What an interesting day... and its only 14 o'clock!
It all started when at 7am I got a call from my family celebrating Thanksgiving dinner. I finally got to talk to Vera and Babchi which I had not heard from since my departure and whom I miss deeply! After an hour of explaining Japan and taking commissions for Vera who wants ten of everything im wearing, I hung up and went to class.
Class was average. For the first time I think I did really well on that stupid quizz ... for what its worth.
After that, I had promised Kim (my canadian friend) that I would check out the spaingo lounge (spanish lounge) . Ironically she wasn't there, but that's beside the point. So my main quest, main reason for being in Japan is to learn to think in japanese and not just regular japanese... I want to master that tongue!
But what about a side project ... I'm not nearly good enough to have a conversaiton in spanish but I can somewhat understand the context of what is going on around me. Oh my! Have I become obsessed with tongues? (in the non dirty meaning of course...get your mind out of the gutter)
This is a first experience... will it lead me somewhere? inspire me? enable me? only time will tell. Until then, I'll take it day by day, my Japanese still needs a lot of work and I am willing to do it. My motivation/ambition/passion still remains. Everyday I learn, discover and set out for adventures! The best way, according to me, to live a happy life!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
All you can drink, all you can eat, all you can sing? A recipie for desaster!
Oh! You know what I'm talking about! In Japan it's called nomihoudai for the all you can drink and tabehoudai for the all you can eat. The school "invited" the francophones to one of those evil suppers from hell!
We got there, 7 frenchies, 1 quebeky (me) and 40 other japanese people all you can eating and drinking until 9ish! After that the deal was off and we were finishing up our drinks and wondering where the night would take us. 2 options were available:
- run home (40 minute walk) to make it in time for curfew
- Take our time and figure it out as we go along!
So as you can tell, option one is not really an option, its just me saying that I thought of being a good girl for a fraction of a second to please mommy :D So we ended up at one of those karaokes finishing up at 5am and getting back at Ihouse around 5h45. We waited 15 mintues outside for someone (super Mike) to let us in (curfew is not lifted yet at this time) 6h30 ish... got to bed.
Unfortunetly I didnt take picture of that night but if you look on facebook, many of my friends tagged me climbing on stuff (the trees here are VERY climbable).
So waking up at 12h30 the next day unable to sleep, we went on with the main idea that was a good idea the night before and was still then, to go to Osu district! Oh my god i've never seen such an amasing shopping district in my life! Seriously, this place is DA BOMB!
On top of the main awsomness of the place, there was a matsuri going on, which is a culture fest. So many ladies in yukatas, geishas, festival food! Whoopi! Pictures of that will be up soon enough...
We shopped, me, 4 other girls and one guy, probly suicidal by the end of the night, until we dropped! and I mean dropped! We had all slept a minimal number of hours the night before so i rarely had such a quiet excursion.
What a great weekend! Made me clear my head out, relax... a long awaited mental rest! ahhh ...
Now we're sunday and I have a shitload of homework to do.... all will be done in due time ;)
We got there, 7 frenchies, 1 quebeky (me) and 40 other japanese people all you can eating and drinking until 9ish! After that the deal was off and we were finishing up our drinks and wondering where the night would take us. 2 options were available:
- run home (40 minute walk) to make it in time for curfew
- Take our time and figure it out as we go along!
So as you can tell, option one is not really an option, its just me saying that I thought of being a good girl for a fraction of a second to please mommy :D So we ended up at one of those karaokes finishing up at 5am and getting back at Ihouse around 5h45. We waited 15 mintues outside for someone (super Mike) to let us in (curfew is not lifted yet at this time) 6h30 ish... got to bed.
Unfortunetly I didnt take picture of that night but if you look on facebook, many of my friends tagged me climbing on stuff (the trees here are VERY climbable).
So waking up at 12h30 the next day unable to sleep, we went on with the main idea that was a good idea the night before and was still then, to go to Osu district! Oh my god i've never seen such an amasing shopping district in my life! Seriously, this place is DA BOMB!
On top of the main awsomness of the place, there was a matsuri going on, which is a culture fest. So many ladies in yukatas, geishas, festival food! Whoopi! Pictures of that will be up soon enough...
We shopped, me, 4 other girls and one guy, probly suicidal by the end of the night, until we dropped! and I mean dropped! We had all slept a minimal number of hours the night before so i rarely had such a quiet excursion.
What a great weekend! Made me clear my head out, relax... a long awaited mental rest! ahhh ...
Now we're sunday and I have a shitload of homework to do.... all will be done in due time ;)
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Up to no good at IHouse, a challenge i'm willing to accept
So this is Ihouse, my home for the time that i'm in Japan. Surrounded by people yet very easy to feel lonesome. Being up to no good (my favourite passtime) is quite hard to accomplish here, especially in typhoon time! Well tonight, me and two of my Ihouse buddys (Greg and Damien) decided that it's about time we did something interesting at Ihouse other than eat cake!
So here is my train of thought:
- It's raining outside and the rain is cool, we can go play in the rain!
- Although, since the campus at night is flippin' boring, never mind.
- So what did I do at home when I was up to no good... humm... think... OH I KNOW! Climb stuff!!!
- Next question, how to get to the roof without slipping and breaking our necks!
- There is a ladder... the door to get to it is locked and probly has a security system up
- We can either go from the 1st floor or the 2nd, we climbed from the 2nd ;)
So with a little help from Damien who lifted me and Greg and Greg who lifted Damien up, we were up to no good in record time at ihouse :D
- To those of you bamboozled by this riddle, here is the solution: we werent on the roof at the same time. Me and Damien and then Me and Greg.
By the way, props to Damien for catching me on my way down :D yeah... I slipped.
So that was tonights adventure, what adventures will the walls of Ihouse offer us next, who know! Until then, i'll be thinking outside the box!
So here is my train of thought:
- It's raining outside and the rain is cool, we can go play in the rain!
- Although, since the campus at night is flippin' boring, never mind.
- So what did I do at home when I was up to no good... humm... think... OH I KNOW! Climb stuff!!!
- Next question, how to get to the roof without slipping and breaking our necks!
- There is a ladder... the door to get to it is locked and probly has a security system up
- We can either go from the 1st floor or the 2nd, we climbed from the 2nd ;)
So with a little help from Damien who lifted me and Greg and Greg who lifted Damien up, we were up to no good in record time at ihouse :D
- To those of you bamboozled by this riddle, here is the solution: we werent on the roof at the same time. Me and Damien and then Me and Greg.
By the way, props to Damien for catching me on my way down :D yeah... I slipped.
So that was tonights adventure, what adventures will the walls of Ihouse offer us next, who know! Until then, i'll be thinking outside the box!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Language Lounge: What is it and is it edible
The French Lounge
So this week is the long awaited beginning of the language lounges. The concept is simple: Native students go to the lounge and talk with other students who want to learn that langage. Why they are so popular: The natives are paid! Whoopi
So the pay isnt the best one ever but it's better than a slap in the face. Since i'm francophone, I have assured shifts at the French Lounge. Unfortunetly, due to the industrial size quantity of anglos, I can't do the English Lounge. But hey, its better this way and here is why:
-Since we are so little french people (about 15), they don't give us steady shifts so we basically show up when we feel like it during designated hours (monday, wednesday and friday at lunch)! where as the english lounge people have a steady schedual that they have to respect of else... they die
The Japanese Lounge
Same concept as the others, japanese students go and help us foreigners by chatting us up. I figued, like Anis (former UdM classmate) very blatantly pointed out, I haven't been going to the exchages that the UdM was holding (for legit reasons) so this is a good way to catch up :D And it is.
I talked with two nice girls: Sachie (Sa-chi-è), a foreign languages student studying in Corean and English. And Ami, an other sweet heart studying in french and english. I pressured her to come see me at the lounge after explaining the meaning of her name in french :D Impressively, she already knew!
More Typhoon info: mom don't read this
Tomorrow night there is a huge typhoon comming in!whoopi! I wonder what its like oh I hope there is lightning.
That's all for today folks! I have some crazy studying to do for my exams all throughout the week... aye!
So this week is the long awaited beginning of the language lounges. The concept is simple: Native students go to the lounge and talk with other students who want to learn that langage. Why they are so popular: The natives are paid! Whoopi
So the pay isnt the best one ever but it's better than a slap in the face. Since i'm francophone, I have assured shifts at the French Lounge. Unfortunetly, due to the industrial size quantity of anglos, I can't do the English Lounge. But hey, its better this way and here is why:
-Since we are so little french people (about 15), they don't give us steady shifts so we basically show up when we feel like it during designated hours (monday, wednesday and friday at lunch)! where as the english lounge people have a steady schedual that they have to respect of else... they die
The Japanese Lounge
Same concept as the others, japanese students go and help us foreigners by chatting us up. I figued, like Anis (former UdM classmate) very blatantly pointed out, I haven't been going to the exchages that the UdM was holding (for legit reasons) so this is a good way to catch up :D And it is.
I talked with two nice girls: Sachie (Sa-chi-è), a foreign languages student studying in Corean and English. And Ami, an other sweet heart studying in french and english. I pressured her to come see me at the lounge after explaining the meaning of her name in french :D Impressively, she already knew!
More Typhoon info: mom don't read this
Tomorrow night there is a huge typhoon comming in!whoopi! I wonder what its like oh I hope there is lightning.
That's all for today folks! I have some crazy studying to do for my exams all throughout the week... aye!
Typhoon season begins
The Dillema
This blog begins in a time of cold rainy nights. Imagine this: Being on a deserted island and seeing in the distance, in the middle of a river, a treasure chest. The temptation to go open the chest is overwhelming but the currents are too strong and you might get hurt. Now you know that when the sun reaches a certain point, you can safely go. Do you take the risk not being able to resist the temptation or do you wait for the perfect time to enjoy your treasure in all its glory.
This is somewhat what I feel like. Japan is my treasure and I want to explore it at all costs but its freezing cold outside and raining. Patience is key. I will wait until the sun shines and the rain stops but its eating me from the inside.
On a brighter note: I like cookies
The Facts... Or What I Try to Pass as a Fact
So where to begin, I was rudely cut off recently, Shitsureishimasu! I guess I could start by explaining what I'm doing here practically. For those of you who don't know me too much but are reading this blog as a substitute for talking to me, I've been studying the japanese language for the past 2 years at the University of Montreal. It has recently come to my attention that there are many people with whom to practice here in Japan. That in mind, I'm currently trying to get my minor in East Asian Studies at UofM here under the program name of "Japanese Language and Japanese Studies Program". But that's just an excuse.... I really have no idea what I'm doing here!
To briefly recapitulate what I've been up to for this past month in the country of the rising sun, I've made new friends, rediscovered old ones, discovered new scenery, lived moments that I would never have thought imaginable. I live in Ihouse or as I like to call it: Otaku HQ. I have my little 1½ with no kitchen and really uncomfortable chair. For the first month, it wasn't so bad, I had many occasions to travel in Japan but recently, I came to the conclusion that weeks would be reserved strictly for studying! I can't deviate too much from my main quest which is to master the language but I have a long way to go before I even find my japanese level acceptable.
The Title
Some (or most) of you are utterly confused about that title: Chelly Brossoms! It's a joke, somewhat mocking the japanese pronounciation of the ls and Rs that they just can't seem to get right. And probly a critique of the American vision that anything that is not pronouced following their way is the wrong way. I had some sort of epiphany the other day when I heard an American tell a Japanese person: "Your Japanese is very good, it sounds very american"... think of it... i'll leave that at that...
The Emotional Soul Searching Monologue of Complete non-neccesaryness to you... You don't have to read it
I left everything behind to come here. My family, my Ben, my home, my life! I of course try to keep my feet on the ground but it's hard to not get confused in the grand scheme of things. I'm here to perhaps find the inspiration that i'm missing that has been burdening my soul by its emptyness. Is it here, did I leave it behind, have I not found it yet or maybe did I find it and don't know what to do with it... all I know is that I haven't found that answer. Or maybe is it (and pardon the obvious book reference) a question that I am searching for. It's hard to find an answer without a question.....
See... told ya its easy to get confused... Thank god I'm not on drugs
I'll be ending this blogue on that soul searching note... hoping that one day I can understand what I write. Seriously!
This blog begins in a time of cold rainy nights. Imagine this: Being on a deserted island and seeing in the distance, in the middle of a river, a treasure chest. The temptation to go open the chest is overwhelming but the currents are too strong and you might get hurt. Now you know that when the sun reaches a certain point, you can safely go. Do you take the risk not being able to resist the temptation or do you wait for the perfect time to enjoy your treasure in all its glory.
This is somewhat what I feel like. Japan is my treasure and I want to explore it at all costs but its freezing cold outside and raining. Patience is key. I will wait until the sun shines and the rain stops but its eating me from the inside.
On a brighter note: I like cookies
The Facts... Or What I Try to Pass as a Fact
So where to begin, I was rudely cut off recently, Shitsureishimasu! I guess I could start by explaining what I'm doing here practically. For those of you who don't know me too much but are reading this blog as a substitute for talking to me, I've been studying the japanese language for the past 2 years at the University of Montreal. It has recently come to my attention that there are many people with whom to practice here in Japan. That in mind, I'm currently trying to get my minor in East Asian Studies at UofM here under the program name of "Japanese Language and Japanese Studies Program". But that's just an excuse.... I really have no idea what I'm doing here!
To briefly recapitulate what I've been up to for this past month in the country of the rising sun, I've made new friends, rediscovered old ones, discovered new scenery, lived moments that I would never have thought imaginable. I live in Ihouse or as I like to call it: Otaku HQ. I have my little 1½ with no kitchen and really uncomfortable chair. For the first month, it wasn't so bad, I had many occasions to travel in Japan but recently, I came to the conclusion that weeks would be reserved strictly for studying! I can't deviate too much from my main quest which is to master the language but I have a long way to go before I even find my japanese level acceptable.
The Title
Some (or most) of you are utterly confused about that title: Chelly Brossoms! It's a joke, somewhat mocking the japanese pronounciation of the ls and Rs that they just can't seem to get right. And probly a critique of the American vision that anything that is not pronouced following their way is the wrong way. I had some sort of epiphany the other day when I heard an American tell a Japanese person: "Your Japanese is very good, it sounds very american"... think of it... i'll leave that at that...
The Emotional Soul Searching Monologue of Complete non-neccesaryness to you... You don't have to read it
I left everything behind to come here. My family, my Ben, my home, my life! I of course try to keep my feet on the ground but it's hard to not get confused in the grand scheme of things. I'm here to perhaps find the inspiration that i'm missing that has been burdening my soul by its emptyness. Is it here, did I leave it behind, have I not found it yet or maybe did I find it and don't know what to do with it... all I know is that I haven't found that answer. Or maybe is it (and pardon the obvious book reference) a question that I am searching for. It's hard to find an answer without a question.....
See... told ya its easy to get confused... Thank god I'm not on drugs
I'll be ending this blogue on that soul searching note... hoping that one day I can understand what I write. Seriously!
First Blog
Starting a blog off with the blank page syndrom was probly not the best way to go....
Let's begin from the beginning: Hajimemashite Richelle desu dozoyorosiku.
I created this blog in order to narrate the events that happened and will happen during this life changing experience which is my trip to Japan. How is it life changing you may ask! Good question... I have no idea but am willing to find out.
Shortly after I left, my dad told me: "Absorbe tout comme une éponge" and I plan to apply that for my trip let it be concerning the japanese language that I'm desperatly trying to master or anything that my consist some sort of inspiration.
I guess the main reason to start a blog is to try and sort out the things we lived and discovered to see the larger image in order to get a better understanding of what we have learned. So now that you know what I am up to and my train of thought of this instant, I must abruptly shorten this entry to participate in a meeting for everybody at Ihouse concerning the lion king... everything will be explained in my next entry
Let's begin from the beginning: Hajimemashite Richelle desu dozoyorosiku.
I created this blog in order to narrate the events that happened and will happen during this life changing experience which is my trip to Japan. How is it life changing you may ask! Good question... I have no idea but am willing to find out.
Shortly after I left, my dad told me: "Absorbe tout comme une éponge" and I plan to apply that for my trip let it be concerning the japanese language that I'm desperatly trying to master or anything that my consist some sort of inspiration.
I guess the main reason to start a blog is to try and sort out the things we lived and discovered to see the larger image in order to get a better understanding of what we have learned. So now that you know what I am up to and my train of thought of this instant, I must abruptly shorten this entry to participate in a meeting for everybody at Ihouse concerning the lion king... everything will be explained in my next entry
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