Great night!

Yatto finals are over. To celebrate I went out for food and fun with a couple of classmates. It was fun and we ended up at a restaurant that had a picture on the wall of their L.A. location on Wilshire Blvd.!! That's the place Jeff bought kim chi cause the kitchen was closed and they couldn't make us any real food for an hour. How exciting. I can't believe I didn't have my camera, but at least I took a picture with my phone.

Wrapping things up

With my last finals on Thursday, my study abroad experience is coming to an end. Part of me wishes I had decided to go somewhere else, but it has been worthwhile none the less. Now I'm cleaning up my room, and packing 3 bags. I think I'll try to go to Taiwan with only my backpack, and maybe my death from above 1979 hand bag. So, I've packed my backpack full of clothes for traveling. I'm also packing two suitcases, one of things that I don't need to use for the remainder of my time here, and one of things that I may need to use. Hopefully I can start sending things home with my friends before I actually come back, in case I have more than two suitcases worth of things. And I do. I bought a guitar for example.
I'm becoming more and more irritated with Japanese society and the way Japanese people act and think. I write about it fairly frequently in my notebooks. Though there are exceptions, Japanese versions of work, friends, marriage, family, academics, and maybe more, are all very inadequate from an American viewpoint. I'm really lucky to have been placed with Raul's family. They are fun, and atypical.

I'm studying for tomorrow's Japanese test

and thinking that it is quite possibly the last time that I will have such an experience. I'm thinking about what I want to do, and all I know is that the degree I'm working towards won't be of any specific value in my future endeavors. Or at least that's my hope(though it may be of value as a generic Bachelor's Degree). So here are some recent ideas to add to the already long list: get a teaching credential, go to film school. I like the looks of this one. I also like the idea of using the internet as a way of communicating my ideas or distributing things (like movies, music, books, or whatever) that I make. I fear that I may be over-utilizing parenthesis, and I'm sorry.

I still haven't completely given up on Uncle Tio's, but I wonder about the enormous of amount of red tape that surely would make any business in Japan abnormally and unnecessarily cumbersome.

I'm looking forward to my finals being finished on Thursday. It's funny how much students dislike finals time, they seem to happen so frequently.
I still haven't really come to terms with my coming home early. I think that it is a good decision, but it somehow brings more uncertainty to my future. Or, it makes me re-evaluate my priorities, maybe. I think, though, that I have one reason for coming home that trumps all others, but somehow I rarely consider it when reflecting on my decision. In any case, at least I'll be able to get adequate sleep when I get back.

What else.. I'm leaving for Taiwan in 1 week, and I still don't know much about the country. I've ordered a guide book, and will read it vigorously when it arrives. I have booked my first 2 nights in Taipei. There are other places I'd like to go, but I'm waiting to look through the guide book before making too many plans.

Back to my future/career, I ultimately just want to be creative, and there is something compelling about the idea of having my creative works recognized and appreciated, but I'm not sure how important that part is. Maybe I'll just start making, and displaying what I make online so at least some people can see it. What I don't like about the idea of a prestigious film school, is all the politics and fronting that I imagine goes on in that business (and others).
When I listen to my favorite music, or see art that really strikes me, I often think that what really attracts me to it is both the maker's creativity and vulnerableness. I think that I am less worried about things like the way that others perceive me than the average man woman or child, but still often think that if I were to display any work publicly, I would at least to some extent have an audience's reaction in mind. I think that becoming completely vulnerable and honest is a worthy goal.
Now, I wonder if I need to find an occupation that best utilizes creativity, or settle for one that leaves me with the freedom to pursue all kinds of creative endeavors outside of work. Or... other options that I'm sure exist but don't feel inclined to think about or list at present.

Really, everyone go buy and or listen to Andrew Bird. He's great. If that wasn't a reminder it was spoiler, and I'm sorry, but that is just one of the unavoidable consequences of reverse chronology.

I think that I and others are unable to completely give up desires for wealth not only because of what our culture has taught us, but also largely because of a psychological dependence on comfort.

I think that once I'm home, I'll make a small book of pictures and writings from and about my travels/life in Japan. If anyone has any particular pictures or content that you strongly believe should be included, please let me know.

I think I'll finish studying for my test now. It feels very momentous, as it may be the last of it's kind. But at the same time, it is also somewhat pointless for the same reasons. I hope to do well, but don't imagine I'll remember even 10% of what I've studied today for any length of time. But that is academics for you...

Andrew Bird

I really like the two albums of his that I've heard. They are great. You should all hunt them down, or pick them up, and give them a try. 'Armchair Apocrypha' and 'The Mysterious Production Of Eggs' are the names.

Next week is finals

I've turned in my report and done my presentation for "Econ". What I have left are tests for Japanese and Women's History. Each is worth only 25% of my grade, so I shouldn't have to worry too much. I also need to keep trying to write statements of withdrawal. The Tokyo Study center doesn't like the ones that I've turned in so far. The way they keep urging me to write it is a bit dishonest for my taste, though, so I'll keep trying different angles.

Lately I've been watching quite a few movies and practicing guitar in my free time. It's pretty enjoyable. I looked up Eric and Pete's dojo down in San Diego. The website is well made. I'm looking forward to going to classes there, anyway.

I have a great 2 months ahead of me. Then home. I often second guess my decision to come home, but I think it is the best choice. I can have adventures in the future, if I make that a priority.

So the tentantive plan is...

Taiwan, Okinawa, Taiwan, short break or kansai or hokkaido. then hiroshima, kyushu, nikko with bretton. then shikoku, and another possible short break before ryan and mj show up. and i'll be doing kansai, hamamatsu, and wherever else they and travis want to go for a week or so before coming back to tokyo and hopping on a train home.

As soon as I learn exactly when everyone is coming, i'll start booking hostels and plain tickets.

Sometimes I get chills when I listen to a song that is really good/moving

except this is the first time that the I go the chill, then stayed cold, then had to take a hot shower in an attempt to get warm again.

wow. i must have been really tired last night, cause that is some amazing english

game over man

I bought a ticket home. I'll be back on Sunday March 30.
I'm also looking at plane tickets to taiwan for a couple of reasons.
First of all, tickets to okinawa are way too expensive, and I wonder if there is a boat I can take from taiwan or something. secondly, if i leave the country, i can come back as a visitor and take advantage of the japan rail passes. so, i'll be going somewhere out of the country, but haven't quite determined where yet.

(-10) degrees Celsius = 14 degrees Fahrenheit

last night's temperature (or at least that was word on the street, it is unverified and i've grown skeptical). it's getting a pretty cold, i'd say.

CH ch ch change(s) in plan, kimeta. decided.

to omou...
I met with the Tokyo Study Center today. It is looking like I will be home at the end of March, beginning of April. There are still a few procedures to go through, but it's pretty much decided. I was actually quite surprised that I wasn't really met with any resistance when explaining that I want to go back home. They were more interested in hearing why I wanted to go back than trying to change my mind, which was pleasant.
Thinking that I'm going to go home has made me already start to miss the things that I like about Japan. This is good, in a way, because I think it will help me make the most of the 2.5 months I have left here. And, it will let me leave Japan with a good impression, so that I may be motivated to come back and visit in the future, and maybe even continue my study of the language.
Soky is sorry to see me go, but he understands. I guess there are already people lining up to take my place.
Bretton comes at the beginning of March, then Erin, MJ, Ryan, and Travis (in alphabetical order) will come at the end of March. Hopefully I can change my visa to visitor status, so that I can take advantage of Japan Rail Passes, and do some heavy traveling.
I think I'll be heading to Nagano for some snowboarding on February 9th. From there on the plans aren't too... existent, but their in the makings.

ok. see you all soon.

ctrl+z ...maaaaash

I miss home. I don't want to stay here for 7 more months. I'm going to talk to the UC Tokyo Study Center and see what they have to say.

False alarm

I probably will finish out my stay here in Japan to the date originally planned, which puts me coming home sometime in August. I want to come home, but home will be there when I get there. I do enjoy my life here, even if I may like it more back at home. And if it takes me a little longer to graduate, I don't mind, I like UCSD and I liked my lifestyle last year.

Oo. the bread winner just came home from work. He brought me my cell phone bill. hooray.

Judo was particularly tiring today. I don't know if I need my sleep, different food, or if I'm just not back in the swing of things yet, but it was really exhausting. As for Judo, I'm making pretty good progress, and I'm getting decent on the ground.

mmm. mmmmm. I think I want a psp so that I can play tactics.
ok, can't think of much else to write. bbfn.

Juuudo

I skipped Judo today, because I was very tired and sore from Monday's practice after a long break and general lack of sleep. I think that I will stop going to Shorinji. It is frustratingly boring.
I heard recently that my dojo back home is no longer, or at least will soon be disbanding. I guess it's sorta been heading in that direction, if you look at the long run, but it was still somewhat surprising. I don't mind though. I think it must have been difficult for my teacher to be dedicated to the dojo when he lived almost an hour away and had a family and job and everything else, so its pretty understandable.
I hope that everyone finds a way to keep training. I have a few options.
I might be coming home earlier than expected, I just hope that everyone who wanted to come can make it before I go. If not, Bretton, we will have to come back another time.
Being in Japan and living on my own has been great, but my school is just bimuyou (unsatisfactory maybe?). So i'll come home in time for spring quarter, or summer session, or second summer session. but if i don't find something structured to fill my time here, it seems that sooner makes more sense than later.
ok. thats all for now. the trains will stop soon, so i can get some rest :)

And i'm back

Faith went home yesterday. Today is laundry, tomorrow school! yikes!
I'm debating whether or not to go back to school at Sophia next semester.
The school is very bad, i think.
Too much work and annoying things for the extremely small amount of learning.
Also, if i were to go back home, i could take classes at ucsd, art and music classes, and make sure i had an comfortable enough schedule next your to graduate and take seifu, and maybe even get a job.
there's a lot i want to do with my life. i wouldn't mind going to art or culinary school, and maybe i've had most of the experiences already. you know? I guess the problems with going home include leaving the apartment and roommate, and possibly having to pay back my scholarship. boo.
we'll see how this next month goes though, then i'll see how i feel about everything.