last night, i taught nancy and eric french, specifically how to introduce themselves. it reminded me of my first class in alliance. the lesson was pretty uneventful save for the fact that eric got kind of frustrated. foreign languages can do that to you. sometimes, all those words and sounds get mixed up in your head. you put different languages in their respective compartments yet they sometimes open their floodgates all at the same time. Chaos! People ask me how i manage to think in 5 different languages. The answer I suppose is that i mix them up. I am fluent in Fookien and English. The former because i grew up using it. The latter through school and constant use. Mandarin, I speak relatively well although i stumble with vocabulary. French, I studied since kindergarten and if i hadn`t gone back to manila, i would`ve been able to speak it fluently i suppose. It`s been around 7 years now, give and take. Mais, je ne le parle pas couramment. Quelle probleme >0< Japanese, I`m struggling with now. It frustrates me at times, my inability to master languages. I learn them, speak a bit, but am not fluent (native speaker level). 頑張ります！
*o*
eka, boe, mawar, and lia are here at the dorm right now, cooking up an indonesian feast. it seems fun, a group of friends gathering around to have lunch, share stories, and laugh. sounds like a scene from a movie, a perfect setting for a book.
*o*
i had this dream the other day. i forget where i was or who i was with but i think nini was there. the thing i remember is that i saw my grandfather. when i saw him, i just cried and cried. the place was bright i remember now. a room with the curtains drawn open, sunlight filtering in, giving the room a warm atmosphere. my grandfather smiled at me and hugged me. he looked the same, just as i remember him. i wonder why i had a dream about him out of the blue. i felt as if my heart would burst, from happiness, surprise, sadness perhaps - all sorts of emotions, just bursting to be let out. i woke up then i think, perhaps still half-dazed. that moment was special. i was able to see my grandfather for an instant. it was short enough to be special. if it were too long, i fear i would`ve disregarded it, like how we sort of "neglect" the people in our lives, (wanting to) shower them with utmost attention and love only when they're gone. the dream was fleeting. no words were exchanged. just a simple hug and smile and i felt loved. the world was right again.
*0*
tomorrow is chinese new year. nothing special here in japan. my mom called me this morning. i miss home. hehe. i want to eat tikoy. happy chinese new year everyone!! ^0^
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Sunday, January 22, 2006
language barrier
i like learning foreign languages. i think it's because i can communicate with more people that way, possibly also to satisfy my eavesdropping urges. my stay here in nagoya has made me realize the barriers that different languages can bring.
i am friends with the people in my dorm. but i am closer to some people than others. one common thing about the people i am closer to is that they speak the languages i am comfortable using, like english and mandarin. sometimes, you'd like to share so much but are only able to truly relay a quarter because you can't express yourself eloquently. it's hard.
boe once said to me that indonesian guys are better than japanese. of course, she could be biased because she's indonesian. but it all boils down to communication. you're more comfortable around someone you could talk freely to, someone you can talk to without having to search for vocabulary, someone who can understand me when i mix fookien and english and tagalog.
people become friends because they share the same interests, because their personalities click. but in order for that to happen, for them to discover that they're on the same wavelength, to laugh about things together, they have to communicate. with so many languages in the world, isn't it any wonder that there are so many conflicts arising from misunderstandings, contextual lapses in translations and interpretations.
i am friends with the people in my dorm. but i am closer to some people than others. one common thing about the people i am closer to is that they speak the languages i am comfortable using, like english and mandarin. sometimes, you'd like to share so much but are only able to truly relay a quarter because you can't express yourself eloquently. it's hard.
boe once said to me that indonesian guys are better than japanese. of course, she could be biased because she's indonesian. but it all boils down to communication. you're more comfortable around someone you could talk freely to, someone you can talk to without having to search for vocabulary, someone who can understand me when i mix fookien and english and tagalog.
people become friends because they share the same interests, because their personalities click. but in order for that to happen, for them to discover that they're on the same wavelength, to laugh about things together, they have to communicate. with so many languages in the world, isn't it any wonder that there are so many conflicts arising from misunderstandings, contextual lapses in translations and interpretations.
saturday saturday
Yesterday, we went to a grade school to participate in a mochi-making activity. nancy and i were assigned to a first grade class. i talked mostly to a girl named kimura ryou who is half-korean. she can actually speak korean! she was really nice and accomodating. the children were all so welcoming and fun. i don't think children back home are as lively. they'd probably just sit there and have to be prodded on by the teacher to play with the guests. but yesterday, there was no need for warm-up. the children plunged right in and made us feel right at home. we played traditional japanese games. but the bean or rice-filled pouches (the kind used in playing mipao) were used to "pelt" people instead. in the end, it turned out to be a "hit-ojisan" game. so all the kids (who were girls) ganged up on eric. the kids had a super time.
i'm thinking i could be a grade school teacher. of course, i understand that i will have to deal with children every day for a few hours and everyone knows they can be little angels and annoying devils at the same time. still, it seems like a worthy profession to look into. i don't know. i'm a year away from graduating and i still can't give a definite answer when people ask me what i want to be in the future. not a very promising sign. i'm struggling with it.
yesterday, nancy told me about a short story she was reading about a girl who remembered everything but her name. very interesting. the author of that story also mentioned that there are some things, not big things but small things interspersed in our daily lives, that are coincidental. so nancy thought back on her life and remembered the library she used to frequent and she told us anecdotes related to the library. it was really interesting. i felt that my life was bland in comparison, in terms of love life that is. it's funny at times, how coincidental things and events can be.
watched before sunrise yesterday too. i love the dialogue, the banter, the chemistry between the two actors. it was a good movie ^o^
i'm thinking i could be a grade school teacher. of course, i understand that i will have to deal with children every day for a few hours and everyone knows they can be little angels and annoying devils at the same time. still, it seems like a worthy profession to look into. i don't know. i'm a year away from graduating and i still can't give a definite answer when people ask me what i want to be in the future. not a very promising sign. i'm struggling with it.
yesterday, nancy told me about a short story she was reading about a girl who remembered everything but her name. very interesting. the author of that story also mentioned that there are some things, not big things but small things interspersed in our daily lives, that are coincidental. so nancy thought back on her life and remembered the library she used to frequent and she told us anecdotes related to the library. it was really interesting. i felt that my life was bland in comparison, in terms of love life that is. it's funny at times, how coincidental things and events can be.
watched before sunrise yesterday too. i love the dialogue, the banter, the chemistry between the two actors. it was a good movie ^o^
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
elizabeth bennet and mr. darcy
i watched pride and prejudice today. i love movies set in early English societies - the English setting, the dialogue, the clothes, the balls and dancing. Don't you just love the accent? Sigh. ^o^ The movie reminded me a bit of Little Women. Even Keira Knightley looked like Winona Ryder (as Jo) at times. They both had the same fiesty indepence. I loved Matthew MacFayden's take on the brooding, arrogant yet sensitive and caring Mr. Darcy. I want to see how Colin Firth did on that role. After all, he did play Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones' Diary. It was fun and relaxing to just watch the story unravel for a few hours. Jena Malone was really effective as Lydia. She still looks the same from her Stepmom days. Mr. Bennet was endearing and frustratingly annoying at times. You could tell he cared for his daughters but at times, he just didn't do anything. But that last scene in the movie with him and Elizabeth was especially touching.
During those times, women only seemed only to worry about marrying to good partners. Marrying for duty - to not burden their parents, to pay off debts, to lead comfortable lives. It reminds me of Griet in Girl with a Pearl Earring - how she married the butcher. Watching such movies puts this idea in my mind that we should marry for love and settle for nothing less. I wonder though if it is possible to do so. Coz marriages that aren't built on romantic love also work well. So is it an illusion, a somewhat demanding expectation? Sometimes, people can't just wait an entire lifetime for true love to come knocking. In the end, we just accept and live with whatever life throws us...soulmates or not...true love need not be labeled by such terms...but such terms do make the notion of love more romantic. =P
During those times, women only seemed only to worry about marrying to good partners. Marrying for duty - to not burden their parents, to pay off debts, to lead comfortable lives. It reminds me of Griet in Girl with a Pearl Earring - how she married the butcher. Watching such movies puts this idea in my mind that we should marry for love and settle for nothing less. I wonder though if it is possible to do so. Coz marriages that aren't built on romantic love also work well. So is it an illusion, a somewhat demanding expectation? Sometimes, people can't just wait an entire lifetime for true love to come knocking. In the end, we just accept and live with whatever life throws us...soulmates or not...true love need not be labeled by such terms...but such terms do make the notion of love more romantic. =P
Sunday, January 15, 2006
howl's moving castle
just came back from a movie watching session (映画会). patricia invited a couple of us (me, ashley, and sarah) over. it was good to be at her place again - feels so homey and all. plus jory's cute! ^o^
we watched howl's moving castle. i loved it! the storyline was kind of typical-miyasaki but it was still great. my favorite character was markl and the scarecrow ^o^ it kinda hit me after i had watched the movie that people care so much about appearances. without the burden of trying or having to be beautiful or appear "acceptable," people have so much more confidence to do things.
it was also a junk food gorge fest - chips, ritz crackers, popcorn, and pizza! yummy!
it was just great fun ^o^
we watched howl's moving castle. i loved it! the storyline was kind of typical-miyasaki but it was still great. my favorite character was markl and the scarecrow ^o^ it kinda hit me after i had watched the movie that people care so much about appearances. without the burden of trying or having to be beautiful or appear "acceptable," people have so much more confidence to do things.
it was also a junk food gorge fest - chips, ritz crackers, popcorn, and pizza! yummy!
it was just great fun ^o^
Saturday, January 14, 2006
mister donut
last year, i saw a flyer with a "hiring part-timers" ad. i wanted to call the shop then but i was going to go back to manila. this year, one of my aims was to find a part-time job, not only to earn extra cash but to experience the japanese student lifestyle (almost all college students have part-time jobs).
my plan for today was to return library books then pass by starbucks. while i was drinking my creme brulee latte last year, i saw this small board stating that they were looking for staff. i don't know the definition of staff though - it could mean part-time or full-time. then, this morning, i decided (it might have been a whim) to call mister donuts. turns out they're still looking for part-timers. the guy who picked up the phone spoke in rapid-fire japanese, loaded with keigo. i understood what he was saying but because i'm not exactly fluent and maybe because i was overwhelmed, i couldn't come up with coherent responses. at least, i think i made myself understood. that was embarassing. yikes! but he did say to come for an interview on monday at 1800. i hope that by that time, i'll be a bit more composed.
*keeping my fingers crossed*
my plan for today was to return library books then pass by starbucks. while i was drinking my creme brulee latte last year, i saw this small board stating that they were looking for staff. i don't know the definition of staff though - it could mean part-time or full-time. then, this morning, i decided (it might have been a whim) to call mister donuts. turns out they're still looking for part-timers. the guy who picked up the phone spoke in rapid-fire japanese, loaded with keigo. i understood what he was saying but because i'm not exactly fluent and maybe because i was overwhelmed, i couldn't come up with coherent responses. at least, i think i made myself understood. that was embarassing. yikes! but he did say to come for an interview on monday at 1800. i hope that by that time, i'll be a bit more composed.
*keeping my fingers crossed*
Friday, January 13, 2006
back in japan
as i type this entry, i am once again in the far end of the kitchen table, headphones on (listening to alanis morisette's wunderland from the Narnia OST), eating a cup of fruit gelatin. yes, i am back to the schedule i was on for the past four months. i arrived from manila yesterday, 1130am. i dragged my 2 luggage, 3 bags, and laptop from the JinguMae station to the dormitory. Normally, it'd be a ten to fifteen minute walk. Burdened by luggage and exhausted from the plane trip (plane rides just aren't my thing), it took me around half an hour. i didn't sleep all that well last night, tossing and turning, not because i wasn't used to the futon but because my shoulder and arm muscles were aching...and they still are. it's a chore to lift my arms up. when i carried the groceries home today, i thought my arms would crack. but all's good despite my aching arms.
i registered for class today. i was expecting a lot more new students but i think there were more old faces than new. i signed up for oral interpretation, business japanese, ikebana, readings in social sciences, and IJ500. hopefully, they'll be interesting. afterwards, had lunch with emma and nancy. it was fun and comforting, eating and chatting leisurely.
i'm looking forward to the last five months (less, actually) of my stay here in nagoya. at first, having been home for more than two weeks, i didn't want to come back. let me rephrase that: it didn't matter that much, whether i came back or not. before, i thought that i'd miss japan more. turns out thought that i adjust pretty well, which i think i should consider a good thing.
i watched four movies back home: mulawin, blue moon, the family stone, and narnia. the family stone had a surprising twist to it. i was expecting a romantic comedy but it was much more than that. i wouldn't call it great but it was an enjoyable watch. claire danes and rachel mcAdams are so beautiful! i wish that some of the characters and subplots had been more developed though. Narnia, i absolutely loved! i'd love to go and watch it again. it was magical! i was glued to the screen the entire time. it was just so captivating! when i played the scenes in my head later on that night, i realized the Biblical allegories. The scene that struck me the hardest was when Aslan was walking up to the stone to be sacrificed. It brought to mind Jesus carrying the Cross and being jeered and hit by the bystanders. It brought tears to my eyes. I just felt that the film was so painstakingly done and it delivered the material beautifully.
eka just shared an indonesian food type with us, called amping. looks like shrimp chicharon but it's actually made from a seed. yummy!!
i registered for class today. i was expecting a lot more new students but i think there were more old faces than new. i signed up for oral interpretation, business japanese, ikebana, readings in social sciences, and IJ500. hopefully, they'll be interesting. afterwards, had lunch with emma and nancy. it was fun and comforting, eating and chatting leisurely.
i'm looking forward to the last five months (less, actually) of my stay here in nagoya. at first, having been home for more than two weeks, i didn't want to come back. let me rephrase that: it didn't matter that much, whether i came back or not. before, i thought that i'd miss japan more. turns out thought that i adjust pretty well, which i think i should consider a good thing.
i watched four movies back home: mulawin, blue moon, the family stone, and narnia. the family stone had a surprising twist to it. i was expecting a romantic comedy but it was much more than that. i wouldn't call it great but it was an enjoyable watch. claire danes and rachel mcAdams are so beautiful! i wish that some of the characters and subplots had been more developed though. Narnia, i absolutely loved! i'd love to go and watch it again. it was magical! i was glued to the screen the entire time. it was just so captivating! when i played the scenes in my head later on that night, i realized the Biblical allegories. The scene that struck me the hardest was when Aslan was walking up to the stone to be sacrificed. It brought to mind Jesus carrying the Cross and being jeered and hit by the bystanders. It brought tears to my eyes. I just felt that the film was so painstakingly done and it delivered the material beautifully.
eka just shared an indonesian food type with us, called amping. looks like shrimp chicharon but it's actually made from a seed. yummy!!
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
a day at school
today, i hitched a ride with jr and went to ateneo. basically, my sched went as follows:
8.30 arrival at ateneo. dropped off at covCourts
8:45 talked to Ate Annette at PsyDept about thesis and advisement slip / met Teddi and Nina
9.15 went to JSP office to talk with 澄田先生
10.15 went to caf up / lunch with Angel ^o^
11.30 Bible Study (francis)
12.30 Bible Study (aoo)
1330 met with Pao ^0^
1400 talked with mic and aileen ^o^ saw kristine and gracienne and sherry
1530 chatted with gracienne at xavier hall
1600 talked with mike at the lib steps (about japan!)
1800 went home
i learned a lot today during the Bible Study. we talked about pride and humility. what makes a proud heart and a humble heart. being Son-reflectors as the moon is a sun-reflector. learning to take criticism. learning to do things well not so that we can hear other people's compliments but for God's glory. don't compare for there will surely be other people who are better, wiser, richer than us. concentrate more on the vertical aspect (your relationship with God) and not on the horizontal (why did God give that person more than me?). realizing that it's not about me.
it seemed like God was talking to me today. I felt that he wanted to tell me, to teach me something and hopefully, i got what He wanted to extend. Thank you Lord. i heard You.
i've often thought about why we meet the people we do. It just seems interesting how we end up meeting the people we do through the choices we make. I am really grateful though that i know the people i do and that i have the friends i have. they truly are a blessing. so to all of you, thank you so very much ^o^ i love you all!
8.30 arrival at ateneo. dropped off at covCourts
8:45 talked to Ate Annette at PsyDept about thesis and advisement slip / met Teddi and Nina
9.15 went to JSP office to talk with 澄田先生
10.15 went to caf up / lunch with Angel ^o^
11.30 Bible Study (francis)
12.30 Bible Study (aoo)
1330 met with Pao ^0^
1400 talked with mic and aileen ^o^ saw kristine and gracienne and sherry
1530 chatted with gracienne at xavier hall
1600 talked with mike at the lib steps (about japan!)
1800 went home
i learned a lot today during the Bible Study. we talked about pride and humility. what makes a proud heart and a humble heart. being Son-reflectors as the moon is a sun-reflector. learning to take criticism. learning to do things well not so that we can hear other people's compliments but for God's glory. don't compare for there will surely be other people who are better, wiser, richer than us. concentrate more on the vertical aspect (your relationship with God) and not on the horizontal (why did God give that person more than me?). realizing that it's not about me.
it seemed like God was talking to me today. I felt that he wanted to tell me, to teach me something and hopefully, i got what He wanted to extend. Thank you Lord. i heard You.
i've often thought about why we meet the people we do. It just seems interesting how we end up meeting the people we do through the choices we make. I am really grateful though that i know the people i do and that i have the friends i have. they truly are a blessing. so to all of you, thank you so very much ^o^ i love you all!
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