Yeah, that's interesting about the racism, but Japan is historically isolationist and such so it makes sense.
I'm looking forward to you being home again though, dude. Can't wait for all the stuff we need to do together, too.
Not sure what the hell I was on when I was using the name "Dunco" in that last comment! (Duncan is my middle name, some people use it as a nickname...)
Anyway, I'm Ashley, but I usually just go by "Ash" as last time I was in Japan there was a bit of confusion from the assumption that it's a female-only name, whereas here in Australia it seems to be more common for males.
Cheers heaps for the info regarding the international residence! At least the curfew thing doesn't sound too strict. Heh and I was wondering if anyone had rigged the aircon to run for free, I'm guessing the ol' 100-yen-on-a-string trick wouldn't work. No biggie though, was just a bit surprised when I read about it. And I have a train line about 20 metres from my front door here so the noise shouldn't be a problem.
I'm arriving on April 1 (some shitty JASSO requirement, so I miss a day or two of orientation) but Otis should be arriving at least a few days earlier than me.
Thanks again! Catch up with ya soon.
Looks like your having a blast dude. I like creating soundtracks for myself with my iPod too :P You' re lucky with the temperature down South there - went from a nice wintery warmth on the weekend to freeeezing wear-scarf-or-die in kyoto yest. Keep rockin' .
Are you Odis or Ashleigh?
Yes, we have a midnight curfew. It's pretty easy to get around...you can either sneak out after hours and have someone leave a door open for you when you get back (if you're gonna be gone til like four or summat partying), or you can just sign out, saying that you're staying at someone's house, then call someone and have them let you in when you're coming home. I sign out most of the time. If you sign out, the night guard isn't responsible for you any more; so if you sneak out and do something illegal, and get caught, it's partly the night guard's fault. If you sign out, do something illegal and get caught, it's just yours and the university's fault. You can wake up the night guard at night with a ringer, and they don't get pissed if you've signed out; but if you've snuck out, they get heaps pissed.
The aircon is coin-operated, but most of the rooms have hacked machines so it's technically free. Mine isn't one of those. Fuck.
There's also a trainline that's just behind the dorm, about ten meters out. It's loud at first, but you get used to it within the first month. No worries.
Anyway, looking forward to meeting ya!
Curfew? O_o Whoa, what the faaaaaaaaaaark?!
Heh I've applied to study at Kumamoto this year, commencing in a few months, so I've gone searching online for any information about the international dormitory at KGU. There's a freakin curfew?! That's messed up, man. Not that I'm a raging party animal (despite having my moments) but I'm naturally a night owl and tend to go for night-time walks to get a snack, or just for the hell of it, or whatever. I can't remember where I read it but I was under the impression there's someone on the door 24 hours a day.
And is it true the aircon is coin-operated? :P Hehe.
I found this blog post because I was jamming to DJ Splash and I thought to myself, "Techno is the instant gratification of music." I thought this was a clever quote, so I wanted to see if anyone else had said it. A Google search turned up this blog post. Funny that you were saying the complete opposite in your post! I would like to end by saying that I love electronic music with all my heart and soul, but I still think that techno, specifically, is the instant gratification of music.
Forest and mountains get old, eh? I've been thinking about it...and I don't know if I want to leave here now. I always used to think about Europe and have day dreams of living there. I guess Montana has woven a kind of spell around me though.
Anyway, glad you love it there, bro. It makes me happy you found some place you really enjoy and wouldn't mind living in. Seeya.
right o I can only wish that people could all see through the eyes that you and me seem to both see through. This is spot on shit and I think once you realize this you will be changed forever.
here here! thought this was specifically a travel blog but this is fine by me. I can't believe that you only know one person who appreciates "electronic" music! I understand your anger and frustration about matter completely though lol, TRUST ME.
Speaking of such music, the line-up for Big Day Out 2009 in Oz has just been announced and I am pretty over the moon about it, though I would be a little more so if Radiohead had been on it like I had expected them to be lol. Pendulum, the Prodigy, Cut Copy and Simian Mobile Disco almost make up for it though.
Love the pics of the clouds and the no smoking/"got wood" sign :P
sounds like you're having a kick arse time! Awesome Daft Punk tee by the way, double thumbs up!
im happy to see that you are having a killer time. I think i know that kid with the grey sweatshirt in your kings cup picture, is he from kalispell?
please do rant about electronic music. someone needs to do it, and people need to listen.
Bwahaha. Hey, whats up?
I read all of it though it was fun/easy to understand for me:) Thanx baby! Btw, you liked the new dictionary? Well I'm looking foward to reading your next blog! Please keep it going, peace!!!
Lol! I apologize for Canada's sucky behavior, but that's what you get for traveling through a socialist state. Your trip seems like it's off to a good start, even though it might not seem that way now you'll be able to laugh about it later.
Try not to break your curfew too many times; you're not an ambassador, and therefor, don't have diplomatic immunity. And as for sending you a cake, I already told you that would be like $200. Ah well, peace, love and tickles!
~Dylan
Jeezus, you poor kids! The flight stuff sounds like a total disaster. But at least you made it into the country alive and didn't get eaten by the Cannibaladians! MIDNIGHT curfew for dorms? That sucks BIG time! Just bring the booze back to your rooms, problem semi-solved? XP
May I just say for the millionth trillionth time that I am insanely jealous that you are in Japan while I am stuck in boring old Melbourne? 'Coz I AM!!! Make SURE you make the most of every minute or I'll be forced to trade places with you :P
Going to Japan is a fun idea. Lots of places to vacation, lots of historical and cultural things to see, ya? Well, I am going to be here for eleven months, which means I get to see all of it, experience all of it. Hopefully I will have time and energy enough to keep this thing updated on a quasi-regular basis so check back every few days for new entries!... full info
craken
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Yeah, that's interesting about the racism, but Japan is historically isolationist and such so it makes sense. I'm looking forward to you being home again though, dude. Can't wait for all the stuff we need to do together, too.