Thursday, December 31, 2009

A New Year's Resolution

Happy New Year!

Now, I'm going to write about my resolution of this year and what I plan and want to do in this year.

First, this is not the new year's resolution particular to this year, but I always have this word in my mind: 己備柔激.
Because this is in Japanese, I explain the meaning of this word in English.
己 myself: I always have to have my ideas.
備 prepare: I spend time for building a precise plan before I start working on things.
柔 gentle: I want to be generous to all people.
激 passionate: I work hard to the things I decided.

These 4 characters are the most important also in this year.

However, I also made a new year's resolution.

Beliefs;
1. Cherish friendships I have and make more friends.
2. Treat all people equally.
3. Be lively.
4. Be active.
5. Never complain.

What I accomplish in this year;
1. Big success in job hunting
2. Learn programing (JAVA) more and have my own business with the skill
3. Travel abroad
I now have two plans; the one is to Taiwan and the other is a trip to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand at the same time.
4. Have the best presentation on my senior research than anyone in my class.
5. Improve my English skill.


They are my resolution for this year.
I try to achieve all of them.

Good Bye 2009 & Happy New Year 2010!!

Happy New Years!!
It's already in 2010 in Japan!!

I first look back 2009 before having a new year's resolution for this year.
I had so many experiences last year.
I visited lots of places. I lived in Virginia, Tokyo, and now am living in Kanazawa.

I uploaded some photos of the last year.


A short trip to NYC in January

Snow day in Williamsburg in February


Stay at my friend's beach house and trip to Washington DC



A week before we all left US in May

Last picture of me and my friends at W&M

Visit to my friend in California in May

Just after I was back to Japan, a short trip with my friend from high school in June

Last day at the internship in September

I'll write on what I'm going to achieve this year in next update.

Happy New Years!!

Monday, December 28, 2009

This year is almost over

The year 2009 is almost over.
I feel time flies so fast. I have left many things to do by the next year begins...

I haven't posted for a long time since the last one.
So, I'm going to write about how I've spent this month.

Now, I'm in winter break and preparing for the new year. However, I had busy school days until the break begun because of the lab classes every afternoon... sigh
But the good thing is I already finished writing a paper for the lab class, so I don't be worried about the due of it!

By the way, I know it's snowing many places on earth.
It had been horrible days here also.
Here are the pictures.

At Kanazawa University


From my apartment



Other than the lab classes, I spent so much time with two things; the one is working a part time job and the other is a job hunting.
I'm now working at karaoke bar, and it gets really busy in the end of the year.
So, I worked about 5 days a week. Actually, I have the work also tonight.
There are two reasons why I worked a lot with sacrificing my free time.
The biggest reason is to save money for traveling abroad. I'm going to meet up with my freinds I made in US in Taiwan in next year. In addition to it, one of my best friends and I are planning to visit Europe.

Next job hunting,
Honestly I'm not so serious about it, but I'm working on that hard because the time came.
It is definitely a good opportunity for me to think deeply about my career goal, my family, relationship with friends, and what I really want to be in the future.
I could finally find an answer to them now. I'll write about it some time later.

I had a party with my friends a couple of days ago.
You can see one of my drunk friends sleeping in the picture...

My friend right is playing a video game...

I drunk a lot even though I had to complete my resume for IBM Business Consulting by the next day... I woke up early and finished it.
I hope it went well.


I'll post one more before the next year starts.
I'll have had a new year's resolution by then.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Summer Break this year part 5

I am going to write about what I did and experienced from the internship for three months.
The name of the company is "Social Groupware."
Some people have never heard of groupware. So, I briefly explain it here.
All workers can communicate each other through groupware. They can share what they need in their job on groupware, such as schedule, reports, and task.
The company sells the product on the internet. Some people might know the current popular IT word "Cloud." Our service was based on Cloud and we sold them through the internet.

The company is now a startup and small.
Actually, the company is a subsidary company of GaiaX which is listed in the Section. So, GaiaX owns 100% stocks of our company.
President is also the same in both companies, but the president mainly works at Social Groupware. It is because he believes the company will grow a lot.
It was good for me to work for this company, the company's size is small but other employees were all smart. In addition, I had a lot of chance to work with president.
I was officially hired as a sales stuff, but I had a lot of work other than sales.
I could have been a head intern a month after I started working. So fortunately, I could get important jobs than other interns had.
It was hard for me to do both at the same time. I had my own jobs, and I need to teach them.
Therefore, I often stayed in the company and worked until midnight. Sometime, I worked until 3 or 4 am.
However, it was definitely good for me to be absorbed in the work and it was the time when I developed myself.
I'm not sure that I can do the same hard work now...

However, why I could work so hard for three months.
I have a big reason for this.
First, I knew that I needed to succeed in the intern to make my dream come true in the future.
My dream is to live and work in Silicon Valley in my 30's.
I know that it's a big dream.
However, I also know that I will not be able to fulfill my dream if I do the same thing with others. I need a success in career to fulfill my dream.
Everytime when I wanted to escape from hard work, I said to myself that I am the man who will work at Silicon Valley in the future so I cannot leave without doing anything.
My friends said that I worked too much. I knew it and I liked to choose the easier way. However, I need to work because I had and still have my lifelong dream.



I tried to remember this year's summer break as much as I could, and mainly wrote about what I learned from those experience.
From the next time, I will get my blog back to a diary.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Summer Break this year part 4

I finally came back to Japan after a long flight from Malaysia on May 24th.

I spent the first week with meeting my friends from junior high and high school and just being relax in my home.
It was a busy year, and I was so tired by the trip to Indonesia.
So, I took a break for a week.

Then, I decided to work for internship because I got bored after a week.
So, I tried to be productive for the rest of summer break. I applied for an IT company which is famous for hard work. I filled in the 6 or 7 pages application form, and had an interview.

The Interviewer first said to me that it's least possible that they can hire me because I planned for only 3 months. Usually, students work at least for a half year at the company.
It's not a place where students experience the job, but they work as an employee.
So, some of them were absent from the school for a year and start the internship, and other college students spend most of their time for the internship, not for their study.

The interviewer started with such word, but he seemed to show interest on me after the interview proceeded.
Fortunately, I could pass the interview and would to start working from the day after the next day.

I was glad that I could find a place where I can be involved in for three months.
Three months after, I would notice that the experience of the internship here is very important to myself.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Summer Break this year part 3 (in Malaysia)

This is the third post about my summer break this year.

I've written on my short stay in Indonesia.
This post is about a short trip at Kuala Rumpur, Malaysia.

I took Malaysia Airline for Japan.
So, I needed to change the flight at Kuala Rumpur.
It was only two hours flight from Jakarta. I had 4 hours until the next flight to Japan.
So, I decided to go to downtown and quickly come back to catch the flight.

I had to check the body temperature because I had stayed in US by 6 days before. After that, I finally finished the immigration.
First, I was astonished with seeing the airport. It is huge and looks well modernized.
To tell the truth, I didn't know that Malaysia (Kuala Rumpur) is such developed.
I knew only Twin Towers in Malaysia. But, the society looked developed much more than I imagined.




At the airport, I took a high speed train to the center of the city.

← inside of the train












I got to the main station of the city.

I was surprised by the atmosphere there again.
It was as if I am in Tokyo.

But, the biggest surprise was that the society consists of many ethnic groups: people from India, China, some other South East Asian countries.
I became so interested in this country.
I've wanted to live "on the Earth" and still I want to.

That is the biggest reason I chose to study abroad in US. I expected to meet many people from many countries and to spend with them. In my stay in US, I could make friends from other countries, such as India, Italy, Taiwan, South Korea, China and also many other countries.

I realized immediately that Malaysia is also like US.
Although the Malaysian government adopted Bumiputra policy in which Malaysian are treated well, I could regard this is very the small world or Asia.


Anyways, I came to the center of the city to see Twin Tower!
You might know that Twin Tower is the second tallest on the Earth next to Taipei 101.























Although I could stay there only for less than 30 minutes because of the flight schedule, I enjoyed a lot.
But, I hope I can come there again next time.
I will be able to know more about this country and like this society more.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Summer Break this year part 2 (in Jakarta)

This post is the part 2 of the title "Summer Break this year."
This time, I'm going to write on my stay at a volunteer center in Jakarta, Indonesia.


On May 20th, I finally arrived at an international airport in Jakarta.
It was the longest flight I'd ever had.
I changed three flights to come to Indonesia. I changed the flight from San Francisco at Hong Kong International Airport, and then I changed in Singapore. I think it took 20 hours or more in total. Besides that, I had a big jet lag when I got to the airport.


Before I left US, I already got Indonesian visa for 2 months. So, I didn't have any problems at the immigration.
Just after I passed through the gate, I saw so many Indonesian people trying to get us as their customers. They were taxi drivers, bus drivers, and money changer.

I did travel China two years before, so I was a bit used to seeing such scenes. I knew it's not special to see crowd and merchants like this in developing countries.

I took a taxi, and headed for a volunteer center where I would work at.
However, it was a heavy traffic in Jakarta.
There, many children walked on the highway and sold bottles of water and snacks.
At this point, I realized that I came to a developing country.
Even 5 or 6 years old children were trying to get money by themselves to survive. I was heart on my mind to see such children.
To tell the truth, I was not sure if I would be able to live there for 4 months then. Everything around me was changed so suddenly.
When I was in US, I had really fun time with my friends. It was a lot of fun every day.
Also, a day before, I was with my friend at Palo Alto where I'd wanted to come for a long time, but a day after, I was in a country where poor children walked on highway.


I could get to the volunteer center where I would work for 4 months after two hours after I left the airport.
There, I met two volunteers and 4 children whom I would teach and support for. One of two volunteers is 30 years old woman from Philippines, and the other is a about 50 years old man from India. I introduced myself to them and they taught me the policy at the volunteer center. After that, I filled in forms which are all necessary for volunteer.
They noticed that I was exhausted because of the long flight. So, they said to me that I can go to bed. I slept in airplane the day before, and I finally could sleep on the bed.


I got a strong loneliness and a sad feeling on the second day at the center.
Itry to be honest and am going to write on what I felt and did there.

It was holiday in Indonesia on my second day. So, my work was off all day.
I woke up in the morning. After a couple of hours, I felt big loneliness. I couldn't imagine that I would work there for 4 months.
I don't want to say this, but I was so confused by the sudden change of the environment. Everything was changed so quickly as I mentioned above.
Before I came to Indonesia, I really wanted to live in a developing country. I thought I am a kind of special in the world. It is because I know only Japan and US which have two of the most powerful economy in the world.
I wanted to know other world and I even thought it's necessary to know those things.

However, I admitted then that it is easy to only imagine but it is not easy to act.
I'm not saying any special, but I didn't know that before that.
And, the stay at the volunteer center in Indonesia was way over my limitation.

I realized that I am not special at all, and am also weak.
I knew I would be depressed if I had stayed there. And it was mentally impossible for me.
It was very shameful of me, but I had no choice except for leaving Indonesia.

Actually, I talked with my friends whom I made in US a lot on Skype. They tried to understand me and helped me a lot.
I couldn't stop crying while I was talking with them.

Then, I truly decided to go home in Japan.
It was only a five-days stay at the volunteer center.
I explained about my problem to other volunteers, and I apologized for that many times. Literally, I couldn't accomplish anything there.
Then, I headed for the airport.

However, I learned a very important thing. That is I am not strong mentally.
Before I came to Indonesia, I thought I can do anything I want and I was confident to myself too much. So, I misunderstand myself that I don't have any impossible thing.
But I was not.

I'm sure that I could develop myself from this experience. I failed, but I could know about myself more.


Sorry, I don't have any pictures of my stay in Indonesia.
OK, next post is about a short stop in Kuala Rumpur, Malaysia.

Summer Break this year part 1 (in Hong Kong)

I'm going to write about how I spent the summer break this year.

You know I studied in US between the last year and this year.
Yes, I studied at College of William and Mary for 9 months by mid-May this year.
And then, I flied to my friend's place at Stanford.
I stayed there for three days, and I headed for Jakarta, Indonesia, for a volunteer work.
So, I think I should start telling about my summer break from this point.

I changed my flight first at Hong Kong. I remembered it was very early in the morning that the flight from San Francisco got to Hong Kong's International Airport.
I had almost 4 hours till my next flight, so I went to the downtown in the morning.



There was no one at the station at this morning time...

The train runs every 20 minutes even almost no one uses.

Anyways, I was hurried to go to the center of Hong Kong because of the time for the next flight.







I could see so many tall buildings through the window in the train.
Also, they were packed in a tiny space...

I had heard that more than 40 of 100 tallest buildings on the earth are in Hong Kong, but I truly understood it soon after I took the train.

At the same time, however, I imagined their life. It's good for me to just travel, but it would be so stressful for people who live here.




It was early in the morning, so there are only a few people even in Hong Kong at this time.

When I took this picture, I felt that I came back to Asia. In Asia, there are many artificial stuffs, and many things are in a small space compared to US.
So, I still remember that I felt a bit strange with seeing this place.




















That is the downtown across the river.
This is a famous view of Hong Kong.
I didn't have enough time to come the downtown, so I came by this place and took a pictuere.

After I took pictures, I run to come back to a nearest station...
I could stay here only for 10 or 20 minutes, but it was a good memory now.


Next post is about the short stay in Jakarta...

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Letters from Iwo Jima

I watched a movie "Letters from Iwo Jima" by Clint Eastwood.
Many of you know that the movie is famous for describing the Pacific War from Japanese side.
However, it doesn't mean that the movie was made by the Japanese point of view of the war.

I mean,
if the movie is made by those both, the movie would be different.

In this movie, main characters are all Japanese, such as Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya, and Tsuyoshi Ihara. maybe you don't know those actors....(some might know only Ken Watanabe who played for the Last Samurai with Tom Cruise)
Japanese soldiers fought for their country and family.
In many scenes, they remember words of their mother and the time with their family.
Therefore, Americans are enemies for them.

However, one of commanders saved an American soldier's live.
Also, Saigo was saved his live by American soldiers, though they might have wanted to use him as a troop in this case.
Anyways, they were both saved their lives.

I think......
the filmmaker didn't want to decide which is bad or right in this movie.
This is really a hard topic in making a film because they both have an enemy. US is an big enemy for Japan and also Japan is an enemy for US.
This is written from Japanese side, and I haven't watched a movie "Flags of Our Fathers" yet, but I think those two movies which are opposed to the other want us to see the war from the both side and have the idea for that.

You know, I'm Japanese.
My grandfather fought for the war in the time.
He was, I think, 18 years old, and he worked for navy.
He said he lost some of his friends in the war. So, I'm not totally a ignorant to the war.
But, I don't justify the war. I try to be neutral in this matter.
Therefore, I don't want you to misunderstand the meaning of what I wrote above.
I wrote that the filmmaker didn't want to decide which is bad or right in this movie.
I mean the filmmaker wouldn't conclude which is totally bad in this fight.

After the war is over, we are cooled down and can think which was bad in the war.
But, this is too broad. We can only think about the war as a country (countries) v.s. a country (countries.)
In the war, they all were full of stress with thinking when they would be killed.
Also, they fought not for themselves, such as the Emperor, country, and family.
We can blame countries which led to the wrong way, but we can never blame people who worked there.
I think this movie all emphasized on this part: soldiers who worked.


Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and the Pacific War began since that.
This is true and nobody cannot deny this.
However, no one could stop the war after it started.
The Japanese government manipulated people and they fought for the country.
At the time, they believed they are right and they had to fight for the Emperor, the country, and their family, otherwise Americans would invade them.
So, they had to fight.

A guy, Saigo, was not loyal as much as other Japanese soldiers. He had to follow the rules, so he played to be loyal when he faces commanders.
Saigo and Kuribayashi (Ken Watanabe) showed us especially an important thing.

They are skeptical to the Japanese discipline of the war.
Saigo hopes to come back home with alive more than others.
Kuribayashi thinks it's wasteful to die by suicide, so he didn't admit his members to kill themselves.
At this time, many people killed themselves when they realized that they would be killed by Americans. They thought it's shameful to be killed by Americans.
Moreover, they gave three cheers every time for the Emperor before they kill themselves.

Now, people say the North Korean government is gone crazy, and they can't understand their behavior.
The government controls people and all information.
However, I think we should admit we had the same period which was only 65 years ago in Japan.
Japan is the second richest country by National GDP in the world now, and everybody has right to express their idea.
Only 65 years ago, however, we had none of them.
So the society rapidly changed.
The important thing is we should not think that we are different from people in countries having strict discipline that we can't even understand, such as that of North Korea and even China.

We should thank what we have achieved, and should think seriously about the problems of other countries.
We don't need to change the system of the countries which have strong rules in society. It needs a lot of efforts and also it's impossible only for us to change the country.
But, we can think back about the past and think seriously about the matter.
Once we acts like that, we won't say it's not our problem.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Feel the messages from cities

I explain the meaning of the title.

First, my boss at work told me that. He read a book and he was interested in a word in the book, and he explained that to me.

It's very interesting even for me.

Take an example of US.
If you are ready to sacrifice your life and want to make money, you should go to New York, not Boston or Silicon Valley.
If you are a high school student and are to start choosing a college, you should go to Boston.
If you want to doing something interesting, you should live in Silicon Valley. Instead, you can expect to get high salary.
You shouldn't live in Boston with thinking to make a lot of money.
You shouldn't live in New York with thinking to invent something new or interesting.

I think it's exactly true.
We need to choose places which match our lifestyle.
We should change the place when our priorities change.

What is the best place for you?

iPod classic

I bought iPod classic!!
I spent a part of my salary I got in the internship.

I came back home yesterday.
I have spent so much time with my iPod and computer yesterday and today.

I bought iPod classic and I will need huge space in my computer.
So, it was a good time to clear my computer.
I'm going to put a lot of movies on iTunes, so I moved all music data to my external storage.
And, I changed the main storage from C Drive to D Drive.
Also, I deleted some data.

Now, my computer works faster!

Monday, August 17, 2009

The Result

I took an English test the last month, and I got the result just a couple of minutes ago.
My score was 870 out of 990.

Honestly, I'm relieved when I saw my test score.
It is because I don't need to take the test again for a while, maybe while I'm a college student.
Usually, almost all college students take the test for job hunting in Japan.
Of course, I need to turn in the test score when I apply for companies.
I decided to move to and work in Silicon Valley by the age of 30.
To fulfill my goal, I need to find a place where I can have a lot of foreign experience, and I hope the company provides me the opportunities to work aboard or connect with foreign countries.
With this test score, I can prove my ability now. It will work good for me.

Actually, it was my second time to take the test.
The first one was when I was a freshman at college, so almost 3 years ago.
I don't remember the exact score, but I think it was 505 or 510.
So, I could raise nearly 400 points in three years.
Actually, I could improve my English a lot when I was in US.
So, that means I could pull my score up a lot within a year.
I spent a great year with my friends at William and Mary, and also I could improve my English a lot.
So, I'm glad that I could do both in US.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

a little bit sick...

As the title tells, I'm sick a little bit.
I felt I have a cold, so I saw a doctor today.
A doctor gave me some medicines.

Now, I feel a lot better compared to yesterday.
I was not good shape especially yesterday.
I had a discussion event in my company and we stayed at a hotel on Thursday and Friday.
Honestly, I didn't feel good even in the Thursday morning.
Then, it bacame much worse on Friday.

I attended all discussion things for two days.
I was in the meetings but I couldn't do almost anything on Friday because of my bad health.

Actually, I had a company's meeting today, but I came back my home the last night and didn't go there today.

I'm feeling much better now as I wrote above.


By the way, I signed up for Twitter.
I wanted to know how it works and if it's fun enough.
I left some messages on Twitter.
However, I don't know whether I keep using.
I don't know how I enjoy with it so far.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

my status truely got back to a student

Do you understand the meaning of the title?
Maybe, only I know that.

That means college students finished the spring semester by July and they are now in summer break.
That's why I wrote that I got back to a college student.
Acutally, I am a junior and have been a college student.
However, I went to US and Indonesia (only a few days.. ), and came back to Japan in the late May.
The school seasons are different between US and Japan.
In US, there are fall semester and spring semester.
Fall semester starts in the late August, and is over by mid December. Then spring semester begins from mid-January.
By contrast, we have spring semester and fall semester in this order in Japan.
The spring semester starts first in April and it's almost for 4 months. Next, fall semester starts in October.

I came back to Japan almost two months ago.
Also, I didn't need to attend spring semester. I can start going to school again in October.
So, I have had 4 months summer break.
Therefore, I was not a college student for the previous two months.
My official status is still not a college student, but I can confidently say that I'm a college student from today.


Anyway, I'm working an internship.
I have been a head intern at the company, but I thought to quit the company two weeks ago.
However, I didn't quit and decided to work until the end of September.
I now think it was a good choice.

Now, I act with president of my company sometimes.
I went to one of the most important custmores for our companies now with president.
The president could truely trust me, and I had a presentation in front fo them. It was a success, and the company started to think seriously to buy our product after that.
I had a big pleasure yesterday.
I had a lot of responsibilities and pressure, but I think I could make it.
Now, the work is getting more interesting.
I'm working a lot, but now I can find a satisfaction and pleasure from the work.
I'm going to focus on the work until the school starts on October first.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

The Internship

As you know, I started an internship almost two weeks ago.
I'm doing pretty well so far.

I'm basically a sales stuff, but I have a lot of other tasks at the same time.
Actually, I cannot write down all the things that I'm doing because I have so many tasks and projects.

I'm working for a company selling a groupware which enables companies to work efficiently.
People use a groupware for making a schedule, putting files and reports, showing files to other employees, and other purposes.
Our product is SaaS type. Have you heard this before?
Generally, there are two types in groupware.
Briefly, that is a groupware needs server or not.
A package type needs a server in their company, so it costs a lot.
But, ours don't needs a server in company at all. All information are sent on the internet, not intranet.
So, we own servers and provide space for each company. Customers can use it on the internet without paying for servers in their companies.
That is SaaS type.
Did you understand?

However, the major trend is still using a package type though it costs a lot.
Of course, there seem to be problems in security in SaaS type.
But, I can say it's less dangerous to trust a company which specialize in internet business and put them in its strage than to keep all information in their companies without having a technical stuff.
So, I believe many companies are choosing a very inefficient way.


By the way, about my work.
As I said, I'm doing pretty well so far.
Other workers trust my ability and give me a lot of projects.
Honestly, I don't know if it is good or not... haha because I have to work a lot...
Also, I'm teaching other interns who have worked longer than me. I join the ordition process for choosing new interns with a leader of our project from next time... It's very weird that an internship, I, choose new intern.


Anyway, I drunk with my boss the last night and came back my home this morning.
Now, I'm relaxing in my home.
I'm going to spend time with watching movies from now.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

how much is our age important?

First, I'm not going to complain the work.
I really like to work for my company, and I am really glad that I can work there.

A topic this time is "the importance of our age in Japan."

Still in Japan, people are very strict to our age; how old we are or how much older we are than others.
It's good to respect seniors, but it's good not every time.
In Japan, we have a strict hierarchy regarding our age.
Usually, older people have more power than younger people.
In extreem case, olders people think young people should only serve them. They do what they want to. No freedom to younger people when they are with older people.
Therefore, many younger people don't show themselves to older people. And, they flatter older people.
We see this in all situations, and we live in such a environment.

This situation applies even when they are a year older than them.
To tell the truth, it's very starange to me. I even think it's ridiculous.

As I said, it's good to respect seniors.
However, it's good not everytime. It's very inefficient.
I don't think we can make friends with others in this system.
In this, we can't make friends with seniors.
Even when we knew each other a lot and are in a good good relationship, we are not friends because our age are not same.

I have been very skeptical to this system in Japanese society.

I need to adopt a good Japanese custom, but I'm sure that I don't need to know this custom regarding our age.
I want to make friends with many people. I don't want to make myself weak when I'm with seniors. I'm trying to see seniors as one of my friends.
So, some people think I am inappropirate because I don't flatter seniors.

We had a big party in my company.
I drunk with many of workers at my company.
Even before that, almost all of them knew me because I introduced myself in front of them in the first day of work. I raised a hand and started it in a morning gathering.
After that, a president told me that I didn't need to do that. Usually, fresh workers do that a week later and a president tells them to do that.
However, many workers told me that I am not a usual college student.
They said we can't do that usually because we hesitate to raise our hands in front of others.
So, they liked me.

Also, I talked with some workers and they found me that I'm interesting.
All of them say I don't look like a freshman at the company.
I think it's my good point that I can enjoy talking with people from the first.


Back to the story of the party, I talked with seniors just as my friends.
But, some of them were very strict to me because of that.
Some of them hoped me to just listen to talk of seniors, nod my head and pour beer in their glass.
You know, I'm not such a kind of person.
I don't think this is good that juniors cannot do what they want to do only because they are a little younger than them.
In my company, many of workers are very young. The average is 26 or 27 years old.
And, this is an IT company. You know the atmosphere.
They said this company is not strict to the age as much as other companies, and I guess so.
However, it's very strange for me to follow this custom.

I will learn parts of the custom, but I am not going to acquire all of it.
I don't want to do what I don't think it's efficient and wrong.

What do you think about this?

working too much?

To begin with, I worked a lot this week.
I worked until at 1:30 at night on Monday, and slept on a mat at the company.
Other days, I worked until 10:00 or more..
I went back home only to take a sleep.. I went to bed at 1 at night or later everyday this week.

I enjoy the work now.
Other workers trust me and give me a lot of work and I can also work for a new project.
It's so much fun to work, though I work so hard everyday.
I'm doing well so far.
I went to a consulting firm to sell our product, and I talked to a president of the company.
It was my first time to do that all by myself. I think I did it pretty well.
So far, I'm doing pretty good in the work. I develop my skill every day, and my performance is good so far, I think.

But, I don't think it's a good thing to work so hard.
Not only me, but also other workers work as much as I do. Many of them work until late at night and come to work early in the morning.
However, how can they find thier happiness? What do they work for?
They might find their happiness in thier work, but what else do they have other than the job?
Are they really happy?
This idea is very extreem, and I know that.
Personally, I don't want to work so hard in the future as much as they do.
I want to work for my happiness. I want to work to be happy.
If we don't have a job, it's very hard to find the purpose of our life or exsitence.
At the same time, however, it's also so hard to find the same things if we work too much. We might consider why we are working so hard; is is for ourselves? or for the company?

Now, I can work a lot because I'm not a regular worker.
Although my work is same with other regular workers, I am just an internship student.
I can't work for 14 hours or more everyday for a long time. I will lose my character and sense if I work so hard.
Eventually, it's so hard to find my happiness in my daily life.

I start a job hunting soon in this year.
I will work hard but I'm going to chrish my own time. So that, I can find the meaning of work.

Friday, June 19, 2009

life this week

I haven't posted articles for a while.. for almost two weeks?
I even don't know...

My situation changed a lot this week because finally I got an internship!!
Briefly explain it; I had an interview on Monday, and started working on Wedensday.

Actually, I didn't expect to get the internship at first.
I just applied for the company and I could make it (maybe) in the interview.
It's a venture IT company, and about 120 employees are working.
President is only 34 years old. He built a company when he was 24 or 25. The company was listed when he was just 30.
Now, the company is getting famous in both business and public.
I heard 2,000 or 3,000 students applied for the company in job hunting the last year, but the company hired only 6 regular workers. It's so competitive.. haha

President is famous for young who want to make a company in the future.
However, I didn't know even his name.. haha
Honestly, I had never heard the name of the company.


As I wrote first, I had an interview on this Monday, and got an acceptance on that day.
They asked me if I can start working from the next day Tuesday at night. I hung out with my friend soon after the interview was over, and we were very far from Tokyo. So I started to work on Wednesday.
I cannot write exactly what I did and about the business because of the secret code of the company.
But, I can say that I'm very satisfied that I can work for this company.'
Although I'm in an internship, my situation is completely same with other regular workers. So, they expect me to work as others are doing from the first day.
That's why I can work as a sales staff.
At around 8pm in the second day while I was working, president told me to come to sales with president, and to make a source and explain the system we are selling to the customer the next day. I worked until 11pm, came back home at 12pm, worked a little bit more, went to bed at 2pm, woke up at 6am, came to the office at 7, and worked.
I have worked for only three days, but every day is like this. I work for almost 14 or 15 hours a day.
It's so hard, but I'm enjoying the work so far.
It's really exciting!! I cannot experience this in any other companies.
Also, president assigned me a new project and he said I can do what I want to.
I can make a plan by myself, and act by myself. This is a new bussiness for even the company.
I have a lot of responsibility, but instead it's so exciting!
I like to do and have wanted to do new things.
I'm going to make it.

Anyway, I spend busy days, but I'm enjyoing the work!

Sunday, June 7, 2009

can't sleep....

It's already at 4:30 am, but I'm not sleepy at all. I can't sleep, and will not sleep tonight...
Although I must be tired, I cannot sleep... why??

I walked a lot today.
I left my room at 11 pm, and went to Yokohama Station. I hung out there, and then went to Kawasaki and took a rest. After that, I went to Tokyo (Shiodome, Ginza, Marunouchi, and Shinjuku)
Honestly, I didn't want to walk any more when I got to Shinjuku.
However, I had things that I had to do at those places today.

Although I could have a seat in a train on my way back home finally, I gave the seat to an old woman. She really appreciated me. And then, we had a lot of conversations in the train maybe for 25 minutes.
It was a really good conversation. We both enjoyed that.
Although I was tired then, I didn't feel tired while we were talking. Also, I didn't notice that we kept talking for 25 minutes.
After we talked, she said to me that I should become a politician... I don't know how much she was serious, but she said she wants me to change the politics of Japan.
Exactly, the politics is so bad in Japan now.
Many people cannot trust politics because of a lot of scandals and opaqueness. Also, politics have a lot of dark aspects which we cannot see.

Two of my friends want to become a politician in the future. But, the case is very interesting.
One goes to Keio University, the best private college in Japan, and majors in law. He has really a good personality and can get along with everyone with his great character. He really wants to become a politician, but he doesn't know how he can be. He has no connections.
The other goes to College of William and Mary. On the contrary, his grandfather was an executive at a big and famous company. His grandfather has a lot of connections, and he found an opportunity for an internship for his grandchild over summer break. Usually,there are no such opportunities for students, but he could get it.

This is very unequal. In this field, they don't give an equal opportunities for all people. Those who have connections can get the job related to politics and become politicians.
Considered those two of my friends' personalities, I definitely want the Keio student who has no connections to become a politician. He has a common sense. Without saying, he has a great personality and can attract people.
But the politics is very unfair. The latter person has much more opportunity to become a politician in the future unfortunately...
That's the part of reason that people can't trust politicians and politics itself.


Wow,,, I complained a lot...

I change the topic now.
I started Flickr!!! I'll post photos that I have taken and will take in Japan!!
I'll make good pages!! definitely! and I want my friends and other people to enjoy them.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shotakikuoka/
This is the URL, please visit!!
It's not good now, but I'll make it better!

Saturday, June 6, 2009

need a part time job

As you can know from the title, I need a part-time job.

I applied for an internship, and I've waited for a notification from the company.
Also, I started to look for a part time job on the internet from an hour ago. So, I'm trying to get two jobs in this summer.
Actually, the internship is for my experience and a part time-job is for getting money...

I began looking for a part-time job which attracts me on the internet, but I decided to go to departments and find there tomorrow.
I think that is the best way to find a good one.
Actually, the place where I live now is a good location. Although I have to walk for 10 minutes to get to a nearest station, train runs every 3 minutes there. Also, I can go to Yokohama Station in 5 minutes from there and also 5 minutes to Tokyo.
So, I don't have to be worried about where I can work because I can choose from major areas and can go there.


By the way, I'm planing to have a trip by the end od this summer break. I'd love to go abroad.
That's why I'm also going to get a part time-job.
Maybe, I'll go to one of Asian countries.
I want to go to Taiwan now, but I don't know if I choose it.
I almost made a promise that we come to Taiwan around Christmas with my friends that I made in US. Actually, I should avoid going to Taiwan in this summer, otherwise I might go there twice....
But at the same time, I want to see Taiwan now because I'm going to apply for Taiwanese electronics companies for my job soon. I feel I need to visit before that...
Also, I have visited most of major Asian countries, such as China, Korea, Hong Kong (only for an hour though..), Malaysia (also only for an hour...).
I have never been to Taiwan.
How should I do?..... Should I go? or Shouldn't I go?
Mmm... I need to think more about that.
Anyway, it's obvious that I will visit Asian country this time when I take into consideration the budget...
I'll talk with my friend and decide after that...

But first, I have to get an internship and a part time job! Everything starts from them...

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

my recent conditions

I moved to my brother's apartment on May 31st, and I had an interview for an internship on June 1st.
I'm looking for other things that I did since then.... but I cannot find them. Maybe, I haven't done anything special since the day before yesterday.

First is about the interview.
Start from the conclusion; I could make it and I'm 90% sure that I can work there for 4 months.
The interviewers there proceeded with the assumption that I will work there after they asked me questions.
They said they would tell me formally by this Friday.
So, I have to wait until Friday... Therefore, I have been free since on Monday.
I'm bored, but it's a good time for me.
Now, I'm learning programming and looking for a future job. Today, I looked through information on the internet.
The job hunting season will start in Japan soon.
All students will get nervous at that. It is because most of them will work for the same company which they found in their junior or senior year in college until their retirement age.

I have no such idea about job.
I won't work in the same company for a long time.
Now, I want to work in a foreign company, especially Taiwanese company.
Why Taiwanese company?
I don't know much about Taiwanese companies and what they are doing now. However, I roughly know that there are many good electronics or computer companies in Taiwan.
That field is the most attractive for me now because the technology in that field is improving every day.
I want to be in such enviornment in the future. It must be exciting!
Also, I prospect that Japanese companies cannot maintain their status that they have now in the future. Japanese companies have to be top in that field everytime now.
Once they fail the top, their value will drop so fast.
Now, foreign companies have good skills.
In 10 years from now, some companies in the world will catch up with Japanese electronics companies. And, I think Taiwanese companies have more possibilities than companies of all countries.

If the time comes, it should be exciting!
That's why I want to work at Taiwanese company now.
But, my idea has a lot of supposition and expectation to Taiwanese companies, and it might be too much.
I know I need to know the real industry much more and analyze many companies.
I have to get more information....

Sunday, May 31, 2009

What I learned in US

It's late to write about my study abroad program in US now.
It has passed almost two weeks since I left William and Mary.
I should have written early... I know.. Now I write about that.

Honestly, I'm not sure if I can express all of what I learned at W&M.
It is because I learned so many things, and they are all precious for me.

I write only about the most important thing what I learned in US.
The biggest thing I learned is definitely the importance of friends.
I learned little from lectures, but I learned a lot from casual conversations and discussions with my friends.
Mostly, we had very casual conversations and had a lot of fun from them every time. Sometimes, we raised serious topics, such as education and politics.
Also, I made so many good memories with my friends.
I hung out with my friends almost all the time when I was not studying.
I cannot imagine my stay at William and Mary without having friends.
All my memories are with my friends.
That was my first time that I could think my treasure is my friends.

Before I left Japan the last year, I thought I can live by myself.
I had a lot of ambitions of success in my career before I left. So, I sacrificed time that I could spend with my friends.
However, I realized that is wrong idea.
It's not overstated to say this; I cannot live without my friends.
I need to be happy. To be so, I need to have a lot of close friends.
I can enjoy the life with my friends, get presure with my friends, and improve myself thanks to my friends.
They are all true.

I wrote all about "friends."
I'll keep relationships with my friends that I made in US, definitely.
They are all my good friends, and some of them are my best friends.
Also, I'm going to make more friends and have fun time in Japan.


By the way, I have a interview for an internship tomorrow.
I'm not nervous at all. Or rather, I'm so excited to having an interview!
I'll post about it after the interview tomorrow!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

a new laptop

I got a laptop.
I already have VAIO, so this is the second one.

A big difference is the size.
This new one is much smaller than VAIO.
This is really small, and I can take everywhere.
I might spend more time with the computer...

Actually, I bought this computer only by 1 dollar.
I made a contract with E-Mobile, a japanese company, for 3-D network.
I can use internet almost everywhere in Japan with a small device which connects USB.
The connecting speed is 7.2 Mbps, so it's not so fast. In case of ADSL in Japan, it's about 100Mbps.
However, it's enough for almost every use. I can watch Youtube with no problem, and download movies with a little bit more time.
But the problem is when I use Skype.
I can cleary listen to voice and see video, and they can listen to my voice.
However, the video that they get is not clear enough...

There are some problems, but mostly I'm satisfied with the work.
I can access to the internet everywhere in Tokyo area.
It's nice, isn't it?
I feel the development of technology.
Sometime in the near future, the internet access will be much easier.
We will be able to find wi-fi more easily, and many people will have a device that I have now, or similar one.
Anyway, this field is everytime improving and attractive for me.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Leaving for Japan

I'm leaving the volunteer center in an hour.
Finally, I'm going home.

I got relieaved after I talked with other staffs and changed the date of the ticket.

My flight is at 15:45.
I'm leaving here before at 11:30.
Hopefully, I will arrive at the airport at 12:30. The officer of Malaysia Airline said that I should come to the airport 3 hours before from my flight.

I already got ready for leaving. I finished packing the last night.

Now, I'm fine. I can meet my family and friends tomorrow.
I'll decide what I do after I take a rest for a couple of days.


While I'm here, I was helped by my friends.
If I could not have chatted and talked with them while I'm here, I would be definitely distracted.
My heart was almost broken yesterday, but my friends helped me.
I talked with them a lot through Skype.
I realized the importance of having friends this year at William and Mary and here, Indonesia.

Anyway, I will post next articles hopefully after I'm back home.
Bye

Thursday, May 21, 2009

I'm in Jakarta now, but

I haven't posted articles for a while.

Now, I'm at the volunteer center in Jakarta, Indonesia.
I came here the day before yesterday.

I'm seriously thinking to leave here.
I stayed here only for 2 days.
I know we cannot decide anything in such a short time.

But, I can't work here now.

There are two other volunteers here, and I already talked with both of them a lot.
They are really nice.
Also, I met all children who live here. They are very sweet.


However, I'm so confused by the difference of the situation.
I was in US two days ago. I had really fun time at Stanford with my friend.
And, I had a great year at William and Mary. I made a lot of close friends and hung out with them a lot.
That is definitely the first greatest year in my life.

Now, I'm in Jakarta.
I decided to come here by myself. I wanted to know the rest of the world by living in a developing country.
I was born and raised in Japan, and I studied in US for 9 months.
I know how much a lucky person I am. Only a few people can live in those economically rich and socially sophisticated countries.
I applied for this volunteer program in Indonesia to expand my view toward the world.

But, I need a rest now. I stayed in US and came to Jakarta.
I'm so confused by the difference of societies.
I know this is not a good thing for everyone who are relating with this volunteer program and my friends who are supporting me.
But, it is the best choice for myself.
I need a rest.
If I work here longer, my heart would get broken. If I become such a state, it's very hard to recover from it. I have to avoid that.

When I was in Japan, I thought I'm mentally strong. Also, my friends said that to me a lot.
However, I realized that I'm not strong at all. I'm same with my friends mentally. I'm not a special. Also, I'm not a machine.
I was ready for coming here. I thought I knew the situation here. But, it's very hard for me to spend here.
I made so many good memories in US, and I haven't been back to Japan for 9 months.

I can't be here anymore.
I need to leave.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

orz

What's happened to me?
Still, something is wrong....

I'm getting quieter and quieter these days...
I know I'm not like this.
I really don't know what happened to me.
Also, my friends noticed something unusual of me.
They say I'm more active usually.

I know.

I hope only the time solve this.


Ah,.... I have written something gloom these days.
I need to fix myself.

Test week

It's already on Tuesday.
Also, it's a test week.
My first test is tomorrow, and the last one is on next Wednesday.
Now, I'm studying for Environmental Science and Neurobiology...

I have a lot to do.
I'm reading so many books especially for a take-home exam of Environmental Science...
But, it's fun. So, it's ok.

However, the problem is neurobiology...
It's so hard to understand and I also have to memorize a lot.

I'm going to finish the take-home exam today and start studying neurobiology.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Something wrong...

Something has been wrong since Friday night.
I'm not dipressed at all, but SOMETHING is wrong.

One of my friends also noticed it.
He asked me what happened to me, but nothing happened.
Even I really don't know why I'm feeling like this.

I don't think I'm sad now.
Honestly, I was sad the last week when I thought about after the semester.
Now, I got fine.

However, I don't feel good.
WHY??

I spent great time both on Friday and Saturday.
I enjoyed the last day of class on Friday, and I enjoyed a crazy thing with my friends yesterday. We burned Hello Kitty at near the lake the last night.
I really enjoyed both days.

But, I feel I'm not "me" now.
I'm quiet now. Usually, I'm not such quiet..

Anyway, I cannot do anything to recover by myself.
I'm hoping only the time will solve it...

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

hay fever?

Did I get hay fever?
I don't know, but I'm not in a good shape today.
I feel dizzy and sleeply, though my nose is not running.

Today I had only one class.
In the class, we watched a video about black Americans in 1960-1961.
However, I slept a bit in the class...
So now, I regret it because that was the only class today.

Anyway, I'm working for presentation on next Thursday the last three days, and still I'm working for it.
I hope I can finish it today.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Between Real and Freedom

As you know from the title, I exist between real and a kind of freedom now.
The exchange program ends in a month.
So, I have to leave here in a month.
I could realize that's a big thing for me.

I won't be able to meet friends I made here anymore after I leave.
Actually, I could make a lot of close friends here. So, it'll be hard that I will not be able to hang out with them a month from now.
At the same time, I know I have to finish this free situation.
I'm an exchange student and I have nothing that regulates me, which means I'm totally free here.

I can just enjoy the life. It's a good thing, I know..
But, it's not always good thing for me.
Most of my friends since a junior high have already started working.
My friends in the same Biology Department in college are all seniors now.
I need to realize more that I'm spending special time here.
It's possible that I can avoid what I don't want because I'm just an exchange student.
Formally, I'm not a student of both colleges now. It's true.


Yesterday, I sent email to one of my friends in Kanazawa.
We were both in Biology Department.
Now, he is a senior and decided a lab.
He said he spends almost all day in the lab. He goes to the lab in the morning and goes back home in night.
I'm sure that he enjoys the research but he said he spends busy days.
He could tell me what lab other friends chose and are doing now.
I cannot imagine that they are all senior and decided lab and I would be a senior if I'm in Japan now.
They are getting responsibility more and more.

I will have to do a job hunting after I'm back to Japan.
Also, I'll have to decide a lab in which I work in a year.
Now I'm spending free time, but that's the real.
Yeah, I'd better to prepare for the real before I'm back to Japan. Otherwise, I'll be sufferd from the gap.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Programming

If I can choose the major now, I would definitely choose computer science.
Programming, it will be useful for my career.
However, it doesn't mean I want to be a programmer.
My major interest is business.
I just want to know the system of computer to help my career.

If I can fulfill one thing, I would choose to become an entrepreneur.
I'm not sure I will be an entrepreneur in the future, but I always dreams to become it.
Now technology is improving, especially in the field of computer and Internet.
It's necessary to acquire computer skills for success.

So now, I'm learning c++ by myself.
After I get broad knowledge about it, I'm going to learn Java more deeply.

Anyway, I'm going to bed now, I have done nothing today though... sigh...

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Less than 1 month

It's already April 15th, and I'm leaving here, Williamsburg, on May 15th in the morning.
So, I have only less than 1 month left.
The time passes so fast... Everytime I feel it when I count the days I can stay at W&M.
I cannot believe almost 8 months have passed, and also I don't want to believe it.
Sometimes people say they feel as if it happened just yesterday.
This sentence is just overexpressed, but I feel it passed only 5 or 6 months..

However, here is a contradiction.
I don't think the time passes so fast this semester.
I'm really enjoying this semester, but I don't feel the time passes fast.
I cannot find the reason...

It's good for me to reflect the past and realize what I did and I learned at W&M.
I believe I can cherish next a month much more by doing this.
Honestly, I cannot write all of them here because I did so many things and I learned a lot.
But absolutely, this year is the biggest in my life ever.

I made a lot of close friends and hung out with them here. Sometimes, we discussed about variety of topics, from politics to our way of life itself.
I could get confident to myself and my ideas in those discussions.
I realized my ideas can affect people who are listening to me.
At the same time, however, I knew I'm still immature. I noticed that I'm not trying to listen to others as much as when I'm speaking.

Moreover, I'm changing everytime.
I had been more serious when I was in Japan because I had so many things to do and I assigned so many tasks to myself. Originally, I like to be busy, and it has not changed though.
Here, I have more time to hang out with friends and have conversations with them.
Now, I'm relaxed. As I wrote before, I'm emphasizing only on academics and social life.
I can be the real. Now, I feel I'm in a high school again.


To tell the truth, I don't even know how long I can keep it in my mind that I learned here after I'm back to Japan.
Definitely, I have much more things to do there than I have here now, such as job hunting and part-time job.
Moreover, I like to do "something" that I can be absorbed in.
Before I left Japan, I did stocks exchange and made a couple of websites.
Now, I have another plan and I'm going to do it in Kanazawa, I don't tell about it here though.
The plan is going on only in my head. When it comes clear, I'll explain about that.
The plan might always change, so I can tell when I could verify the plan.


The topic went wrong way a little bit...
Anyway, I'm going to enjoy the time that I can spend with my friends here.
Also, I'm going to make good memories.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

sick...

Today, I slept almost all day.
I caught a cold, and had a fever.

Now, I got a lot better.
However, I did nothing other than sleeping...
So from tomorrow, I need to study hard again to compensate for what I left in this weekend.

Think possitively, it was absolutely good for me.
Somehow, I was so tired the last week.
So, it was a kind of relaxed time for me today.


But, I've been so relaxed since I came here.
I'm not doing anything special here.
I'm enphasizing on only academics and social life.
When I was in Japan, I did so many things. So, I spent busy days...
If I'm in Japan now, I cannot spend a day as I did today.

Anyway, it's already April 12th.
I cannot believe it and I don't want to believe that this study abroad is coming to an end in a month.
I'm going to enjoy the life more.

Friday, April 10, 2009

to accept other opinions

Sometimes, I feel I have to accept other people's idea when in discussion.
I know, but it's very hard to do it.

Anyway, I'm so sleepy today and have to wake up early tomorrow morning.
Now, I go to bed...

Sunday, March 29, 2009

"something" chanced in my mind

As title tells, something has greatly changed today.
Maybe, I noticed I can enjoy the life more.
Although you might not understand the meaning, difinitely I realized I can be more relaxed.
I might have been tense this week.
I felt I wanted to do everything and I expected I can do all of them. Also, I can do all things much better than others.
But now, I realized it's impossible to do as what I hoped.
I might have thought everything is competition with others, though it's obvious that it doesn't work good to me.

I should be more relaxed and enjoy what I'm doing.


One more thing, here is a good news.
I have an older sister, and she might be going to marry!!
I'm not sure yet, but I've been happy since I heard from my mother.
I sent email to her today, and she told me that her boyfriend came to the house yesterday to talk with my father and mother.
He asked them if he can live together with my sister, not marriage yet.
My sister is 27 years old, and the guy is 31.
My mother said he looks smart and cool.

He was working in the same laboratory at Kyoto University with my sister in Kobe.
I guess he took PhD there.
He start working in a medical school in Tokyo as a lecturer from April.

My sister was also a PhD student of Kyoto University.
However, she decided to drop out from the college the last month, though no one in my family knew the reason of that is to live with her boyfriend at that time.
Actually, I am worried about her a bit because Kyoto University is the second best college in Japan.
Also, she is a talented researcher.
She told me before that she wants to study more in UK or US after she got PhD.

However, I believe her decision is right for her.
She is 27. It's true that women have more work in their life other than their career.
She also starts working in a hospital in Tokyo.
I don't know what she does in that job, but I hope she can use her skills there.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

How I spend the rest of days

First of all, I'm fine now.
I wrote it was a bad day yesterday, but now I got invigorated.

Now, I'm going to write how I want to spend the rest of days in US.
I have only 1 and half months left to stay in US.
I cannot believe that. I feel the time passes so fast.
At the same time, I'm thinking what I learned in my stay here.
Actually, I have had so many experiences and I cannot tell because I learned too many things.
I'm learning from "something" every day and every moment in a great environment.

However, I want to make the time more precious.
I'm going to enjoy the life more by spending more time with my friends because I cannot meat most of them after I leave here.
It is the freest time now. I don't transfer any credits to the college in Japan, so I don't need to be too serious about my academics.
I was so busy when I was in Japan.
I worked a part-time job 5 days a week, especially I worked almost all day on weekends.
Also, I had lab courses and did experiments every afternoon.
I did stocks exchange, built couple of websites, and studied English a little bit.
Actually, I was much much busier than average students because I did so many things other than school life.

But here, I'm not doing such things.
Although I need to spend so much time for study, I feel much free.
I'm pretty sure I will spend so much energy for other than academic study after I'm back to Japan.


Next, I'm going to pour more energy for study.
As I wrote, I'm going to emphasize on other activities other than studies in Japan.
So, this is the only time that I can spend energy for "study."
I'm going to hang in the study.


Anyway, I need to cherish every moment while I'm in US.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

bad day.....

I have had so strange feelings since the last night.
I'm still a little bit depressed, though my health is no problem.
Maybe it's because of the protest I saw the last night.

Originally, I don't have any political view.
The protest was very related to their political view.
When I was in Japan, I didn't need to care about our political view, but here some people have big political view and sometimes they protest based on it.
Honestly, I don't understand it.
I was talking about it with my friend the last night.


Ah.... it's a bad day today.....
I might be so sensitive.....

Friday, March 20, 2009

WBC

These days, I have been excited to WBC (World Baseball Classic.)
It's an international baseball event.
Although this has been the hottest topic in Japan and many people are watching in Japan, only a few people know WBC in US...
It's actually suprising for me.
Baseball is not a popular sports in US any more.
It WAS popular, but baseball is the third most popular sports, after football and basketball.

It's a sad thing that American people don't watch baseball and even don't know WBC.
They should show their nationality in the event.
Only Japanese and Korean are excited to the games.
And, so am I!
Originally, I really like baseball. I played baseball for 5 years from 5th grade in elementary school to senior year in junior high. Also, I was a captain of a baseball club in junior high school.
So, it's obvious that I'm so excited to this baseball event.
I bought a subscribe and could watch on my laptop.

The last three days, I watched games in night.
On Wednesday, the game was at 11:00-2:30..
On Thursday, at 11:00-3:00,
On Friday, at 9:00-12:30...
I had been so tired until yesterday. Also, I had a lot of work and studied hard.
I could take 8 hours sleep the last night, so I was fine today.
The next game is on Sunday with US!!
It must be exciting.
I'm watching with my American friend. I hope Japan wins.


By the way, it was a so nice day today.
To tell the truth, I didn't study at all.
Instead, I spent most of time for talking with my friends. Also, I went to a haircut.
However, I have to study tomorrow, though it's Saturday...
I have two exams next week, and I will not be able to study on Sunday night because I'm watching WBC.
Tomorrow, I'm studying so hard!!!

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Feedback of volunteering in Petersburg

I haven't written articles for a long time.
It's fresh to write now.

Anyway, I came back to campus 3 hours ago from a-week volunteer in Petersburg, Virginia.
To tell the truth, I'm so tired now.
However, I'm going to write what I did and learned there because I had a great experience and want to keep in mind what I got from the experience by writing about it.

First, Petersburg is famous as the most collapsed city in Virginia.
One of my friends is from the city, and she says it's terrible.

We left for Petersburg on the last Saturday night. Actually, I was so exhausted because I woke up at 5 in the morning to watch a baseball game...

The first two days, we didn't do almost anything. We hunged out in the city and roughly knew the city.
Honestly, I was disappointed to the trip then, though I didn't expect too much to this volunteer trip. I couldn't see what we would do in the trip.

However, I didn't need to be disappointed any more when the real work started on Monday.
I don't write exactly what we did because we did so many things and it's a lot of work to explain all of them.
We helped painting the inside of house, made frameworks of housing, visited an elementary school and helped the class, helped the organization which is working on HIV problem, and visited houses in community and did survey.

I'm not sure how much we could contribute to community development, but I can say we could become a part of power for organizations that are already working.
The work was first for ourselves, but it was not only self-satisfaction.


This trip made me realize how much I am in a great environment.
My father has gotten higher salary than average family, and much much higher compared with poor family in Petersburg. The community I was raised is pretty good. I went to the second prestigious high school in the area. I'm a college student and I'm studying in US as an exchange student now.
I thought I have noticed that I'm in a good environment. However, I could truely realize the environment I am in.
I have to appreciate for that and I must not take for granted that!!

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Possibilities of computer

One of the biggest differences between US and Japan is the prevalence of computer.
In US, people spend much more time with their PC, compared with people in Japan.
They carry their laptop almost everywhere, and they can access to the internet in a lot of places.

Almost half of my friends in Japan did not have internet access environment in their appartment when I left Japan. They used laptops just for writing papers.
Most people couldn't type as fast as Americans do, because they don't spend time with PC.
Moreover, most of my friends didn't have their email address on PC. They sent email only with their cell phones.

I don't say I'm good at using computer.
Honestly, I'm very avarage in that in US.
However, my friends thought I'm very good at computer. They relied on me when they had to use computer, and I often taught them very fandamental knowledge.

Japan is famous for its technology.
Many foreigners misunderstand that we are all good at technology or computers.

Only some people might be very good, but most of us don't know even how to use them.


I'm not pessimistic about that. Rather, I think this is a big business chance for market in Japan.
It is because there are many possibilities that the market can grow.
I estimate people in Japan will spend more time with computers.
As a result, it is possible that something different type of SNS appears and gets popular, such as we show pictures and post comments on them.
People will get to watch video or TV programs on the internet.

Especially, I'm thinking that the use of internet for academic thing will become more popular.
People will search everything on the internet.
They will get news more from the articles on the internet.
Moreover, they don't need to buy electronic dictionary to look up for vocaburalies.

Of course, this senario includes the development of software, hardware and search engines themselves.
We can get lighter laptops with a long-life battery.
The time for starting computers will be shorten.
These things mean that we can use computers anytime without caring about the place and time.


Especially, I've been thinking that translation function will be the biggest matter.
You might know that sentences translated on the internet are too awkward to be read or very hard to read.
There are abandont amounts of resources in the world of internet.
It is obvious that the inovation of internet accelerated the globalization and is still accelerating.
The world is getting smaller. However, we still have a big barrier of "language."
If we invent an effective translation soft, the globalization will be accelerated much faster.

Now, most Japanese access to website which is written in Japanese. So, the information is not always new. In addition, those news are limited because people don't translate every articles to Japanese.
It's enough if they get a reliable translator from English to Japanese and from Japanese to English.
If they have a good translator online, all people in Japan can get a chance to have information as Americans have at the same time.


Now, I'm studying programming by myself.
I'm thinking the skill is necessary for my career.
I don't need professional skill, but I need fandamental one that helps me to write source cords.


Oh, this is a long article.... I was absorbed in writing it, so I didn't notice that I wrote such a long one.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Spring Break is coming!

Spring Break starts on March 7th.
As I wrote before, I'm going to spend all days in Petersburg, VA.
This is a volunteer service trip.

Today, we had a meeting.
I realized the break starts soon.
I'm looking forward to having great time there.


By the way, I've been very relaxed these days.
I had three tests the last week, and I have no test until after spring break.
Of course, I'm studying everyday.
But, I haven't spent so much time for study.

The last night, I was watching a youtube video.
It is a lecture of Computer Science at UC Berkeley.
The lecture is amazing! The professor is the best I've ever known, though it's just youtube video.
And, I ordered a textbook for the class today!!!
Crazy, Ha!?
So, I decided to take the class on youtube. (not officially, just for fun)
Maybe tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, I will get the textbook because I ordered by the fast shipping one.
I'm so excited. Actually, I'm so interested in computer science, and I was thinking to take the one before this semester.
Definetely, I will learn computer science after I'm back to Japan.
So, this is the first step though the class is hard.

It's OK!
Now, I start studying..

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

environmental science

I'm taking an environmental science course this semester.
It focuses on East Asia, and especially China.

It's not exaggerated that environmental issues in Asia almost equals that of China.

People think China produces too much pollutions.
It's true but it's not completely true.

Let me explain this.
On average, a person in China produces pullution only one-ninth of one American.
In addition, this is below of the average in the world.
This is true.

The problem is the sum of it. China has 13 billion people in the country.
Therefore, the total emission of pollution is the largest in the world.

Chinese government argue that today's global warming is not the fault of China, and fault of developed countries.
I understand it.
Still, China should not be necessary blamed because of its population.

However, China needs to improve the situation more. This is also true.
We don't even try to understand the reason while China spend huge amount of coal and have enourmous amounts of inefficient plants.


One more thing, I briefly explain an interesting graph I had in the class today.
We compared major Asian cities with the two measurement below in the class.
1. SO2 concentrations (micro gram/square meters)
2. Sulfate concentrations ( same with above)

First is the comparison of SO2 concentrations in 2000.
Beijing: 44.7
Shanghai: 110.2
Chongqing: 135.1
Seoul: 27.4
Pusan: 63.0
Tokyo: 7.7
Osaka: 6.8

Second is sulfate.
Beijing: 26.5
Shanghai: 46.2
Chongqing: 68.5
Seoul: 12.8
Pusan: 26.3
Tokyo: 3.6
Osaka: 4.1

You can know how much cities in China is pollueted,
and how Tokyo and Osaka are clean!!!
I'm proud of that I'm Japanese.

Surprisingly, cities in Korea are not developed in environmental issues.
Especially, Pusan is as much polluted as Beijing when we measure by square meters.
Pusan is the second biggest cities in South Korea, but it doesn't have as much land as Beijing.
As a result, we feel Beijing is much more polluted.

But, this chart is very interesting.
cleanliness
Tokyo, Osaka >>> Seoul >> Beijing, Pusan > Shanghai >> Chongqing

Monday, February 23, 2009

For volunteer in Jakarta

I bought a ticket from Jakarta to Narita today.
I leave Jakarta on September 20th and get to Narita on 21st in the morning.

By the way, my friends often ask me whether I miss Japan. Somehow, however, I haven't missed Japan.
Sometimes, I think about the life in Japan, especially after I decided to go to Indonesia.
But, it's different from that I miss my country.
Just compared with a developing country, it is obvious that the life in Japan is much more comfortable.

America is also a sophisticated country. So, almost everything is similar to Japan.


Oh, I remember that one of my friends said that I am a free man. haha..
Actually, it's true and it's ok though.
I'm used to being said something like that.
My friends in Japan also said similar thing.


Now, I'm watching a youtube video.
It is a speech of Bill Gates at Carnegie Mellon because He is most respectful person for me.
Obviously, he is the most popular business man in the world.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

....go to San Francisco

I wrote before that I'm going to Hong Kong before I get to Jakarta.
But, I abandoned it.
I decided to go to San Francisco, and spend for 4 or 5 days there.

I bought a ticket from San Francisco to Jakarta yesterday.
It was really cheap, just $740 by Singapore Airline.
Especially, it's cheap to go there from San Francisco.
And, I have a friend in Stanford whom I made in Chicago. So, I can meet him there!!

It is good for me to go first to San Francisco by domestic flight.
The ticket is cheap, and I can meet my friend!!


By the way, I really want a video camera now.
Surprisingly, video camera is getting cheaper.
I can buy the one only by $200 or so.
Right now, I looked up on Amazon.

Anyway, I will decide whether I buy after I check how much I spend before I'm back to Japan.
Actually, I don't want to embarass my parents.
I'm trying to spend "their" money for only necessities.
I don't want to spend their money only for my amusement.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

test, test...

Today, I had a test.
It would be the worst score I've ever taken.

Moreover, I also have a test tomorrow.
Now, I started studying for the test.
I was so sleepy just before now. But, I'm OK now.
So, I can study hard from now.


Today, I went to a lecture about business.
I just followed my friend.
It was a good lecture. I could know the system in America.


Alright, I study now!!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

I'm sick...orz

I'm sick today....
I have a fever and headache.
And I had body pain, but it's getting better.

I slept almost all day today. So, I didn't go to classes...
That's because I wanted to recover as soon as possible.
However, I still have a cold.

I have a test tomorrow. I studied yesterday a little, but it's not enough.
Now, I start studying.
Actually, I have tests from Wednesday to Friday....
This week, it's so hard. Besides, I'm sick now...
I hope I can make it.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

3 months

I have ONLY three months to stay in America.
I will leave here maybe on May 15th.
So, today is just the three months before I leave.

Anyway, I am enjoying life here everyday, and am going to enjoy more.
At the same time, I'm learning everyday.
I will do what I can and want to in the rest of three months!!

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Atractive Asian Cities

I watched a Korean movie with my friends, though I forgot the title of the movie...
I was frustrated before I met them, because other my friends irritated me.
But, I'm fine now, thanks to them. I drank with them and they are always cheerful.

First, I've been to Korea.
I went there for just 1 week in spring break, 2008. 3 days in Seoul and 4 days in Busan
In the movie, the main place is Seoul.
Seoul is considerably attractive city for me. This might be because it is similar to Tokyo.

Also, women are beautiful! (This is important. hahaha)
I've been in America for 6 months. I might miss Asian girls... haha

Anyway, I have been wanted to work in Asian cities.
Most attractive cities for me are Shanghai and Hong Kong.
I need to make my ability higher to fulfill my career vision.
So, I need to improve English more and study hard!
OK, I'm ready to keep busy the rest 3 months in America.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Going to Hong Kong!!!

I will go to Hong Kong on May (15th) 16th- 20th.
Before I head for Jakarta, I'm thinking to drop by Hong Kong for 4 or 5 days.
But, I was thinking to go back to Japan the same date, until yesterday.

Now, I changed my mind. It is a good opportunity to go to Hong Kong where I want to work in the future.
I need to know how Hong Kong is.

Moreover, I asked my best friend in Japan whether he wants to come to Hong Kong.
He replied "Yes."
Therefore, I might be able to spend with my friend in Hong Kong.

I'm getting so excited to go to Hong Kong!!!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Classes I'm taking

They are hard.
I'm not suffered from a lot of assignments or readings, but I'm suffered from the lecture or discussion itself.
Today, I had two classes Neurobiology and African American History.
Honestly, I don't know how much I understood the class.

I majored in biology in Japan. So, I have fundamental knowledge of biology.
However, I don't know the terms in English.
I learned them in Japanese. Therefore, I need to translate everytime.
In the class, the professor uses lots of biological terms.
It is so hard to catch up with what he is saying.

And, African American History
I learned little about American History itself.
I learned world history in freshman year in high school.
But, that's all. Therefore, it might be the hardest course for me.

BUT, I decided not to make excuse for my English ability and lack of knowledge.
I'm telling to myself that I'm studying in America like other students.
So, I keep doing my best and have to catch up with the classes. In the end, I'm happy if I could get A grades from those classes.

Now, I start studying.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Many works...

I had a high fever the last night. My body temperature was 38.3 degree celsius.....
My body was hurting and I had a headache...
But, I got over the cold and am ok now.

However, I have a lot of tasks today.
I have an exam tomorrow... It's for Environmental Science Course.
Also, a paper....

Moreover, I need to keep Obama Journals, which is for African American History class.
The weight of this task is 20% of grade.
Actually, I need to read newspapers and keep the journal every day.
The last week I just started. So, I'm reading past newspapers....

About the History class;
Today's topic was Abraham Lincoln.
But, I couldn't understand the discussion in the class at all today...
I need to get knowledge of Civil War and slaves more.
So, I should read something book which gives me general knowledge.


And more,
The organization in which I will work volunteer in this summer has already assigned tasks to me. So, I need to work on it.
and, I should check the information of the volunteer.


Anyway, work hard today. I don't know my health is completely ok, though..

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Slumdog Millionaire

I watched "Slumdog Millionaire" the last night.
Actually, it was a great movie.

I watched "Benjamin Button" and "Gran Torino" over the winter break.
However, Slumdog Millionaire is the best movie in those three.

First, the movie shows the real India with special effect.
Houses are packed and they are dirty.
It is the real India.
We are absorbed in the movie from the first.
Of course, the story itself is amazing.

Moreover, I was thinking about Indonesia where I'm going in this summer.
Scenes in the movie were shocking. As I wrote, there are too many houses and people, and the city is dirty.
I know the situation is similar in developing countries.
I need to make myself prepare before I go to Indonesia.


The movie Slumdog Millionaire is produced by a British filmmaker. The total budget is only $15 million.
On contrast, the total budget of Gran Torino is $33 million and Benjamin Button is $150.
However, Slumdog Millionare is the best in those movies.
How they could make such a good movie with a low budget! amazing!!

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Volunteer in Jakarta!!

Good news! I got an acceptance from a volunteer organization, IHF this morning.
I'm going to work volunteer from May 20th to September 20th, just for 4 months!!

Maybe, I will teach math to poor children there.
Not only teaching math, but also I have many tasks in that volunteer program.
I will work with advertising, looking for new sponsers, keeping touch with sponsers, etc.


About the organization;
The organization is non-profit one. The government admits the organization, but doesn't support it.

Life there;
I'll live in a facility in which poor children and staffs are living.
Most children have sponsers in the country or other countries.
I'll pay $50 per week, which covers accommodation and every meal.
So, in total, I pay $200 per month.
In addition, I have to buy the air ticket by myself.
It is because the organization itself isn't getting profits.


Work;
I haven't known exactly about my work there yet.
As I wrote above, probably I'll teach math to children.
Therefore, I might need to study math a little bit before I go there.


By the way, I checked the information of Indonesia and air ticket.
Probably, I will go back to Japan on May 14th.
My last final exam finishes on May 13th.
I will stay in Japan only for 4 or 5 days, and leave for Jakarta on 19th or 20th.
Schedule is so tight...

But, I haven't decided yet.
I might go to Jakarta directly from America.
Actually, it's so cool. But, at the same time, I want to see my friends in Japan and relax in my house...

Anyway, I'll have been busy by September 20th, though I will be busy even after I'm back to Japan....

It has passed 5 months since I came to America. But, I have another 7 months before I'm truely back to Japan.
So Excited!!