Showing posts with label kareoke. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kareoke. Show all posts

Monday, December 19, 2011

Kareoke and getting a haircut in Japan

Yesterday, three friends and I went to Hon-Atsugi for some kareoke. We sang for about 2 hours I think. I finally sang my first song in Japanese. But I'm afraid it isn't really a recent song... It's a song I listened to in the car when my dad drove us to Winnipeg for judo. And no offense to my dad's music taste (I think he has great taste), but the Japanese people my age have never heard of it. I'm going to have to learn a couple more recent songs. That's something I haven't done yet, immerse myself in the pop culture. I've been given some names of popular artists but I haven't had the time yet to look them up on the Internet.


Zara (left) and Kaya singing

After kareoke, Natsumi and I went to a hair salon to get a haircut. It was very different from in Canada.

Firstly, because we were new clients, we had to fill out a form about our hair's history. Did you ever color your hair? How often do you visit a hair salon? Then there were also questions about what we wanted done to our hair that day. What kind of cut do you want? Do you want your hairstylist to give you some advice? And then, more specifically, what kind of hairstylist we wanted for our haircut. Do you want a hairstylist who does the job quickly? Someone with great skill? Do you prefer someone who talks a lot or someone who works quietly? It was a bit overwhelming lol. I'm not used to having to answer those questions. In a way, I think it's a good idea. It helps to make a better match between the hairstylist and the client. I've had my share of hairstylists and there were times when we just didn't click or I didn't like the hairstylist's method. So I do find it useful. It is consistent with the Japanese culture of wanting to satisfy the client's needs.

And I am happy with the haircut. I wanted to cut it a bit shorter, make it lighter, but still keep some length to be able to put my hair up in a ponytail for judo. After the cut, I was even given a little hair treatment, a short neck and shoulder massage, and they straightened my hair. It was a lot more expensive than what I'm used to paying in Canada. In Canada, in my small town, you can get a haircut for as little as 10-15$.  But I think the 35 $ I paid yesterday was worth it.

Natsumi

Monday, November 7, 2011

Student festival, kareoke, and facing the harsh reality of traveling abroad

This past week, a big student festival was held on the campus of the university. There were booths set up everywhere selling food, little souvenirs, etc. For the first part of the week, I took a back road to avoid having to go through the crowds of people. Plus, we weren't allowed to ride our bikes in campus during the festival. But then I finally had some time to go check it out. Here is how the main street on campus looked like that week:


The German booth, which sold German food (All three of us are not German, just in case you're a bit puzzled. My roommate (far right) and her friend were helping out. I was simply there to check it out.)

German food

Supposedly advertising German food... not sure why he's in a Pokemon costume.

One of the delicious treats sold at the festival

With my friend and judo trainer, Natsumi

During the week, I also had the chance to go to a kareoke bar for the first time! And I loved it! At first, I was a bit nervous to sing in front of the others but once I got over it, I just enjoyed myself. And I was so happy they had a big selection of songs in English (I don't know a Japanese song yet... I better get started on that). I was even able to sing a song in French by CĂ©line Dion. Lots of fun, and actually very liberating. I'm sure I'll be going again soon ; )

Lately, I've also been realizing a couple of things. Before I came to Japan, I thought that the easiest thing about my trip to Japan would be leaving it at the end of my stay. I know I'll be excited to go back home and see my family and friends again after such a long time. But I'm also realizing now that the people I meet here will no longer be a part of my life. Of course, thanks to Skype and other social media tools, staying in contact with one another is a lot easier than in the past. But it's not the same as being able to call them up to go out somewhere. I've already gotten attached to the people who are part of my everyday life here in Japan. It's hard for me to imagine that I won't be able to see them when I go back to Canada. I know that when the time for goodbyes comes along, it'll be pretty tough and emotional. :'(