Leaving Japan...for real this time :-(

Well...I'm out.  But my 6 and 1/2-week stay in Japan ended wonderfully!

On Friday I did final Nagoya touring.  I went to the Nagoya City Art Museum, which provided a relaxing way to hang out indoors on a very hot day.  I then just walked around the city, enjoying the day, until my 5pm train to Osaka.  

I arrived in Osaka around 6:30 and Asae's mom, Junko, was waiting for me as my train arrived.  We went to visit a friend of hers and then had an AMAZING sushi dinner!!  Masa (Asae's father) also joined us.  I tried taco yaki and the best sushi and sashimi I'd ever had!  I even ate a shrimp head...that was weird...but yummy.  Stuffed, we returned to their apartment for the night.

On Saturday we visited Asae's grandparents in "the country".  They live outside of Kyoto in a tiny mountain town.  The area was beautiful and the house was over 100 years old and very traditional.  We then went to an Onsen, a bathing hot spring.  This was something I definitely wanted to experience before leaving and this was a perfect time to go.  I have been VERY tired the past couple days and the onsen was relaxing.  Then we went to a 'famous' soba restaurant in Izushi.  We returned to the grandparents' where I napped on the floor.

Sunday was also extremely atsui (hot) so Masa and Junko took me on a riverboat tour of Osaka.  This was my ideal way to see the city, in AC.  We then had a late lunch in a civic building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright (a popular influence during the Meiji era).  From there, it was off to a night in Tokyo.

Sunday night I arrived in Tokyo around 8pm and caught a taxi to the hotel.  I was only staying for 1 day so I ventured out for the night in the Akasaka

 and Roppongi areas.  There weren't many people on the streets, but the lights were pretty.  I even made my way to Tokyo Tower (looks like Eiffel tower).  I ca

lled it a night and knew I'd have a long day of walking ahead of me.

Monday I started around 9:30 and followed and 'Art Map' of Tokyo that Glen gave me.  I started at the National Art Center where they had exhibitions of European Still Life, Calligraphy, and my favorite, "Utopia: the Genius of Emily Kame Kngwarreye".  The final exhibition was spectacular!  I then headed to the Suntory Art Museum, as well at the Mori Art Museum...both were closed, but I saw a spectacular view of the city from the top of Roppongi Towers and fixed my disappointment with an Issey Miyake scarf!!

After that purchase, I was broke, so I headed to the train station to return to Nagoya.

Last night was my final in Japan.  Luckily Dustin and Charlie were still in town so we had an exciting night of Hard Rock Cafe (yum!) and one last karaoke!  I retired for the night in my comfy Hilton room and repacked.  Now I guess I'm really leaving...in about 10 minutes.  Its going to be horrible trying to tote my luggage to the airport!  I must catch a taxi to the train station, then a train to the airport.  Wish me luck!  

In about 24 hours, I'll be in Hawaii!!

So its time to say 'goodbye' for the summer :(

NUSIP 2008 has officially ended...and we went out with a BANG! (literally)  After an Amazing Farewell Party hosted by the program, most of us went out in Sakae for a final time, and one last karaoke (and with Sensei!).  

I spent Thrusday shopping in Osu Kanon and practicing my Japanese in the real world.  I then headed out to Nagoya Dome with Eric and Kenny to find T-shirts with funny sayings (and poor English) on them...success.  I got back just in time to join Yuri, Seigi, Yusuke and most of the NUSIPers for pizza (a rare delacacy in Japan) and then celebrated with HANABI! (fireworks)  Goodbyes at the end of the night were very sad...but I hope that I will return to Japan (maybe even work here?) and I now know I have an amazing group of friends (and network) to return to.

Today I'm going to hit up the Nagoya Art Museum and the International Design Center.  I then will catch a train to Osaka, where I will meet Asae's mom.  I will spend Saturday and some of Sunday with her parents before making my way back to Tokyo (for a day).  I should be able to update 1 last time before heading back to the states.  Wish me happy travels!!

Final Plans

Hey hey...here I go!

So Monday and Tuesday this week was for work.  We had a final group presentation (60 min) on Monday...it went pretty well, but we're just glad its over.  There is still a 10 page (each) paper to write...so I guess I'll be doing this on the plane.

Tuesday we had our Japanese final.  This included memorizing a favorite event (from the trip) in Japanese and talking about it.  Also being able to ask and answer questions.  Finally, we had individual interviews with Hattori-sensei.  Mine was actually not too bad.  I had originally considered not taking the class since I've had so much stuff for grad school going on...but I'm so glad I did.  I wish I could have studied more so I could actually use what I've learned...but I'm at a pretty good comprehension level.  I will certainly keep up my studies when I get home! (Dad, mom...Rosetta Stone?).

Last night Eric, Charlie, Andrew and I went to shabu shabu for dinner with Hiro.  (Hiro is Japanese and lives in Nagoya and has been hanging out with the guys a lot).  We did All-You-Can-Eat (tabehodai) and they just kept bringing trays of meat that we cooked ourselves on the table...it was totemo oishii! (yum!)  We then went to an *arcade* (I dont' know what else to call it) and found photo booths!  The guys were so glad I was with them because its a "girls only" area, but with 1 girl, they are allowed in.  We definitely had fun putting our heads on different bodies and in funny positions...and then decorating the photos!  Hiro should be getting these in email, so I hope to post them!

I called it a night somewhat early so that I can enjoy our Farewell Party and Karaoke tonight!

So from here:

Wednesday: Final Presentations (remaining groups)

                       Farewell Party

                       KARAOKE!!

Thursday: Shopping in Nagoya (who wants a souvineir?)

Pizza Party and Hanabi (fireworks)

Friday: Moving Out (by 12 noon)

Final Sightseeing and Shopping

Shinkansen to Osaka

Saturday & Sunday: Enjoy Osaka with Asae's parents!!  (Domo!)

Shinkansen to Tokyo

Sunday Night & Monday: Follow Glen's "art guide" through Tokyo

Shinkansen back to Nagoya

Tuesday: Fly Out :-(

I've certainly got an exciting week ahead!

Last Weekend in Nagoya

Wow...the past week has really gotten me down...only because I'm not ready to leave this place...or these people!  The biggest difference from my other study abroad programs is how many international students I have met during this trip.  Not to be too much of a downer, but I know its very unlikely that I will get to see many of my new friends again after this trip.  This group has been amazing!  Fun, intelligent, and everyone is so nice and get along so well!  The reason for these thoughts are because I had another Amazing week/weekend!

Thursday's lecture was on recyclable materials for automotive.  I was so in to it!  I'm sure a lot of the reason for my excitement is because I've done some pretty heavy research into sustainable and recyclable textiles for automotive use.  Maybe I should take this interest further into my research?

All of our "free" time over the past week has been dedicated to our final projects for seminar class.  We really only have about 2 weeks to work on these group presentations and papers.  My group (Kai, Dustin, and Miki) is working very hard and have put forth a great effort.  I'm actually pretty excited about presenting although, because of the time limit, this will not quite be to the level of a professional research paper... but we're trying to make it as fun as possible. We will finish tonight and are the first group to present on Monday (which also means we are the first group finished!)

On Friday, we were invited to enjoy the Alumni Association Higashiyamakai, Department of Mechanical Engineering at Nagoya University in an "Evening Salon".  This event (including sandwiches and wine) unveiled the "Secret Story of the Development of the New Lexus".  Mr. Moritaka Yoshida, Chief Engineer of Toyota Motor Corporation shared  with us (through a simultaneous interpreter) and even gave us a chance to see his personal Lexus LS460.

Following the event, Seigi, Victor, Kai, Dustin, Yusuke, and I headed for the beach!  (I hear Japan is an island).  This was a fun and rare adventure for visitors.  Seigi and Yusuke rented a car, which seemed to be the only way to get to the tip of the Aichi Prefecture.  We stayed the night Friday and then needed to travel about another hour to reach the beach...and surf shop.  Victor (of course the California boy) tried his best to teach us how to surf.  That was something I've never tried before...and I think we tried the right spot.  The entire area was surfers...so when I tired out, I was the only one trying to soak up the rays.  I didn't manage actual surfing, but at least got a good feel for fighting with the waves while attached to a board and sitting on it while waiting (which is actually pretty difficult for a first time!).   We only had about 3 hours before we needed to head back (so we could return the car on time) but that was still plenty enough time to burn (oops).  Overall, it was an excellent trip!  That evening we walked around our area of Nagoya (which we now know is only blocks away from the red light...yikes!).

Today I finally headed to the zoo, which I have been trying to do since I got here!  It was fun and definitely an enjoyable way to spend the day...but it was HOT!  Even so, its always nice to walk around a new area.  The rest of the day I have been working on our project and our group will meet soon to combine our slides and make final adjustments.  Wish us luck!

Mitsubishi Tour

Ok...so I'm cheating with 2 posts in 1 day...but so much has happened!  

After returning from Kyoto Sunday night, I was completely exhausted...but my Textile Futures paper was due the next day and still needed major editing and a conclusion!  I worked on it through the night and skipped out on Japanese class Monday morning (which allowed 5 extra hours of writing!).  Nancy and I worked back and forth for the next 24 hours trying to get a professional-level research paper finalized for the June 30th (NC time) deadline....and we did it!  I am very happy with the final paper and glad its written!  Now the fun part will be preparing the presentation for the International Conference in mid-August.  (Although working on this will wait until I return at the end of July).

I did make it to seminar and then our group met to prepare ideas for the final presentation for our Automotive Seminar.  This is going to require a LOT of very quick work over the next 5 days before it is due!

Today was the real excitement!  We went on our last group tour to Mitsubishi.  We started in a conference room with a video on Mitsubishi's current research and the MiEV (their newest electric vehicle).  We then were given a chance to see the car, and poke and prod every detail as any engineer (or designer) would.  I sat down inside and closed the door, then a driver sat down and started the vehicle!  I had no idea we would get to do this!  He drove us down a short road and in a circle.  The car was nearly silent, very smooth, and accelerated with power!

Our group then hopped into a small tour bus to view the test track.  We crossed a bridge where we could see the banked curves and before we realized what was happening...the van was on the test track with other vehicles speeding by!!  If this wasn't strange enough, the driver accel and our van was taking the curves at a 45 degree vertical angle!!  After about 2 laps we thought we were back to reality but then toured the extreme condition testing facilities.  We got to enter a room testing vehicles at temperatures over 50*C.  We then entered the cold chamber at -20*C.  Our final destination was the radiation room.  This room was NOT running at the time, which is probably a good thing because I didn't really want to come back from Japan with a tail!

It was another very exciting day in what has been an incredible program!  A group of us ended the day with a merry-go-round sushi dinner and a full belly!

Return to Kyoto!

Wow...I don't know where to start with this incredible weekend!  On Friday, I left the comfort of Nagoya and my NUSIP group to visit a contact  in Kyoto, Glen Kaufman.  Glen-san was actually one of Nancy's professors.  He has been living in Kyoto and working as the Director of Japan Study Abroad for The University of Georgia.  He has been a tremendous help as I prepared to visit Kyoto and left me with lots of advice for other visits, including a map of some of the must-do's in Tokyo.After class on Friday I went straight to the train station to board my first shinkansen!  35 rapid minutes later, I was in Kyoto.  I knew that I was arriving earlier than Glen-san could leave the gallery, but waiting patiently to meet him...for 3 hours!  Oops...not having a cell phone is rough!  I was not positive what time we'd be able to meet, but around 9:00 I realized that we must have missed each other.  I was able to grab a taxi to the Ryokan I was staying at (Rakucho Ryokan).  When I arrived, a message from Glen-san was waiting...we certainly had just not been able to find each other...which is easy to do in one of the largest train stations in the world!  I spent the night on a futon in a tatami-filled room (very traditional).  There was a computer with Internet available so I was able to contact Glen as we decided on an 8:30 meeting time for the morning.  I woke up early and explored the area of the Ryokan.  What a great location!  I was right by the river where there were tons of people up early for morning walks, runs and fishing.  I grabbed a pastry from a local bakery and enjoyed the morning.  

Glen arrived and we navigated the bus system to a local Starbucks, where we met my first "guide".  Seiki Iwasaki was wonderful!  Seiki is a recent graduate of a Kyoto art school who specialized in painting (his portfolio was beautiful!)  We spent the early morning exploring Iwashimizu shrine  and then visited the Weaving god at Imamiya-jinja shrine (which is about 1000 years old...like everything else in Japan...OLD).  I hope that my visit to this shrine will bring good luck to my weaving career.  Seiki and I were certainly rushed trying to do many things in little time, but managed to grab a roasted sweet which can ONLY be found in this

 location (although I have forgotten the name) and was a delicious, buttery treat.  We then met Glen-san for fresh onigiri and headed to the Kawashima Textile School.  This was a real treat and my primary reason for returning to Kyoto.  I got to tour the facilities and saw some class projects in progress on the looms and in the studios.  Unfortunately it was a little dead on a weekend, but this was a great opportunity for me to see what kinda of work students are creating in Japan and Glen-san was very informative.  

The school was created by Kawashima Textile and hosts full-time students, one-day workshops, and everything in between.  The school is located right next to the Kawashima Facility.  Here I also got to view the showroom,

 which allowed me to get close and personal with very innovative fabric solutions.  I was so glad to familiarize myself with the company and realized that Kawashima is certain a company I need to research more for job potential!

After our tour, Glen parted so that he could prepare for his fiber art opening show at Gallery Gallery.  Seiki and I then went to Kurama-dera, a temple with beautiful big trees around 700 years old!  During these visits Seiki was a wonderful help in sharing Japanese culture and tradition (and he was very fun to spend the day with).  We tired quickly

 though and headed back to

 the Ryokan so that I could change for a nigh

t of Kyoto art and culture!  Saturday evening was by far the highlight of my trip!  We enjoyed a little shopping and coffee and then headed downtown amidst nightlife of locals, tourists, and artists!  We viewed several small galleries which were directly off the main streets, but would not be found without the help of a local.  I felt like First Friday and I felt at home!  We then made it to Glen's show just in time for the live dance performance.  

Glen's show was entitled: "Kaunakes: The Ghosts of Mesopotamia" and was an exciting fiber art installation of garments created from plastic bags and hung eerily in the gallery space.

  Imatenko performed live, dressed and painted completely in white, which composed beautifully with Glen's orangey-red hanging "garments".  After the reception we joined Glen's people, the Gallery Gallery founder, the director, Imatenko, and friends, for an unending Chinese dinner.  We filled the tiny restaurant with lively conversation, laughter, broken English and disconnected Japanese.  I couldn't imagine a more exciting end to such a cultural day!

Sunday was a little bit of a rougher start in the morning as we began our day again at 8:30 by dropping my luggage off at the train station and meeting my next "guide": Kazuaki Tsujii.  Kazu is a student at Doshisha University studying political policy, but just spent the semester in the UK....where he will be returning for the next year.  (I'm glad I caught him while in Japan!).  We started by visiting Nara, which involved almost an hour-long train ride and gave us plenty of time to talk and share cultural stories.  Nara was beautiful!  It was Japan's first permanent capital established in 710.  The area is filled with Buddhist temples...and deer!  These are the

 tame deer which you can feed and pet, although after a half day there, I was even wishing they'd just get out of the way (jk).  One of the main attractions we visited was the largest Buddha statue in Todaiji Temple.  Around the back there was a hole through one of the primary support beams that children were crawling through.  Kazu said that this represented Buddha's nostril (fun!).  We then met a friend from Doshisha for lunch and returned to Kyoto.

In Kyoto we walked through some of the shopping areas and then through the main market, where you could find all sorts of Japanese fish, meats, and treats.  We returned to the train station, which was its own tourist attraction, and viewed the Sky Walk.  Exhausted after a very long and exciting weekend, I departed from my second set of wonderful guides and new friends and returned to Nagoya.

After just 1 short weekend away, Nagoya felt like home and I was glad to be back.

Thanks to EVERYONE who made this the most exciting, and possibly best weekend yet in Japan!