On Monday (Feb 27), I'm flying, along with 4 other judo girls, to Miyazaki, located on the Kyushu Island, which is the most southwest island out of Japan's four main islands. One of the judo girls' father is holding a special judo training camp for one week where he'll be teaching judo techniques.
I'm quite excited. This will be my first flight on a Japanese airline. Apparently the service and food are much better than on Canadian airlines. It's also great to be able to spend more time with the girls to get to know each other in a different environment. At Tokai, I really only see them during practice or other events related to judo.
And I get to see another part of Japan. Many Japanese I've spoken to haven't even gone to Miyazaki. I went to the island of Kyushu once already. That was three years ago, when my dad and I went to watch a judo tournament in Fukuoka.
I won't be taking my laptop with me because I don't think there will be Internet access where we're staying. So you'll just have to be patient and wait till I come back to see all my beautiful pictures and read up on my fabulous stories : )
Saturday, February 25, 2012
The scoop on Canada : The Tokai girls' impressions and thoughts
The girls who fought in Canada just came back yesterday and they were at practice today. They had lots of stories about what they did in Canada. It was great to know what they thought of Canada and Canadians. Are you ready to hear what they think? Don't worry, they had nothing but good things to say. Here are some of the things they told me:
- "Canadians are so nice" : the girls were helped by the cashiers when they didn't know how to pay with Canadian money, people held doors open for them, and Canadians were just overall very nice.
- "Everything is so cheap!" : they were shocked to find 1$ melons at the supermarket. In Japan, they cost only about 20$. Clothes were cheap, foods at the supermarket were cheap... I agree with them. Compared with Japan, pretty much everything in Canada is cheaper.
- "Everything is so big!" : They were amazed to see the size of food products in the supermarket. Big ice cream jars, 4L apple juice containers, and huge pieces of meat. They even asked me how one person eats all that lol. I assume people make use of their freezer and refrigerator. : P
They also had their first encounter with a skunk... or rather smelling one. And seeing rabbits jumping around. And it's not as cold in Vancouver as it is in Japan now. Canada is a lot colder than Japan, but the Canada's west coast is a lot warmer. If they went a bit more east, they would experience the true Canadian cold.
They also met my brother at the tournament. Everyone said we look a lot alike. They knew right away it was him because of the resemblance. They found him well-dressed, cool-looking, and they're positive he's going to find himself a girlfriend when he comes to study in Japan in a few years. I'm afraid of that too ; )
The girls all loved their experience so much that they want to visit Canada again. Usually after graduating, students go on a trip together so they're already thinking of using that opportunity to go back to Canada. I felt very proud of my country today as they told me their stories. Way to go Canadians!
- "Canadians are so nice" : the girls were helped by the cashiers when they didn't know how to pay with Canadian money, people held doors open for them, and Canadians were just overall very nice.
- "Everything is so cheap!" : they were shocked to find 1$ melons at the supermarket. In Japan, they cost only about 20$. Clothes were cheap, foods at the supermarket were cheap... I agree with them. Compared with Japan, pretty much everything in Canada is cheaper.
- "Everything is so big!" : They were amazed to see the size of food products in the supermarket. Big ice cream jars, 4L apple juice containers, and huge pieces of meat. They even asked me how one person eats all that lol. I assume people make use of their freezer and refrigerator. : P
They also had their first encounter with a skunk... or rather smelling one. And seeing rabbits jumping around. And it's not as cold in Vancouver as it is in Japan now. Canada is a lot colder than Japan, but the Canada's west coast is a lot warmer. If they went a bit more east, they would experience the true Canadian cold.
They also met my brother at the tournament. Everyone said we look a lot alike. They knew right away it was him because of the resemblance. They found him well-dressed, cool-looking, and they're positive he's going to find himself a girlfriend when he comes to study in Japan in a few years. I'm afraid of that too ; )
The girls all loved their experience so much that they want to visit Canada again. Usually after graduating, students go on a trip together so they're already thinking of using that opportunity to go back to Canada. I felt very proud of my country today as they told me their stories. Way to go Canadians!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Surprise trip to Asakusa
On Wednesday, I took the train to Shinjuku where I was supposed to meet my father's aunt, Shizuko. We were simply going to have lunch together. At least, that's what I thought.
When I arrive in Shinjuku, guess who is waiting with Shizuko? My grandmother Masako! It's quite a trip from where she lives so I was pleasantly surprised to see her there. I had talked to her the day before but she hadn't mentioned anything. Apparently, my aunt Shizuko told her not to say anything and surprise me.
My aunt asked me if there was a place I wanted to visit (there are quite a few) and finally we decided on Asakusa, a place a few people recommended I visit. We visited the Senso temple, Asakusa's main attraction.
We also walked along the Asakusa Nakamise Shopping Street, a street filled with little shops that are themselves filled with tons of things you don't need. But if I bought them for their esthetic value, I would buy everything in sight. They have so many beautiful hankerchiefs, vases, keychains, etc.
My grandmother and me also rode in a little cart pulled by a human runner. In Japanese, they're called jinrikisha (jin = human, riki = power or force, and sha = vehicle), meaning "human-powered vehicle". In English, they're called "pulled rickshaw", taking its origin from the Japanese word. Usually it's the other way around, with Japanese borrowing English words such as "hamburger" and "entertainment".
We walked a lot that day. I was tired. My grandmother and aunt must have been twice as tired but they never let it show. I hope I'm as in shape as they are when I'm their age. Senior citizens in Japan are really amazing. Every day, you can see 70, 80 + year olds walking, grocery shopping or riding a bike. After all, Japan is the country with the longest life expectancy.
When I arrive in Shinjuku, guess who is waiting with Shizuko? My grandmother Masako! It's quite a trip from where she lives so I was pleasantly surprised to see her there. I had talked to her the day before but she hadn't mentioned anything. Apparently, my aunt Shizuko told her not to say anything and surprise me.
My aunt asked me if there was a place I wanted to visit (there are quite a few) and finally we decided on Asakusa, a place a few people recommended I visit. We visited the Senso temple, Asakusa's main attraction.
 |
| From left: myself, my grandmother Masako, and my aunt Shizuko |
We also walked along the Asakusa Nakamise Shopping Street, a street filled with little shops that are themselves filled with tons of things you don't need. But if I bought them for their esthetic value, I would buy everything in sight. They have so many beautiful hankerchiefs, vases, keychains, etc.
 |
| Enough chopsticks for you? |
 |
| Our human runner |
We walked a lot that day. I was tired. My grandmother and aunt must have been twice as tired but they never let it show. I hope I'm as in shape as they are when I'm their age. Senior citizens in Japan are really amazing. Every day, you can see 70, 80 + year olds walking, grocery shopping or riding a bike. After all, Japan is the country with the longest life expectancy.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Nabeshiki
I've always loved doing art crafts. In elementary school, we did a lot of them. High school and university... unfortunately not. But on my own, I've continued to do various crafts, like friendship bracelets, origami, and scrapbooking. So when I saw one of the dorm ladies, Hayashi-san, making these awesome origami rings, I just had to learn how to do one. I promised myself I would learn before I went back to Canada.
I told Hayashi-san I wanted to learn and she made a paper with the instructions especially for me. The instructions are kind of hard to follow... but she also demonstrated a few times for me and today I finally completed my first origami ring, or nabeshiki as she calls them (Nabe means pot and you'll soon see why).
I told Hayashi-san I wanted to learn and she made a paper with the instructions especially for me. The instructions are kind of hard to follow... but she also demonstrated a few times for me and today I finally completed my first origami ring, or nabeshiki as she calls them (Nabe means pot and you'll soon see why).
 |
| I took a picture with others made by Hayashi-san (mine is the one in the top left corner) |
 |
| And this is what they're for (other than looking pretty): to place under hot pots |
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Pacific International Invitational
I am currently watching the tournament live on my laptop. Can you believe it?! I almost can't!
This is the first time they televise the tournament and my mother sent me the link to the website. I had to wake up at 5:00 o'clock in the morning (noon, British Columbia time) but who cares? I get to watch my brother, my Canadian friends and teammates, and the Tokai girls fight. I almost feel like I'm with them. I'm screaming and cheering them on from my room... maybe they can hear me in spirit ; )
There are four mat areas and it's hard for me to watch everyone I want to see. My brother will be up on mat 3 while a girl from Tokai is fighting on mat 4 while another friend is fighting on mat 1. lol Of course my brother comes first. He fought in both the junior and senior divisions, winning the gold medal in junior and holding his own in the senior category.
It's great seeing so many familiar faces: athletes from other provinces, girls I previously fought with, teammates, even referees. It's a world I'm used to: the sounds, the fighters, the referees, etc. I feel like a stalker though because they have no clue that I'm watching them all the way from Japan. A bit scary if you think of it... what is possible with Internet today... but so COOL at the same time!!! : )
And even though I'm Canadian, I found myself cheering on the Tokai girls, even when they were fighting some of my friends or teammates. Although I've been training with them for only five months, and I don't yet understand everything they say to me, I still have developed a bond with and allegiance (I guess you can call it that) to the Tokai girls.
 |
| My current laptop screen : Two girls from Tokai fighting, Azusa (white) and Miyu (blue) |
This is the first time they televise the tournament and my mother sent me the link to the website. I had to wake up at 5:00 o'clock in the morning (noon, British Columbia time) but who cares? I get to watch my brother, my Canadian friends and teammates, and the Tokai girls fight. I almost feel like I'm with them. I'm screaming and cheering them on from my room... maybe they can hear me in spirit ; )
There are four mat areas and it's hard for me to watch everyone I want to see. My brother will be up on mat 3 while a girl from Tokai is fighting on mat 4 while another friend is fighting on mat 1. lol Of course my brother comes first. He fought in both the junior and senior divisions, winning the gold medal in junior and holding his own in the senior category.
It's great seeing so many familiar faces: athletes from other provinces, girls I previously fought with, teammates, even referees. It's a world I'm used to: the sounds, the fighters, the referees, etc. I feel like a stalker though because they have no clue that I'm watching them all the way from Japan. A bit scary if you think of it... what is possible with Internet today... but so COOL at the same time!!! : )
And even though I'm Canadian, I found myself cheering on the Tokai girls, even when they were fighting some of my friends or teammates. Although I've been training with them for only five months, and I don't yet understand everything they say to me, I still have developed a bond with and allegiance (I guess you can call it that) to the Tokai girls.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Disneyland : Where dreams come true (that's the motto anyways)
Yesterday, along with two Russians, one Afghan, and two Japanese, I visited Disneyland! All my classmates had gone but I hadn't had the chance yet. The chance presented itself on a cold and snowy day but we still had a lot of fun.
We took the train to Shinjuku and then took a 1 hour bus ride to Disneyland. I don't know what we would have done without the two Japanese girls. They'd already visited Disneyland so they knew their way around. It's so much better visiting a new place with people who have either gone there before or who speak the language. You don't get lost as much... and don't lose as much time trying to find your way ; )
We only visited four attractions:
1) Big Thunder Mountain: a roller coaster built on a rocky mountain. Probably the biggest attraction in Disneyland, but really not that big or scary at all. I love the adrenaline rush you get from roller coasters but this one was very short-lived.
2) Mickey's Philhar Magic: a short 3D concert by Donald Duck in which various Disney characters appear on screen and sing songs. It was all in Japanese unfortunately...
3) Space Mountain: another rollercoaster ride but the whole ride happens inside a big dome. It's dark and there are only little specks of light here and there to create the illusion of space ("Experience an exciting rocket journey through space" as the pamphlet advertises). That was probably the scariest attraction of the day (although on a scale of 1 to 10, it probably only reaches 3 or 4) because you're just flying in the dark without being able to see the track or the contraption you're sitting in.
4) Haunted Mansion: again, really not that scary. You just travel through rooms where ghosts or shrieking characters pop up randomly. But the design of the house was pretty incredible. I'd like to have a closer look at some of the popping characters.
The rest of the time was spent waiting... and waiting. The lines were long and seemed to go on forever. I never know how you're supposed to feel when you get to the sign that says: "You now have 80 minutes left from this point": Frustrated that you STILL have 80 minutes left, or relieved that you ONLY have 80 minutes left... Anyhow, it isn't so bad when you talk with your friends. You can also play cards like a group of girls were doing.
Then we did a little shopping. I gave up after about 45 minutes because I got tired of being pushed and having to squeeze through mobs of people just to get to the mirror. But there are lots of shops that sell cute hats, toys, and other Disney merchandise.
Then on our way back, the train from Shinjuku to Tokai was just packed. For the first half hour, there weren't any places to sit... then finally, we were able to snatch seats. You have to be pretty quick lol. It's an ability you acquire pretty fast.
We took the train to Shinjuku and then took a 1 hour bus ride to Disneyland. I don't know what we would have done without the two Japanese girls. They'd already visited Disneyland so they knew their way around. It's so much better visiting a new place with people who have either gone there before or who speak the language. You don't get lost as much... and don't lose as much time trying to find your way ; )
 |
| From left: the two Russian girls (Katcha and Flora), me, Fahima (from Afghanistan) and Yuka |
 |
| From left: Flora, Yuka, Fahima, me, Tomoka, Katcha |
 |
| A parade of boats going through the park |
We only visited four attractions:
1) Big Thunder Mountain: a roller coaster built on a rocky mountain. Probably the biggest attraction in Disneyland, but really not that big or scary at all. I love the adrenaline rush you get from roller coasters but this one was very short-lived.
2) Mickey's Philhar Magic: a short 3D concert by Donald Duck in which various Disney characters appear on screen and sing songs. It was all in Japanese unfortunately...
3) Space Mountain: another rollercoaster ride but the whole ride happens inside a big dome. It's dark and there are only little specks of light here and there to create the illusion of space ("Experience an exciting rocket journey through space" as the pamphlet advertises). That was probably the scariest attraction of the day (although on a scale of 1 to 10, it probably only reaches 3 or 4) because you're just flying in the dark without being able to see the track or the contraption you're sitting in.
4) Haunted Mansion: again, really not that scary. You just travel through rooms where ghosts or shrieking characters pop up randomly. But the design of the house was pretty incredible. I'd like to have a closer look at some of the popping characters.
The rest of the time was spent waiting... and waiting. The lines were long and seemed to go on forever. I never know how you're supposed to feel when you get to the sign that says: "You now have 80 minutes left from this point": Frustrated that you STILL have 80 minutes left, or relieved that you ONLY have 80 minutes left... Anyhow, it isn't so bad when you talk with your friends. You can also play cards like a group of girls were doing.
Then we did a little shopping. I gave up after about 45 minutes because I got tired of being pushed and having to squeeze through mobs of people just to get to the mirror. But there are lots of shops that sell cute hats, toys, and other Disney merchandise.
Then on our way back, the train from Shinjuku to Tokai was just packed. For the first half hour, there weren't any places to sit... then finally, we were able to snatch seats. You have to be pretty quick lol. It's an ability you acquire pretty fast.
 |
| I'm always curious to know what the maximum capacity is... |
Monday, February 13, 2012
Why is everyone but me going to Canada...?
It seems that Canada is the place to be now. My previous roommate, Moe, is currently in Canada studying English. And tomorrow, the third-year students at Tokai Judo are going to Vancouver, B.C. to take part in the Pacific International Invitational tournament. I really wish I could go with them... but I'm afraid that if I did go to Canada, and got to see my brother (who will be fighting in the same tournament) and other teammates, I wouldn't want to come back : P. If I were in Canada right now, instead of studying in Japan, I would be fighting the girls from Tokai. I'm kind of curious to know what would have happened. I fight with them at practice but a tournament is completely different.
Before leaving, a lot of the girls asked me what kind of souvenirs they should bring back from Canada. And even though I am Canadian, I found it hard to answer. Aside from maple products, what is Canada known for? I checked Wikipedia, and listed under Canadian cuisine, you can find butter tarts and poutine. Butter tarts are good but poutine? I have never eaten a poutine in my life and I don't have the intention to either. And it's not really something you can bring back with you on a plane anyways. So I called upon the great power of Facebook... (do not underestimate the power of social networking websites) and wrote as my status:
Before leaving, a lot of the girls asked me what kind of souvenirs they should bring back from Canada. And even though I am Canadian, I found it hard to answer. Aside from maple products, what is Canada known for? I checked Wikipedia, and listed under Canadian cuisine, you can find butter tarts and poutine. Butter tarts are good but poutine? I have never eaten a poutine in my life and I don't have the intention to either. And it's not really something you can bring back with you on a plane anyways. So I called upon the great power of Facebook... (do not underestimate the power of social networking websites) and wrote as my status:
Monday, February 6, 2012
It's a small world after all
I was just looking through some old pictures yesterday and I found a few pictures from Thuringa Cup, a tournament in Germany I participated in back in 2010. And guess who I recognized in the picture? A girl I currently train with at Tokai, Tomoka Yomogida! So apparently, as evidenced by these pictures, we both attended the same tournament. At that time of course, we didn't know each other. Who would have known I'd be training with her a few years later? The world really is a small place.
Here are two pictures that were taken in Germany:
Here are two pictures that were taken in Germany:
 |
| See the Japanese girl in the front, with the gray pleated skirt? That's Tomoka Yomogida, -48 kg division. |
 |
| And then here, you see her squeezed in the middle and you can see me on the right side of the picture. |
Ain't no mountain high enough
Since we have no school, we now train on the mountain at 7:30 in the morning. To get there on time, I have to leave the dorm at about 6:30. At this time of the year, it is preeeetty cold outside, especially in the morning. And the training is hard. We do countless sprints going uphill. And then, after my legs feel like mush and can barely support me, I still have to get back to the dorm, which usually takes at least another 30 minutes.
On our last training on the mountain on Monday, I took my camera with me. So through the pictures, you can make it to the top with me. But trust me, it's a lot harder than it looks ; )
On our last training on the mountain on Monday, I took my camera with me. So through the pictures, you can make it to the top with me. But trust me, it's a lot harder than it looks ; )
 |
| The mountain, seen from afar |
 |
| Watch your step here |
 |
| Keep at it, you're almost there. |
 |
| Just need to climb a few more flights of stairs and you're there |
 |
| You did it! You made it to the top! |
 |
| The cats who are always there to greet people at the top. |
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Under the influenza
At practice today, there were about 8 - 10 girls missing because they either have the influenza or a cold. Apparently, every year there are some cases of influenza but it's worse this year. And it doesn't discriminate: 1st years, 2nd years, 3rd years; there are some members missing in every year. So far, apart from the small cold I had earlier in December, I've been perfectly fine. Maybe it's because I always wear my tuque. In fact, it's not just a tuque, but THE tuque : P My grandmother wrote to me to tell me to always wear something to cover my ears, even though it may not be fashionable. I still remember, back in high school, when it was considered uncool to wear a tuque. I never followed that trend. Personally, I think my tuque is very fashionable lol. Maybe I'm the only one but I'm okay with that. And so is my health.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)