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[Dec. 7th, 2006|06:17 am] |
Went to Kabuki theater Minami-za in Kyoto with my classmates
Unfurtunately missed Professor Reynolds' class, but the performance was really nice and worth going to
Costumes, props and the actors' playing were amazing
Kabuki was always my favourite theatre, so the performance prooved that
 
 
 
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| (no subject) |
[Dec. 1st, 2006|09:39 am] |
I noticed so many Gaijin guys dating Japanese girls at school.I guess in each of my class there is a guy who has Japanese girlfriend.But I didn't see any Gaijin girls dating Japanese boys.Probably the reason for that is that Japanese guys are too childish and "onnappoi" for them?
My Japanese roommate told me that she thinks that Gaijin are dating Japanese girls because they are "exotic, funny, easy to get and not so complicated as girls not from Asian origin".That seemed so funny=) The next day I asked one American guy who dates Japanese, what he liked about Japanese girls and why he dated her, he answered that Japanese girls are difficult to understand, they have absolutely different mind set and that the guy should spend much effort on getting in relationship with Japanese girl.So interesting, 2 absolutely different opinions:)a bit confusing, but funny |
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| (no subject) |
[Nov. 30th, 2006|07:39 am] |
Japan is a high uncertainty avoidance society with very strict rules, different from my country.
In one of the posts I wrote about the thing that my Japanese roommate tends to say things that irritate or not satisfy her to me directly(things that I wouldnt say if I was on her place), but on the other hand, the girl remains silent to me and complains to some people in Seminar house when I dont expect it.Last week the Resident assistant came to me and asked to put away some things from my table, because as she said, she got complaints from my unitmates.I could hardly believe that.Since we are all friends, if we don't like something, we talk about it, but not hide.That might have been my roommate, who didn't like me putting things,and as she avoided saying it to me in person, she simply told it to the Resident assistant and Okaasan.I was really upset, because it's so weird when other people are coming and telling you what to do when they don't really know the situation.And that happened quite often. That is what makes me really confused. I'm afraid I can't trust my rommate anymore, because my each step, each single thing I do may turn to complaints.And the same situation actualy happened to one of my ryuugakusei friends, her Japanese roommate went downstairs to complain even when she noticed a small stain on the floor left by my friend.Friends don't do it. Having stayed in Japan for almost 4 months I came to realize that unfortunately I don't have really good friends among Japanese people who I can trust in..I have too many phone numbers in my cell phone addressbook, but I don't contact even the half of them.People are either busy with their studies, or they just simply don't want to contact you. |
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| (no subject) |
[Nov. 23rd, 2006|07:34 am] |
Just remembered - the first critical incident in class was about funny misunderstanding, when a girl wanted to say "Bikkuri ramen", but instead of it said "bukkake ramen":) I think it happens alot with people who are the beginners in foreign language.When I started learning Japanese, my "favourite" mistake was "sEtsumei suru" and "shItsumei suru".Once, I was talking to my Japanese friend online and tried to say that the teacher explained something to me in class, so I had to use "sEtsumei shita", but I confused only only one letter and it turned into "shItsumei shita"( "became blind")
Having heard that, my friend was really shocked, but then burst out laughing:) It was hilarious! I laughed too, but since my friend corrected me, I don't have this ridiculous mistake any more:) |
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| Halloween! |
[Nov. 1st, 2006|01:45 pm] |
Just wanted to show some crazy pictures of me and other KG students at Halloween party!I celebrated Halloween for the first time in my life:)
 
 
 
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| Onsen |
[Oct. 30th, 2006|05:59 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  hopeful | ] |
Haven't updated for quite a while.Was busy going to different places and with studying.Yesterday found time to devote just to myself,going to Spa World with my friends.It was awesome!I didn't expect the building to be so huge and full of different things like World Onsen, aquapark,jacuzzi and what not! We spent 5 hours in that fantastic place and I want to come there again soon.I liked the service and the prices - for only 3000 yen we had a delicious dinner,tried different onsen and had fun in aquapark.It was unforgettable!!Japanese-style onsen was the best one, I think, because for me it was very unusual and exotic.Salt sauna was very cool too, good for skin and health.
I came home very exhausted and relaxed and fell asleep at 11 - the first time I fell asleep so early in Japan.At first, I had some difficulties with my schedule, they were the symptoms of Culture shock.I couldn't fall asleep early because of time-difference.But within past several weeks even if I wanted to sleep at 11,I couldn't allow myself, because I usually had something to do.I hope,from now, my schedule will get settled a little bit. |
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| Lost in thought.. |
[Oct. 18th, 2006|08:01 am] |
Today we watched "Lost in translation" up to the end. To be honest, I expected more from that movie
According to the title I thought that it would be basically about misunderstandings, funny episodes in which the characters found themselves while in Japan. But the film showed the relationship of two people, and Japan is just a scenery.Of course Japan is shown in every scene, but the life of Japanese people is not. I think if a person wants to go to Japan and knows nothing about the country,it's better watch "Mr Baseball",because it shows japanese life in a brighter way. But "Lost in translation" has deeper message, I think.
The end of the movie disappointed me a little bit, because I expected the main characters to
be together, but they parted.
Tokyo turned out to be the place of broken hearts. You are lost in translation,in your own thoughts, lost in place and in time in this metropolis.I think ,thats the message of the movie.You start looking at your life,at yourself in a new way,you experience new things every day and you can never tell what happens tomorrow.
What I liked in the film was soundtrack and camerawork. Tokyo and Kyoto are shown with great craftsmanship, when you watch the movie,especially when you have never been to Japan, you want to go there,to have fun,to see all the beautiful places.And if you have already been to Japan, you just want to visit Tokyo again. |
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| "Lost in translation" |
[Oct. 16th, 2006|07:10 pm] |
Watching "Lost in translation" in class, when you have already been to Tokyo gives you incredible feeling...All these places I have been, the streets I walked are to bee seen in the film.Im looking forward to tomorrow's class to watch this film up to the end. The film we watched the previous time - "Mr baseball" was fun, but I had the feeling that everything was pretty much exaggerated.But it was a good film, very teaching one.
And while watching "Lost in translation" I felt pride for being in Japan and enjoying every moment here.
I want to return to Tokyo one day ... |
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| (no subject) |
[Oct. 12th, 2006|02:35 pm] |
Went to Noh play "Kyotsune" with my drama class. In Kyoto.It was unforgettable!Very emotional atmosphere on stage, gradually increasing dramatic tension, beautiful costumes, wonderful voices and unusual music.We had studied Noh performances before, but today was the first time I went to see the play.Although it was a bit difficult to follow the script and understand what was going on on stage, the play helped me to understand Japanese culture better.In Noh plays the author is not concerned about the audience's understanding of personalities of the characters,as emotions prevail in the play.
In 2 weeks we are going to see Bunraku performance and I'm looking forward to it!
Shite,or the main character
Noh stage
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| Tokyo trip |
[Oct. 11th, 2006|01:01 am] |
Oh, this weekend I went to Tokyo to see my friends!Never been there before!The city was awesome!22nd century!Very big and urbanized.We went to Shibuya, Shinjuku and Akihabara, otaku district:).The number of game and sex shops there surprised me, as I dont observe the same in my country, so we spent only a couple of hours in Akihabara and went to Disneyland which was so much fun!It felt like I was child again.I never been to Disneyland before,so I think this place impressed me most of all in Tokyo.I also liked the buildings,the neon advertisements glittering at night.Everything so big,new and unusual!
What I didnt like was the number of people,it was pretty easy to get lost.Disneyland was fulled up so we had to stand in long rows.Basically raws were everywhere- while getting a ticket or taking a taxi.Also the smell in the centre is very KUSAI!Sometimes it was hard to breathe:)
I also noticed the difference between Osaka and Tokyo dialects - it was so obvious.I didnt see my friends for almost 2 years,so their hyoujungo surprised me at first,as I already got used to hearing and using Osaka-ben in everyday conversation with my Osaka friends .Oh,and the people are calmer than in Osaka.The intonation is not so high-pitched.It was very curious to observe.
And I liked my trip very much.I want to come there again,but what I noticed while in Tokyo, is that I started missing Osaka,its people and its language,as if it was my hometown.
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| (no subject) |
[Oct. 1st, 2006|02:39 pm] |
Oh yeah,we went to Kobe beach yesterday
I swam;)
Suma Aqualife Park was awesome,I never seen so many rare and beautiful fish!
Came home exhausted but very happy!It was a really nice day |
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| Gossips |
[Oct. 1st, 2006|01:55 pm] |
Im just writing here to say that sometimes living with Japanese people seems difficult due to culture differences.Im not talking about hanging out with them, just living every day.
Last week I was doing homework in my room with one guy,my friend.And then Resident Assistant came in and asked this guy for a "private talk"..For me it was offencive because I was sure that RA would definitely be talking about me. So 5 minutes later I came out of my room and sat behind their backs, making tea for myself.It was surprizing that RA didnt notice me, because my friend noticed, of course.And I hear her asking that guy what he thinks about me,does he like me etc in such a sneaky voice!!RA obviously didnt notice my appearance,she thought I was still in my room..As soon as I heard her gossiping about me I got very offended, disappointed and angry.It wasnt a surprise, because I heard from other people that this girl used to talk about me since I came here..My roommate told me it was jealosy.But I dont understand the reason for that..?
I just waved for her to notice me and I saw her blushing..And since that time Im trying to avoid talking to her and asking for help.What really pisses me off is that my roommate is a very good friend of this RA..So I dont know how to act in this situation..They are probably discussing me..Gossips,gossips,gossips..
When I asked our Okaasan for something the next day,she simply didnt feel like talking to me and ignored..
Maybe RA told something about me to her? |
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| (no subject) |
[Sep. 18th, 2006|03:14 am] |
Went to Danjiri Matsuri yesterday!It was a real craze,but fun.I read alot about festivals like that and it was exactly what I imagined!I really enjoyed everything,but there were too many people,abit scary thing.But everything went alright=)
Some photos
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| About Japanese politeness |
[Sep. 14th, 2006|12:13 pm] |
Ive got a Japanese roommate,she is really nice,we get on well with each other,but yesterday I was a bit surprised by her "japanese politeness".My friend came in the evening and we were sitting in the room and chatting,and the roommate was absent.An hour later I heard somebody knocking at the door.That was one of my roommate"s friends,saying:"Kana(my roommate) cannot enter the room and take her stuff, because of your friend.Could you please talk somewhere else?"
I felt weird,because in Russia we dont ask other people for help in such situations.If I dont like somebody,or feel discomfort in a certain situation,I try to discuss and explain it directly.. |
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| (no subject) |
[Sep. 14th, 2006|02:01 am] |
Hey,thats my first entry in this blog made for my Intercultural Business Communication Class
And here Im gonna write about my exploring and experiencing Japan
welcome! |
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