Welcome to "Okonomiyaki"possibly my favorite Japanese food.Google it.
Living and working in Anjo City Japan. Follow me on my wacky journeys. Learn about Japan, learn about me, learn about other random Asian things, heckle me. Enjoy your stay!
Spring is amongst us which means its time for the Japanese tradition of "Hanami" (flower viewing) For the Japanese the flower "Sakura" (cherry blossoms) holds a special place in their hearts. This flower which sprouts in huge amounts on Sakura trees withers away just as quickly as it blooms. With Sakura you only got a few good weeks,much like many things in this ever passing life we live in.
The Hanami party is an event in which people gather around Sakura spots with "Bentos" (Japanese style lunch boxes)lots of drinks, and friends and family. The goal seems to just enjoy life at that moment while surrounded by a flower who's only purpose in its short life seems to be to bring these people together. As this is my first time in Japan during this season it was also my first time to experience Hanami, and not 1 but 3 parties that I attended. I have never seen so many people, especially here in Tokushima in one place before as I did at these parties. The parks were littered with an insane amount of people (as well as trash) For a moment I thought I had stumbled back into Tokyo. It was a pleasant site to behold as I watched smiles develop on faces and laughter erupt. My parties were those of work or International Associations in which I didn't really know anyone, but I manage to meet a few people and most importantly experience a tradition I had heard about for quite some time. By next year I hope to have some really close friends to enjoy it with. For now the Sakura has blown away with the wind, as if it was only a dream. A pretty pink and white dream.
I admit I`ve been doing a pretty crappy job up updating this blog but it`s not without my reasons.
That reason mainly consisting of my job. While it seems to be the majority consensus that ALT (Assistant Language Teachers) working in public schools have a huge amount of free time, that is sadly not the case with being the main teacher in a large Language School. I really don`t get a lot of time to do anything including meet people and thus my journeys to be blogged about rarely happen. Hopefully I will be able to start squeezing more out of my Sun/Mon off. I really want to keep this thing going strong. It will be great to look back on it.
All I can say for now is teaching can be tough, and teaching kids can be insane, but I can see how I could enjoy it if I can just get the right circumstances.
(Note:This is not a review post. It includes a synopsis, and a few impressions.)
A few months back I listed my top 5 favorite Japanese films,(http://christian-journeyjapan.blogspot.com/2009/07/popcorn-and-pocky-movie-time.html) We`ll I would not call this soon but it`s finally here so pipe down.
Let me start by saying this was a pretty difficult process for me. I absolutely adore Korean films and watch at least 2 a week. There are just so many I love and a Top 5 list doesn`t do it justice. In fact, I should do a top 10 but I thought I would give it the same format as its Japanese predecessor. Also take note, that I tend to watch romantic/comedies the most cause I just find them beyond cute, and because Asian horror or thriller in general tends to scare me. (Sorry "Old Boy") On this list however you will see a decent variety as I have picked the ones that made the most impact on me, or entertained me the most and pushed a lot of the romantic ones down the list. Had this been a top 10 list I am sure at least 6 of the 10 would be romantic/comedies. What can I say, I am a sucker for that kinda stuff.
I now present you the Top 5
5. Kwasok Scandal (Speedy Scandal) 2008 This is a Korea's highest grossing comedy of all time and with good reason. It tells the story of a former male pop star who is now older and working as a DJ living for himself until a mysterious young woman and her son show up claiming to be the his daughter and grandson. I really had a good time with this one. Its humor isn`t bound by culture. The breakout star of this movie and the one that delivers the most laughs is undoubtedly the young boy played by Wang Seok-hyeon. It`s a great cast, and the three main characters have great chemistry with each other.
4. Daenseo-ui sunjeong (Innocent Steps) 2005
This is just one of the many movies in a genre I feel Korea does better than anyone, and that`s romantic/comedies. The story isn`t terribly original as it is a dance movie about two people falling in love with each other while learning to dance but its in its presentation that makes it shine. Jang Chae-rin played by the adorable ~Geun-Young Moon~ (Who also stars in "My Little Bride" another favorite of mine)is a girl who comes from China to Korea in hopes of learning how to dance and entering a professional dance competition. It`s here that she meets Na Young-sae an ex professional dancer who lost his will to compete after losing his last partner to his old rival. Not only is this movie cute, but its music is lively and fitting for such a dance movie. A movie the whole family and even better for couples! (Could not find English trailer)
3.Haeundae (Tsunami) 2009 Haeundae is not only a "disaster movie" but it also happens to be the first of its kind for Korea. It also happens to be much more thought provoking, exciting, and emotional than any disaster movie America has yet to release. Set in the port city of Busan "Haeundae" is about a town that is ravaged by a huge Tsunami but what sets this a part from other movies is how much the characters are set up before the disaster hits. We are shown the lives of a variety of different people and become to know them so well that when the Tsunami finally comes, you will find yourself cheering for those who make it and crying for those who don`t, and like most Asian movies anybody can die, even your favorites. Its these emotions that made me fall in love with this movie recently when I saw it on a plane ride to Korea. If you are looking for American style BOOM, BANG, POW, then you wont find it here. Its not until near the end when the action begins, but when it comes it comes hard and its just as exciting as any "2012" could hope to be. The effects are also noteworthy for a Korean film. Sit back and enjoy the ride, you will be emotionally exhausted when its over. There is a scene involving water and electricity that is just chilling.
2. Welcome to Dongmakgol 2005 Imagine the war going on between North Korea and South Korea. A small group of men from each side of the war find themselves lost and they all take residence in a small town, a town where the residents have no knowledge of war and live a care free peaceful life with each other. This is the heart of "Welcome to Dongmakgol". Its a story about two sides of the war coming together for the good of a village. What I liked the most about this movie is that both the South and North sides of Korea are shown as human beings with hearts. They both fight because they believe what they are doing is right, and it is not either of them who are portrayed as the monsters. It is war itself (and slightly the Americans it seems, hehe) The movie is a perfect blend, of comedy, and drama and will no doubt have you shedding some tears after laughing. "Welcome to Dongmakgol" will stay with you for awhile after watching it. I`d love to find my own Dongmakgol. (Could not find English trailer)
1. Gwoemul (The Host) 2006
Another in the line of Korean firsts is "Gwoemul" a Korean monster movie. When I first saw this movie I had no idea what to expect other than some sort of monster. I didn`t know if I would be getting some sort of cheesy Godzilla, or a boring film that couldn`t afford to give the monster any screen time and was interesting enough to keep my attention when it wasn`t being shown. What I did get was in the same vein as "Haeundae" although released much earlier. "Gwoemul" is a monster movie with heart. My biggest compliment to Asian movies in general is that they know how to develop characters. "Gwoemul" does not waste any time getting started but gives you just enough character development so that you care what happens. In this case it is the story of a father who`s daughter is kidnapped by a mysterious monster from out of the Han River. Together with his remaining family members he sets out to find the monster and rescue his daughter. The monster itself while not the best CGI you can find, is still original and quite menacing. The movie consistently walks a fine line between humor, horror, and sorrow. The father played by Kang-ho Song stands out as the best role, as a man determined to get back his lost daughter while dealing with the quirks of his family, one of which is his sister played by Bae Du-na who I absolutely love. She also stars in one of my top 5 Japanese movies "Linda,Linda,Linda" "Gwoemul" is what "Cloverfield" became before "Cloverfield" existed, a character driven monster movie. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
Honorable Mentions 1. Eorin shinbu (My Little Bride) 2004 2. Tae Guk Gi (The Brotherhood Of War) 2004 3. Yeongeo wanjeonjeong (Please Teach Me English) 2003 4. Gudseura Geum-suna (Saving My Hubby) 2002
It has been nearly one month since I returned to Japan, this time settling down in Tokushima City located in the Tokushima prefecture on the island of Shikoku about 2 1/2 hours south of Japans second biggest city Osaka. It has been quite an adventure getting here in which you can chronicle in my previous posts. Thanks to God it has been a relatively easy adventure that pretty much unfolded as planned. On my way here I was able to stop in Korea for a short time and visit many of my friends and my ex which I really enjoyed. We had such a good time although it was rather short lives. I also was able to return to Tokyo for New Years vacation and there I was able to see many more friends from my University in the states, as well as enjoy a traditional Japanese style of New Years celebration known as "Hatsu Moude".
As far as Tokushima is concern it is beautiful here despite being a bit lonely due to the fact that I have yet to really make any friends. In due time I am sure. Most of the time is spent at work where I have become an English teacher. I am still adjusting but so far it is going relatively well. I teach children from the ages of 2 to 14 years old. It`s pretty much what you would expect from kids. Some of them are just so adorable and I wanna hug them while others are obnoxious and can drive me slightly crazy at times. It is my first time having so much exposure to children and it is tiring, interesting, fun and annoying all in one. Other than that the job seems to be standard fare. The pay is good, and there are some nice benefits. Admittingly the hours are probably the worst part as they take up my entire day. I imagine once I make some friends and find things to do when I am not working life will become much better. In fact I am sure its not too far off. Until then stay tuned, and Welcome To Tokushima!!
