For-Fun Gathering
18 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
I was listening to a Japanese girl’s explanation about Japanese education system. She said that in Japan, historical information about Japan was not completely explained to Japanese students. She was a bit surprised when she knew foreign people even know more about her country’s history.
Good news for today: It was funny actually. Finishing my lunch, I was flapping my hands to my friends but suddenly two grandfathers next to our tables, flapping their hands to me. =DDD
A Story of Okinoshima
17 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
in Student Exchange - Fukuoka Tags: okinoshima
Today L1 students had conversation test. It was actually test, but my sensei (always) said that it was practice. =D We were each having about 5 minutes in the test room, then we had some guests – they were Japanese students. We had very nice talk with them until the class’ over.
In the fifth period, I had an omnibus class. It was taught by Okadera sensei. She was explaining about the island of Okinoshima. I found something interesting in her story. Women are not permitted to visit the island. Not only in certain parts of island, but the whole island. Then there was kind of taboo words. Visitor may not told anyone about what they saw and what they heard about the island.
But anyway, if I wrote about the island here – in this blog, will it be a kind of taboo things also?
Hmm, I have no idea about this. =D
Good news for today: I caught the bus…! Hahaha. I was running and then I got it – Nishitetsu bus 23. Thank God I was not staying too long in the rain. =D
Strawberry Cake from Shinkai-sensei’s Class
16 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
in Student Exchange - Fukuoka Tags: kyushu university, sensei, shinkai, strawberry cake
I heard a nice story today. Kurita sensei shared her experience going to France when she was a high school student. She wasn’t taught any French – language class and she was staying there for about a year. She was living in her host-family’s house. She was in France for a kind of student exchange program. She was the only one Japanese student in her city, Vernon. Kurita sensei said that what she thought at that time didn’t become reality. What she expected was an interesting classes and interesting life. But what she found at that time was some things inconvenient.
In the afternoon, I went to campus in order going together to Kyushu University. I was waiting in the L1 room with Ocha but suddenly some people came and they said that they were going to have a meeting in L1 room. No choices, I and Ocha left the room. Next to L1 class, there were a food class. Suddenly Roanne opened the door when I was right in front of the classroom door. She asked me to join the ‘Christmas-party’. Then I entered the room and found so many students and also some staffs: Koto san, Bruno san, and of course Shinkai san because he was the lecture of the class. I was given a piece of strawberry cake also. Thank you, minna san.
This day as I said I had a campus tour in Kyushu University and Kaku sensei as the guide. I went there with so many friends: Toony, Minto, Ocha, Sunny, Kelly, Sarah, Sandra, Aline, Alex, and Cam Van. We were also going to its library and I found so many books related to my Independent Study Project. ^^
Good news for today: I was enjoying my time with Minto today. She was invited to a wedding party and I was accompanying her in deciding the best dress she could wear. =)
Tea Ceremony Party
15 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
in Student Exchange - Fukuoka Tags: japan, tea ceremony
WJC students in this Wednesday had tea ceremony party in the university. We were divided into five groups with different time for each. Some students wore kimono. They were so kawaii.
My own group consisted of me, Rise, Ocha, Cam Van, and Van. We were waiting for the next turn in about 15 minutes then sensei asked us to come into the tea-ceremony room. I thought I was the last entering the room -so I closed the room door- but then Koto san joined also the ceremony. He then opened and closed the door by himself. Hehehe, gomenasai Koto san.
The ceremony was running well. First we entered the room, then admiring flower and cloth hanging on the wall. After that we sat in the place provided and waiting for the host making the tea. We were given okashi also, it’s a kind of sweets. Then the assistant served the green tea for each guests. Anyway, the way drinking the tea was a bit complicated. We had to bow as our respect first. We also said our greeting to the guests in the right side and left side of us. Then we took the tea and placed the bowl in our left hand. Then we span the bowl twice to the left – each 90 degree. We drank it all and then clean our lip-mark in the bowl by our fingers and clean our fingers by the paper provided. We span the bowl again in opposite way so the bowl position back as the beginning. Then we put the bowl to the front and then admiring the bowl. The assistant then came to take the empty bowl.
Before going home, again, each guest had to admire the cloth and flower first, then going home.
Good news for today: In the last tea ceremony party, it felt like I couldn’t drink the green tea because it was so thick. But today, I could totally enjoyed the party. The sweets and tea were so delicious and very-well-served. ^^
PIGS AND BATTLESHIPS (Shohei Imamura)
15 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
in Film Review Tags: pigs and battleships, shohei imamura
Pigs and Battleships mixed action, comedy, and drama. There are some parts of the film I noticed. First is its setting. It took place at Yokosuka, a decade after the end of the post – World War II Allied occupation of Japan. Second is the society’s lifestyle at that time, when prostitution became a business and Japanese people used to use English in the daily conversation. The way people dressed up had been influenced also, so there were so many people wearing modern clothes.
I was very entertained by the scene where Kinta’s boss was trying to do suicide because he realized that he was dying. He was moving closer to the rails and finally it was fail because of his fear. The shot showed a big billboard then, it’s an advertisement of insurance company written “Live Life with Smile”. The shot contrasted with what happened to the boss. =D
Another interesting shot was when Kinta got a gun and was ready to fire it. Behind him, there was a neon box written “Welcome”. If I’m not mistaken, it happened twice – the shot of “Welcome”. I think that was a representation of a new Kinta, Kinta who (finally) made his big decision. I was also interested in the last scene. When Haruko was walking, passing many women in the opposite side. I thought it was representation of a woman who kept her principal still, although he became the minority of society.
In this film, Imamura often set up many shots in high angle. I think its purpose was for making a wide range of shots. Imamura also used low angle for some scenes. For example when Haruko showed her fear to three soldiers in a bedroom. Pigs and Battleships for many scenes also used panning technique. The camera was moving as it was trying to follow the characters’ doing.
Bondan Prakoso and Fade2Black
15 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
in Science of Communications Tags: bondan prakoso, fade 2 black
Bondan & Fade 2 Black is a band led by Bondan Prakoso as singer, and rap music group Fade 2 Black. Bondan Prakoso try to collaborate with Fade 2 Black, an independent hip hop group from Bogor member Tito, Eza and Ari, by trying to carry the flow of pop, rock and rap in the musical, which is in the management label Sony BMG Music Indonesia.
Bondan & Fade 2 Black makes the concept of music in which there is a flow of jazz, hip-hop, rock, techno and punk, which is formulated in such a dynamic in their debut album released in 2005 and titled Respect.
Starting from the material of music, arrangements, programming and looping all he’s doing himself by Bondan who is also a producer on the band. Special anymore, Bondan contributing as a vocalist, in addition to playing nearly every instrument on their albums.
Ya Sudahlah
Original Lyrics
Ketika mimpimu yang begitu indah,
tak pernah terwujud..ya sudahlah
Saat kau berlari mengejar anganmu,
dan tak pernah sampai..ya sudahlah (hhmm)
*reff:
Apapun yang terjadi, ku kan slalu ada untukmu
Janganlah kau bersedih..coz everything’s gonna be OK
yo..Satu dari sekian kemungkinan
kau jatuh tanpa ada harapan
saat itu raga kupersembahkan
bersama jiwa, cita,cinta dan harapan
Kita sambung satu persatu sebab akibat
tapi tenanglah mata hati kita kan lihat
menuntun ke arah mata angin bahagia
kau dan aku tahu,jalan selalu ada
juga ku tahu lagi problema kan terus menerjang
bagai deras ombak yang menabrak karang
namun ku tahu..ku tahu kau mampu tuk tetap tenang
hadapi ini bersamaku hingga ajal datang
Saat kau berharap keramahan cinta,
tak pernah kau dapat..ya sudahlah
yeeah..dengar ku bernyanyi..lalalalalala
heyyeye yaya dedudedadedudedudidam..semua ini belum berahir
back to *reff
satukan langkah..langkah yang beriring!
genggam hati, rangkul emosi!
Genggamlah hatiku, satukan langkah kita
Sama rasa, tanpa pamrih
ini cinta..across the sea
peluklah diriku..terbanglah bersamaku, melayang jauh.. (come fly with me, baby)
Ini aku dari ujung rambut menyusur jemari
sosok ini yang menerima kelemahan hati
yea..aku cinta kau..(ini cinta kita)
cukup satu waktu yes.(untuk satu cinta)
satu cinta ini akan tuntun jalanku
rapatkan jiwamu yo tenang disisiku
rebahkan rasamu..untuk yang ditunggu
Bahagia..Hingga ujung waktu.
English Translation:
when such a beautiful dream
never materialized so never mind
when you ran after anganmu
and never till ya come on
[Chorus]
whatever happens
I go through life there for you
Do not you grieve
cause everything’s gonna be ok
one of several possibilities
you fall in without any expectations
I dedicate that moment sports
together with the ideals and spirit of hope
we went on one by one cause and effect
but be quiet our hearts right eye see
lead in the direction of the wind happy
you and I know there’s always the way
I also know it keeps crashing problems
like heavy waves crashing against the reef
but I knew I knew you could remain calm for
deal with me until the end came
when you expect friendliness love
yes you can never come on yeah
hear me sing lalalalala heyeyeyeyeyayaya
dedum dedudedadedudidam all this has not ended
[Chorus]
whatever happens
I go through life there for you
Do not you grieve
cause everythings gonna be ok
one right step successive steps
liver cell emotional embrace
Hold my heart unite our step
same sense of selfless
this love across the sea
hug me fly with me
far drift …. woo woo ..yeeahhh ..(Come fly with me, baby)
I’m from the tip of his fingers along the hair
This figure who receive liver weakness
yea .. I love you ..This is our love
quite a time yes to one love
one love will be guided path
Squeeze your soul calm yo by my side
lay your feeling to reply awaited
happy until the end of time
[Chorus]
whatever happens
I go through life there for you
Do not you grieve
cause everythings gonna be ok
whatever happens
I go through life there for you
Do not you grieve
cause everythings gonna be ok
whatever happens
I go through life there for you
Do not you grieve
cause everythings gonna be ok
The song of ‘Ya Sudahlah” is a kind of friendship song. What is contained in this song is whatever happens, a friend will always beside us, even there are so many problems in our life that make us so frustrated. A friend in this song will always be with us, help us to face and fix the problems. This song also gives spirits to not be sad whatever problems we have. We have to be strong to live this life.
Bingo..!
15 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
I had Japanese Language class and Manga class today.
Finishing the classes, I was going back to the dorm to take a rest and wash my pants.
At about 4.30 p.m. I went to university cafeteria to have a party with my friends. There were so many girls coming. First we ate some foods provided: fried chicken, fried oyster, fried noodle, and some other snacks. Then we played a game named Bingo!. It was an interesting game and I was one of three last winners. I got potato chips as the prize.
Good news for today: I bought chicken in supermarket and its price was so cheap…! Much cheaper than the price of chicken in my place. =D
Homework and Discussion
15 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
in Student Exchange - Fukuoka Tags: homework, ichiki sensei, ikezawa sensei
In the evening, I was doing group homework for Ikezawa sensei class. I was doing it with Ocha in tatami room.
Good news for today: I had a nice discussion with Ichiki sensei after the class. We were talking about imagery of public figure and entertainment industry.
Invitation Card of Seijin no Hi
15 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
in Student Exchange - Fukuoka Tags: INVITATION, seijin no hi
Today was quite sunny but the wind was still so cold.
In the morning I met my family and had a very nice talk with them by Skype.
In the afternoon I cooked big meal for my lunch. I ate pear first, and then eating fried-salmon and rice and some vegetables.
In the evening, I asked for Chou san’s help in translating a message in a post card I received today. She said that I was invited to a celebration party held by Fukuoka City government. Its purpose was to celebrate age of 20 because in Japan, age of 20 is very special. It’s a sign that a boy or a girl become adult and not ‘kodomo’ anymore.
Jaa, I’m thinking what to wear to the party now.
Good news for today: Pear I ate this afternoon was so delicious. It was soft, not hard as I used to eat in Indonesia. Arigatou gozaimashita, Yuki san!
(Fake) Snow at Fukuoka City
15 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
in Student Exchange - Fukuoka Tags: fake snow, snow
I had my third home-visit today with Terashima family. Yuki and her mother picked me in front of the bus stop at about 1 p.m. then we went to YouMeTown to park the car. We decided to use bus to go to some places rather than using car because the traffic was so crowded.
We were going to many places which selling so many Japanese merchandise. I was so happy because I had many references after all. We went to Tenjin also to watch the falling-snow.
Taking the car in YouMeTown, we had afternoon-tea-time in a cake shop. I chose strawberry-chocolate-cake, Yuki chose cheese-cake, and her mother chose blueberry-cheese-cake. We exchanged each of our cake so everybody could taste three different tastes. Huhuu, tanoshikatta ne…!
Arriving in the front of university library, Yuki and her mother gave me some delicious foods to bring home. What a nice day today…! =DDD
Good news for today: I met a very-and-truly-European-handsome-guy in front of a cafe selling chocolate. He was welcoming every guest came to the cafe. I think I want to be the next guest. ^^
