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!!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Spring Break

I'm working volunteer in spring break.
I could get the chance the last night.

Fortunately, my friend who applied to at the same time could also get it.
So, we can work together.

I'll work volunteer whole spring break, on March 7th to 15th.
The place is Petersburg, VA. Petersburg is located 30 minutes drive south from Richmond, which means it's close to Williamsburg where I am.
We will stay in a house in Petersburg, not going back to Williamsburg. The activity is establishing houses for poor people there.
I heard Petersburg is the most devastated city in Virginia.

However, the volunteer is not so serious.
Of course, we work for them. However, we can enjoy after the work with other 10 members.

We have meetings 4 times before we go there, and we have a first meeting next week.



At the same time, however, I abondoned to go to California in spring break.
I really want to visit West Coast cities, especially Los Angels and San Francisco.
And, I'd like to meet my friend with whom I became friend in Chicago. He is in Stanford.
But, I go there and meet him while I'm in America. Maybe when I leave America, I will drop by California.


I believe I can have a great experience there.
It is a good opportunity to work with other members, and I can see the social problem with my eyes. Also I will be able to get a fulfilment.
And, I can save money, though I paid $250 for the program.

Anyway, I have so many things to do this semester.....
Write down what I do in my last semester.
The number is priority.


1. Study for classes (of course!!!)
I really try to get straight As' in this semester!!
Now, I'm completely used to the system here and I can concentrate on my study.

2. Apply for internship abroad or volunteer abroad
Now, I'm contacting both.
And, I'm waiting for reply from volunteer organization.
I applied for 4 months volunteer program in Indonesia or Thailand.
I sent application form on Monday. My friend and a professor in my college could become a reference and recommend me for that program.
I appreciate them.

3. Activity in investment club
I joined an investment club.
The club seems so interesting!!

4. Volunteer in spring break

5. Activity in entrepreneurship club
Also, I joined entrepreneurship club from this semester.
I talked with president of the club, and he asked me to become an excutive after our conference!
But, I don't know how much I'll be absorbed in this club.
The word "Entrepreneur" is very attractive to me.
But, I didn't feel the club is appealing...


There are many things to do....
I believe I can make it all of them!!!!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

sleepy....

So sleepy...

I was sleeping a little bit in psychology class.....
Today, I have a lot of things to do.

Now, I start study for environmental science class at 3:30.

At 7 o'clock, I'm going to an investment club.
This is my first meeting.

At 8, I go to check my lottery which is for volunteer in spring break.
Today, I can know how I will spend spring break.
I can volunteer in whole spring break if I can get the chance.


ok, start studying

Friday, January 23, 2009

Windows 7!?

Did you know Microsoft is planing to sell a new version of Windows in a year.
That is Windows 7.
I did know by reading New York Times Online.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/technology/personaltech/22pogue.html?em

However, this new version will not be changed as much as XP to Vista.
In short, Windows 7 is a fixed version of Windows Vista.

The main reason that Microsoft releases Windows 7 is Vista couldn't get popular by a lot of incomvenience.
Now, Windows 7 is available as a free download on Microsoft website.


Some people have said XP users don't need to change to Vista. They have said XP users should buy the next version of Vista. So, it's Windows 7.

Nobody can predict how much this Window 7 becomes popular.
Now, we are in recession and many people have refrained their consumption.
Moreover, the importance of OS is getting low because of the development of internet.


Personally, I don't like the name "Windows 7."
It seems old.... I feel Windows get back to the time of Windows 95 or 98......


Now, I'm going to be back to my room and go to bed 'causeI have to wake up by at 8 tomorrow.
I'm going to join a social service that my roommate is doing.


See you.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

About classes I take

I'm taking 4 courses this semester.
I attended all 4 classes today and yesterday.

Actually, they are all good.
And, I feel my English is getting better. So I realize I can participate in the classes much more than the last semester.
So, I think I can enjoy in classes by expressing my ideas and listening to others' idea.

By the way, I have to keep "Obama Journals" for African American History course.
The weight is 20% of final grade.
So, I decided to read newspapers as much as I can.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

HARD DRIVE

About a book I finished reading the day before yesterday.

The book is "Hard Drive." The content is about the story of Bill Gates, especially how he grew up and started his business.
It's interesting story for me.

As you know, he is super intelligent. People in the book say that he could make success even if he hasn't worked in computer industry.
His most unique characteristics is intensity.
When he gets interested, he does work on it intensely.
Everything is from his intense work.
As a result, however, he was sued by computer industry because his way is too intense and gives fatal damage to other companies.

As I wrote yesterday or day before yesterday, my motto includes a word "geki" which means "intense."
I believe intensity is the most important when we work on something.


And, now I watched videos on YouTube. URL is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJWJbheBv9A
The video is separated to 6 parts, and the above URL is the first one.

I started reading another book today.
It's about Steve Jobs. Business person again....
I should read a novel, not only like such business books.

Although I borrowed a novel from a professor in English Department before the winter break starts, I haven't started reading yet.....


Anyway, the classes start tomorrow.
I'm so excited to go to classes!!

Monday, January 19, 2009

School life starts again

I'm back to William and Mary!!
It was a more than for a month break. However, I don't feel it was long, or rather I even feel it passed so fast.

Anyway, I'm back to campus. So, I need to study hard again.
Honestly, I'm so excited to have classes.
I could almost take the courses what I wanted to this semester, Environmental Science, Neurobiology, African American History, and Psychology.
If it had been possible, I wanted to take a Computer Science course. I abandoned to take the course because class schedule will become too hard and I thought I have no time to do things other than acadamics.

Right now, I sent an email to the president of entrepreneurship club in William and Mary.
I hope to meet him and ask about what they are doing.
My interest is business, and I want to be an entrepreneur in the future (NOT soon after graduate from the college!!!)
I don't know when I do that.
But, I always have an ambition to build my own company.
Maybe 30s or 40s. Anyway, I don't know.


Ahhh, there are too many things that I want to write down on this Blog!
At the same time, I realize my poor writing skill.... not only from English skills but also from my poor writing skill itself....

I want to write what I experienced in this winter break, my strong interest on entrepreneur.
Also, I want to write about the feedback of a book I finished reading today, the inauguration tomorrow...


Alright, I decide to write them tomorrow or after.
Anyway, I watch the inauguration on TV tomorrow morning. So, I have to go to bed now to get up early tomorrow morning.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Ki-Bi-Jyu-Geki


I forgot to tell my new year's determination.
This is the word that explains myself 2009.

己備柔激 (ki-bi-jyu-geki)
I made this word by myself.
(The picture is a fan with the word. I orderd this one in China.)

Honestly, this word is not only for this year.
This is the word I'm aiming at every year, every day, and every moment.


Here is the meaning.
己 (KI) .... myself
I have to keep myself. What I'm thinking is the most important, not other people are thinking. I have to trust what I think is true.
備 (BI) .... preparation
I have to prepare before I start doing. A good preparation gives me a good result.
柔 (JYU)... gentle
I have to be gentle when I'm with people. If I have a soften attitude, I can learn from them.
激 (GEKI). intense
I have to work intensely on what I decided. I have to be absorbed in what I'm doing, and keep going on it.
This is my MOTTO.
Oh... I wrote two articles.
I decide to write articles frequently from today.
Writing articles on Blog is the best way to put in order what I'm thinking.

Internship

These days, I've looked for the opportunity of internship in Philippines.

The biggest reason why I want to work in Philippines is that the country is still a developing country.
I was born and raised in Japan.
Fortunately, I got a chance for an exchange program and I'm in America.

As you know, Japan has the second biggest economy and America is the biggest in the world.
It is unusual to have known only those two countries when we expand our view toward the world.
Moreover, I'm thinking that I'm an exception.
In the world, most of people are living in developing countries.

So, I need to know about their lives and expand view on the world by actually living there.
Especially, it is the best time to absorb everything what is happening around me. Now, I'm 21 years old.
I think I'm more mature than other the same old people. I believe that experience will develop myself.


Moreover, I think there is a demands for people who can speak both English and Japanese. Philippines is close to Japan geologically. And, many people come to Japan every year (though some are coming illegaly.)
And, I can also develop my English by being in Philippines because English is the official language and they can speak.


This exchange program finishes on mid-May of this year.
And, the fall semester in Japan starts on October 1st.
Now, I'm absent from the school in Japan for a year for this exchange program. So, I don't need to come back to the school before the fall semester starts.
So, I have more than 4 months for summer vacation.
It's too long for me.
I like to be busy, and I look for the place where I can challenge everytime.
That's why I'm looking for an internship abroad now.

Actually, I've decided to apply for an internship abroad after I finish study in America since I was in Japan.
If I can get a job as I want, I'd like to work in Philippines on mid-May to mid-September, whole 4 months.
I want to go to Philippines directly from America.

Now, I'm contacting AIESEC which is a non-profit student organization for internship abroad and volunteer abroad.
It is the best way to get an internship through AIESEC.
But, the problem is William and Mary doesn't have that organization. Applicants have to apply through colleges that have AIESEC.
The closest college that has AIESEC is George Washington University in Washington DC.
So, I contact staffs of George Washington.
Therefore, I might need to go to George Washington many times in this semester.
It consumes the energy and the time to go there and go back from there.


In addition, I'm contacting staffs of university in Philippines directly.
And, this is more exciting part for me.
They don't offer any recruitment of internship, but I'm trying to get an opportunity.
Actually, It's so weird....

As I wrote, I like challenging. I want to get the chance by myself.
They might be supprised and think me crazy.
But, I'll keep doing my best.
If I can get an internship from one of those universities, I will work there.

I know this application method is unusual.
But, I'm doing as much as I can.


By the way, I contacted a Japanese company in Philippines before I started applying for AIESEC and contacting universities in Philippines.
A staff of the company replied to me, and he said that the company might give me an internship for 3 weeks in this summer.
For me, 3 weeks is so short because I want to work nearly 4 months.
So, I didn't apply for that again.


Anyway, the most reliable way is through AIESEC.
I hope I can get an internship as soon as possible.


Tomorrow night, I'm back to Williamsburg.
I'm excited to meet my friends and go to classes!!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

About Education

Today, I attended classes in high school.
Now, I'm staying at my friend's house.

By the way, he is going to the same college. So, he is not a high school student.
He took me to his high school.
Actually, we went there to meet his high school teachers.


We met many teachers there, and all teachers remembered him.

After that, we took two classes.
In the first class, students made a presentation. I listened to 5 or 6 students' presentations.
In their presentation, to use Power Point is required.
Everyone was assigned laptop from high school and made their original presentation.
When I think about my high school, I had no such classes.
I don't even remember that I had used PC for the classes.
Although it has passed almost 3 years since I graduated from high school, I don't think to use PC is adopted to classes even now.
And, my friend said he did the same presentation. So, it is obvious that it is not a new trial to adopt PC into classes.

Above all, the most impressed thing in those presentation is that students did presentations without reading notes. They expressed their ideas about works by their words.
It is not easy for high school students to do that.
Many other students were listening to he/her presentation. So, it is not unnatural that the presentor becomes nervous and cannot tell what they want.
However, there were no students who hesitated to speak in front of many people.

If this is in Japan, I think most of students will just read notes that they made for the presentation.

And, I remembered presentations in college.
We had a couple of opportunities for presentation when I was in Japan.
Most of students made notes for their presentation and just kept reading that one.
Especially, almost all women students spoke with reading the notes.
Honestly, such kind of presentation was so boring for me because the presentators become like a machine.
I think American students were used to speak in front of other people.

Next was a discussion class.
That class was so active. Many students expressed their ideas whether their ideas are correct or not.
This is a big difference with Japanese education.
Usually, a teacher keeps talking and students only take notes.
They have no opportunity to speak in the class, and they are not expected to speak in classes.

It was boring for me to just listen to teachers' explanation.
So honestly, I slept a lot and read cartoons in classes in high school....
But, if I had been in classes that I attended today, I could enjoy classes and create my ideas.
Moreover, if I were a teacher, I want to teach in a class that I saw today.


Today, I saw the differences between education in America and Japan.
Now, I'm trying to find advantages of Japanese education. However, I find much more advantages in education in America than in Japan.....