Let's get it started!

Japan and Weight Loss

2009-12-08T11:37:00.000-08:00

So as you can see I've lost a little weight... In the face, belly and definitely lost the moobs! I can say that I am happy I lost weight but how you ask? What special Japanese method could I use to look the way I do now in just a month!?

Hell if I know.

That's the thing I don't. I eat whatever I want when I'm here and to be honest I eat a lot of unhealthy foods to. There aren't a lot of fruits and vegetables in a lot of the Japanese foods I've been exposed to, in fact I actually have to make an effort to find good fruits and vegetables to make my own salads if I ever want them. The diet here is primarily protein and carbs. Fish, noodles and rice. To be honest I think it is a mix of not snacking between meals, walking and a low fat diet. Also Japanese food in my opinion at least, is MUCH less processed and I truly believe there is much more nutrition in their food so I don't feel the need to keep eating.

Honestly though I eat more fried, and sugary snacks here than I ever did in Canada and much less vegetables... However I do not go out and eat pizza everyday or hamburgers... I like to eat sushi and noodles! I'm in Japan so I eat like the Japanese! Most of the time...

I said to my mom when I get back I'm going to want a massive hamburger and fries!!!

...No, not at all. I want a big ass salad with chicken breast in it... Meat that's not looking at me is good meat! :D

Anyway if anything I'm more confident in myself and my looks so if nothing else this trip has given me some very much needed self confidence! I hated not only taking pictures of myself but posting them was almost unheard of from me, but as you can see from my facebook I've been doing a lot more of that!

Till next blog!

Ueno! Shibuya! Meguro?

2009-12-07T16:05:00.000-08:00

So instead of bitching and complaining about not being around anything natural I went to Ueno park in Tokyo. It was really beautiful! I have no idea why Japanese think our fall time is any more beautiful than theirs... Well actually in Canada we have more leaves with a mixture of orange,red and yellow whereas their tree leave are all one colour, so some will be yellow, some red and still lots of green! There was a shrine, statues and as you can see a bagoda (I think that's what it's called... I didn't do my research okay!?!?) * It's actually called a pagoda, sorry!*

It was a pretty nice day, chilly but not freezing! After I went to Shibuya! As you can see it is a very popular place in Japan! Many shops and beautiful women! I think I saw some Japanese celebrity while I was walking down the street to. There was a huge group of people and body guard-like guys. She looked at me and smile as I walked by but to be honest I didn't really care much... Bleach blond Japanese girls are scary... However... Women everywhere!!!! It's wonderful! Unfortunately they are all shy and many of them are afraid to talk to gaijin. So guys no you cant just drop your pants in the middle of the street and expect them to come crawling all over you haha.

As usual I had explored and got myself superduper lost and ended up in a park! I tend to walk on small roads that lead me somewhere completely different. I ended up in a park called Meguro park so obviously I was in the Meguro ward-area-thingy of Tokyo! I had to take a train back to Shibuya then take another train to Akihabara via the Yamanote line, after that I had to get off and take the Sobu line to Funabashi (Which was so packed by the way that you couldnt move more than a few milimeters), Once at Funabashi I had to take the Tobu line to my home in Kamagaya. Now your probably thinking (I'm thinking of you Grandma Turner!) "That must be expensive!" Actually it cost me about 8-10 dollars haha.

So yeah I had a fun day!

Hey! Personal blog maybe?

2009-12-07T15:49:00.000-08:00

I'm going to be honest... I have no idea what I'm going to type... Not a lot has happened since my hiatus that's super duper amazingly wonderful? At least that I can think of to blog about... Anyway so yeah it's been just a typical day here in Japan. I wake up check my emails, and decide what I do for the day except on Tuesday I have classes. I think I'm going to start going to more.

Another thing I've found is I m SOOO lazy... Too lazy and it's not a good thing. I really got to get my priorities straight and think of things to do, what I need to do and so on. It's nearing mid December and I really need to not only find a new place to live but look for jobs as well. I might be able to work at a conversational school but I'm not sure yet.

Either way things seem just normal... The magical Asian effect has worn off like it does with everyone and yes I still love this country but I am getting sick of concrete and tar mac. I'm planning a trip to go to areas around Mt.Fuji which are very green and not very populated. I love the city life here but I also love the natural world and Japan's is amazing so I need to see it!
If I have the funds I am also going up North to Hakodate! I've always wanted to go so I really hope I can!

No pics, short blog I'll post them in the next one I'm writing write after this.

Till next blog!

Mike

Mini Hiatus! Sorry!

2009-11-23T06:33:00.000-08:00

Hey! Been awhile eh? Sorry! I have blogs that I have written but not finished and I will do so soon! Promise! I'm going to be blogging not just about my life, experiences from Japan but personal thoughts beliefs and small quirky things about this country. So please be patient! there is more to come soon! In the meantime keep an eye on me on youtube and if you have a channel subscribe to me because I will be posting videos of my happenings to show all you fine people.

Sit tight and relax people!

(Anyone else see how that really doesn't make sense? Since when was tight sitting relaxing? Odd.)

http://www.youtube.com/user/ShadowBlazer19

That's me if you don't recognize the face.

2009-11-14T18:25:00.000-08:00

So I decided one day to go to central Tokyo to register myself at the Canadian Embassy. It was a nice Thursday and it was warm so why not go out and do something even if it's as lame as registering at the Embassy. I know the route now... As I do with quite a few trains these days and I'm completely used to them, which is a good thing!

I got to central Tokyo and got out to the city and tried to follow routes I thought I knew. Keywords here are thought... I got so lost but being the genius I am, I just kept walking and kind forgot to look at my map. It's easy to be mesmerized by the buildings and people around you though, even if you've been in the area before. So After about an hour and a half I come up to a map and look at where I am and where I have to go and I was on the COMPLETE OPPOSITE SIDE Argh! I tried to decide where I had to go... The map I had in my book was so confusing so I asked a police man nearby, who by the way was just as confused about my map as I was but I'm glad I asked him because the way I was gonna go was, yup you guessed it, THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE SIDE! I have a knack for that kind of thing because it happens every time...

I was walking up and down streets everywhere, constantly asking policemen where I was where I had to go and I'm so glad not only that they were everywhere but so nice and helpful! There was one point I was supposed to cross a river and I kept walking for 40 minutes but still no river! So I asked another police officer (Through that whole day I asked about 10 police officers for directions to the same place... REMEMBER in Japan is you ask for direction you get MORE lost!) and it turns out I had crossed this invisible river like 30 mins ago... I hate when rivers do that! After about 4 hours of searching and walking, I finally made it to the Canadian Embassy building! Woo! I thought to myself!

So I entered the building and went to the 3rd floor where there was... An Alberta consulate? What the hell!? Since when did we have consulates for provinces? Where the hell is Ontario's consulate? I was so confused... So I asked the lady at the desk and she told me that the embassy was another part of the building. I had to go back outside and go up an escalator up the side of the building. So I did and I got to the front desk FINALLY! I asked the lady and she said it was on the 3rd or 4th floor then said I could have just registered online... Live and learn I guess right? I go up to the floor AND the Embassy was closed. The Embassy of Canada was closed at 2p.m. on a Thursday. A THURSDAY! THEY ARE OPEN MON WED FRI! okay okay okay so this Embassy that's supposed to represent our country not only shows it has no time for it's own citizens but that we are so goddamn lazy that we only work 3 times a week. I was so pissed. THERE IS NO REASON WHY OUR EMBASSY CAN ONLY BE OPEN 3 FREAKING DAYS A WEEK. I would like to complain but I dunno how... Someone want to represent me in Canada?

Either way it was annoying and I just dragged my pissed off ass back home.

On a nicer note I found a nice park and took a few photos and I met 2 people on the trains back. A nice old Japanese man and a beautiful Japanese woman but she was like mid to late 20s but man the girls here are pretty...

Any way till next blog!

A Get Together

2009-11-11T16:50:00.000-08:00

I finally met up with some people! I was talking to a Japanese guy my age named Hiroto and we decided to meet up at Ikebukuro along some of his friends... and his friend's friends! They were all really cool! I haven't met anyone that really annoyed me yet since I've come to Japan and I'm really thankful to be honest.

We met up at the Ikebukuro station and from there went to some pizza place! I know, I know! I shouldn't be eating American food but believe me just about all the pizzas were the last thing you would think of as pizza. Such as mayo and fish (not tuna) as toppings or marshmallows and strawberries! It was all tasty though!

Unfortunately all of us couldn't be seated together so I got to know 3 people (Hiroto, Christian and Cartoon) better than the other 3. Everyone was really awesome and we all made fun of ourselves for being stupid gaijin! I like to do that haha.

Afterwards we went to check out a university event and it was interesting... But most of it had to do with food... And we just ate. But the 'view' was amazing! I love Japan!
One thing I can't stand though is you hear girls advertise something and their voice pitch goes up like 8 octaves AND they keep shouting the same stuff! I'm getting used to it though... Kinda

We went to a guest house for foreign university students and I met more people from all over (mainly the US) and they were all really cool. They get along with each other really well! I might consider moving into a guest house soon but we'll see what happens.

Till next blog!

Oh yeah and NO I didnt take my camera! Why? Well I don't suppose YOU go meet people for the first time and take photos of their faces and post them on the internet? If you do, there's a reason you haven't seen them since...

Okay I love you byebye!

Halloween

2009-11-05T21:26:00.000-08:00

Yes I know it's late!

People in Japan don't celebrate Halloween besides the odd party. I however had fun! I helped Mayumi set up and tried to help with some activities. The kids were very cute and most of them did their best!

They did performances by age group but some had issues due to being sick for awhile... After the performances we went out trick or treating! (kind of) Mayumi, Tomo and I made 51 bags of candy and I guess she gave them to a local store and the kids went out, lined up and said 'Trick or Treat!' for their candy. You could've guessed that when we went out trick or treating that I was in the spotlight in terms of the most looked at by people.... and I wasn't wearing a costume...

We then went back for some activities. I was supposed to teach kids how to make a cootie catcher but they were more interested in bowling and such so I got to walk around at least. I assigned the awards for best dressed, loudest voice, best pronunciation, etc.

It's funny to see Halloween so commercialized here but no one really does anything... Aw well haha

Till next blog!

PS Yes this one has a picture! :D

Akihabara

2009-11-04T05:10:00.001-08:00

I went to a district in Tokyo called Akihabara and it was like a dream for me in some ways... Video games, tech, movies anime, manga, girls EVERYWHERE! My only complaint was the greasy nerds haha but I guess I can kind of fall into that category... Except I'm not socially inept and I shower more than once a month... But the are is cool none the less!

I need to go back to take pictures, find random people dressed as pikachu and buy some stuff and hopefully with some friends if I make any! I'm really concentrating on meeting people right now. It can feel rather isolating at times but I am meeting some people! Hopefully we will get to hang out soon.

Akihabara was so busy! There are lights and sounds and crowds all over!!! There are a few times when I entered the wrong part of store though. For example, I was looking at this one store and I was all amazed by the animes movies, DVDs, figures and then... I get to the back and I'm not in Kansas anymore... unrealistic, above and beyond acceptable hentai... Another word you can research ... wikipedia it though or else you will regret it!

I've spent a few days on trains now to and I'm really comfortable with them! I really wish we used them like this in Canada! Life would be more convenient!

Until next time!

PS Yes Ill make more with pics! Promise!

PSS (Can I do that?) More blogs coming! Sorry I'm behind! Halloween and Tokyo related blogs are coming to a blog near you!

What's the Latest!?

2009-10-29T18:21:00.000-07:00

I've been out and about a lot lately so I haven't updated my blogs much. Sorry! To be honest though life has been fairly uneventful so it's hard to talk about interesting things when nothing interesting happens. I went to a Japanese class recently and thank god I left an hour early! In Japan when you ask for directions you get twice as lost! But I got used to asking people for directions which is good!

The class was awesome and everyone was very nice! I look forward to going there more often! It's even better since I'm the only guy in a class of young, nice, beautiful and wonderful ladies! :)

I also spent some time getting used to trains! I visited Funabashi, Ichikawa again and Tokyo! In Japan, unless you go to a main station the doors open and close every 30-60 seconds! So I had to pay attention for the first while but now I just know when to get off and it makes life so much easier.

I've liked the exploration so far and I really want to go out and do more but that is hard without friends. That's the thing about Japan there is TONS to do ... with a friend hehe so I really am trying to meet more people!

The Ginza District in Tokyo is awesome! There were a lot gaijin (foreigners) which was odd for me since I've seen nothing but Japanese for a week now! People in Tokyo are much more used to gaijin like me to so I didn't get many stares which was nice haha.

So just so you know I'm really getting used to all of the changes here and my culture shock hasn't been severe in any way woo! So I promise to take more pictures and post more ... I just need more things to happen!

Until the next blog!

The above pic was in Funabashi!

Tanjoubi! (B-day)

2009-10-26T00:41:00.000-07:00

It was Kimiya's 6th Birthday on Sunday and I had a lot of fun with the him and the rest of the Nakamura family. We went to Ichikawa which was about a 20-40 min drive and went to Tomo's mother's house. She is a very kind lady and she was very interested in Canada! Before we ate, we went out to get some food and went to this mall... It feels so crowded all the time and it's something I still need to get used to.

I had fun and I really need to get over this language barrier... You have no idea how much it kills me to not understand so many things and having to ask people to talk to me slowly and such it just gah ... It's frustrating but I know eventually it will get better and of course if you have an issue you need to find ways to resolve and mine is to attend classes nearby to learn Japanese... Hopefully that will help introduce myself to some new people because I really want to get some friendships going!

Back to the birthday topic! I also met Tomo's sister Yoko! She is really awesome I think and hopefully someday soon we will go to Akihabara in Tokyo! Akihara is a haven for otaku so I think it will be fun! (If you do not know what an otaku is google it! Do your own research people! :D) Kimi got many books and a CD for his Birthday and the food was excellent! I ate lots of tako! I really can't complain about the food here and thank Jesus I'm not picky! I had showed Tomo's mother pictures of Canada and told her about our snow and autumn and I also gave her some of my coins and she gave me this special 500 yen coin made in Okinawa when the USA was in control of the region. It is not available and many Japanese have never seen one... And I own one! The coin means a lot to me.

The pic below is of Me, Airi, Kimi, Miwa, Mayumi and Yoko

Until next time!

Soy Beans!!!

2009-10-24T06:17:00.001-07:00

Today I had a lot of fun! I unfortunately didn't go out on my own much at all but it's only my second full day here so I think it's okay... This morning my homestay father Tomo and I went to the grocery store and holy crap it's different! It smells very different to... I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing... Everything portion wise is ridiculously smaller than ours and just as expensive or even more sometimes. I'm glad to say I havent disliked anything I've eaten so far... But I've eaten less than I normally do which is probably a good thing haha. I think I'm only eating what I need rather than just eating because there's food around.

Kimi Airi and Miwa are the three cutest, nicest kids I've ever met! Mi-chan especially :)

Today we drove to Saitama (about an hour drive) to go to this plot in a field that the Nakamura family bought and picked soybeans together! I had so much fun! It reminded me of when I was little and picked green beans with my grandparents and neighbours. There were many bags filled! I ate some of them to later and they tasted all right but I cant eat too many of them due to my hypo thyroid issue. *I am so sorry but my camera batteries died, no pics!!!*

Yesterday however I forgot to mention that while I was walking around town exploring, the old woman ahead of me was looking back at me frantically and kept doing so for about 5 mins (there was only one street to follow). She was in her 60s I would guess and then out of no where she just booked it! I mean like in a full sprint! I was so amazed at her speed that it took me a few seconds to realize that I scared the crap out of an old woman enough to make her sprint for her life. Needless to say I laughed! People in Kamagaya aren't really used to big scary white guys I guess...

Tomorrow is Kimiya's birthday so I am excited for that... I hope he likes Where is Waldo!

Until the next blog!

*Pic above is what I think the Japanese people think I look like sometimes... lol

I'm here!!!

2009-10-22T17:14:00.000-07:00

I finally made it to Japan! and it took about oh I don't know 4-5 mins to notice that it is completely different from Canada! It's amazing and a little intimidating but I don't feel ecstatic about everything which is probably good since those are early stages of culture shock. Obviously it is different than what I imagined but I expected it would be.

I'm really glad I'm here and I hope I can settle in quickly. It's so crazy though! Like you really have absolutely no idea until your here as to how amazing and different things are.

My homestay family however, is MUCH MUCH better than anything I could ask for. I think I am the luckiest to have them as my family! They are very kind, helpful and funny! Today I will give them some omiyage (souvenirs) and I hope they will like them!

Getting here was crazy! it only took minutes to get out of the airport and I had no problems what so ever but when I went to the train station I wanted to get my ticket and call my homestay mother Mayumi to say that I was coming to meet her at Funabashi station. So I went to the ticket and said I needed a ticket to Funabashi, paid for it and the ticket lady said it leaves at 15:59 (3:59 p.m.). So I asked her what time is was now and she said 15:56!!!!! So as you could imagine I just kind of ran to the train and hoped to Jesus that is was the right skyliner train. I asked a lady once the train got going and not only did she say yes it was but she let me know when to get ready to get off and I was very grateful for that.

Also on the train I was so amazed to see that businessmen were just sitting on the public transit train drinking beer they got from vending machines! It's so interesting! Oh yeah and I heard them making fun of my big ass backpack haha.

When I got to Funabashi station I found a pay phone but they work differently than ours so it took a few tries and I lost like 220 yen which really sucked but live and learn I guess.

I'm definitely a minority here to. I pretend not to notice people staring at me but it really doesn't bother me. I knew it was going to happen because here I am not only a white guy but a big, possibly scary looking one with enough luggage that would make it look like I was going to set up my own colony here.

Today I hope to explore a little and I will almost definitely get lost but once again live and learn. the more I throw myself out there, the more comfortable I will be in a shorter amount of time.

Until next time!

Mike

P.S. The blog before was something I wrote on the flight to Japan because I had nothing really to do...

Love you! :D

Just Kidding!

... Or am I? :O

Pic is of Me, Airi (girl) Kimi (boy) They are so cute!

Blog written in flight

2009-10-22T17:09:00.000-07:00

Today I went to the Pearson international airport in Toronto and it was a rather big step for me. Today I walked away from my family friends and country. All I'm familiar with and I'm not going to lie it's rather scary... Really scary I don't regret one bit of it though.

I still believe not only was my flight to Japan meant to happen and I think great things will come my way. This is a large growing step for me... It almost feels like a bird (chick) leaving it's nest and like the bird I'm going to spread my wings and fly where ever life takes me. It's scary but exciting and most of all it feels right.

As the Jet soars in the sky I can see clouds below me and they are so amazing. They look like a field of soft cotton balls swirling and flowing. I feel like I could just jump out and lay on them and it would be the most comfortable thing ever!

Of course I know it's all BS but it's nice to see clouds in a different perspective!

The flight is going to take 12 hours 30 mins which is less than I thought but holy crap it feels like an eternity! At least they've got some good movies haha!

We fly from Toronto over some place in the US, then Manitoba, over the Yukon over Anchorage Alaska, then over the Pacific over Siberia then finally to Narita Airport in Tokyo, Japan. Faaaaar!

I'm nervous about the trains and such but it looks fairly simple.

Until the next blog!

When I get to my Japanese Homestay family's home, I have to send a million and one emails to everyone that told me to... At least I'm loved right? Haha so until next time I'll blog to you all later!

Preparation

2009-10-20T05:43:00.001-07:00

Today is my last day in Canada! Tomorrow I am heading to the airport in Toronto to fly to Japan! I've dreamed of this moment since I was 11 years old! I'm so excited to make one of my biggest life dreams come true and I know it will be an awesome trip. Today I'm finishing up all of my packing and checking my list to be sure I don't forget anything.

I'm so happy that I have gotten so much support from friends and family as well and it means a lot to me. I couldn't have done a lot of this without the help of all of them and I find it hard to find the right words to show that appreciation... Thank you everyone! I don't know what I would do without you!

I wouldn't have thought a year ago from today that I would be doing what I am currently doing. I was going to save up money and apply to colleges but by some stroke of fate it seems I instead took the TESL course from oxford seminars. I met so many amazing people and the whole experience really motivated me to try ESL teaching and especially going to Japan.

I feel like I've learned more in life this year more than every other year in my life. Especially about doing what's important for yourself. I will post another blog about the importance of goals and dreams but not this one.

Tomorrow will be an exciting day!