Totally Tokyo

And let the podcasting begin!

2008-01-07T04:04:00.000+09:00

Click To Play

International travelers living in Philadelphia have thier first attempt at their (hopeful) semi weekly show. Meeting in Tokyo, having been raised in New Zealand, Sweden and the States these friends are now living as roommates and partying perhaps a little too much... but hey it makes for a good podcast!

Travels in India

2007-04-25T16:10:00.000+09:00

Hello world,

Hello world,

Since April 19th, I have been in India. Started out in Delhi and then flew to Chennai, traveled by over night train, and now I am in south India in a city called Dindigul. I am with my International Development and NGO class working along side M.S. S. R. Foundation. An NGO that has been using science and information technology to help improve the livelihood of indivudals who live in proverty.
81% of the population of India lives on less than 2 dollars a day. 2/3 of India's population lives not in the cities, but in over 550,00 villages.
I am experiencing something that a blog cannout capture, but at least I can try. I have been working in a village and playing with slum kids. I have seen the improvment of villages but the demise of cities. I have seen infrastructure that I cannot tell if it is demolished/abandomed or being constructed. Either way, the change is not happening fast enough for the number of lives that this country holds.
I am in charge of a blog that my class is keeping, and it would be wonderful if you could check out what we have been witnesses to.
This is a beautiful country, wonderful landscape, and great people. Learn about the world.

http://tujstudents-india07.blogspot.com

from the future,

Stephanie

Travels

2007-04-03T01:32:00.000+09:00

I had some life changing moments since the last post. All positive. Including a visit that made me the happiest girl in the world. I got to share this wonderful city with two two loves of my life, mom and dad. And I think after they master the trains and the chop sticks and the toilets, they really enjoyed themselves!

Pictures are from our journies to:
Hiroshima
Miyajima

Enjoy!

Work Photos

2007-03-04T22:15:00.000+09:00

It is been a looong time blogger. How are you doing? Well i hope.

I have been very busy with work, school and exploring. Work has sent me to a few night clubs, fashion shows, DJs houses to take photos and make video clips. Here are a few of my works from the past month, hope you enjoy!

From the future,

Stephanie

January Extravaganza!

2007-01-24T22:37:00.000+09:00

I have not been keeping up with my post as I should be considering all of the stuff that I have already managed to get my self involved with.
Last Friday was TUJ's semesterly Sake tasting. Where we learn the history of sake, and also saw several tradition Japanese artists (shamisen player, shinto calligraphy artist, traditional dancers) where I meet a lot of new kids and I got to hang out with Sei and Shinsuke who are the modern day calligraphy artists that paint and write off of emotion, they are friends I meet at last years sake tasting.
As it has been known, I celebrated my 21st birthday. In addition to my birthday, there have been a handful of close friends birthdays, including my "Dokyo-nin" (roommate) Bree! For a celebration we went to a funk concert, put on by the fantastic Osaka Monaurail. We had the pleasure of meeting the lead singer last November at another concert of theirs. It was at that point we told him we would celebrate our 21st birthdays at their January concert. And guess who remembered? Saw us and gave us a Happy Birthday greeting on stage? Yep, your right, the lead singer.
The day after that concert I found myself at another show. It was a Japanese jam band with american rock and roll influence and psychedelic passion, Majestic Circus. It was an amazing show which I will remember always because the music and venue and crowd were perfect that night!
Also this past weekend, I was requested to film and take pictures of a Pride Fighting World Tournament. I got a press pass and had a seat right against the ring at a venue in Shinjuku. I have never been to anything like it before and I enjoy every minute of this stylized intense and passionate fighting genre.
As I have been told before, I need more pictures and less words, so here are the pictures... Enjoy!

Internationally Celebrating My 21st

2007-01-16T00:17:00.000+09:00

**Just a little warning before there are any pictures, just keep in mind that it was my 21st birthday, that is my only excuse**

So I couldn't have asked for a better birthday weekend. 1 st the uStar bash, and then Bryan and I celebrated our birthdays!! We told as many new, old, Japanese, American, school, out school friends as we possibly could about our birthday, and to our surprise: they all showed up! We met everyone at Nakano Station and cracked open a bottle of bourbon (a gift from Sei!) and waited for everyone else. We then walked to a karaoke room (which conveniently enough was an all you could drink bar!! ), where we thought we would have to get separate rooms, but we manage to squeeze everyone in to one room (but in a few hours we will have taken over another room, and invite random strangers in to our party room from other rooms). The night was filled with people meeting people, drinks all around, dance parties, standing on booths, on tables, and singing like there would be no tomorrow! Songs ranged from: Japanese duets, 80's pop, 90s trash, 70s rock, songs to set the mood, songs we didn't hear b/c we were too busy dancing, it was mayhem and still beautiful! In the end I remeber everything, and I didn't end up near the toilet or in jail!

However, in PA.....

In PA my family took "me" out as a surprise and things didn't go to smoothly! I puked, got into fights and the eagles lost on my birthday!
I think the family birthday celebration is one of the funniest things I have seen and I am glad my family drank at midnight and had just has much fun as I did!!

Enjoy the pic (I think you will be able to tell which ones are where in the world....)

Bryan and I are both Jan. 14th Birthdays!~

Japan Part Ni!

2007-01-15T22:36:00.000+09:00

Here we are, the exploring has started again and this place is still just as fascinating and wonderful as ever.
Classes have started, more work than last year, but I am fine with that because I want to keep balanced.
The apartment is Ab. Fab. and living with Bree has turned into living in a constant Girls Camp sleepover, complete with interactive activities and sleeping on the floor! And our town is amazing, and so close to downtown Nakano which is beautiful! (we have a 99 yen store open 24 hours that is a complete grocery store! oh! it is heaven!)
My internship has started, and I have already been in the middle of a lot of happenings and a ton of meet and greets. It is fun to be a part of and it is fun to watch a company start off the ground, especially in the social scene and in a giant city like Tokyo and dealing with PR clubs music fashion, I am so excited. uStar.com hosted a club event at Eggman in Shibuya, and I filmed the 4 bands that played and then I got invited to an after party with everyone that has a hand or two in the launch of this. As the site launches and there is more news I will fill you in. Check it out in the mean time at : www.ustar.jp
*it is a beta version, working on a ton of things right now, but feel free to sign up and give me comments about things you want to see, to change, to get rid of etc.

Here are pics from the show and the after party dinner.

From the future,

Stephanie

Goodbye 2006 and USA

2007-01-06T21:36:00.000+09:00

I just returned back to Nihon, Japan, after spending three weeks and some odd days in the States, between West Chester and Philadelphia. I spent most of the time letting my body and mind rehabilitate and just tried to surround myself family, and trying to be in Philly with Thom as much as our schedules allowed. It was wonderful to have a break from Japan and see just how much I have discovered about the world and myself and then I get to go back and put my new found information to use. Being home, and seeing how much I need those relationships in my life made it even harder to leave. I felt like I needed to apologize for leaving yet again. However, I did get to see a handful of my friends from Japan in America, and it is fantastic to know that I can have fun with these kids any where in the world. This break I went to a concert that couldn't have been more suited for me and my new relationships, went to a DJ party, met new people, got to see old friends, met new wives, saw family members and celebrated holidays, rode my bike, ate pizza and brought in the new year with some crazy kids! Here is a collage of my winter break:

Flanagan Family Christmas

2007-01-06T21:33:00.000+09:00

I am so glad that I was home for the holidays, it really made a difference mentally and emotionally. Seeing my family, I am reminded of how I need a constant supply of their personalities to remain myself. Here is a unique collage I photoshoped up from the Christmas dinner my parents wonderfully hosted.

"American Music"

2006-12-16T11:57:00.000+09:00

Do you like amercan music
I like american music
don't you like american music baby
I want you to hold me
I want your arms around me
I want you to hold me baby
did you do too many drugs
I did too many drugs
did you do too many drugs too baby
you were born too late
I was born too soon
but every time I look at that ugly moon
it reminds me of you
it reminds me of you ooh ooh ooh
I need a date to the prom
would you like to come along
but nobody would go to the prom with me baby
they didn't like american music
they never heard american music
they didn't know the music was in my soul baby

Ok... enough of the Violent Femmes lyrics. I am home in America now. Break has started, but more importantly: Fall 2006 Study Abroad TUJ has come to an end.

I have made relationships that are so powerful and I know these people will be in my life forever. This exposure to Japan and Asian culture has opened up a curiousty that I only want to contiune exploring. I have found so many loves from people, to enviornments. I feel lucky and honored every day. I will always have the impact that these relationships have left, and I am able to come back to Japan for another semester. A semester that will be different than this one that just concluded. I will be working in Shibuya for a Tokyo based website launching in the begining of the year, I am living in an apartment near the transportation and nightlife area of Shinjuku. Truely an independent experience. However, nothing will every compare to sharing a space with people that have become my best friends. Being able to feed off of their explorations and curiousity of Japan allowed me to discover twice as much (or 70 times as much) than I would have on my own. Sakura House was an amazing experience. Everyday I will miss living with my friends.

It is great to be at home and to see everyone that I love. It is a great feeling to see everything that is stable in my life. I am glad to be celebrating the holidays with my family that I have missed so much. in my house, which is so beauitful and cozy especially this time of the year. I can't wait to celebrate New Year with Thom and all of my friends from philly.

Jan 5th, Watch out Japan.... I am coming back!

Change of plans...

2006-12-04T10:10:00.000+09:00

Going to Temple University, I was aware of their abroad programs and how easy it was, being a Temple Student, to go abroad. When I orginally applied for Temple University Japan, I only had plans to stay one semester. And then once I was here, and became compeltly curious by the cutlure, in love with the city, and found amazing relationships, I applied to stay for the entire school year. While registering for class, I realized a class was being offered that would allow me to learn about non profit orgainzations, and then at the end of the semester I would be sent to India to work along side of one. I applied, and got accepted! More to it then that, Phillp Morris (that fabulous company) is paying for me to go! And when I saw pay, I mean flight, housing, food, admission fees, etc!
So here I am , going to back in the states in a few days, but now I am going to be returning back to Japan, and before I head home for good, I will be off to India! So I have had a change of plans, but I can only hope that means more memories, more impacts, more amazing oppurtunities!

Here is a little but more about the class I am taking:
NGOs and International Development
This course will give the students a comparative overview of development theory, with a focus on Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) in/and South Asia. The students will be introduced to the main theoretical perspectives in development studies and encouraged to view development issues from various viewpoints, including the social, economic, political, and historical. The concept of "development" itself, as well as the interlocking set of circumstances that have helped make certain states developed and kept others from becoming developed will be discussed and the impact of globalization on poverty, and the situation of the absolute poor, will be highlighted. Two weeks of NGO volunteer work in India at a designated time after the end of the semester The grant from Phillip Morris will cover students’ travel to India and back, local transportation within India, lodging, food, admission fees, etc. Students will be responsible for their own incidentals, souvenir purchases, film and other personal expenses.

Faced Death by Fugu

2006-12-02T11:21:00.000+09:00

Takifugu is a genus of pufferfish, often better known by the Japanese name Fugu (Japanese: 河豚, literally "river pig").
The fish is highly toxic, but despite this — or perhaps because of it — it is considered a delicacy in Japan. The fish contains lethal amounts of the poison tetrodotoxin in the internal organs, especially the liver and the ovaries, but also in the skin and the testicles. Therefore, only specially licensed chefs can prepare and sell fugu to the public, and the consumption of the liver and ovaries is forbidden. But because small amounts of the poison give a special desired sensation on the tongue, these parts are considered the most delicious by some gourmets. Every year a number of people die because they underestimate the amount of poison in the consumed fish parts.

The poison paralyzes the muscles while the victim stays fully conscious, and eventually dies from asphyxiation. There is currently no antidote, and the standard medical approach is to try to support the respiratory and circulatory system until the effect of the poison wears off. The fish is also featured prominently in Japanese art and culture.

**Compliments of Wikipedia.org

I ate it, I loved, and it was delicious!!

(let's hope it doesn't have a delayed reaction.... :) )

Roundabout

2006-11-27T04:19:00.000+09:00

Last Wednesday "Roundabout" premired at the TUJ campus. The show went wonderfully and it was so much fun to do live, the audience really made a difference. Friends and classmates came out, it was great! Here are a few pictures from the show (Thanks Stefano!)

Centerfold Star!

2006-11-14T14:51:00.000+09:00

So in tokyo I have:
Been interviewed by the news
made it on YouTube

and now I am a center fold star in a popular womens magazine here in Japan!

Oh Japan, you are treating me so well...

Tokyo Theater!

2006-11-09T21:01:00.000+09:00

Hello everyone, now I know if you are reading this from anywhere besides Tokyo, you may not come, but if you invest in a plane ticket it will be greatly appreciated and I will have a place for you to stay!

**Warning I did not write this flyer**

Scenes from "Roundabout" by Arthur Schnitzler

Wednesday November 22nd at 7:30pm

Mita Hall Room #503

Directed by: Robert Tsonos

Starring; Sara Van Buren, Mario Acito, Bryan Mathews,
Stephanie Flanagan, Tina Brunner

Join us for a selection of scenes from "Roundabout".
A tale of love, obsession, and pleasure staged in turn-of-the-century Vienna.
At times droll, romantic, or bittersweet, "Roundabout" is as charming and as fluffy
as fresh whipped cream on a Viennese pastry!

Oh Mama! Kanazawa!

2006-11-08T10:02:00.000+09:00

Beautiful!

Samurai districts, Noh museum, artificial heart galleries, geisha stables, Ninja inspired temples (fully equipped with trap doors, hidden stairwells and get-away passages), kimono design processing, gold leave processing, fish market, contemporary art museum, castles, gardens... you name it, I saw it, did it and preformed a couple of kart-wheels around it.

This weekend was a 3 day weekend, and I think I did a good job of taking advantage of it. We left Thursday night, and traveled 7 hours on a painful over-night bus, to awake at 6 am Friday morning in Kanazawa. We found our hotel, and then started our day. I soon learned that anything you that you think about Japan, or that Japan makes, is in Kanazawa. Gold, kimonos, geishas, ninjas, parsails, silk... We spent 2 full days wandering around to certain special "reservation only" hidden spots that we would have never found on our own if TUJ did not plan this trip for us, or with out our great personal tour guide Koyama Sensee. We had special tour guides from the city of Kanazawa and we learned about every cool nick and cranny of that place. We say a Noh stage and precious Noh performance masks. A really cool modern museum that had a whole display of artificial body parts, very interesting. We made our own gold leaf chop sticks that we personally designed! We explored the gardens of Kanazawa castle, in addition to the annexes of the futual lord's wife. The Kanazawa castle was the most beautiful thing, with its acres and acres of beautiful gardens, needless to say I filled up my memory card with pictures that are priceless. We we showed the ins and outs of this amazing Temple that was designed with ninja style (imagine: 25 rooms, but has 29 stair cases!, Saw and went inside of Samurai houses. We were showed the Geisha district and their stables/stores. The famous pine trees of Kamazawa were prepared for winter with their string protection, which is something that is unique to Kanazawa. I went to a public bath. And when all this was done, Saturday night we jumped back on the over night bus and headed home. We were back in Tokyo by 6AM, and had a full day to tell everyone about our amazing weekend. I am soo glad I was able to be apart of this trip. And in the end, it was very relaxing and I discovered a little bit more about this interesting balance that Japan holds of being calming all while being extremely enrapturing.

From the future,

Stephanie

Tokyo: The Time Warp

2006-11-05T17:15:00.000+09:00

Time here in Japan is quite interesting. It seems as if you can do so much in a short amount of time, but when you go to refer back to those moments you realize that they are several weeks old (and you still haven't updated your blog!)

If you ask me my favorite holiday at any point of the year, even on my birthday, I will tell you it is Halloween. I love the feeling of being scared, candy, costumes, hay rides, cider.... but I was afriad that Japan wouldn't be able to offer me any of these things. And, thank God, I was wrong. Halloween has a new level to met next year, and I still can't believe how much fun I had celebrating a western holiday in the east.

It all start with what could have turned out to be an urban legend: The saturday before Halloween, all the Gaijin (foriengers) and interested Japanese observers "secretly board" a specific car at a specific platform at a specific station on the Yamanote Line dressed in costume and throw a party on the train, attempting to make it the entire length of the railway, which is a giant circle hitting most/if not all of the major sections of Tokyo (it is about an 1 1/2 hour circular ride). Of courseour good friends at Wikipedia.org were the ones that informed us of this and the exact time (9:07 PM, Car 10, Headed east, platform 13, Shinjuku station), and soon- with the power of computer and mouth- our entire dorm already had plans to join the scene.

The friday before the train ride, our lovely local bar threw a costume party for us at Sakura House, and it was so great to see all of our friends from the town dressed up!

Saturday night, after meeting one of our new friends, Fumito, at Yoyogi for a free concert, Pasha, John and myself headed to Shinjuku, we were 20 minutes early and were scared when we didn't see many costumes, but we did see plenty of officers, we were expecting them to breakup the party before it started. While getting closer to the time more and more people where coming out of the wood work, soon our dorm was there along with PowerRangers, Mummies, bloody bodies, dogs, cats, and witches, including our Japanese artist friends we met from sake tasting night who were so excited that we introduced them to something new that they didn't know about in Tokyo. Soon we found ourselves at another platform with even more people, and right before we boarded the train about 4 party cars were formed. When the train came everyone on the platforms rushed the cars, and there were plenty of unexpected bystanders. We protected most of them, including an older lady until the next stop came, strangers were handed beers from other Party Car go-ers, including the older lady! After all the bystanders were gone, songs were being sung, every stations name was being chanted, party car hopping started, and it was so packed you could barly move so some people found seats on top of the lugage racks or even swang by using the hand rings! Words, and even pictures, can't do much for this experience. However, if you have the time, google the yamanote party tain to read up on this newly formed tradition (it has been happening since the 90s). I was personaly interviewed by an english speaking Japanese news caster and crew while on the train!

On actual Halloween night it was our friend Sara's 22nd birthday. The plan was to go to a costume party at a club in Roppongi (a night distric in Tokyo in walking distance from school). However, after school Kaebea, Abe, Nick, Laura and Leanne and myself bought candy and gave out treats to little kids that were dressed up and walking the streets with their mom's near school and Roppongi. It was so cute! I think we enjoyed yelling Happy Halloween and trick or treat jsut as much as all the kids! The costume party was also amazing, another one for the books.

So to conclude, I still had my thirlls, i wore a costume, the hay ride was substituted for a subway ride and cider became ashai- true japanese style.

I am also producing a Podcast segment about the Yamanote Halloween Party Train for my Podcasting class, so look of for that on my other production blog!

*Pictures:

Masa our Cheerleading bartender
Me with Suzuki at the Pearling Cafe- I am from the 70's
One of the party cars on the Yamanote Line
Everyone outside of Vanilla for Sara's 22nd on Halloween

I found the place that I will be spending the rest of my life...

2006-10-18T17:31:00.000+09:00

I know, I know, with an entry title as extreme as "I found the place that I will be spending the rest of my life..." you think that I would have updated sooner! However, this past week and weekend have been dedicated to papers and midterm reviews. But it was the weekend before this one, 7th & 8th, we had a 4 day weekend due to Sports Day. During that weekend I did a ton of different activities. I attended an International MTV press confrence with Pasha. It was here that all of MTV's Graphic Design departments internationally gathered to discuss new and old projects. Michel Gondry's brother, who is now into music video direction, was a guest speaker.
Jason's sister was visiting for the week, so we tried to expose her to as many great spots that Tokyo has to offer. We went to Meji gardens, a place that I went by myself the first day in Japan, strolled in the park, and went shopping in Harajuku. It was my first Harajuku shopping experience and the only way to describe it is : INTENSE! So many people, so many deals, so many stores...... ahh heaven- but still over whelming.
It was then on Sunday that Jason, his sister, Pasha, Laura and Myself jumped on a train to travel to Kamakura. Kamaura is a vaction desitination for a lot of Tokyo residence. It is only about an hour and a half away from the city, and even if the journey was longer, it would still be worth it. The day we choose to go there were the blue-est skies, only make all the greens even greener. When we got to the town of Kamakura we did a little window shopping on the main street and then hopped on a bus to go see Japan's largest bronze Buddha. As the name suggest, it was a large bronze Buddha, but it was stillvery breath taking and beautiful, especially with the back ground of the beautiful day. From the Buddha we walked through more of the town and found our selves at the beach, which was my only destination. By the time we reached the shore, the sun was at its lowest point and just waiting for us to come to the ocean before it set. It was ....ah..... amazing! The ocean was filled with wind surfers and surfboarders. The coastline was lit pretty with all of its buildings, and I spent the next hour jsut collecting shells. It was just a very peaceful state for me. So if you are ever looking for me 10 years from now, try looking on the shores of Kamakura first. I guess all you can do now is enjoy the pictures!

3 Days, 2 Nights and Transportation Included!

2006-10-11T01:18:00.000+09:00

So at some point last week I guess i must have said subconsciencly that I have not experience Japan completly... what more can I do to get a real experience....Oh I knew what I hadn't done, and what no one else has done yet on our semester abroad: Get rushed to the hospital in an ambulance! (Before we get too deep in to this jounral entry, I am A-Ok now! No worries)

It started at 6AM last Tuesday morning, I woke with stomach cramps, maybe indigestion? I did not. But I did know that I couldn't walk, sit, sleep or talk with out having to vomit. I stayed home from school, but when it only got worse and it was 12 hours later, I called a hotline to find english speaking clinics, when I told the lady what was wrong she said I needed to be picked up by an ambulance. Being from America, I didn't want an ambulance, but I was informed that it was no cost (Oh how wonderful japan is!). It came and got me, and my friend Leanne joined in for the ride along with her camera. The ER was empty, I had all of their attention. I had a bed, tests done and doctors spoken to all with great speed. However, the language barriar proved to be a problem. But the higher up the doctor it seemed the more english her or she spoke. I was admitted for 3 days, visited by friends and workers for TUJ. Temple was amazing and was in contact with my family and teachers. It was possible food posioning and maybe an infection of my intestines and appendeix. Whatever it was, I was let go because I was feeling better and my blood test showed my infection had passed due to my count of white blood cells lower. The hospital and all of its workers were amazing. Everything was orgainized and it was so impressive. When checking out, I only had to pay 30% of my bill due to the fact that I got Japan National health insurance for about 8 dollars a month, amazing, I know. But, I didn't have any money on me, and they let me leave and when I came back the next day they had everything right there (regardless of the fact that no one at the check out counter spoke english)! My goodness, another check for loving Japan. Now here are Leanne's pictures (disregard my smile, I was truly in pain, I just couldn't help but love that she was documenting everything). Enjoy!

3

Hakone- Exploring Mountain Side

2006-10-06T12:30:00.000+09:00

So this past weekend 25 of us from Temple University traveled to Hakone. Hakone is a mountainous region 2 hours outside of Tokyo and near Mt. Fuji. The bus ride to Hakone took off at 8 AM Saturday morning, so that meant I slept the whole way there, that is until we stoped for lunch at a Sobe Noodle house. Yum. We then stopped at one of the coolest museums I have experienced. It is called the Hakone Open Air Museum, and the name can tell you about it for the most part. There are sculptures and displays outside, most of them modern pieces and some were even interactive. Imagine: Beautiful, fun, interesting, extoic pieces of art on the side of the mountain. The landscape contrasted these exotic pieces of art with endless hills and mountains and trees of green. There were pieces you could slide down, climb, and go under ground with. There was a stained glass tower you could climb, and a giant plastic sculpture you could go inside and crawl (it reminded me of Leaps and Bounds from elementry school birthday parties!). In addition to the outside pieces, they had a Picasso Collection! My favorite. It was a lot of pieces I haven't seen much of, like is pottery, and it was exciting and new. From the Open Air Museum we headed to the base of the mountain and took a rope-way car up (like some ski mountains have, but so you can sit and stand take in the view). We climbed up and up and passed over beautiful green landscape and saw Mt. Fuji in the distance (it truly is a BIG BIG mountain!), and then when we passed over the other side of the mountain we crossed natural sulfur gases. (Stinky!) We got out around this point, and climbed farther up. On this mountain they boilded egss in the natural springs, which would turn the egg shells black. So when in Japan, you eat black eggs! They were wonderful, and we all said they tasted different, but maybe the sulfer was getting to us. After these adventures we headed to our wonderful wonderful hotel room. We had two rooms, a balcolny (views only of the mountain, we woke to a woman doing taichi in the morning on the mountain side, oh japan!), tatami (reed mat floors), legless chairs, futons,a nd of course tea. We changed in to our robes and sandals and headed to our traditional meal with oshibori (hot towels that are give to you before the meal at most places you eat at) gohan (rice), sushimi (raw fish), vegtables and meats we cook ourslves with our personal flame, and more and more! And of course during the meal we had sake and ashai beers. After the meal, still in our robes, we Karaoke-ed until we had enough blackmail for everyone. After our embarassment we headed to the onsen, natural hot springs, that were apart of our hotel. Beautiful and relaxing after a day of sightseeing and fun, it was truly an amazing day. The next morning we left the hotel and headed to a Castle, which was exciting, but it was also all rebuilt with in the last century, but was orginally built during the Edo period. However, it was still amazing, and I got my picture taken with samerai as well as went through the zoo that belonged to the castle. And then we headed to Daiyuzansaijyoji, a buddhist village that was huge and deeply embedded into the mountain. Many temples and stairs and places of worship. I found out later you could even spend the night with the monks and follow their every move. The village was createdin the 600s and is still active. it was beautiful. After a second day of sightseeing, we headed back on the bus to Tokyo (everyone wanted to stay longer in the peaceful beautiful place of Hakone). Ah, another weekend for the books!

Woodstock on a Mountain Side

2006-09-29T16:05:00.000+09:00

Since we have gotten here, a friend of mine has been determined to find an Open Air Party. An open air party is a concert of sorts that happens, well outside, with a bunch of DJs and you camp out. We got word of one happening, called Autumnal Equinox Tribal Dance at Mt. Mizugakiyama, and automatically went to Shibuya to purchuse our tickets. I guess we did not plan out everything well in advance. Such as, we didn't find where the location of concert was being held until after we purchused the tickets. We spoke with the guy that old us about it, and his bussiness was helping throw the party, and he said it would be about 2 hours away. I got help from a student that works at the Office of International Students with directions, and it seemed to be a little bit longer then 2 hours, but no worries. Early morning Pasha, John and myself started making food for our 2 day journey. It consisted of apples, pasta, dry cereal and hard boiled eggs; college kids can live for long amount of times off of unusual things. We started on our train route to the campground, a route that consisted of taking 4 different trains. The route was absoultly beautiful. When we left Tokyo we were in the middle of land we had never seen before. The ride its self was amazing alone. The air smelled, tasted and felt different. We saw lands that were actaully peoples yards where they grew and havested different foods. After we ended up at our final destination 4 hours away from Tokyo, and out in the middle of no where, we realized we were still not there. We learned later that we were 2 hours away from the campground, and the directions that were given to us made us get off before our stop. We made friends with locals, which was harder than usual because, since we were no longer in the metropolis of Tokyo, english was more and more rare. They were kind enough, probably be cause our despair was coming across regardless of the language barriar, to drive us to the train station that we were suppose to get off at. They called the number we had of the camp ground, and we learned that we would have to take a taxi to the campground from the train station they were driving us to. Our mini road trip with our new friends consisted of jamming out to the only american music they had which was: Backstreet Boys, Culture Club, and some songs from the Top Gun soundtrack.
Once we came to the correct train station, we hailed a cab and started climbing a mountain which our camp ground was at the top of! A 9,000 yen cab ride later (nearly 90 American dollars, imagine taking a 90 dolalrs taxi cab straigh up! we were HIGH UP THERE!) We ended up at our concert in the middle of japan in the middle of nowhere on top of the tallest mountain I had been on to dance until the sun came up! The camping ground was beautiful, the only thing that surrouned us were the peaks of other mountains. The night was amazing, met a ton of people, all of which were surprised to see 3 foreigners find there way to beautiful secreat nowehre land on the top of mt. Mizugakiyama (they probably hide this place from everyone because it was to die for). There were DJs that played all night. The night was so clear, the clearest night I have seen, but probably being away from the light polution of Tokyo helped, but I saw every star. The three of us made sure to be up for the sunrise, which was so memorable. The sun breaking over the peaks of the other mountains to our camp ground was, ahh not even describable! It felt as though we were the first people to see the sun of that new day. Every day since we have been here Japan in the morning is overcasted, but not that day. Early afternoon we headed to find a town on the mountain to grab the bus that would go down to the bottom. We followed a river the whole way, for 3 km. It seemed as though this place couldn't be more perfect. We took an express train home which cut a commute by an hour, and even the long journey home was beautiful because it was beautiful weather.
The concert held a lot of memories, the people there were more than interesting, and we experienced lands that no one in our program will probably ever discover.

Sakura House has God on Our side

2006-09-22T22:35:00.000+09:00

So the town that I live in is very small, quiet and residential. It is a great escape, as well as a comparison, from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the metropolis. It has one small main street, and even though the night trains are full of school children and salary men returning from work, they disappear and are never seen again. It is only us, the foreigners from the Sakura House, that wander the streets after 9pm and get back on the train cars looking for what the night holds for us. I have always been afraid that this small town has only a sour taste in its mouth for us at Sakura House (well we know the bars love us for the business we have gave them, but what about everyone else?)
It was not until last Sunday morning, that I finally woke up after an insane weekend of celebrating Germany and cheering on my favorite thong wearing Sumo wrestler, and I walked outside to make a phone call. I hear drums coming from somewhere, but in our town you can never tell the direction. All of a sudden I saw a parade coming down the street. I went inside to grab my camera (and am I glad I did, I filled an entire memory card up!) and told as many people that I could fine. The parade was filled with some of our favorite bar patrons as well as some of my surfing instructors! And guess where they decided to stop their parade and take a rest, yep right in front of our dorm! And here in tokyo resting means downing a few asahi and chu hi's. The parade was about 100 people strong, and everyone wanted to meet us and ask us questions. We soon found out that the parade was for the god that lives at the shrine, and they bring him out once a year to show how the town had grown and prospered. Well when the parade needed to start back up, they wanted us to help carry their god! They dressed some of us in traditional robes, and gave others of us Ontakasen headbands, and others jsut wore their PJ's that they had come out in. We marched and chanted and danced and danced and carried god. God and his "charriot" were heavy!! We traveld for hours, taking a break ever 15-20 min for more ashai and chu hi's. After carry god some more we were given a catered lunch in the streets. We meet up with, what I was assuming another town, and traded shrines and carried one anothers. All while the celebration and singing and chanting continued. We reached our temple after an indirect route where there was an amazing drum performace as well as more food and art and games.It really was a beautiful experience. I truly felt welcomed into the community. Beautiful was the only word I can use, Honored is another word. A few days after the celebration an unmarked envelope came to the dorm. In it was printed pictures of us and the locals with the shrine that was taken during one of the breaks. The printed enough so that everyone that particapted could have a permant image of this wonderful experience. I am extremly lucky (this seems to be how I end most of my entries) and fourtunate to be having all of these memories.
Again, pictures can only capture the emotion so well, it was an experienced:

I want SUMO of that!

2006-09-17T19:47:00.002+09:00

Well this weekend is jammed packed, and that means a lot of blog post apparently!

Yesterday, through school, I attended a Sumo Tournament. It was so cool and I truthful wished I knew more about Sumo and the rituals and practice and training, because it seemed to be a lotmore spiritual and mental then I knew. An actual round would only last a few minutes, if that. But the preparation was long: perifiying the ring, doing warm ups, checking to see if the two competeors were mentally ready to battle, and if they weren't they would start from the begining. So wrestlers would have to do this four, five times! The arena was huge, and filled with people for the last rounds, which were where the best wrestlers were put. Being the American College students that we are, we started a betting system with yens based on the colors of their thongs (Don't worry mom and dad, I broke even!). The town where it was being held, Ryogoku, was having their town festivial, and had their god out on displayvia their form of a "chariot" that people carry around the town so the god can see how properious the town had become. And with this event comes beer, so we had a few drinks with the townies and the other people pregaming for Sumo. It was so parculiar!

If you have a chance to see a Sumo event, defiantly go! Do a little research so you know more than it is a bunch of fat guys wearing thongs. The event could drag on, but it gets exciting if you get in to it and start cheering and chooseing sides (and beting on your man!)

Oktoberfest in Paris

2006-09-17T00:56:00.000+09:00

So Japan, it is the country that probably most enjoys imitating other societies and cultures. Example one: The Tokyo Tower. it is the exact replica of the Elifle Tower, but 150 m taller (and the color of it is construction cone orange and white! Brilliant!) I was able to experience this awesome view while the sun was setting, and by the time Mike, Hipple and myself got to the top, it was pitch black out, and all of the lights of Tokyo were clearly visible, it ws beautiful! I had a small concept of how large this amazing city is, but it was not until i reached the higest observatory deck that i realized, I have NO IDEA what this city holds. I could not see where Tokyo ended, where the "suburbs" started. This land is filled with more people than I will ever pass, and has more buidlings in it then I will ever enter, and hidden treasures that will remain just that: hidden. While I was atop, i kept comparing this view to the view from under William Penn at City Hall in Philadelphia, that was beautiful because of the familiarlity, and this view was beautiful because of the unknown.

(And of course they had sticker booths up at the top of the Tower, and of course Mike, Hipple and I did them!)

After leaving Tokyo's version of Paris, we headed to Hybia Park which was where Oktoberfest was being held. Picture Japanese people dressed in "liter-hosin" (I know i tragically spelled that wrong) and Salery Men singing German drinking songs! There are not many words to describe that amazing, and most interesting night. It was so much fun starting congo lines while can-can-ing. It was amazaing! (As are most of the things I have discovered here).

I experienced France and Germany with out leaving Japan, Nihon Desaki!

This pictures don't do either of these experiences justice:

Uba, A Newly Discovered Favorite!

2006-09-15T01:36:00.000+09:00

So Japan and I have an awesome realtionship. I love it, it loves me back.

Last night I had the complete honor of being invited over to a Japanese household by a friend of ours from our hang out. Her parents wanted to meet us, and cook us a traditional meal. Noriko, the cutest coolest girl that we meet at the Pearling Cafe, has enjoyed our foriegn company, and we have enjoyed her for putting up with our attempts of speaking Japanese. And so when she asked Edith, Ali, Mario and myself over to her parents house we were all deeply honored. I had read some where or another that being invited to a home is one of the largest compliments you can give a guest. More often than not a traditional evening is spent outside of the house because the homes are too small to cater to guests. I was reminded of this honor by everyone that I told my plans too. Noriko only knows a little bit of English, and I barely know Japanese, but I was lucky enough to be surround by my friends, who thank god, have years of the language under their belt. OK enough about how we got the invite, lets talk about what we experience:

We all were soooo nervous to go to the home, we brought a watermelon with us (a rare and great fruit here in Japan, and when looking for one we were informed that they could cost 50 dollars! I dont know about that, but we found one for a little over 1,000 yen) as well as some chocolates from New York, a fine state of the USA! Noriko's family welcomed us with such kindness and showed us to a room which had a table that was FILLED with soo many entrees! I got scared on the ride over that I would not be able to eat most of the meal, since I do not eat meat, but Noriko told her mom all about me and she prepared meals that did not have meat, accept the side of chicken. Again I felt sooo honored! There were over 15 entrees on the table,with two seafood stews brewing on another table. We later found out that the dad was a professional soccer player, and now owns a company which produces Uba, which is a seperate section from Tofu. Apparently it is a very expensive and delicate food that most people travel to Kyoto for (when i shared my story about Uba with Japanese students later they were all jealous and surprised!). There was octopus, edamame, potoato salad, squid,some sort of fish I had never ahd before, which was to die for!, seafood lettuce wraps, tofu pockets, celery mixture thing, as you can see it is hard to describe, jsut check out the pictures.

My "I statments" about myself from Japanese Elements 1 came in handy. I told my age, my major, my college, where I am from, and they said they were extremly impressed with my Japanese, which was flattering, and even if was a lie, i will take it! And the family said they loved my style, and that was a vain compliment that I cherrish! haha! OK enough with that, now here are the pics of the food, be jealous!
Best meal I will probably ever have here:

Sticker Frenzy!

2006-09-15T01:19:00.000+09:00

Just a random post, but it is a post none the less.
There are photobooths every where in Tokyo where friends can get together for 400 yen and take pictures in a booth and doodle them up with words and heart stamps etc. Sounds cute, right? Well it is an obsession here. In Shibuya there is an entire building dedicated to this sticker booths. And while we were waiting to meet up with someone for some sobe noodles, Pasha, Laura and myself decided "hey lets make some stickers!" Well, every booth in this entire building had mutliple pairs of feet peeking through the bottom of the cutain! Out of control! All that is but one amazing green room, all jsut for the purpose of making stickers! So below is one of the several theme pictures we took. Besides this one, we also choose the background of a bathroom and us coming through a toilet, and we later stamped stinky poo all over the place! It is quite an experience, and you could spend a whole night picking out pack grounds and poses and customizing them. These Asains, they know whats happenin'!

Here is a cute picture of Tim, Edith, Noriko and Myself:

And here is another awesome advertisment:

Pacific Culture Club

2006-09-03T16:01:00.000+09:00

I attended a field trip to a Shinto House of Practice in Jindaiji. Once there we participated in a traditional tea ceremony in a the Tea room. In addition to that we were taught acts of repect and and calligraphy. I was very fortunate and I was able to be traditionally dressed in a kimono. It was great experiencing traditional japan, away from the trendy materialistic driven society, and look at modesty and respect, two acts that are the way of life of the Shintos. After we left the Shinto house we took a bus to a traditional hot spring which was located in Ogikubo. The hot springs have minerals in them, and the water is almost comparable to a dark red color. You could choose different hot springs to go between. All different temperatures. They are located outside. you have to shower before you enter, and you go naked!! I am so lucky to be doing so much! Every weekend of September I am signed up to attend a trip through TUJ, so even more will be going on. Here are some pictures from yesterdays adventures.

Sake-to-me!

2006-09-03T15:54:00.000+09:00

So Temple's Sponsored field trips are in full swing. Friday nigth was sake testing, yes, sponsored by school. It was good times. They had also a couple of amazing performances. A Shimisen player (tradition japanese instrument) which was breathtaking and I am so glad that I got to experince something like that (he played through out the entire soundtrack of 'Crouching Tiger Hidden Drago'). And Japanese dancers and a rap group, a dj and a spoken word artist. Also, there were japanese watercolor and word poem artist that would make you a piece on their emotions at that moment. I got a piece, and it is beautiful. On top of that we were lectured about the origin of sake and what makes a good sake, etc. I am now educated responsibily in the field of sake and I can pull some nice facts out sometime we are enjoying a glass with it. But until then, here are some pictures:

From the Future,

Stephanie

Tokyo nights (and some days too)

2006-09-03T15:41:00.000+09:00

Nights and Days Around this Insane and Insanly Large City:

1-Nori-chan, Edith and Myself at our Ontakesan hang out
2-The Trio, Papi Sam and Pasha
3- Ogikubo Mike Edith and Myself
4-Early Morning Shibuya with music industry people
5- Some posh underground release party that Yasuka put us on the guest list of, peacocks in cases and buffalo heads on walls, glass floors with sand underneath, it was interesting (rumor has it- Michael Jackson needed to go here when he was in Tokyo, and MJ makes everything that much cooler)
6-Mass amount of people during the day

From the future,

Stephanie

Long Boards

2006-09-02T00:38:00.000+09:00

Road Trips (Japanese Style)

2006-09-01T17:05:00.000+09:00

Well, I have discovered that I need/should update this blog every day because every day I find myself in a new amazing adventure.

On Monday night I would myself with a few friends from the Sakura House at the neighborhood bar. As I mentioned before, the bar is very small, serves food, has about five barstools, and the first time we went to the bar it was just our small group there. But Monday night we shared the small space of the bar with locals of Ontakesan. We found out through out the night and with our attempt to speak japanese, with five minute pauses in between se I can try to look it up in my handy dandy phrase book, that they were all some how related or just good friends. By the end of the night we were dancing to Beyonce, singing YATTA when ever we didn't know how to say something in Japanese. We had new friends named Motto. Tasoi, Kako and Maki, and I had an invititation for 6 am Tuesday to go surfboarding on the coast of Japan in a city called Chiba.
I didn't know how this car ride was going to be considering I do not know Japanese, and only Kako could really speak English, but when would I ever have a chance to surf with a Japanese family that annually flies to Hawaii to go surfing, and they run a bar that has a Hawaii surf theme. I would not ever know how to get to the coast on my own, nor would i probably find nicer people to be my hosts. So 6 AM Tuesday, I meet with them infront of the bar, they live upstairs, hop into a mini van that had a GPS tracking system (which seems to be a requirment for a Japanese driver considering the lack of street signs, an no design to the addresses) and 4 surfboards strapped on. We picked up on of their cousins, Mami, who through in a couple boogie boards, and we started our way out of Tokyo. We passed Fuji television headquarters (which is probably the craziest building I have ever seen, squares are missing from it, and there is a giant circle structure in the middle of it, I don't know how to describe it, I recommend you "google" it") and we passed Tokyo Disney land and Sea, the coolest Disney Castle ever (Do you see the theme of japan and things being cool? haha). After a 2 1/2 hour car ride (that was filled with conversation and explaination of everything from culture to language) we went to an all day breakfast dinner and i have PANCAKES! They were fabulous. Kako treated me because she said that I was her new daughter (She as well as the others are in their 30s and 40s). I ahd pictures in my bag that Thom printed me and from home. I told them stories from my life. They shared stories and pictures from their cell phones of their loved ones. We made it to Chiba after 3 hours, a seashell-less beach where the water is sooooo warm and clean, no seaweed of jelly fish, it was such a relaxing beach and beautiful. they gave me surf gear to wear and i headed out to the ocean with a boogie board. After they ahd been surfing and I had been boogie boarding, Tasio came to me and gave me his surfboard. With out much english, he taught me what i needed to do. When a wave came he pushed me with it and i jumped up and surfed in the first wave! when I caught the wave and looked back, they were all singing YATA and dancing! They kept on saying i was a "real surfer." it was a dream come true! After a day of sufing, we went to a Raman resturant (not like the raman at home) and they dropped me off at Sakura. It was probably the ebst day I have every had that wasn't spent with loved ones. Surreal!

Yesterday I dropped them off a present at the bar for the trip, the surfing lesson and alll the meals. The put my attempt to write a haragana thank you note on the wal and hung up my framed picture of us. I was so honored! Tasoi called me his best friend and Kako still calls me her daughter.

After that, a few off us took a cab ride up to Shibuya, and meet 3 japanese music industry people. The guy jsut finished interviewing Ben harper and the girl does promotions for virgin record and the other girl works for a music magazine. I swear, Tokyo is the nicest city in the world. I have had an amazing time meeting so many people.

Now tonight Temple is hosting a Sake testing party, you gotta love this school.

There will be pictures to come, I promise.

From the future,

Stephanie

Wanderings

2006-08-29T18:28:00.000+09:00

Wandering through out the city alone is the best way that I have discovered of learning how to get around and what the city offers. I have discovered concreate parks with small gysers, 100 yen shops, temples, embassies, gardens. Tokyo is a place of scensory overload. Between the language that is still distant to me, lights that are blinky and running regardless of the natural light of the sun, buildings that hurt your neck because you are looking up so high, and being shoved so everyone can fit on the train; my mind never rests and that is ok with me!

I have been lucky to find friends who also enjoy exploring. From going to the zoo, renting a kareokee room, exploring the Roppongi hills, to seeing Harajuku girls as well as starting classes, unpacking and forming relationships. One week has been jammed pack with a lot.

This picture was taken from the top of one of Tokyo's tallest buildings, The Mori Tower. Courtesy of Sam.

Pagodas, as well as Temples and Shrines, can be randomly seen through out the city. This one is in Ueno park, and was taken during my walk through the zoo.

Well this is a beer machine.... and it is wonderful. Vending machines for cigs and drinks, as well as beer, are EVERYWHERE!

What Tokyo streets looklike in most places.

The Sakura House Girls before a night of Kareokee for Ali and Jenny's birthday extravaganza!

The foreigners at their favorite bar with their favorite Otkasan locals!

Becky rocking it out

Italian dinner in Japan. Tim, Myself, Kristina

Where I live (except this is not my bedroom or my picture, but trust me it is exactly the same)

And we will close on this one.

A lot of pictures for a lot of memories and only more to come, but I am going to promise the next entry is a tale of a dream come true!

From the future,

Stephanie

stephanie.flanagan@temple.edu

A Thousand Words

2006-08-29T18:11:00.000+09:00

Here are some pictures from the zoo and my neighborhood, Otakasan:

Taking over

2006-08-27T18:26:00.000+09:00

Hello everyone!

So i made to Tokyo! After a 15 hour flight, 1hour and 45 mintue train ride,
40minute rail ride, and a 20 minute walk up hill wiht my bags, i made it!

I had my first day of orientation today, we walked around the night life district
of Roppongi and saw the hills. but yesterday was the day i was most proud of. it
was my first full day (The first night was great too, we set off fireworks in
komomawa, also known as the olympic park for the tokyo games when they
hosted it-btw fireworks are sold at all the AMPM's and 7-11's, which they have
here! haha) but yesterday i figured out the rail systems on my own and got off at
random stops. i ended up at Emperor Meiji's gardens. 68 acreas of ground and
trees and paths with grand wooden enterences. it was beautful peaceful and
moving. i went to the hirajuka district and saw hirajuka girls (b-a-n-a-n-a-s!).
haha. I also experienced another section call Gotonda. Tokyo is huge! However,
you can get ANYWHERE by rail. their subways dont jsut go south and north like
the Broad Street Line.
Everyone from philly: Be jealous! it is huge beautiful, clean, the peopleare kind.
the homes are fasinating. the homes and business are built right up to the
street, no front lawns, no drive ways, no sidewalk (main roads there are some
sidewalks). i live in a town that is an hour outside of tokyo by trains, and i take
3-4 trains depending on how i go. transportation adds up. when ben brought
me to my house he said "your neighborhood reminds me of a japanese south
philly" haha, but i dont think that really gives you a great idea. the
neighborhood is so cute, and great fresh grocery stores and a 100 yen store are
right down the street from me as well as the train station. every town has a
different atmosphere, but everytown also is completly tokyo, if that makes
sence.
a ton of school sponcered events are coming up, including a Sake testing night,
a hot springs trip and many more, so i will keep everyone updated on my wanderings.
I went to Ueno zoo,
Ueno Park, and an open air district with food and fashion. i am writing you to
share about the amazing people i have met and the experiences i have shared,
but most of all the animals at the zoo that japanese individuals spent 20mintues
in line waiting for! hamsters and rabbits! haha. i love life here. i have to do a few
strange things like never wear shoes inside, i have experinced a couple of small
earthquakes aleady, no homes are built out of brick, they only pretend to be
built by brick but brick would crumble in an earthquake, fresh food goes on
sale the last hour the grocery store is open, subway an trains only run until 12
and start up at 5 am but b/c of that bar stay open until 530am. my
neighborhood does not speak much english so i have learned a lot of japanese
real fast (a lot meaning 'I am sorry' 'excuse me' and 'i'm fine'). everything is wonderful, and i start classes on monday. on friday
temple is hosting a sake testing event and i am going to a hot spring on
saturday.,.

Oh life! it is going to be wonderful!

Good luck to everyone as they start their new school year.

I miss everyone so much, I will be updating this regularly instead of sending mass emails, but defiantly keep in touch with what you are doing and I will with out a doubt respond.

From the future,
Stephanie

Stephanie.Flanagan@temple.edu