PRE-DEPARTURE; Journal excerpt and info on Shiga Prefecture near Nara

Journal excerpt of remembrance of 1st day in Japan 2 years ago.

June.21.13

Thinking about Japan. 
I sure am excited for Nara!

I remember my first time in Japan,it was in Tokyo, walking down Yanaka Ginza, an older styled shopping area known for its well fed street cats, and it was the first surreal experience I can ever remember having. I kept thinking and probably saying to myself and my sister, "I'm in Japan. I'm really in Japan." 

It may have been a combination of exhaustion, years of planning, and stressful existence after my first flying experiences. These may have added to my delirious surreal experience, but it was amazing. 

Screenshot from Googlemaps of the Yanaka Ginza corner

That night when I looked at those shops on both sides of the brick path meant for pedestrians and bicyclists I felt deeply at home. I felt as though I was where I belonged as cliche as it sounds.

I remember not knowing which way to move when a bicyclist came barreling down the path and honestly feeling like "Yep, I'm going to get hit." and I decided to just stand still after the shuffle-dance of avoidance from both of us. It was fine, they went around the confused gaijin (foreigner).

I remember that balmy night in mid-May two years ago and I treasure it. 

Soon after the bicycle dance, we (my sister and myself) made our way to her apartment made for international students and teachers, and I was in awe again this time at her apartment and the dinner she made quickly me since she knew I was tsukareta (exhausted) from the hectic day of firsts. 

Then I was in reverence of the deep bath of hot water, which is unlike most modern American baths I have been in, and more similar to the clawfoot baths of old, but more plastic and less clawfoot. 

The bath was deeply soothing in an almost spiritual way, once again it could have been the exhaustion, but afterwards I took many a similarly soothing bath in that deep tub that allows you to immerse your whole body in its hot depths, so I am convinced that these tubs are magical for the soul, much better than chicken noodle soup, unless of course you ate homemade chicken noodle (and I mean homemade, noodles included), in the bath. 

I started to fall asleep, my nose dipping into the water several times startling me awake. That was the best bath I have ever taken. Ever.

I really am thankful to my sister for how much effort she put into taking care of me when I visited for a month. That night I slept in her spare room since her roommate from France had left after the earthquake and left a vacant room.

I curled up under the futon blanket and slept my first night ever in Japan, knowing I had finally made it to Japan.

Now I plan and plan and learn as much as I can again. I have the added knowledge of my month in Japan and my time here taking Japanese language classes, and meeting with conversation partners practicing my Japanese language skills 3 times a week.

One lesson specifically that I learned while abroad was to pack lightly, and I mean lightly, because you are going to have to carry and lug all that luggage everywhere. 

Now if you are training to hike the Appalachian Trail, perhaps this is great practice. But I was not, and it was so rude of me on the trains with others crammed in to take up so much space, and it was so stressful for me to carry a jammed duffel bag and a backpack full of stuff for a 20 minute walk.

What I basically took 2 yrs ago....

If you want to feel like a pack mule this is the way to go. Especially if you are like me and you hoard books because you never know when you will need it, like a Hermione Granger, or a Rory Gilmore type, then it makes it even heavier and more stressful.


No I plan to enjoy myself more this time and learn from my previous experiences.

Here is a photo of me, on stress arriving to Narita Airport in Japan. This is stress! I was excited, but exhausted too. Make it easier on yourself!

I even toted the silly duffel bag stuffed with needless things to my 5 day visit in Saitama to meet my host family. And then again when I went home to America. 

Below is a list of what I think is actually essential this time around for me. I have far different plans than before, and I am not pack-muling again! I think part of the difficulty was also that the duffel bag was not wheelable and when I got tired I just drug it around which was easier but still difficult. Wheels make ALL the difference!

My Backpack, and roller-backpack I will use for Japan.

This stuff will fit in 2 bags as seen in the photo---->
I got the backpack for serious discount of $13 and used a gift card I won to pay for it, and then the rolley backpack I won at a silent auction for like $2 brand new. I am not the type of person to go out and buy a new backpack, rolley or otherwise for $40+, no way.

I am not doing checked luggage. I even had an issue before when I came back and the San Fransisco airport decided to check my luggage even though it would have fine in the above compartment in my opinion. 

My rolley bag, you bet it will save my back!

Part of it was because I was later than I would have liked in boarding but also because of their choice. I would have missed my flight home if it hadn't been delayed 3 times due to weather. I was sure glad it was delayed! 






LIST:

• Laptop
• Originally planned to bring my journal, but I will pick one up at a hyaku en (one dollar equivalent) shop there.
• Camera/cord/rechargeable batteries and charger
• Genki II Japanese textbook, and a paper or pdf file of basic grammar formulas from Genki I book.
• My 36 views of Japan new word notebook where I write down new vocabulary
• Hairbrush, my shampoo-bar (since I don't use conventional shampoo), toothbrush, tweezers, citronella essential oil for mosquito repellant, and maybe some eyeliner.
• I don't use conventional deodorant so I am bringing my deodorant stone.
• Mini hand cloths aka Tengui since some Japanese restrooms don't offer towels or dryers for the hands.
• My stainless steel waterbottle, I don't like plastic and I mostly saw plastic ones when I was in Tokyo
• Some paperwork or pdf files of the paperwork for registering for CMU classes while I am abroad, and other papers needed for the study abroad process, visa, passport, flight info etc. 
• Minimal clothing that utilizes layering such as blazers and tanktops that look somewhat professional and not cliche American Tourist. Several slacks and dress pants, at least one non stiff blazer, nice long skirt and leggings ( a must if you want to blend in better I think), and pajama pants and shirt. *Remember Japanese culture is a little different than American and large amounts of bare skin isn't usually smiled on, so long sleeves which also help against the sun in the summer, and leggings might be on your list.
• My cellphone, just so I can have it to call family before I get to Japan, and upon return from Japan, since I know my phone won't work in Japan and I am highly unlikely to purchase one when I get there, though I am unsure at this point. I know they are costly compared to my normal budgeting.
• A wallet that works well not just with American bills, but also Japanese coins and bills.
• 1, maybe 2 pairs of shoes, one tennis shoes for all the walking and one nice for formal occasions.

Biwako and Shiga prefecture information:
Just in case  you didn't know, I am enamored with Lake Biwa and have definite plans to visit a few times and explore the natural beauty of this lake and surrounding areas. If you like nature then you may want to check this site out.

And this is an amazing video about the area: Satoyama Water gardens of Japan

PRE-DEPARTURE; Follow on Service Scholarship Project

Hello,
I have been fastidiously working on my follow on project for the Gilman award which is basically expanding on the simple outline of the project I proposed before I was awarded the scholarship. The project basically is a way for students to pay it back and pay it forward to others interested in the culture, language, and study abroad.

Saginaw Michigan's Japanese Cultural Center traditional gardens

My project consists of 5 months from January til May 2014, 10 events and having 2 events per month. The goal of my plan is to unite people in my community of Mount Pleasant with similar yet broad interests relating to Japanese language and culture.

I plan to utilize my many contacts within the community as well as in Japan to create a sub-community where children, students, and other community members can connect with one another in a previously difficult environment.

As it stands now, there are small pockets of people in various demographics that are interested in Japan, but they are mostly unconnected. I want to create a sub-community within our community such as is found in places like Novi, Michigan that have a higher population of Japanese.

The Saginaw Michigan's Japanese Cultural Center festival 2012

I plan to do this through various events that would interest various demographics, such as working with children through the public library to host a Children's Day event which is a holiday in Japan celebrating children.

I also want to create a strong network for students planning to study Japanese, or study abroad in Japan since this will be beneficial for their future plans to have others they can rely on for information, language practice and to give them a heads up on many parts of the process that are lesser known. It is a monumental thing to have others to look for advice from in my opinion.

Inside the traditional Tea House Saginaw Michigan's Japanese Cultural Center

I know I asked my friend and classmate who went to Nara just before me tons of questions via Facebook about the study abroad process, what to expect etc. and he was sooo helpful. See, I like to know those niggling little details about almost everything before I do it so I know what to expect and can be properly prepared. He helped me so much so far! 

Even events like the Japanese business etiquette one I have planned will benefit people who may not traditionally have much interest in Japan, but rather they may work for a company that often interacts with Japanese people and may need to be aware of simple customs that make transactions more smooth and culturally understanding.

So, I have been gathering up my contact lists, planning out the dates that seem to work best tentatively to do these events and trying to figure out who to contact for guest speakers, invite, and otherwise organizing all of the details for this project so that it will be ready to put into action when I return home before the spring semester.

Origami making at the International Expo 2013

I will upload a tentative schedule as soon as I have it better figured out so that you can see the events I have planned.

If you have ideas, or want to become involved in these events please email me at breen1ak@cmich.edu

I. GOALS for the Service Project

The goals for the service project will encompasses several goals into 10 events from January through May.

1. To create a sub-community resource for Mount Pleasant residents interested in Japan.

2. This resource would better enable them to connect and network with one another and fulfil goals such as study abroad in Japan with mentors for assistance.

3. To fulfill my follow on service project and better my community.

4. To inspire interest, educate and generate discussion at all age levels and demographics that centers on Japanese language and culture

5. To create long lasting friendships and mentoring relationships for future events, projects, classes, clubs, and study abroad.

6. To strengthen Mount Pleasant's connection to and awareness of Okaya Japan and the sister city relationship.

II. The Events, a General Tentative Outline, Please let me know if and how you would like to assist or participate:

1. January 5th or 11th- A New Year Celebration with a bento lunch making workshop and exploration of traditional and modern New Years celebration in Japan, book recommendations and references on the topics covered.

2. January 18th  or 25th - Biophilia and Agricultural practices of rural and urban areas of Japan, discussion of Shinto religion's role in Biophilia in Japan, book recommendations and references on the topics. 

3. February 1- Guest speakers talk and answer questions about Japanese business etiquette, differences in business culture, and the businesses and trades Japan is known for. Book recommendations and references on the topics covered.

4. February 22-Regions of Japan. Locals and visitors of various regions of Japan show and tell the many interesting variations of food, and culture of Japan including our sister city Okaya Japan, book recommendations and references on the topics. 

5. March 8- Live video Q&A with expatriates in Japan, anyone hoping to travel, live in or study abroad in Japan is highly encouraged to come prepared with questions for the expatriates who can talk about and ask questions about life abroad in Japan.

6. March 29- Popular culture of Japan. Many foreigners and Japanese alike are drawn to popular culture like anime(tion), manga, and music genres such as visual kei, , book recommendations and references on the topics. 

7. April 12- Take a trip to the Japanese Cultural Center to view the Japanese gardens, and tea house, watch a traditional tea ceremony and learn more about traditional Japan.

8. April 26 or 27- Hanami at Nelson Park. Hanami is flower viewing and a very celebrated time in Japan where locals go to the cherry blossom trees sit under them and picnic with friends and family and have a good time. Our cherry blossom trees at Nelson park are a gift from our sister city Okaya. We will be making bento lunches before going to the park.

9. May 5-  Children's Day is a holiday in Japan that celebrates children. This event will include rotating workshops where children can learn and interact with fun learning. Workshops may include how to use chopstick games, riceball making, Japanese storybooks, calligraphy, origami, dress up in a yukata or kimono, wind sock making, and prizes, book recommendations and references on the topics. 

10. May 10- End of service project/CMU's semester finale festival. This will be a mini festival which will include booths for information on opportunities to study abroad in Japan, Japanese language classes offered, clubs relating to Japanese culture (such as the Japanese Language Group, Anime Club, Kendo club, Karate club, Judo club, and the like), dancing and performances, food, calligraphy, have your name painted in Japanese, music, and resource materials.

Map Of Japan

Nara City is the red dot within Nara Prefecture on a map of Japan