Today, Mr. Potato Head is stressing over finals and his future

So, I suppose I could just use this shot over and over until December 6th, but that would be redundant.

So on top of my thesis, I also have to write a science Lit paper, which is only 5 pages. Normally, I'd be like "meh, that's nothing." However, I am terrible at writing (hence why I am doing terrible on thesis), and I am also not very good at reading science papers.... lots and lots of math.

In good news, today I went to an information meeting about graduate schools in Japanese Studies (aka my major). I'm really stuck on what I want to do. I know first I want to get some work experience, but after that, I know I have to go to graduate school... I am just afraid because I am having a terrible time writing "just" a 30-page thesis.. how am I going to write a like, 100 - 200 page paper?

I've been trying to take my friend's / teacher's advice when it comes to both jobs and academics. My teacher probably gave me some of the best advice: work like a solider, deal with that is right in front of you. Yes, there may be all kinds of other worries about, but if you deal with that is in front of you. As for jobs, I've been told to really work for what makes you happy, and the money will come later. I'm thinking I really want to work in study abroad. I love Japan, and while I would prefer to work for a school with a large East Asian / japanese Studies department and several East Asian/Japan study abroad programs, I think if I can even just get into something involving students and study abroad, I would be pretty happy. As much as I may have complained about my experience (for examples, see this blog), I loved my experience in Japan. I would not give it up for anything in the world, and I want to go back to Japan so badly, whether to promote study abroad, teach English, or fieldwork.

I am thinking for graduate schools either Canada or the United States. One of my favorite teachers went to  school / lived in Canada, and said graduate schools there were interesting. I love America, but I also think I'd really like to try and live in Canada.... and no, not because of my boyfriend who happens to be Canadian. He's in western Canada, and I'm leaning more towards eastern Canada, although apparently Alberta has a big East Asian studies program. Plus, the price of school in Canada is much smaller than schooling the USA.

So my readers (if any of you exist still): What advice to you have for careers / post-graduate activities? Also, what do you want me to write about / see Mr. Potato Head do? Just leave me comment!

<3 The Official Photographer of Mr. P Head

Today, Mr. Potato Head is prepparing for Christmas at school

Hello everyone! It has been awhile, hasn't it?

Mr. Potato Head and I are back in America, and back at my home school for my senior year. I am currently writing my thesis (which happens to be due in about < 2 weeks), and stressing out over classes.

I recently got back from Thanksgiving break. As much as I love Japan, it was wonderful having a real Thanksgiving with family, and black Friday shopping in person. I am so happy I able to be with my loved ones this year.

Anyway, I was able to get a new Christmas tree, which I love. I'm saving my smaller Christmas tree from my mother until next year, when I am hopefully back in Japan.

As we speak, I am applying to a few programs where I can be abroad. Along with JET, I am applying for my school's program where you also assistant teach English in Japan.  As soon as I graduate, I plan on applying to the Teach America program, so I can at least have some kind of job. I suppose the worst thing that happens is that I am not accepted anywhere... I really don't want that to happen, but we'll see.

Anyway, so I am hoping to update this more. While Mr. P and I are no longer in Japan, we still try to have adventures. If you all have questions or things you want me to discuss regarding my time in Japan, or my current adventures, please feel free to ask. I will gladly answer!

With much Love,

The Official Photographer of Mr. Potato Head

Today, Mr. Potato Head is learning about sake!

So today, my resort that I work at had an event about 雪中酒, which is basically where you take wine, bury it in the snow in February, then took months later it is totally fermented!

First, we went to a factory and say people make the rice meal for the sake, then we returned back to the resort. Then, we put a bunch of crates in rows, covered them with snow, then did a blessing to make the wine delicious in spring.

Afterwards was the best part: taste testing! We tried two kinds of sake, made last year with the snow method. It was VERY delicious. Honestly, I don't like straight alcohol...I need mixtures/flavour. However, Japanese sake is a more-delicious vodka, minus the burning sensation.

Then, my friend Alice and I went to the other event at our resort:  snow bar! The other workers made an outdoor bar in the snow, with candles and everything! It was gorgeous. Also, we got to star gaze, since it was a clear NIGHT... I have to say, the prettiest night sky has to be from Nagano prefecture. Tokyo can suck it!

Tomorrow we move back to the cabin. うれしーい！ [Im so happy!]

Until tomorrow,

Mr. PH and his photographer

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Today, Mr. Potato Head is settling into the "special room"

So first, I should probability explain this "special room". Last year, two of my friends did the same internship I'm doing right now. During their time here, they stayed on the second floor of what the staff calls the garage,  and I call "the shack". The room is about the size of my room in my apartment at Tokyo, except it is tatami-matted.

It's "specialness"is more sarcastic than anything,

But it's really not TOOO bad...[knock on wood]

On Saturday nights, when guests use our cabin, we stay in this room. No bath, no sink, no toliet... it's like a step between motel/tent camping.

However, as much as it seems I am complaining, I'm honestly the second happiest I've been in Japan [the first waz a retreat to Karuizawa, also in Nagano Prefecture].

I've learned I don't like Tokyo people. AT. ALL. The people in the country are SO MUCH friendlier, and don't stare at me constantly like Tokoyo people. Sure, I work my butt off for 8 hours a day, and it's super cold, but I could honestly not be happier....

[Knocks on wood]

Until tomorrow,

Mr. PH and his photographer

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Today, Mr. Potato Head is stuck in the snow

As a native Hooiser, I thought it was bad enough when we had a foot of snow. That is NOTHING compared to Iiyama.

The past two days it rained, so that got rid of a lot of snow. For next two days, though it is supposed to KEEP SNOWING.

For reference, we shoveled snow from the 玄関 [entrance] three times today, in a course of five hours, because it kept getting too hard for the guests to enter. Also, on the way to clean a cabin, I fell into a pile of snow which came up to my hips... I'm 5'5.5" aka that's about 2.5 feet of snow in less than a day.

However, I got to eat Au Gratin style food today for the first time, not just potatoes. SUPER YUMMY!!! I'm do thankful for the cooking here. It's nice to have a home cooked meal after a hard morning's work.

Off to make dinner and pack. Tomorrow we move to the "special room"for the next two nights which my friends who did this practicum last year stayed the whole time.

Until Tomorrow,

Mr. PH and his photographer

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Today, Mr. Potato Head is enjoying the simple life!

Hello from Iiyama! Mr. PH and I are currently staying in Iiyama City in Nagano Prefecture. For one month, we are working at a cabin resort called 森の家 or "Forest's home". My friend and I, everyday do things like shovel snow, make tea, clean cabins, and various snow activities. According to the staff here, Nagano is the snowiest part of Japan.. which I find hard to believe but as Ill post another time, it's not impossible!

During this month I can only blog through my smart phone, so dont expect long blogs, but expect more!!

So far, I've been speaking Japanese 87% of the time, went snow shoeing, made a house of snow, and shoved snow off of two-storie roofs. I even went to a 新年会 [New Years Party]!

Needless to say, Ill take mountain life over Tokyo people anyday!

Until tomorrow~

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Mr. Potato Head: the Lost files

So in my two-month hiatus, I did actually take other pics with Mr. PH, so now I shall post them with a little bit of commentary, mostly because I am too lazy to go back and write like, six extra blogs. Enjoy!

Halloween!

So Halloween is a slowly-getting-bigger holiday in Japan. However, there is NO such thing as Trick-or-Treating in Japan, at least in Tokyo. The weekend before Halloween, my program went on a retreat out to the country in Nagano Prefecture. I wore my cow 着ぐるみ (Kigurumi, which is like a whole suit of a cow, kind of like footsie PJs). We had a big party, and then all laid outside underneath the stars and star-gazed. We also got lots of candy! The middle picture is with my good friend Katie, when we did purikura together on Halloween day.

 

Sunshine City Aquarium

Little known fact: Until 11th grade, I wanted to be either a marine biologist or an ichthyologist. However, I then took (and almost failed) chemistry, so I gave up on that dream and switched to Japanese. However, I have still always LOVED aquariums and anything related to the oceans, especially since my favorite animals are sharks. A group of friends and I went to an aquarium in Ikebukuro, in a giant building called 'Sunshine City'. It was all the way on the ninth and tenth floors, at the top of the building. 

Compared to most zoos, it was actually kind of depressing. The animals were REALLY cramped, and some were in the most random places (why a ring-tailed lemur was in a tiny plot of land with ducks is a mystery to me). However, the best place was the giant tank, which had all kinds of rays and fish:

It was so pretty. I could have sat into front of the tank for hours and just watch all the animals swim. I really feel happiest near the water.

My 21st Birthday

So in Japan, the big-important birthday is 20. That's about it. Being an American, one's 21st birthday is a HUGE deal, in my opinion. You can pretty much do anything at that point (except rent a car, but I don't like driving much anyway). I was sad I wasn't able to have a real 21st birthday party, but I managed to put together a dinner party at a Mexican restaurant called Zest Cantina in Shibuya, mostly because Mexican food is the fountain of youth in Japan aka IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND. Sadly, the service / price was pretty shoddy, but I was so happy to have a lot of people around, and get a margarita for the first time. I even had buffalo wings!