camera test: insect

This is a test not only of the video capability of my new camera, but also of uploading and blogging videos using Google Video. Keep in mind Google compresses the movie file a bit, so this is not as good quality as the original.

Go Argentina! (and new camera)

I began watching the World Cup with my loyalty evenly split between three countries: America, Japan, and Argentina. Since they all started in different groups, and since only one has progressed past the first round, I had no conflicts of loyalty. Unfortunately, the US and Japan did not perform well at all, but Argentina has more than made up for them with some truly beautiful games. Normally I wouldn't be excited about a 6-0 shutout. I prefer a closer, more exciting match, but when Argentina took down Serbia-Montenegro, each of their goals was like a work of art. Great stuff. Then their first game of the championship with Mexico provided all the tension I needed. Now let's hope they crush their German hosts this Friday! Let's go Argentina!

In other news, I saved change this year like I did last year, and I blew some of it on a new camera. Here are some of its first pics:

Censored!

If you recall this post, just over a week ago, I wrote a critical essay about the education system in Japan for a group of Fulbright teachers visiting Japan. Today the teachers are visiting, and just yesterday afternoon I was informed that both my essay and a speech I was to give were being omitted from the program, at the request of the Fulbright program coordinator.

Their reason was that they wanted the American teachers to only learn through their experience, and not the opinions of others. I would say "fair enough" if they had given such information earlier. The other teachers at my school have agreed with most of the points in my essay and have been very supportive of it. At least one of them feels certain, as do I, that the given explanation from the program coordinator is just a nicer way of saying "We don't want your negative opinions."

Hurrah for censorship!

How to Really Enjoy Sushi

If you've ever wondered how to really enjoy sushi, this video shows how. (shamelessly copied from this guy's blog)

The End of Radio, and More

Today was the last broadcast of "Calender Girls," a monthly radio show done by my friends Ryoko and Teresa in which I became a regular guest (aka "the Calender Boy"). Ryoko is a professional radio personality and one of the first Japanese friends I made in Japan who wasn't a teacher. Not a small town girl , she came to Mutsu from Yokohama for her job, but now she's leaving for the metropolis of Sapporo, where she will soon get married. We shall miss her, indeed.

The show consisted of us jabbering on about all sorts of nonsense and playing all sorts of music. Usually we had a unifying theme for each show, for example: "rain," "festivals," and "goodbyes." As it was intended for Japanese listeners, we spoke mostly Japanese, though I don't know how the listeners at home could have possibly understand my broken, winding, badly pronounced sentences. I never heard any feedback. It's probably for the best.

Anyway, it's all over now. Sniff.

In other news, I've got a garden in my backyard! The plants were Satoko's gift to me for our one year anniversary. Good stuff. The radishes are emerging, but sadly the basil is on its last leg.

Japanese Education

Soon a group of Fullbright teachers will be visiting Tanabu High School, where I work, as part of a tour to learn about the Japanese education system.

I was asked to write an essay about my impressions of the Japanese education system, and urged to be as critical as I saw fit to be. There are no secrets in it (in fact, I would assume most of the Fullbright teachers will have already read about most of the topics I bring up), so have I decided to upload it for anybody curious about the Japanese system, or who have ever felt a sense of rivalry after hearing those reports about how Japanese students are so much better than Americans at science and math.

Click Here to Read More

Good Music

I don't keep up well with music out here in remote Japan, but my brother did introduce me to this band, the Arcade Fire, which has become an instant favorite. Unfortunately I've listened to their album Funeral so many times in the past month, I am afraid I will burn out on it soon. During the road trip in Australia, I didn't have a way to charge my ipod so I rationed its energy, looking for perfect moments to listen to the same few songs again and again.

Check out two Arcade Fire videos on the net.

Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) was the song that drew me in.
Rebellion (Lies) is another good one on the same album.