This is it, the last post. If you have managed to read up until this point, congratulations. Today I leave for America, so I see no need to continue this. And my hits are so low that I'm wasting my time. By the way, if you reading this now, leave a comment.
I went to China for a few days and it was amazing. But you'll have to see me in person to hear about that.
Anyway, Japan was great, Asia is great. I really want to be here again. I graduate in a few days (hopefully). Until next time everybody.
Sayoonara.
John McHugh
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
China
Well, I'm in China now. My boat pulled into Shanghai yesterday after a two day journey. Yes, that's right, I said boat. It was a lot better than you think, especially when you travel with the former ambassador from Japan to China. Anyway, I've eaten tremendous amounts of gourmet Chinese food and had to witness welcoming ceremonies where ever we go. Yea, life is hard...
We're here to follow in the footsteps of a Japanese monk who came to China exactly 1200 years ago, so we've got the ambassador, his wife (my Chinese history teacher, hence why I'm here), the Canadian ambassador to Japan, a bunch of rich businessmen, a bunch of friends of everyone, and a bunch of nerds who love this Japanese monk guy. Today we picked up even more people, including about 10 Chinese Buddhist monks and a bunch of students from a local university.
Oh, I should mention where I am in China. I arrived in Shanghai, but spent little time there. I'm now in Yangzhou (yup, you never heard of it, but it's huge). It's north of Shanghai. China so far is pretty awesome. Full of amazing history and an amazing culture. And it development is incredible. This place is a juggernaut. They are catching up so fast is ridiculous. The whole country is a construction project.
I've done a lot here so far, but I'll save my stories for another time. I got a lot of them so far that you'll just have to ask me about later. But to make a long story short, some of the things I've done are: walk through an ancient Chinese neighborhood at night(where people still live), bribe a guy to get into a Buddhist temple at 10 pm, took a boat ride through 1400 year old canals (China is the country of canals, it's like Venice, except the size of Europe), walked on the 1200 yr old dirt city walls of Yangzhou (which is now a tea plantation? go figure...) and climb a 9 story pagoda. Not to mention all these sporadic Buddhist ceremonies we have, and planting tress, and the interesting people I've met. Oh, and the boat ride over...I've only just got here!!! 'til next time...
We're here to follow in the footsteps of a Japanese monk who came to China exactly 1200 years ago, so we've got the ambassador, his wife (my Chinese history teacher, hence why I'm here), the Canadian ambassador to Japan, a bunch of rich businessmen, a bunch of friends of everyone, and a bunch of nerds who love this Japanese monk guy. Today we picked up even more people, including about 10 Chinese Buddhist monks and a bunch of students from a local university.
Oh, I should mention where I am in China. I arrived in Shanghai, but spent little time there. I'm now in Yangzhou (yup, you never heard of it, but it's huge). It's north of Shanghai. China so far is pretty awesome. Full of amazing history and an amazing culture. And it development is incredible. This place is a juggernaut. They are catching up so fast is ridiculous. The whole country is a construction project.
I've done a lot here so far, but I'll save my stories for another time. I got a lot of them so far that you'll just have to ask me about later. But to make a long story short, some of the things I've done are: walk through an ancient Chinese neighborhood at night(where people still live), bribe a guy to get into a Buddhist temple at 10 pm, took a boat ride through 1400 year old canals (China is the country of canals, it's like Venice, except the size of Europe), walked on the 1200 yr old dirt city walls of Yangzhou (which is now a tea plantation? go figure...) and climb a 9 story pagoda. Not to mention all these sporadic Buddhist ceremonies we have, and planting tress, and the interesting people I've met. Oh, and the boat ride over...I've only just got here!!! 'til next time...
Friday, April 20, 2007
Sayonara
Well hello. No pictures, movies, nothing this time around. The hits on my blog are at an all time low, so I think I'm just going to let this thing die slowly and peacefully, fading away...
For those of you still reading this, I'm off to central Japan now. Tuesday I ship out for China. Should be fantastic. Except the fact that I'm going by boat. But ya gotta do what ya gotta do I suppose. Until then ladies and gentlemen.
John McHugh
For those of you still reading this, I'm off to central Japan now. Tuesday I ship out for China. Should be fantastic. Except the fact that I'm going by boat. But ya gotta do what ya gotta do I suppose. Until then ladies and gentlemen.
John McHugh
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Still more movies
Yea, got some of the same old videos for you. Just some little stuff I should have put up awhile ago, but forgot about. So enjoy if you care for a small glimpse into Tokyo. I hope you enjoyed my Japanese project movie. After I posted it, I realized how pointless it must have been for people who don't speak Japanese to watch. Those that do understand some Japanese and watched it, found it, well, amusing, haha. The grammar is pretty spot on (except where I say "no" in english, haha).
Went to my first Japanese baseball game this past Sunday. It was like American baseball games, kind of slow, horrible nose bleed section seats, etc. Japanese fans are...very cordial though. Opposing fans kind of encourage each other and are pretty friendly. Cheering is calm and profanity free, except for those cursed thunder sticks. Good clean fun I suppose, just like the good old days, far before I existed...there was one inning though when the home team, the Tokyo Giants, scored 7 runs, but other than that, it was pretty ho hum. It was in the Tokyo Dome, which seems to be a pretty old stadium. But hey, it lasted longer then the Vet!
By the way, I'm going to China next week. My boat leaves Monday. I'll be there for about 10 days (3 days for riding the boat not included with that tally). Should be back in Japanland May 5. I'll return finally to the US of A on May 7, woohoo. I suppose I should stop by the old place and let people know I'm still alive. And an American still.
First is another old video of the crazy nationalist people. The police look like there doing something to stop them, but in reality don't really do anything...I don't know what's up, but I get the impression that this junk is allowed to go on and the police merely put on a show to look like they're doing something (that's just me, ok):
Here's video on a little trolley/train thing near Kamakura, a former capital of Japan not too far from Tokyo. It's a very beautiful place on the ocean, full of history and rich people. I went with my Japanese teacher and some students from some of her more advanced Japanese classes:
This is a video of Mayor Ishihara of Tokyo, one of the most influential men in Japan. He just won re-election as governor of Tokyo (if you don't know, there is no such thing as Tokyo city, it's actually a loose association of smaller ward cities, 23 in all, that we call Tokyo proper. Tokyo is actually, well, no one knows what it is, but it's a -to. Tokyo's name is actually Tokyo-to and it's the only provincial body in Japan with the ending -to. Um, ok, right?). Anyway, Ishiharai's interesting because he's ultra-conservative, known for his alleged ties to the Yakuza (Japanese mob), the crazy nationalist people who scream threw mega phones in black vans, and his unintelligent but funny one line quotes, full of racism, sexism and plain old I hate everyone who's not a male Japanese. Yea, I hope he doesn't become Prime Minister someday...:
This is the newest big thing in Tokyo: Tokyo Midtown Project, a huge complex of mixed use buildings, with a capstone, enormous tower. It's quite impressive, with everything you could imagine, like a park, shopping mall, museums, hotel (Ritz-Carlton), luxury apartments, offices (Fuji and Konami have moved in), etc. It also just awesome looking too. Not too far from my school:
Tokyo Midtown from the park behind the building (also part of the complex). NOtice the Cherry blossoms are in bloom:
Ah, Hanami, the art of watching sakura (cherry blossoms). It was excellent weather for the cherry blossoms this year and people were out in full force to see the show. This is what it was like in one of the most popular parks in Tokyo. This is only a small portion of a large park, and this is one of many parks in the city and remember, this is done all over Japan:
The new National Art Center has just opened as well (actually last December). I was here for a Monet exhibition, because I am a big fan. Anyway, very cool architecture I suppose (I'm not a big fan of concrete). The other exhibits were too abstract for me, not my thing:
Here is a re-created old style Japanese street outside of Tokyo, near where I live now. It's in the style from the Edo period of Japan, when Japan was closed off to the world, about 1600s to 1868 roughly I think:
Here is a re-creation of an Edo period farm. Notice the traditional activities. The stilts are so,so hard!!!
Went to my first Japanese baseball game this past Sunday. It was like American baseball games, kind of slow, horrible nose bleed section seats, etc. Japanese fans are...very cordial though. Opposing fans kind of encourage each other and are pretty friendly. Cheering is calm and profanity free, except for those cursed thunder sticks. Good clean fun I suppose, just like the good old days, far before I existed...there was one inning though when the home team, the Tokyo Giants, scored 7 runs, but other than that, it was pretty ho hum. It was in the Tokyo Dome, which seems to be a pretty old stadium. But hey, it lasted longer then the Vet!
By the way, I'm going to China next week. My boat leaves Monday. I'll be there for about 10 days (3 days for riding the boat not included with that tally). Should be back in Japanland May 5. I'll return finally to the US of A on May 7, woohoo. I suppose I should stop by the old place and let people know I'm still alive. And an American still.
First is another old video of the crazy nationalist people. The police look like there doing something to stop them, but in reality don't really do anything...I don't know what's up, but I get the impression that this junk is allowed to go on and the police merely put on a show to look like they're doing something (that's just me, ok):
Here's video on a little trolley/train thing near Kamakura, a former capital of Japan not too far from Tokyo. It's a very beautiful place on the ocean, full of history and rich people. I went with my Japanese teacher and some students from some of her more advanced Japanese classes:
This is a video of Mayor Ishihara of Tokyo, one of the most influential men in Japan. He just won re-election as governor of Tokyo (if you don't know, there is no such thing as Tokyo city, it's actually a loose association of smaller ward cities, 23 in all, that we call Tokyo proper. Tokyo is actually, well, no one knows what it is, but it's a -to. Tokyo's name is actually Tokyo-to and it's the only provincial body in Japan with the ending -to. Um, ok, right?). Anyway, Ishiharai's interesting because he's ultra-conservative, known for his alleged ties to the Yakuza (Japanese mob), the crazy nationalist people who scream threw mega phones in black vans, and his unintelligent but funny one line quotes, full of racism, sexism and plain old I hate everyone who's not a male Japanese. Yea, I hope he doesn't become Prime Minister someday...:
This is the newest big thing in Tokyo: Tokyo Midtown Project, a huge complex of mixed use buildings, with a capstone, enormous tower. It's quite impressive, with everything you could imagine, like a park, shopping mall, museums, hotel (Ritz-Carlton), luxury apartments, offices (Fuji and Konami have moved in), etc. It also just awesome looking too. Not too far from my school:
Tokyo Midtown from the park behind the building (also part of the complex). NOtice the Cherry blossoms are in bloom:
Ah, Hanami, the art of watching sakura (cherry blossoms). It was excellent weather for the cherry blossoms this year and people were out in full force to see the show. This is what it was like in one of the most popular parks in Tokyo. This is only a small portion of a large park, and this is one of many parks in the city and remember, this is done all over Japan:
The new National Art Center has just opened as well (actually last December). I was here for a Monet exhibition, because I am a big fan. Anyway, very cool architecture I suppose (I'm not a big fan of concrete). The other exhibits were too abstract for me, not my thing:
Here is a re-created old style Japanese street outside of Tokyo, near where I live now. It's in the style from the Edo period of Japan, when Japan was closed off to the world, about 1600s to 1868 roughly I think:
Here is a re-creation of an Edo period farm. Notice the traditional activities. The stilts are so,so hard!!!
Monday, April 09, 2007
It's Movie Time!
That's right, I was in a movie. It's only a little thing me and two friends made for Japanese class, so no biggie. But, it is in Japanese, so you won't really understand the dialogue. That's ok, because there isn't much and the actions speak for themselves. It could well be a silent film.
The story is about me (Agent John) and Josh (Agent Josh), two counter terrorists trying to stop Ray (Terrorist Ray, guy with facial hair), from bombing the Tokyo Motorcycle show. Ray's mission is to plant the bomb and remotely detonate from a distance. The movie is called simply Terrorist Ray.
Originally, the assignment was to give a speech, solo. But I thought that was boring. But we forgot about the idea until the weekend it was due. It was the same weekend as the Tokyo Motorcycle Show, so I thought, what the heck, let's film it there (on the advice of an office worker at school who is really into motorcycles. The cool thing is that she's a girl and has a 650cc bike, sheesh louise!). Anyway, we showed up, not prepared at all, no story, no script. I created the story on the spot, my friend Josh and me did the lines, and Josh edited it. I also came up with the fight scene, haha. Anyway, hope you enjoy it. I'm a little embarrassed I must say (things don't turn out well for e in the end, but then again, I did write the story).
Sunday, April 08, 2007
It's the Final Countdown...
Yes, indeed, it is the final countdown. Tomorrow my friends, is my last day of classes. That means the end of studying abroad in Japan and (perhaps) the last time I will ever attend an undergraduate class again. It brings tears to my eyes when I think...no, not really. I feel kind of releived, but at the same time I suppose I wish I was going back to scholl again in the fall. I could use another year to think things through...
Anyway, what happening here in Tokyo. I forget to mention some important things! Right now, it is Cherry Blossom time! That's right, the Japanese plant these Cherry Blossom (called Sakura) trees everywhere, and in the spring, the bloom everywhere in a beautiful array of shades of pink! But that's not all, theses is where the fun begins. Japanese people flock to the parks covered in Cherry Blossoms and they, well, get drunk I guess. The End. No, but really. I had the chance to see this at night in a popular Tokyo park, and well, it was a pretty incredible experience. And I dare say, perhaps better than clubbing? Sorry not many pictures of this experience (not that they would show you anything), just pleasant memories...
By the way, Happy Easter. It was a nice Easter. First church, then Otuback Steakhouse, then The Tokyo National Art Museum (brand new!) to see a Monet exibition (one of me fav artists). Weather was pleasant, the area of Tokyo I was in (Roppongi, near my school) is hopping as well.
Exams start the end of these week for me, then ???? What could posiibly happen next? Stay tuned...
Anyway, what happening here in Tokyo. I forget to mention some important things! Right now, it is Cherry Blossom time! That's right, the Japanese plant these Cherry Blossom (called Sakura) trees everywhere, and in the spring, the bloom everywhere in a beautiful array of shades of pink! But that's not all, theses is where the fun begins. Japanese people flock to the parks covered in Cherry Blossoms and they, well, get drunk I guess. The End. No, but really. I had the chance to see this at night in a popular Tokyo park, and well, it was a pretty incredible experience. And I dare say, perhaps better than clubbing? Sorry not many pictures of this experience (not that they would show you anything), just pleasant memories...
By the way, Happy Easter. It was a nice Easter. First church, then Otuback Steakhouse, then The Tokyo National Art Museum (brand new!) to see a Monet exibition (one of me fav artists). Weather was pleasant, the area of Tokyo I was in (Roppongi, near my school) is hopping as well.
Exams start the end of these week for me, then ???? What could posiibly happen next? Stay tuned...
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
...
Yea, so I really dropped the ball on this blog stuff lately. If there is an excuse, I must admit, it has a lot to do with my broken laptop. So what has happened in the mean time?
- Went to the Tokyo Anime Fair, saw scary nerd people, almost was interviewed on TV I think and had my picture taken by stalker with an SLR
- Had my bike keys stolen, AGGGH!
- Went to an African culture festival. Saw traditional African stuff, African American performances, and a movie on how white foreigners and Japanese people are racist against blacks (a bit biased, eh?)
- Saw Sylvester Stallone walking near my school last weekend.
- We had a talent show at school, haha. Not bad. We had a raffle for iPods and digital cameras. I won a bag of Japanese snacks, boo.
- Signed my first autograph for a fan over the weekend...don`t ask me what that was about, I`m not sure either, haha.
- Went to a gay club one weekend. It was a unique experience, to say the least. And no, it`s not my thing, most definitely not, in case your wondering.
- Visited a traditional Japanese organization, in which they showed us many, well, Japanese traditions. I got to play the Koto, a traditional Japanese instrument with 13 strings. I was offered lessons by one of the players their, but alas, I`m leaving so soon, so it was out of the question...
- 2 of my sisters came for a week. I showed them the town, went to Tokyo DisneySea (an unique Disney park to here in Japan).
- An accident on my subway ride home stranded me in Tokyo for a few hours yesterday. Apparently a huge piece of plastic got stuck in the pantograph of one of the trains. Don`t ask me how that happened. The other train line I could have taken home also had an accident, most likely someone committed suicide, because it is the most popular line to do it on...
- Went to a traditional hot spring near Tokyo, in which they drilled a mile under ground to get some muddy hot water to bubble up, haha. It was really nice and outside too!
Ok, so that`s some of what I`ve been busy with. Oh yea, I also go to school. Yea, so my laptop...it`s dead to me. I had my sister take it home for me to maybe get fixed, haha. So the weeks are winding down, I`ve got less than a month I think to go and about a week of classes to go. I`m still figuring out what to do after exams and after I graduate, haha.
And by the way, the earthquake you may have heard of did not affect me at all. Wrong part of the country. But there have been a few earthquakes now and them. They are kind of fun actually, but they really aren`t much of anything. Haha, no they are kind of scary at first, but you just ride it out...I`ve never experienced a full on big quake yet, so we`ll see. The on the other day was pretty good in the areas it affected.
As for me, my Japanese is still pretty so so. I`m a better listener than anything though. Japan is fun, but I think it`s a million times better when you know Japanese at a pretty good level. What else...I look the same I guess, got a haircut yesterday though.
- Went to the Tokyo Anime Fair, saw scary nerd people, almost was interviewed on TV I think and had my picture taken by stalker with an SLR
- Had my bike keys stolen, AGGGH!
- Went to an African culture festival. Saw traditional African stuff, African American performances, and a movie on how white foreigners and Japanese people are racist against blacks (a bit biased, eh?)
- Saw Sylvester Stallone walking near my school last weekend.
- We had a talent show at school, haha. Not bad. We had a raffle for iPods and digital cameras. I won a bag of Japanese snacks, boo.
- Signed my first autograph for a fan over the weekend...don`t ask me what that was about, I`m not sure either, haha.
- Went to a gay club one weekend. It was a unique experience, to say the least. And no, it`s not my thing, most definitely not, in case your wondering.
- Visited a traditional Japanese organization, in which they showed us many, well, Japanese traditions. I got to play the Koto, a traditional Japanese instrument with 13 strings. I was offered lessons by one of the players their, but alas, I`m leaving so soon, so it was out of the question...
- 2 of my sisters came for a week. I showed them the town, went to Tokyo DisneySea (an unique Disney park to here in Japan).
- An accident on my subway ride home stranded me in Tokyo for a few hours yesterday. Apparently a huge piece of plastic got stuck in the pantograph of one of the trains. Don`t ask me how that happened. The other train line I could have taken home also had an accident, most likely someone committed suicide, because it is the most popular line to do it on...
- Went to a traditional hot spring near Tokyo, in which they drilled a mile under ground to get some muddy hot water to bubble up, haha. It was really nice and outside too!
Ok, so that`s some of what I`ve been busy with. Oh yea, I also go to school. Yea, so my laptop...it`s dead to me. I had my sister take it home for me to maybe get fixed, haha. So the weeks are winding down, I`ve got less than a month I think to go and about a week of classes to go. I`m still figuring out what to do after exams and after I graduate, haha.
And by the way, the earthquake you may have heard of did not affect me at all. Wrong part of the country. But there have been a few earthquakes now and them. They are kind of fun actually, but they really aren`t much of anything. Haha, no they are kind of scary at first, but you just ride it out...I`ve never experienced a full on big quake yet, so we`ll see. The on the other day was pretty good in the areas it affected.
As for me, my Japanese is still pretty so so. I`m a better listener than anything though. Japan is fun, but I think it`s a million times better when you know Japanese at a pretty good level. What else...I look the same I guess, got a haircut yesterday though.
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