Teenage Dirtbag

I went to coffee shop to kill time. I brought my laptop and listened music in my laptop randomly. Sudden a long forgotten song started. This song was in a movie I watched when I was a 2nd year in university. The movie was a stereotyped school happy-ending love-comedy and I don't think it was big hit, but was still my little favorite movie. I had forgot about this for long time, but the heroine from this movie was the person I wanted to be. Yes, I can't and don't want to be a blonded beauty. Where my favorite part of her was she rocks but knows how to enjoy her life without money. She took a boy to a dating and show him that they don't need money to have fun. I was teenage and had no money when I saw this movie.

I didn't care about this song that time, but 2year later my boyfriend at the time gave me a MD (haha). This song was in that songs he chose for me and I loved this song. He also told me the song was in the movie and I was surprised because that was the first time to find a person who watched the movie!

Hmmmm...then I'm listening this song again today. This song reminded me my teen days. Phew... it was a good day indulgging in reminiscences. Let's check the movie...I think the title was 'Loser'.

Japanese Great Man in United States

I organized my pictures in my laptop. Then I found a picture from NYC visit. This picture is portrait of Sakamoto Ryoma. I found this picture at Brooklyn museum. I was almost cry when I found this. I was surprised him being in Brooklyn, NY! How he came to there? Most Japanese admire him and how many American know him? I am one of who adore him. Surely he is a xenomania. I can tell. He tried to smuggle himself to United States. He was the first Japanese wore pairs of boots instead of sandals and got ringworm on his feet. He carried a gun with him despite his sword technique. But why are you in Brooklyn museum?

If you were a Japanese you must know him and admire him. I read him in novel, textbook, TV proram, manga, everywhere. He was born in 1836 at the end of the samurai period. He was a son of merchant in Tosa domain where class discrimination was strict. He made a big effort on Japanese modernism. Japanese goverment those days were closed our port from other countries (I mentioned before), but he inclucated that the goverment'd better open the port up otherwise Japane will be colonized by western countries.　He also said it was unavoidable to overthrow the Shogunate for this aim. So he had many political enemy and was fugitive for most of his life. He was assassinated on his 31st birthday. Although he couldn't see the ports opened to other countries, there was Meiji revolution next year and Japan has never been colonerized.

The text behind him is telling (I guess) "spirit of hero went into dream." Have a good dream, Ryoma!

Ready For Christmas!

Snow covered on ground last Saturday. We have snowing today again, now every thing is white. Okay, cyclorama (new word from theater class) is perfect for Christmas. From last weekend, everyone in the United States seemed to get ready for Christmas. I saw several cars went by with pine tree on its roof. This is not familiar in Japan. I also noticed the houses and stores decorated with illuminations in my neighborhood. My friend told me that 'winter is dark and cold which make us sad, but we have a most brilliant holiday that's remarkable.' That is true! I don't like snwing, but I love illuminations against snow. I will decorate our house this evening with my host family. We will put a tree, a wreath, lightings. We have lots of to do. Then we will be ready for Christmas!

New York, New Hat, New Jacket

I visited my friend in brooklyn this holiday weekend.
I walked around Manhattan last time I visit, I stayed in Brooklyn most time this visit. My friend showed me many place tourist don't go. Hip!! Taking subway and walking on streets is the New York life for me, it makes me feel myself like a city girl!

Day 1 (Thu) : I arrived at airport around noon on Thursday. Because it was Thanks Giving day, most stores were closed and my friend and I have nothing to do that night. So we decided to eat dinner out at italian restaurant (not turkey) and checked out some DVDs and watched it. I was bored little and thought it was not special thing of New York life nor Thanks Giving at all, I can do same thing in Minnesota...but he told me this is the thanks giving day. Okay okay, I can go around New York city next day......went to bed early.

Day 2 (Fri): I woke up around 7 and went woke my friend up to go out.....but he told me nothing is open till 10 and he went sleep again. So I decided to read book waiting him. Bored again. Here is tip 1; New York is late city. Don't go sleep early. Don't wake up early. New Yorker have only two meal a day...brunch and dinner. Well, I couldn't stand anymore and managed to bring my friend out from his apartment around 10 and we went to eastvillage in Manhattan and see our friends and branch. Then, no restaurant was open! My friend was right! Everybody were looking at me and 'See? New York is late city'...sorry, but I was so excited being in New York city. Well, my friends are good New Yorker so they found a restaurant was good, thank you! Then they took me to CBGB store, I didn't know that but CBGB was a famous music club and Ramones played first act there. Ok! I got a T-shirts! Then two friends needed to wash jeans so we said bye bye to them and headed to MoMA. This was second visit to there because I can tell MoMA is my favorite museum in the world for now. I can live there and sleep in front of Sleeping Gypsy. But we left Moma of course and walked to Eastvillage to see laundry-finished-friends again and have dinner at Indian restaurant then went to drink Sake.

Day 3 (Sat): I woke up early again, I don't know why. Maybe I was still excited being in New York. So I waited my friend to wake up again. Bored again. I should have gone out by myself. Why I didn't think about it? Anyway I waited, it seemed forever. And I waited till my friend woke up around 11.
We went to Williamsburg that day.
I waited my friend finishing his DJ work till 4am. I slept

Day 4 (Sun): At last I learned to sleep till noon. Now I can be a New Yorker, right? And ate out brunch (like New Yorker), walked around Park Slope. I enjoyed brown stones and small shops on the streets. We went to free market in his neighborhood. My friend bought a sock monkey for me. Because I told him my favorite thing lately is sock monkey. He (sock monkey) is a typical sock monkey I imagined, in jeans.

Day 5 (Mon): Woke up 4 in morning. It was the return day to Minnesota. I took plane from New Ark. Nornal days started...sad. But I will be back soon, New York! Because I fell in love with you, New York city!

The Big Issue

I visited one of my favorite website today. I read today was a weekly content that famous people introduce their five favorite books (or magazine).
The person of this week was Kami Hiraiwa an actress in Japan. She introduces the magazine 'the big issue'. I didn't know this magazine, so I was impressed when I know the purpose of this magazine. You can't get this magazine at bookstore. The only way to buy this magazine is homeless people. This is a project to help homeless people to get a job and work. I don't think It is good for homeless people to give money. That can't help them in the true sense of the term. What should we do is to help that people to get job.

Pompeii

I had a class 'life and death in Pompeii' at Concordia Uiniversity Saint Paul. This class was connected to the exhibition at Minnesota Science Museum.

Later I know that the father of my host child's friend helped designing volcano map. He teaching volcano in a college. There was a big map showing where we have volcanoes in the world with red LED. Japan was perfectory red and it made me scared.

Interview: Takeshi Kitano

Takeshi Kitano is a famous Japanese film director or a comedian known the world over . I don't know him very much. But I found an article of his comment about Japanese culture in Western culture at MSN news and was very interesting, so I'd like to try translate it below.

Q: Recently, western people use a word 'Cool Japan' and Japanese contemporary culture tend to be accepted by them actively. Do you feel this movement as a producer of this kind of culture when you are in abroad country?

The first time I went to abroad, Japan was thought as a small Asian country which defeated in war. After that, I think we were considered that we got a great economic glowth and had money as well. However I came to go to abroad as a director in 1990's, I felt the chenge how I was treated. When I went to the film festival in Venice, related parties treated me respectfully and many people asked me my autograph or picture with me when I walked around the city. They were happy with my autograph. This remind me how we treated European people in Japan decade ago. Then naturally I realized I don't need to abase myself, and felt I am recognized to many people.

Q: Why do you think Japanese culture is accepted in western culture?

well, Japanese are good with details for everything, I mean precise. You will get if you compare Japanese food to junk food from United States. It can happen that I can't eat sushi at a sushi bar in France beside of Japanese food fad. They looks Sushi, but they were not, like French understand nothing about sushi! See, only Japanese can make sushi. Japanese chef told me 'those are just a mess'. There is such a big difference.
　the culture in such 隣近所を意識するような国はcontries are precise. I don't think it still works no longer though.　Hollywood movie goes like 'How many people watches?' Trying to gather people, nothing is better than 'knockabout'. Using CG and explosion! They are fun あれは確かにディズニーランド的でいいからと思うんだよね」
　However, I think Japan can exist because of the United States. Also in Cultural side. We need the United States. We need Desney land, Mcdonaldo and KFC. They make Japanese culture shine out standing in contrast. Both culture are related each other, not independent. We usually 'compare to' something when thinking of the things. It is same when we think about Japanese culture, we compare this to American culture, I think. I am sure that 'broad' American culture is neccesary, so opposite Japanese culture are accepted to those countries.

Stronge Than Me

Amy Winehouse is my new favorite singer. But I know only one song she sings. I play her CD in my car(I mean my host's car), but my host kids don't let her sing other song. because they love only one song. It made me addictred. The title of the song is 'Stronger than me'. This song goes....

You should be stronger than me
You been here 7 years longer than me
Don't you know you supposed to be the man,
Not pal in comparison to who you think I am,

You always wanna talk it through - I don't care!
I always have to comfort you when I'm there
But that's what I need you to do - stroke my hair!

Cos' I've forgotten all of young love's joy,
Feel like a lady, but you my lady boy,

You should be stronger than me,
But instead you're longer than frozen turkey,
Why'd you always put me in control?
All I need is for my man to live up to his role,
Always wanna talk it through- I'm ok,
Always have to comfort you every day,
But that's what I need you to do - are you gay?

He said 'the respect I made you earn -
Thought you had so many lessons to learn'
I said 'You don't know what love is - get a grip!' -
Sounds as if you're reading from some other tired script

I'm not gonna meet your mother anytime
I just wanna rip your body over mine
So tell me why you think that's a crime

I've forgotten all of young love's joy
Feel like a lady, but you my lady boy
You should be stronger than me.....

My children, 2 and 4 years girl and boy sings this song(almost all!) every morning and afternoon! I didn't know this song. But after hearing the kids sang this song, I became a fan of her! Because 4 year-old boy sang ' You been here 7 years longer than me. Don't you know you supposed to be the man' emotionally. Also 2 year-old girl was trying to sing. That was so cute!


Chenging the subject, I sometime think Amy Winehouse and our teacher Lisa looks like to each other....no?

The Minnesota State Fair

The Minnesota State Fair is held for two weeks until Labor day in Saint Paul. I heard that the Minnesota State Fair is the largest State Fair in United States. I don't know if that is true or not, but the fair was huge! Everything in the states is big for me, so I have I wouldn't be surprised at what I see anymore. But I was! I can't understand why you keep such a vast land for State Fair held only for two weeks. If you try to do the same thing in Japan, everyone would get mad and send complaint letters to governors! Anyway, the Fair was huge and I couldn't see everything in there. It takes several days to see everyting in the Fair.

I went there with my host family. My host kids love animals and I am an Animal Science student, so we focused on the farm area. First, we went to 'The Miracle of Birth' barn to see the moms and baby animals. This was my host mom's favorite part. They gathered pregnant animals in this barn such as cows, horses, pigs, goats, sheeps, and ducks. They were giving birth everyday during the fair. You can attend a birth if you are lucky. We didn't have that oppotunity, but we could touch all different kind of animal babies. They were warm, cozy and tiny objects.

There was several barns for each farm animal, horses, cows, and pigs. My favorite one was the cattle barn. There were many breeds I'd never seen. I was so excited! And there was a competition. The farmers combed their cow's fur and trimmed their hooves. The cattles in my school farm were always dirty. I don't think they never trimmed thir fur. Therefore the cattles in the barn were so beautifu for me.

My host kid's favorite was the horse barn because he loves horses, but he was scared when he saw real one. When we entered the barn, the mountain police from Canada was getting ready for the parade. Each policeman had a horse. We could see how they harnessed the horses. They were also beautiful in the harnesses with the maple trademark on their hips. After making a roll call, they went to the parade.

The Fair also had some rides. We rode on the gondola. We could see everything in the fair from the sky. But I couldn't see where the end of the fair was because the fair was huge.

After that, we got a famous cookie bucket for $13, which were delicious! I wish I could buy these cookies anytime I want. I loved them. I can't wait the fair next year. I can't wait for seeing farm animals and eating yummy cookies again!

Fashion Check!

We have some big colleges in my neighborhood and many college students live around my house. Some of them pass by my house in the morning and late afternoon. My secret hobby is to check their fasions through the window. I have two favorite students who have good senses of fashion. They have good hats, jackets, shirts, pants and shoes, and know how to use them very well.

One of them is a boy who passes my house around 7:30 by bicycle. This is the time when I'm feeding the kids, so I can check him out from my kitchen window every morning. But he goes so fast down the street, that checking his style is difficult. Also I can't see him when I am busy with the kids. But most days I check him out. I cannot tell how he looks, because he passes so fast, but I think he is cute... Anyway, I am sure that he is the best dresser in my neighborhood. I can give him a prize!

The other is a girl I see when I get back from the busstop after saying bye-bye to the boys. Around 9:00 is the time she comes out from her house. She is so pretty, has big round eyes and very short red hair. Also, she has a good sense of fashion! There is a proverb 'Heaven doesn’t hand out double servings', but God gave her style and sense! Hey godess, that's not fair, give me either one of them!

This is why I enjoy my neighborhood. It's a secret!

Go Wilds Go!!!

Winter is coming! Winter is coming! Are you ready for winter? I'm almost ready.

To start my winter in Minnesota, I went to Xcel Enagy to watch Wild's game. The Wilds is an ice hockey team we have. Newspapers say the Wild is not good this season and predict 4th out of 5 teams in the league. But, I support you, Wilds! To tell the truth, this is my first time to go to ice hockey game in United States.

It was my first time to go to Xcel Energy, I was surprised because the stadium was huge! There were about 18000 audience coming to see the game. And what's more, the opening of the game was amazing. You should go and see it!

When the game started, I watched the game eating french fries and popcorn. In the first quarter, Wild was tried to shoot many times. But the goaly was great! #23!! He saved all shoots!

Ofcourse Wild won the game 2-0. It made me so happy. And the goaly won the number one player for this game! I am his fan now!

Express more!

I found out that to express myself is the hardest thing for me in the United States. I don't tell many things. This is because I don't think that to tell everything to other peoples is always the best way . So sometimes people think I am shy, but I'm not, I just don't want to express myself out loud.

I was surprised how people express their feelings a lot when I moved to United States. Americans, Brazilians, Mexicans...everyone except Japanese. They laugh a lot, are quick to cry, and get angry everyday. I thought this is too much. You may say this Japanese girl has no emotion, but this is my way. Why do you need to tell everything out loud?

Sometimes my friends tell me 'I talk to you and you just listen. Don't you want to tell me something?' But I answer them 'No, that's okay. I enjoy your story and I have nothing to tell you now. I will start talking when I have something to tell you.' Just because the different how many stories do you have you want to share with your friends.

I think this is a part of Japanese culture, we are good at reading the minds of others. We guess what the others are thinking about. Then we find out what we can do for the person. I think most of Japanese do this way. But in the United States, if you don't say anything, nobody understands you. This is the difference. In Japan Silence is Golden.

EDIT:
I went to Minnesota Science museum this weekend and found the Einstein's saying on a mugcup. It goes
If A equals success, then the formula is A = X + Y + Z.
X is work.
Y is play.
Z is keep your mouth shut

I Am From

I am from islands where the sun rises from
Surrounded by wild waves and deep forest where hundreds of gods live
Samurais who fought for their honors

I am from the small barbarshop where my grandpa cut my hair
The dark closet I hid when I felt sad
The worm hugs of grandma game when she found me in there

I am from the sunset shore I walked along with my grand parents
The wild field where grandma grew hens and vegitables
The dark factory where grandpa made clothes

I am from the uncountable steps on the mountains dad took me to
The cold winds we felt on our faces
The white flowers we sketched on our sketchbooks

I am from the dogrun mama made in our backyard
The allergies that made my sneeze
Sad tesrs I shed for death of pets

I am from secret baseI made on a hill with my sisters
Sour orenge picked from orchard there
Unexploded bomb we found on our adventure

I am from every single piece of land I have stepped on

My First English Book

I finished a book 'Parvana's journey'!
This is the first English book I finished reading. I'm so exited and proud of myself.

This story was a kind of sad story about the war occured in Afghanistan. The story made me think about war vs. women and children. I didn't know what's happen in Afghanistan actually, just knew surface news from TV. So this story gave me information about inner side of this war.

I think I can start next English book.

My Persistence

Thinking my every little things, there occers my persistence. I can't accept anything but agree my persistence. It is difficult to explain that, but it exist. It can be cute, but not too cute. It can be colorful, but not too much. It can be simple, but needs something special.

To have examples is easier. I have a this lap-top. This is a lap-top from panasonic, silver, simple one. My persistence to this lap-top is customized. I don't know very much about computer, but I don't like to buy store one. So I asked my friend who loves computers (He is a kind of Otaku), and he made me a ordinal lap-top for me! So I love this lap-top and I will use this until it is broken. This have all programs I need, beautiful shape, and perfect performance! This lap-top is only for me!

When I buy clothings, I don't care if things have brand name or not. My rule is to buy good things with less money, just like target motto 'eat well pay less'. So I love to buy used clothings. Used clothings are sometime good and cheap most times. My clothings now I keeping is almost used. I sometimes buy new shirts, pants, and jacket, but everytime my favolite one is used. They are unique!

This is my persistence.

Bear Hunt

This weekend was the last official summer vacation... What did you do??
I had a great experience! My host family brought me bear hunting!! I didn't hunt but I went to campsites with hunters.

We left our house at 9 am on Friday and after 6 hours drive, we got a camp site 1 hour drive from Grand Maraise. My host mama's sister and her husband own land there. The campsite was on the highland, so I felt cold there. My host mama and her stepdad took me on a short trip on a four wheeler. It was amazing! There was nothing but trees, lakes and rocks on the field. There were several swamps and you can see moose sometimes. Unfortunately I couldn't find them that time. I've never seen them before, I really wanna see them oneday. Then we pass by the dead tree forest, where there was a fire years ago. That view reminds me of the Lorax by Dr. Seuss.

The bear hunt started on Saturday morning. The hunters fed bears for a month for this 3 day hunt. They put oil on their body so the bear cannot smell them, dressed in camouflage outfits, and brought their gun on four-wheelers, then they went to hunt.

How Can I Enjoy Minnesota?

Now summer is leaving and autumn is coming. I'm little sad because I like to play outside. I really enjoyed camping this first summer in Minnesota. Minnesota has a lot of state parks, which I love! I enjoyed canoeing, camping in tents and campers, and the beautiful views. My favorite season, autumn, is now coming. I love to see the leaves change colors and feel breezes. Minnesota is a such wonderful state has many things to do in nature, so I can really enjoy it here.

I came to Minnesota late in March. So I don't know how cold here in winter time. But everyone told me that the winter in Minnesota is very cold and dark. But I played curling for 5 years, when I was University student. I know Saint Paul has a big and old curling club. I want to join them. I think it is the best way to enjoy winter in Minnesota for me!

Camping at State Park

I went camping with my friends this weekends!　It was my first time for me to camp in United States.

First, we went to Inter state state park and canue down a St. Croix river. This two hours ride gives me a beautiful moment.

Friend from Chicago

My friend from Chicago came to Minnesota last week to see me. She sent me some pictures today which were so cute, so I decided to put some of them on my blog.

She is an Aupair at Chicago same as me and we were on same airplane to come to United States. She arrived at Minneapolis/St. Paul airport on 18th (Sat) morning and left Sunday night.

Being a Twin is Difficult!

I have two sisters and a brother. One of my sisters and I are identical twins. Her name is Nodoka which means 'peace'. Mine stands for 'happiness'. I was born 15 minutes after her. We were always together since before we were born.

Some people say that twins have a special ability. I don't know if it is true or not, but we have several experiences being twins. One time when I was singing a song in my mind, my sister came over to me and sung same part of same song! It happen several times.

We were interested in the same things when we were elementary school students. Our favorite subjects were paints and science, especially we were interested in animals and nature things. We liked same cloths, food, color, toy, and boys! Our interests, faces and shapes were so similar. Because of this reason, we fought a lot of times. And what's more, everyone around us compared us. The scores of our tests were especiallyour huge stress. We cannot mark the same score. So there was always a winner and looser. We hated that. So my mother decided to separate us. We went to different junior high and high school. Then everything have changed. Our characterestics and interests became different. I'm now studying animal science and Nodoka is studying German history.

But still the root of our interest is the same. I'm now coming to United States as an Aupair and she was Aupair in Germany two years ago. We are so interested in other cultures and curious about all different kind of things. When I face the torouble, I send e-mail to her and she gives me advice. Her advice encourage me a lot! Because she was an Aupair. My twin knows both preasure and difficulties being Aupair.

We are far from each other now because I'm here in Minnesota, but I believe our hearts are very close! Just because we are twins!!!

The Most Beautiful Sight

I have several beautiful sight I can't forget. One of them is a beautiful snow in Hokkaido.

I was a student in Hokkaido for 5 years. Hokkaido is a nothern island of Japan. The winter in Hokkaido is very cold and we have heavy snow in winter time. I am from Shizuoka and we don't have snow there, so my first winter in Hokkaido was wonderful and surprising for me.

One my first winter morning in Hokkaido, I woke up with surprise.Everything around my house looked different. Everything was white, but they had colors until the day before. Andthere was silence. there were no car, no people, nothing was moving. I didn't have any class that day, so I called my friend and drove to Furano, which is famous for beautiful view. Getting out from the car, and we couldn't talk. We saw white fields against a backdrop of the blue sky, and white trees on the horizon. Mt. Taisetsu stood behind us. The view was huge and we were tiny. We just stood in silence.

My Sweet Home

I live with my host family. They let me use one room with a bed, desk, and TV. My room is small, but I like my room. I didn't know why I like my room until I traveled to MoMA in New York last week. The museum has some Henri Matisse. He is my favorite painter. I was so impressed when I saw his 'the blue window' and 'the red studio' because they have beautiful blues and reds. I noticed I have these two colors in my room! My room has Matisse blue walls, curtains, and sheets. I also have Matisse red carpet candy jar, and candles. They mach the white desk and shelves. So I really love my room now!

Another space I like in the house is the backyard. Taking care of children is my job. I like to play with kids in the backyard because I can feel the time pass quickly. We choose what we do everyday. Basket ball, golf, soccer, bicicle, swimming pool, sand box, slide, or swing. Whichever we choose, we can really enjoy! I think the backyard has a magical power to make us happy.

Eating Dolphins

I am from Shizuoka. Shizuoka is aprefecture by Mt. Fuji, so we can see the mountain everyday. My city is famous for its fishing port. We can eat fresh fish and shellfish everyday. We can eat delicious sashimi or sushi everytime we want. Yummm....I miss sushi!!! Sometimes we eat dolphins! I didn't know that the meat I ate sometimes was dolphin, so I cried when I realized that was dolphin!!! I can't eat dolphin now because they are so cute and smart!!

New York

Hey guys! I am now in NewYork!!
I went to Cony Island today and there was a free rock concert there! It really rocked!!!!

Japan

What do you imagine when you think about Japan? Sushi, Tempura, Samurai, Kimonos? Do you think it is a very different country? Yes, Japan is different from other countries. We have old and new culture. We mixed them up and made another new culture.

We closed all our ports until we opened trade in 1868 except only one port for official ships. We kept only old Japanese culture. But after trade opened up, we began to import new culture. It was a big big change. In fact, we didn't eat meat and always wore kimonos before that. After that, Japanese people tried to eat meat, wear dresses or pants. They made up new dishes from new materials brought by European people with Japanese taste. Sukiyaki for example, is a Japanese famous meat dish. I think Japanese are flexible to new things now because of this big change in 1868.

I am...

My name is Miyuki,
I'm from japan,
I've been U.S. for 3 monthes.
I am a Au pair in Saint Paul now and I am taking care of two children.
I'm studying animal science at graduate school in japan and especially interested in animal hygiene and animal breeding.
I like to watch movies, listen to music, and go shopping!!

Nice to meet you!!!!