selection of songs. I was definitely surprised at some of the older stuff they played. The only thing is no one danced! The guys stand up and so do the girls just bobbin their heads! It was cool though, I was just there for the music as usual. Definitely ready to check out Osaka. Kobe doesn't really have as big of a scene.

I heard one of Mison B's songs on a mix tape one time and instantly liked here style. It's actually been hard to get any of her material though. I caught her live last night, and definitely liked her vibe.

Comments Enabled!

Sorry guys, I know many of you have been wanting to comment, but have not been able to. Thanks to Jamaipanese.com, you should now be able to comment! If you still have problems just shoot me a mail.
Today, I did Hanami viewing near my dorm! Here are a few pictures of ShinKobe ・新神戸！
Tonight I check out the Reggae scene in Kobe, Japan. One day I'll get to Osaka to check it out!

日本のマナー

If you're going to spend any period of time in Japan, something that I recommend is a book that just gives you a few tips on manners in Japan. If you're into Japanese language as well, I recommend getting a book that has both English and Japanese explanations. I just bought one because during my stay with my friend's family, there were a lot of probably subtle things that I did not take note of, for example how to always show your appreciation for things like food, even if they're just OK or not delicious at all. Also, from simple things like removing your shoes and using slippers to what you should do during a wedding or funeral. For certain things though, I agree it is good to just follow the most respected male/female depending on your sex, for a good example.

A few books I recommend are:

英語で読む日本のマナー by JAL アカデミー

The Rules of Living in Japan, from everyday manners to ceremonial rituals, Translation by Fuhito Shimoyama

Himeji Castle ・姫路城

About two days ago, I took another adventure and I went to Himeji Castle. Himeji Castle is probably one of the castles in Japan that were not affected by World War II. It's definitely been kept in tact. To enter the tour of the castle, you must take off your shoes. This certainly helps to preserve the life of the castle.
In certain places, sakura (cherry blossom trees) are in full bloom. You can see everyone doing flower viewing or hanami ・はなみ・花見. During hanami people usually gather around the sakura trees and have a picnic.

Lost in Himeji

About a week ago while I had some time, I took a ride around Himeji by bicycle. Just familiarizing myself with the town and getting some exercise after eating a lot :) Himeji is known for fishing. Check the beautiful view while trying to find my wake back to my friend's house.