A few old pictures

Just a few old pictures I thought I'd upload:

If you look very closely, you can make out Mount Fuji

On our way to the city office
From left: Naushad, Mari and Zara

Naushad comes from Sri Lanka and has lived in Japan for about four years now I think. He accompanied us to the city office to help us retrieve our alien registration cards. I'm lucky to have met people like him who are willing to help foreigners. Because like I said before, you're pretty much left to figure things out on your own here. People like Naushad also gives me hope that I'll be able to speak fluently very soon. When he first came to Japan, he only knew how to say Thank you and Hello in Japanese. But after four months he says, he was already feeling comfortable speaking in Japanese. It  reassures me that soon, I'll understand most of what is being said to me. And I won't be so tired at the end of the day. Because each time I open my mouth to say something, my brain is working at full speed to help me communicate what I'm trying to say.

Some delicious curry I made (and will soon be making again ; )

Team competition in Amagasaki

This weekend, I went to Amagasaki with the other judo athletes. By bus, it took us about 5 and a half hours. Roads and highways in Japan are not straight like in the Canadian prairies, so it makes for a rather bumpy ride. So I maybe managed to get two hours of sleep at most.
The competition (both Saturday and Sunday) was a team competition. It was very interesting for me because in Canada, apart from the small team competition in which I participated at the Canada Winter Games, we never have team competitions. Team competitions have a bit more strategy involved. For example, you have two athletes per each weight category. Depending on the opposing team's player, you can choose which athlete you think has a better chance of winning. And in team competition, you are allowed to have a draw. Normally, a match can only end once a winner has been declared. But in team competition, hikiwake (a draw) only means that no points are accorded to either team. And it gets quite heated sometimes. Because sometimes, both teams will have the same number of wins and all the presure is on the last fighter of the team.

How did Tokai do? The women's team made it into the 3rd round, just coming short of the finals. They beat two universities but then lost to the same team they lost to last year, which put them in third place. The men's team won first place, defeating four universities to do so. They were spectacular. I have to admit, the men were are lot more interesting to watch. Their throws are more powerful and unlike the women's matches, their fights will almost always end with a perfect throw. Womens have more of a tendency to drag out the match and win by points. And, the men usually take bigger risks during a match which is what makes it more exciting to watch.

The athletes warming up

Teams all lined up: almost look like stacks of dominoes : p

A few pictures of the judo girls (all doing the signature Japanese pose lol)


Yuki and Kimiko

 

Miyu and Yutaka



Eri (left) and Ayaka

The womens team (facing front)

If you ever want to see what nice cauliflower ears look like, come to a judo tournament in Japan. There are some of the nicest ones here. Here's a picture for those who aren't familiar with what it is.

This is a milder case of cauliflower ear (Note: I do not own this picture)

 Both the women and men have it here. I've seen some in Canada but definitely not as many as in Japan. So it's pretty easy to determine who does judo, or was a judo player when they were younger.

 After the tournament on Saturday, I went to Kimiko's home to stay for the night. Before arriving to her house, we took the train to Motomachi station, which I was told is one of the most popular stations in Kobe. We walked around the station. There are so many little shops and restaurants. You could spend the day there, just walking from one boutique to the next, tasting something here and there. We also visited the China town.

Kimiko, Eri, and me

After that, we went together with Kimiko's family to an onsen. An onsen is a public bath. Very popular here in Japan and everyone who's Japanese has visited  an onsen at one point in their life. You have to remove all clothing. Then you have to shower and wash yourself. Only after can you enter the bath, which is like a hot tub really. So I can now say that I went to an onsen. And I'm sure I'll go again many times during my stay. Great for relaxing tight muscles and aching body parts.

Later, we went to one of their friends' house where we shared a meal outside. Kind of like a barbecue, except instead of hamburger patties and hotdogs, we had soba noodles and grilled meat.

The next day, after the tournament ended, we took the bus back home. I arrived at midnight. At 11 o'clock, the north gates are closed so I had to ride all the way to the south gate to be able to enter the campus. Then the dorm's doors also close at 11 o'clock so I had to open the kitchen window, throw my bags inside and jump in (a well known trick here). I felt like a burglar lol. Anyhow, all that that counts is that I made it inside. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to enter and have to spend the night outside.

Now I have the rest of the week off from school. And judo only restarts Tuesday evening. So I can rest a bit.... not really lol. Today I'm off to retrieve a box of clothes and books that my mother sent not long after my departure. It finally arrived in Japan at my host family's house so I'm going to get it today. I'll be taking the train alone for the first time so wish me good luck! ; )

Please be patient...

To my faithful readers, I know I haven't been updating as regularly as in the beginning. For my defense, I'll tell you that I have very little time between classes, judo, and studying. I'm living a busy life! And if I have a bit of free time, I try to catch up on some ZZZs (sleep) or get a headstart on the next chapter in my Japanese textbook. Furthermore, things are starting to feel like routine now so I don't feel the need to update as often. It's incredible how quickly we adapt to a new environment or way of life.

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Yasuhiro Yamashita (note: I do not own this picture)

I saw Yasuhiro Yamashita yesterday. For those who are not familiar with him, he's probably the most famous name in the history of judo, aside from Jigoro Kano (the one who created judo). He took the gold medal in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles as well as numerous other gold medals at World Championships. He also went undefeated for almost 8 years, with 203 consecutive victories.

He is still an imposing man but he looks like he could be 30 years old or probably even less! (according to Wikipedia, he's 54 years old now). I think it's mostly due to his facial traits that make him appear much younger than he really is. Anyhow, it was amazing to just be in the same room as him and to finally get the chance to see him with my very own eyes after seeing his face numerous times on video clips or the Internet.

A few more interesting things about judo at Tokai University:

- there are special days for blue guis. If you grip left-handed, you're allowed to wear a blue judogi on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you're right-handed, you can wear a blue gui on Mondays and Fridays. They're very conscious about gripping stances here and so different colored guis are worn to help fighters pick their opponents according to their gripping style.

- they don't stop... even if you're almost off the floor, or leaning against the wall, they will almost never stop trying to throw you until someone has landed on the mat.

- there is a clear separation between the male and female athletes. In Canada, I'm used to training with boys and following the same training regiment. But here, the two teams have their own training schedules. A few boys will sometimes come down to the girls' practice to be partners for the bigger or more experienced girls but that's about it.

- there is a clear hierarchy in the judo club, what they call sempai and kohai. If you are a first-year university student, you're at the bottom of the chain. If something needs to be done, the first-years are responsible. Before practice, they have to sweep the mats, bring out the ice, hand out the belts, etc. And they always have to be very respectful with the older girls. It's a new concept for me. Back at the U of M, the younger athletes are expected to show respect for the older and more experienced fighters. But that's all. No need for bowing or using more polite language. But in Japan, it's very important, and not just in the sports clubs. In all situations, if someone is superior to you (in age or rank within the company for example), you must use a more polite form of speaking and be very careful of not being disrespectful in any way.


Coming up:

- Tomorrow (Friday), I'm taking the night bus to Amagasaki along with the other judo girls. There is a big team competition in which both the men's and women's teams are competing. I'll be staying with one of the athletes' family. I'm also told that I'll have the chance to visit an onsen, which is a hot spring. They're very popular here and I've heard a lot about them so I'm curious to see what they're like.

- There is a student festival next week, which means no school for a whole week!!! Judo doesn't stop of course but having that one week break is something I've been waiting impatiently for since we first learned about it. Apparently, there are supposed to be little tents and shops set up around campus that sell little souvenirs or delicious food. Pictures guaranteed! : )

Morning rush

For the first time, I was late to practice. This morning we had a skills practice at 7:00 AM. I set my alarm clock for 6:00. But occasionally, it happens that I'll shut the alarm off (still half-asleep and not yet thinking rationally). Many of you have probably had the same experience. So that's what happened this morning. I shut the alarm off and went back to sleep... only to wake up at 6:55!!! Ahh!!! I have never gotten dressed and ready for judo so fast in my life. Thankfully the dojo is only a 5 min walk away from my dorm (this morning, it was more like a 2 min sprint). So I was only 5 minutes late. Still, being on time is important for me and especially important in the Japanese culture. And perhaps even more so when it comes to a sports club. So I'm going to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Thank you Skype!

I'm supposed to be in bed by now... but I just wanted to thank the person who invented Skype. You are a genius! For those who aren't technologically-savvy, Skype is a program that allows users to talk with one another. So almost every night since my arrival in Japan, I've been able to video chat with my family via Skype. Every night (early morning for them) after practice, I can tell them how my day went, how practice went, how I'm feeling, etc. If I need any advice, they're just a mouse click away. Which is really great and comforting... to know that even though I'm miles away from home, I'm not alone. : )

Alienation

I am officially a registered alien now. Not kidding. I now have my "certificate of alien registration". Alien is the name given to non-Japanese residents. I'm glad it's finally over with. There are so many papers and documents needed in order to live here. Visa, foreign registration, health insurance, bank account, etc.... And the international office here isn't very international. Nobody there really speaks English. If you can't understand Japanese well enough, it's very hard to understand the important information they're giving you. Luckily, thanks to my host mother and a couple of friends here, I've managed to get all the necessary documents. One less thing to stress about : p

Living in constant confusion

I hit a low point a few days ago. Since I arrived in Japan, I've gotten accustomed to not always understanding what people are saying to me. It's amazing how I've managed to get by so far using gestures and logical reasoning. But the other day, the bank left a message to call them back. When I did, I couldn't understand anything they told me. Then I handed the receiver to the dorm lady so she could take the message for me. But then, when she tried to transmit the message to me, I couldn't understand once again. It's so frustrating not being able to understand, especially when it comes to important things like passports or money.

But then again, it's important to take things in perspective. Compared to when I first came, about a month ago, my Japanese has improved leaps and bounds. I speak with less hesitation (even though I'm always searching for words), have increased my vocabulary enormously and can read a lot more kanji characters. And that's only after one month. I still have about 11 more to go. So I'm trying to stay positive and just keep absorbing everything I see and hear. Except the rain. I'm trying to veer away from the rain : p (which is impossible by the way)

No Judo, no life

I've always thought I didn't have a life because of judo. When you train almost every day, including the weekend, there's often little time left to go out with friends. If you study at the same time, you have even less time... And often, if you do happen to have time, you are too exhausted to even consider going out. My friends can probably confirm this. How many times have I had to miss out on a party or activity because of judo? Many.

The other night at practice, a girl had a shirt that said " NO JUDO, NO LIFE". I couldn't help but find this funny. Because of judo, I've missed out on going out with friends or joining other sports teams. But judo has given me another kind of life, one that very few have the chance to experience. And right now, if I didn't do judo, I don't know what I would do with all that new found free time. There are many times where I've considered quitting judo because I thought it prevented me from having a normal life. But normal is overrrated : p Judo isn't always easy (far from it) but it brings me great satisfaction when I learn a new technique or finally execute a throw I've been practicing for months. So as long as I keep loving judo, I'll be putting on my gui and stepping onto the mats to keep learning : )

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. ~ Joseph P. Kennedy

Tough times don't last, tough people do. ~ Gregory Peck

Japanese class : 7A and 7B

Today, we were reassigned to a different Japanese class. Our class initially had 13 students. This week, about 8 students from Libya as well as a couple of students from other classes joined our class. The teachers decided a class of 25 students was a bit too big and so our class was divided into 7A and 7B. The students with a bit more difficulty were placed in 7B and the others who are a bit more advanced (including me) in 7A. The class dynamics are a bit different but I think the faster learning pace will be better for me.

* Note: In class, we have some listening exercises every day where we have to listen to some dialogue and then answer some questions or choose the right picture. After we listen, the teacher will ask: Maru (correct statement), Batsu (Incorrect statement), or Wakarimasen (I don't understand). That third option is quite useful ; )

I've also been doing some cooking (not Japanese yet) in my spare time (what free time!?!). A couple of pictures to give you an idea:

Yumm, a taste of home, some good old chili

Getting my feet wet

I finally had the opportunity to take the train and see something other than the university campus. On Saturday, my roommate Moe and I took the train to Shinjuku, a famous shopping district in Tokyo. I don't think I've ever bumped into so many people in one day. The train station is PACKED with people walking in all directions. In fact, pretty much anywhere in Japan is packed with people.

In Shinjuku, we did some shopping. I bought a one piece swimsuit (which is mandatory to enter the university's swimming pool), some clothes (ironically from H&M and Forever 21, which are both American stores), and a great Japanese cookbook in English. So as soon as I have time, I'll start studying Japanese cooking, something I've wanted to learn for some time now.

My favorite place in Shinjuku is probably the bookstore, Kinokuniya. I could spend hours in that bookstore (in any bookstore in fact), which has eight floors full of books. And on the 7th floor, there are plenty of English novels and books which for me was like paradise lol. At least I know where to go if I happen to finish all the novels I brought from Canada.

Moe, my roommate

A guy dressed as Johnny Depp (the resemblance is incredible!)

We came back late that day and I was pooped. Shopping itself is tiring, but in Japan, it's ten times more so, with so many people hitting you by accident and having to squirm your way around people in the streets or in the train station. Then, even once you're done shopping, to get back home, the trains are also crowded and there are often no places left to sit. By the time you get back home, you are exhausted.

Then the next day, I had to wake up early to take the train again, this time to Nihon Budokan to watch some of Tokai's judo club members participate in the "All-Japan University Students tournament" (English translation). The tournament site is enormous. I'd been there once before with my dad two years ago but I didn't remember it being so big.

There were only five mat areas... I say only because in each weight class, there were about 30-40 athletes. In Canada, even at our Nationals, we will usually only have about 15-20 per division. Honestly, compared to Canada, the number of people who practice judo in Japan is mind-boggling. I knew that before coming but seeing a tournament of this size was still a shock for me.

There are some interesting differences between tournaments in Japan and tournaments in Canada. They don't wear blue judogis. Instead, they use red and white belts to differentiate the fighters. Concerning the scoring, what would easily be considered a yuko in Canada isn't even acknowledged here. And what would probably be wazari or ippon in Canada is only given a yuko score. The tournament was very efficient... hmm... does that mean I'm saying that tournaments in Canada are not efficient? ; ) Compared to the little number of people that compete in tournaments in Canada and the long breaks when the tv screens don't work, Japan is a lot more efficient. The tournament started at 9 and was over by 3 o'clock. And that's taking into account the large weight divisions mentioned above.

I also had the chance to meet my dad's aunt, Shizuko. Only saw her for a few minutes, but I left a lot heavier than before. She gave me a bag full of Japanese snacks and some homemade applesauce.

My aunt Shizuko and me

Went back home after... tired once again. Took the subway all by myself on the way back. I'm starting to understand the subway system a bit better but I'm still clueless about all the different lines and types of trains (express, local, rapid express). Hopefully I won't have to get lost too often to figure it out : p

Subtleties of the Japanese language

Japanese is a very complex language. For example, we're currently learning about transitive and intransitive verbs. For those who aren't sure what the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs is, Wikipedia can give you a hand: "a transitive verb is a verb that requires both a direct subject and one or more objects". Or as I see it: transitive = action verbs ; intransitive = passive verbs.

In English, we'll say:

1) I open the door. (action)
2) The door is open. (passive state or condition)

We use the same verb "to open" but we simply rearrange the rest of the sentence to convey the different meaning. Well.. it's not as simple in Japanese. In Japanese, different verbs are used depending whether the subject (i.e. the door) is opened by someone (action) or whether the speaker simply wishes to describe the door's current state (passive). In the first scenario, akemasu must be used, and akimasu in the second. A couple more examples if you're interested:

to drop: otoshimasu ; to be dropped: ochimasu
to turn on: tsukemasu ; to be on: tsukimasu
to close: shimemasu ; to be closed: shimarimasu

... and many more. That means more vocabulary to be learnt, memorized, and crammed into my already pretty full brain. But supposedly, we only use a small percentage of our brains... so I can't really say I've used up my brain's full capacity... yet : p

Learning Japanese also has its little moments. The other day, a student from England mispronounced the work jikan and instead softened the first syllable to make out the word chikan. The teacher started laughing hysterically along with a few other students. Wondering what was so funny, I looked up chikan in my dictionary. The definition: sexual pervert; molester. That explained it ; ) lol

It's also funny when the Korean students in my class speak in Japanese and I can't understand a thing. I wouldn't even think it was Japanese if I heard it outside the classroom.

Time to study again. Coming up this weekend: shopping in Shinjuku with my roommate and going to watch some of Tokai's judo girls fight in a tournament. : D