It's been a while hasn't it?
I fully intended to summarize my experience in Japan after I got back but I definitely got sidetracked..
All excuses aside, I will now attempt to search my memories and record them here just so my blog can be complete.
Preparing for my trip back home was very stressful. The last week involved lots of partying, drinking, shopping, catching up with friends and PACKING. More like packing 7 months into two small suitcases in one night. Grateful that I had a friend, (momo) who was able to help out with dumping all of the junk that built up in my small dorm room throughout these months. However junky those things were, being a pack rat, I wanted to pack every little thing. I was honestly going crazy because I didn't know what to do and it was 2am in the morning and I had to leave the next day. haha.
I brought back home many things. Not just souvenirs or material items, but many many experiences and stories to talk about with my friends and family. I may have been biased as I have been wishing to visit Japan ever since I was a young kid being exposed to animes such as pokemon and Sailormoon. I wanted to go to the land that produced my favourite cartoons. It wasn't just because I loved watching the shows, I wanted to draw art in similar style. ... Getting off topic. Conclusion is, I am extremely grateful to myself and the people who supported me in getting into this program. I remember becoming extremely anxious after the earthquake in March occurred too.
Off the top of my mind, the most I got out of this and key points were research experience, meeting amazing people (people I should be keeping in touch with!!), travelling all over Japan, experiencing Japanese culture, travelling with the other co-ops, experiencing drinking culture, trains, temples, and toilets with bidets.
But most of all, I only really enjoyed my time in Japan because of the people that I was with. I feel so blessed and lucky!!! They've all left a great deep impression on me and helped shaped me as a person. I'm changing everyday, though very slowly. I'm so thankful I have them in my life :)
お久しぶりですね～
もう一年日本へ泊まりました。昨年、たくさん経験をしました。
.. It's getting late. haha I'll think about revisiting and making a more in depth analysis of my experience or just let this experience sink into my memories forever and you'll have to talk to me in person to get the full details. :)
じゃああ～またね！
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Monday, December 5, 2011
ギリギリ
It's been approximately two months since I've updated huh. I've been busy I guess.
Taking in as much Japanese culture as I can, catching up with Japanese, trying to learn and speak as much as I can before I go back to speaking and hearing English everyday in Vancouver again!
Actually I'm trying to finish my experiential report right now. December's a really busy month. I'm constantly thinking about what to bring back to Canada, thinking about how to thank all of the people I've met during this work term, thinking about how to spend the limited time I have left here in the country I adore so much!
It feels like I have a lot of unfinished business, but I think it's about the right time I go back and take care of the things I've left behind...
In the mean time, despite how busy work has been and the chaotic thoughts that have been running through my mind lately, I want to enjoy my last month here as much as possible. Actually I really miss those first few months when I wrote about cutting the perfect apple bunnies.. How nostalgic. I'm not sure if I'll get a chance to update before I go back, so until then, sayonara :)
Taking in as much Japanese culture as I can, catching up with Japanese, trying to learn and speak as much as I can before I go back to speaking and hearing English everyday in Vancouver again!
Actually I'm trying to finish my experiential report right now. December's a really busy month. I'm constantly thinking about what to bring back to Canada, thinking about how to thank all of the people I've met during this work term, thinking about how to spend the limited time I have left here in the country I adore so much!
It feels like I have a lot of unfinished business, but I think it's about the right time I go back and take care of the things I've left behind...
In the mean time, despite how busy work has been and the chaotic thoughts that have been running through my mind lately, I want to enjoy my last month here as much as possible. Actually I really miss those first few months when I wrote about cutting the perfect apple bunnies.. How nostalgic. I'm not sure if I'll get a chance to update before I go back, so until then, sayonara :)
Saturday, October 15, 2011
MVE Conference Wakkanai, Hokkaido Oct 12 - 14
天気：雲
こんばんは。
今日稚内、北海度から帰りました。
この三日間、稚内のところを見たり、たくさん新鮮の海産物を食べたり、発表をしました。
まいにちたくさん頭がいいの人に会いました。
最初の日稚内のミルクロード風車・宗谷岬ウィンドフャーム（milkroad windmill / Cape Soya wind farm）に行きました。凄いところです。稚内 の目標は日本の一番新しいエネルギー町になります。
後で、稚内メガソーラーも見ました。稚内電源もここから来ている.
私の発表は次の日。
最後の日発表の前に、とても緊張しました。発表が来た時、powerpoint のタイマはだめでしたから、緊張になりました。発表終わりましたの時間、元気になりました。後でいい晩御飯を食べました。
じゃあ、疲れましたから、おやすみなさい。
ベッシー
最後日本の最北端地を見ました。風が超強かったです。
服を持ってませんから、皆さんはさむかったでした。でも、風景はとても素敵だった。
その夜、飲み会出席しました。食べ物は多くて、美味しかったよ。
第二日目、MVE会議でたくさん日本語の発表を見ました。日本語をちょっとできませんから、皆さんの発表はあまり分かりません。残念ね。。とにかく、図があるから、少しをわかりました。
昼ご飯の簡易ラメンが高くてが、おいしかったです。簡易ラメンは１５００円。
晩御飯は同じの場所でたこ鍋を食べました。この夜はあの夜よりたくさん人でした。
この夜、二人の女性をあいました。親切なひとですよ。あなた達もANAホテルに泊まりましたから、一緒に帰りました。帰るまえに、北防波堤ドーム（bouhatei dome) 行って、写真を取りました。ドムが非常に長だった！
第二日目、MVE会議でたくさん日本語の発表を見ました。日本語をちょっとできませんから、皆さんの発表はあまり分かりません。残念ね。。とにかく、図があるから、少しをわかりました。
昼ご飯の簡易ラメンが高くてが、おいしかったです。簡易ラメンは１５００円。
晩御飯は同じの場所でたこ鍋を食べました。この夜はあの夜よりたくさん人でした。
この夜、二人の女性をあいました。親切なひとですよ。あなた達もANAホテルに泊まりましたから、一緒に帰りました。帰るまえに、北防波堤ドーム（bouhatei dome) 行って、写真を取りました。ドムが非常に長だった！
私の発表は次の日。
最後の日発表の前に、とても緊張しました。発表が来た時、powerpoint のタイマはだめでしたから、緊張になりました。発表終わりましたの時間、元気になりました。後でいい晩御飯を食べました。
じゃあ、疲れましたから、おやすみなさい。
ベッシー
Friday, October 7, 2011
3 months left.
Temperature: cool.
How time flies.
I must say, I'm quite satisfied with what I have accomplished these past 4 months, although there are a few things I still need to do before leaving Japan. This post is to permanently record what my goals are for the next three months so I can hold myself accountable for what I want myself to do.
First I shall write a list of accomplishments for the past 4 months I've been in Japan. One problem I've noticed with myself is I don't really understand myself all that much. There is still much to learn...
Accomplishments:
- Read a million research papers
- Self taught machine-learning concepts
- Wrote a program for work
- Conducted experiments
- Wrote a paper for a non-reviewed conference
- Discussed and prepared for my very first presentation
- Illustrated a picture for my supervisor's research paper
- Travelled "all over" Japan.
- Became best friends with Google translate
- Climbed Mount Fuji
- Learned a bit of Japanese culture
- Learned how to use Japan's train system
-.... all I can think of for now.
Goals: (broadly for now..)
- Go jogging or biking at least twice every week
- Sleep early. No later than 12am.
- Brush teeth at 9pm to prevent myself from eating before I sleep..
- Reduce sugar intake, do not buy candy, icecream etc everytime I go grocery shopping.
- Learn Japanese. Review everyday - Kanji, Grammar, Use it.
- Machine Learning class
- Artificial Intelligence Class
List will be updated if I do happen to have more things to add.
Hopefully Ill be updating more often as I will need to review my list of goals every now and then.
Next week I go to Wakkanai, Hokkaido to present my research. You have no idea how nervous I am...
Bess
How time flies.
I must say, I'm quite satisfied with what I have accomplished these past 4 months, although there are a few things I still need to do before leaving Japan. This post is to permanently record what my goals are for the next three months so I can hold myself accountable for what I want myself to do.
First I shall write a list of accomplishments for the past 4 months I've been in Japan. One problem I've noticed with myself is I don't really understand myself all that much. There is still much to learn...
Accomplishments:
- Read a million research papers
- Self taught machine-learning concepts
- Wrote a program for work
- Conducted experiments
- Wrote a paper for a non-reviewed conference
- Discussed and prepared for my very first presentation
- Illustrated a picture for my supervisor's research paper
- Travelled "all over" Japan.
- Became best friends with Google translate
- Climbed Mount Fuji
- Learned a bit of Japanese culture
- Learned how to use Japan's train system
-.... all I can think of for now.
Goals: (broadly for now..)
- Go jogging or biking at least twice every week
- Sleep early. No later than 12am.
- Brush teeth at 9pm to prevent myself from eating before I sleep..
- Reduce sugar intake, do not buy candy, icecream etc everytime I go grocery shopping.
- Learn Japanese. Review everyday - Kanji, Grammar, Use it.
- Machine Learning class
- Artificial Intelligence Class
List will be updated if I do happen to have more things to add.
Hopefully Ill be updating more often as I will need to review my list of goals every now and then.
Next week I go to Wakkanai, Hokkaido to present my research. You have no idea how nervous I am...
Bess
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Typhoon Roke
天気: Typhoon, 強い風, たくさん雨
feeling: ちょっと怖い
今日遊びたいですが、台風ロケ来ます。ロケはとてもつよくて、こわいです。
雨も部屋に入っています。どうしようかな？
この朝じゅう一時頃起きて、パンを食べて、それから日本語をべんきょうしています。
明日も休みます、そうしていい天気がほしい。
来週の休みghibli museumに行きたい。
もう四ヶ月、日本語を改善しませんですから、毎日勉強しなければなりません。
十二月までに日本語を上手くなりたい。
カナダのともだちにあいたいよ！ひさしぶりです。
先週東京ゲームショに行きました。ゲームはちょっとわからないですが、とても楽しかったよ！
たくさんきれいなcosplayを見て、新しいカメラをかいますから、たくさん写真をとりました。
あまり女性をみませんが、たくさん男性いるよ！
これ、見て!見て!
feeling: ちょっと怖い
今日遊びたいですが、台風ロケ来ます。ロケはとてもつよくて、こわいです。
雨も部屋に入っています。どうしようかな？
この朝じゅう一時頃起きて、パンを食べて、それから日本語をべんきょうしています。
明日も休みます、そうしていい天気がほしい。
来週の休みghibli museumに行きたい。
もう四ヶ月、日本語を改善しませんですから、毎日勉強しなければなりません。
十二月までに日本語を上手くなりたい。
カナダのともだちにあいたいよ！ひさしぶりです。
先週東京ゲームショに行きました。ゲームはちょっとわからないですが、とても楽しかったよ！
たくさんきれいなcosplayを見て、新しいカメラをかいますから、たくさん写真をとりました。
あまり女性をみませんが、たくさん男性いるよ！
これ、見て!見て!
Friday, September 2, 2011
ShabuShabu - all you can eat pork
Weather: Typhoon
mood: relieved
Today I went with the other co-ops to have some all you can eat Shabushabu in the Daiei outside Shioiri station. Aside from the pork, I really enjoyed the AYCE icecream and drinks. They had a wide variety - milk tea, melon soda, calpis soda, green tea icecream, vanilla, melon, chocolate, strawberry. Of course I couldn't try them all... One thing I was surprised at was females are charged 100 yen less than guys. That is, 1580 yen for girls/women and 1680 for the guys. I really don't have anything to say about this, but it's beneficial for me I guess! haha. I'm gaining a bit of weight for sure though. I've been binge eating all of the different types of Japan junk foods ever since I arrived here. There's just so much variety and I don't really get this type of freedom when I'm at home. It's really difficult to restrain myself when I have to go to the grocery store to buy my vegetables fresh every week!!
As for work, I got up extra early to finish implementing the practice portion of my program for the experiments in the afternoon. I was stressing over it last night wondering if I had enough time to finish it. It turned out great, and the two subjects that showed up (one had a meeting and the other pulled a no-show) came and finished the experiment with no problems. One point that was for sure inevitable was that the task was tedious, repetitive and boring. Haha.. as is with most experiments. My questionnaire was all in english and my subjects spoke mostly Japanese... and my english was probably not the easiest to understand so I was trying to explain it in more simpler terms too. I think if I have time tomorrow, I'll try to translate it into Japanese or something bahah. But then again there's a lot of manual data analyzing and sorting.... I rarely rant about work so there you have it. Not very interesting but I'm going to Wakkani, a city in the most northern tip of Hokkaido in Japan!! I'm really excited but I'll probably be really nervous as well since it'll be my first time presenting to a whole bunch of really smart researchers ( my supervisor told me..)
Getting late, heading to bed, good night!
mood: relieved
Today I went with the other co-ops to have some all you can eat Shabushabu in the Daiei outside Shioiri station. Aside from the pork, I really enjoyed the AYCE icecream and drinks. They had a wide variety - milk tea, melon soda, calpis soda, green tea icecream, vanilla, melon, chocolate, strawberry. Of course I couldn't try them all... One thing I was surprised at was females are charged 100 yen less than guys. That is, 1580 yen for girls/women and 1680 for the guys. I really don't have anything to say about this, but it's beneficial for me I guess! haha. I'm gaining a bit of weight for sure though. I've been binge eating all of the different types of Japan junk foods ever since I arrived here. There's just so much variety and I don't really get this type of freedom when I'm at home. It's really difficult to restrain myself when I have to go to the grocery store to buy my vegetables fresh every week!!
As for work, I got up extra early to finish implementing the practice portion of my program for the experiments in the afternoon. I was stressing over it last night wondering if I had enough time to finish it. It turned out great, and the two subjects that showed up (one had a meeting and the other pulled a no-show) came and finished the experiment with no problems. One point that was for sure inevitable was that the task was tedious, repetitive and boring. Haha.. as is with most experiments. My questionnaire was all in english and my subjects spoke mostly Japanese... and my english was probably not the easiest to understand so I was trying to explain it in more simpler terms too. I think if I have time tomorrow, I'll try to translate it into Japanese or something bahah. But then again there's a lot of manual data analyzing and sorting.... I rarely rant about work so there you have it. Not very interesting but I'm going to Wakkani, a city in the most northern tip of Hokkaido in Japan!! I'm really excited but I'll probably be really nervous as well since it'll be my first time presenting to a whole bunch of really smart researchers ( my supervisor told me..)
Getting late, heading to bed, good night!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Lazy weekend Day 2. Tamagoyaki, Hakone trip (Aug 24, 25)
Weather: cloudy, humid
mood: meh
Today was my second day in my dorm room. I wrote a list of things I needed to do and buy though. I went to buy a whole bunch of essentials for cooking and dorm stuff... After the other co-op left, she left me a non-stick frying pan (which is the greatest invention of all time!!) so I found out that making TAMAGOYAKI was possible!!! Waaa I love tamagoyaki. It was my first time, I made it with random portions of sugar, soysauce and 5 eggs after reading how to make it on a blog. This is the end result! Not bad presentation-wise but the taste could be improved. I read on another website you should add dashi soup stock. Maybe I should do that next time. After making it, I packed them up and put them in the fridge for dinner tonight ^^.
Hakone Trip - August 24, 25
So we decided to go to Hakone for its hot springs. (Onsens)
Hakone is a popular touristy place to go and so we booked a ryokan to stay the night. The ryokan cost us 9100 yen for dinner and breakfast. The breakfast and dinner were really filling. So many dishes and variety. They also provided yukata and an overcoat/sweater thing for sleeping and after you get out of the onsen. There was an onsen outdoors which was okay imo.
Cable car!
Black egg boiled in the sulfurous onsen i think?! Inside is just like a normal hard boiled egg
Most places in japan have their own specialty foods, and owakudani's was obviously the black egg. So I had myself an egg flavoured icecream. It was very creamy tasting. yummy.
We took the pirate looking ships to ... someplace but had to leave because everything was closed and it was pouring rain.
The next day, before leaving we headed for the Gotemba premium outlets which totally reminded me of the seattle premium outlets in the states. @_@ Didn't really do much clothes shopping just walked around and left.
A nice view of mount fuji!!! it's huge!
Yup and that's all for today. I have a few things to do.. things I've been delaying for the longest time. See ya!
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