Class of Spring 2016, Kansai Gaidai

This is the end, hold your breat— OK, this is not an Adele song but it’s a farewell.. Blog? So with all good things comes an end and Kansai Gaidai was one of them. Yesterday we had the End Ceremony at the Hall where everyone goes to pick up there diploma’s and such, I forgot the name but I know you don’t normally go in there because it’s very pretty and official-ish. After the handing out of our Certificates, well the book where they go into because for those we had to go to our own CIE (the foreign students building) and look through our mailboxes, we got to enjoy some really good food and good final talks with people. And at this point I started having some hard times but my mood is still good to cry so I will do that when it hits me.

I talked with one of my favourite teachers about the future and about my internship that I will be doing in Tokyo and some exchange of advice for his program and my future. I am very lucky to have met him and I hope too see him again someday in Tokyo.

And my friends, oh boy my friends. That hits the spot. I don’t need to be all gooey and make-you-want-to-vomit words because they know whats up. I made small farwell gifts with notes in them and origami hearts for the months we have been together. See that’s disgusting already! (kidding)

For my (B) Tomodachi’s (F) you guys rock and I am gonna miss the shit out of you and I hope you rock the world with your laughters and smartness. Drop the mic.

There is also a vlog ofcourse ♥

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Hasta la Noodle! ❤

Goodbye and see you laters

I have arrived at the point where I am saying goodbye to my housemates at Seminar House 2. After a bunch of papers and tests, people started packing and cleaning up. One by one people are leaving Japan and so will I. Well, I will be moving to a different place but I am leaving a place I called home.

Having had my classes at Kansai Gaidai I started thinking about all that has happened. I reached level 4 and finished Genki Book 2, but I don’t think I deserve level 4 because I still think it’s hard for me to be able to speak fluent Japanese and write and read. Especially when it comes down to Kanji I just start sweating and ignore it. But I did grow alot at school, I have enjoyed my Entrepreneurship class and my Globalization one and even my Art in the Kansai Area (even though that got boring). My experience at Kansai Gaidai has been great, I had the chance to meet alot of Japanese students and practice Japanese, make friends, have crushes on some of them and have a speaking partner. This coming saturday will be the last time I’m going to visit Kansai Gaidai as the ceremony will be held for the “graduates” of the Asian studies program. The perfect moment to say goodbye to people.

I already got to enjoy some farewell moments at the house party we had a week before, but i t didn’t feel like goodbye at that time. Just alot of food and jokes and good music. I even made some Poffertjes (Dutch tiny pancakes) for my housemates which got eaten pretty fast. See some of the goodies in my vlog if you want to! —CLICK HERE—

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

I love these people and I am gonna miss them alot! I had the luck of some people still staying in Japan so I can see them later on again and for those who are leaving.. Let’s just say we made alot of plans to come visit each other. Italy, Canada, America, The Netherlands. Everything is possible!

Moving

For the moving part, I will be leaving the 30th in the evening taking the Nightbus to Tokyo, Shinjuku and start a new adventure there. I have started packing and I am happy I bought an extra suitcase. Now I have 4 suitcases in total, 1 backpack and 1 laptop bag. Sounds easy doesn’t it? Well let’s just say I got a moving team to bring my stuff to Tokyo because me myself and I cannot take those bags to Tokyo. I am going to document my moving and all that so until we see each other in the next blog!

Hasta la Noodle!

Hanami

Hanami season has almost finished, atleast in the Osaka area. The petals are falling down and it has been beautiful! It has been what I hoped for to see when in Japan and I was able to enjoy this with a house get together!

Seminar house two got together for a hanami viewing and we ate some delicious food we made ourselves in the morning! Well I helped our Japanese RA’s but I felt completed when we unpacked everything.

And after we got some sake and beer and other good juices we explored the trees and held a whole photoshoot. But something that wasn’t suprising is that when a whole group of foreign students gather the Japanese people come and take a look. We played with children and talked to some older people who where enjoying their picknicks.

A very nice and warm day that ended in another picknick as we found out we forgot half of our food at home so we had a picknick part 2 at home.

See more footage in my vlog and in the pictures below!

VLOG

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

Springbreak

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of enjoying my long awaited springbreak! During which me and my friend traveled to Okinawa and Tokyo for relaxation! Relaxation actually pretty much came on the way back to Hirakata but it still felt relaxing. The first days we enjoyed our days in Okinawa with nice weather and nice food. It already started at the airport where we had some delicious Okinawa donuts and after 2 hours of flying you kind of deserve them. (Kidding!)

Okinawa is small and easy accessible by airplane. And even though there is an American base people still give you the “You’re not Japanese” look and continue this look until you’re out of sight. We arrived in the afternoon in our appartment close to International street. It was a small room but just like Italy you don’t need much because you will stay outside most of the time. We went to the Churaumi aquarium which is famous for their big whale sharks. And they are GIGANTIC. The ones in Osaka are big but these look even more bigger. I do think it’s a must visit when in Okinawa because it’s not just inside but it also has a whole area outside with dolphins, turtles and a beach you can relax your body. I have made some vlogs to share my holiday in Okinawa so if you want to know what i’m talking about go check them out! The following day we went to an island called Tokashiki and it’s all I wished for, white sand and the brightest, clearest sea. If i where able to redo something in the Okinawa trip it would be taking more time and do more island hopping because I think every island is different from the other. Oh and maybe some more suncream…

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

But who cares abour suncream if you have Disneyland?! I only noticed my burn when I saw my face on the vlogs and now after a few weeks because with burns come shedding, but I won’t talk about that. Disneyland and Disney Sea, especially the Sea part is a must when in Tokyo. To be honest, I am going back again with my parents because they will have to go!

Disney Sea is a thing for the older Disney fans. They have alcohol which is one thing and they also have a total different concept. Disney Sea is one of a kind! And I loved how crazy the Japanese are with their popcorn. They have the weirdest flavours from the regular salt one to Salt and Black pepper, Curry, Milk Chocolate, Honey, Soy sauce and salt. And when buying popcorn you also have to get the special containers.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

I mean I didn’t mind because I love bows and I love Minnie and I am still using the container. I also cannot hide how excited I was when I saw Marie because I can’t remember if they have her at Paris… am I right? But then again every character made me make weird sounds. Where is your autograph book when you need one?

Before I go back into my Disney geek mode let me tell you about our apartment in Tokyo! First of all, it had a bath. And I enjoyed every moment of the bath because I actually miss one. The Japanese know how to promote baths and onsens and it’s a must in my future house. But anyways we loved this appartment! It had real beds, it had a TV, it was simply beautiful and if it was up to me and I would go with another person I would rent this AIRBNB again!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Oh Disney, what a wonderfull place it is. The major differences are the characters they have in the parks aside from the regular ones. They have a mermaid lagoon, a whole place for Aladdin (FAV HELL YES). And more then Paris overall. So I am very happy to have gone to these places and I love to go back again. And oh yeah, what is up with the dressing up? When you go to Disney Sea or Land in Japan, you either go like your boring self or you go dressed as the characters! The more the better! Like a couple or as a whole group. Disneyland is the best place to let your inner geek go!

So if you want to watch it all in action, check out my vlogs!

OKINAWA > VLOG 1 – VLOG 2 – VLOG 3 – VLOG 4 – VLOG 5

TOKYO > VLOG 6 – VLOG 7 – VLOG 8 – VLOG 9 – VLOG 10

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Orientation Week

So as some people might have guessed, I’m actually in Japan and it has been a busy week! I’m editing and writing at the same time and I will post my first VLOG online in a link that you can watch!

First things first!

Japan is A-MA-ZING, and I’ve only seen so little yet. Here at Kansai Gaidai I only got a taste of what’s to come. I’ve met amazing people already and seen the beautiful surroundings of Osaka (only the part around the campus tho).

This here above is Kansai Gaidai University and I will be walking around here for the coming 4 months before I will move to Tokyo. I don’t have much yet to say as classes haven’t started yet, but I did get a test to see how far I am with my Japanese. Hoping on a level 2 but without preparation, who knows?

During orientation week (wich ends on monday, so 2 more days to go! Yes Saturday also counts as a school day here in Japan) I got debrieved on a couple of stuff.

• Safety (bicycle, cars and earthquakes and such)
• Regulations (in school and in the seminar house)

Those were the most important things, specially the earthquakes and bicycle part because I got myself a bike! It’s pink and it’s perfect to get to school as it takes about a 20 min walk or 8 min by bike. Plus it was pretty cheap! The earthquake subject was kind of scary at first because earthquakes do happen in Japan small and big and during the presentation I was waiting for one to happen because it would be just the right moment. My image of Japan as a safe country dissapeared pretty much right after the presentation as, like any country, things happen. You do get pickpocketed and your bicycle could be either stolen or taken to the inpound. The teacher who held the presentation also explained that two students died because one these subjects. One student died while driving his bicycle drunk, and one died while crossing the bars that indicated that a train was coming. Not really fun hearing that after you bought a bicycle right? But Japan takes its rules very serious and in case of drunk driving on a bike you will get the same penalty while drunk driving a car. It’s not something you will forget anymore.

I also met up with my friend who is an older year, or senpai as they say in Japan and she showed me around the place wich was very convinient! Also, I bought some stuff at the 100 yen store and at the supermarket. And no suprise, 100 yen stores are my favourite thing in the world!

Living and eating

Eating and sleeping are the best things in the world. I’m living in a seminar house, seminar house 2 and it’s really clean and very comfy and everyone can come together and talk, watch a movie, eat or learn Japanese. And being able to buy food or go out is really easy in Japan and it’s so much fun trying out things without even knowing wat it is! I try not to be scared while choosing things but I cheat my way through it by looking at the pictures or trying to read the words. I do miss my Dutch milk tho,  but the strawberry milk makes up for it!

Paying for things

Yeah, paying for things in Japan is different then i’m used to in Holland because back at home I would grab my debitcard but in Japan you pay with cash and boy oh boy, when your wallet is broken after 2 days you kinda cry a little bit. So many coins and so many bills. I feel really rich with it but it’s also easy spend-able. Luckely I have a small wallet where I put my bills and a pouch where I put my coins! But don’t tell the pickpocketers 😉

Video’s and pictures say more than words so take a look at my vlog and the pictures below and if you want to know anything please ask! Soon there will be more interesting stuff as school wil start and I will be going to places!

See my first vlog by clicking the button > ⊗♥⊗