Video Updates & Twitter

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http://twitter.com/STC8180

This is a video from the Teruhime festival I went to last weekend. When we were approaching the park where the actual festival was held, these dancers crowded the street. Quite risque compared to the rest of Japanese Society. Really, quite risque regardless of whatever society it is in.

A brief introduction to the Teruhime Festival.

Rachel's Uncle performing the Traditional Japanese Drum. He tried to teach us. But I guess we are really slow learners. AKA - Those videos will not be put up on this blog.

MORE VIDEOS TO COME SOON!!!

Updates and Pics

Updates and Pictures from Tokyo
April 25th


This is the street right in front of the dorm. What a rainy mess it has been lately. The rain is somewhat refreshing, but we have had so much lately that it almost becomes a hindrance on daily activities (aka - actually leaving the dorm). You can see the 'Tokyo 2016' Banner hanging out front of our dorm. They are all over the city promoting the expected vote for the 2016 Olympics.


A rainy night in Tokyo. Color effect on the street in front of the dorm.

My room.

Wall next to my bed.

Color effect. View from 3rd floor of school.

The Chapel. This is part of the entrance. I walk past this every morning when I come to school. On the left (the stairs) is Meiji Gakuin High School. Then there is the Chapel. And in the far back, you can see one of the buildings of Meiji Gakuin University.

The Guest House

Hello, All,

Another day has gone by in the beautiful and busy Tokyo. I keep thinking about the first day that I had here and think of where I am today. It is so crazy to think that it has been almost an entire month.

I hope that everything is going well in the States. I miss you all so much. I really regret not being around for end of year celebrations, graduations, and kick-off events to the summer. I feel bad for not being there for everyone. But I also know this is something that I had to do. And I know that everyone understands.

Class are in full swing now. Only meeting once a week is a little bit different than what I am used to, but we are most definitely using the time we have to the fullest. I am really enjoying my Japanese course and feel that I am learning a lot. I am really glad that I have this over the summer and then I jump right back into it in August. It is still crazy to think that I will only have one more semester while at Hope College.

Besides classes, everything is so wonderful. I am walking EVERYWHERE, which I love. I forgot how nice it is to walk. And think. And take time to appreciate my surroundings. The trains are interesting. Shopping is always a new adventure. I am always gawked at. I feel so awkward being big here. I have been asked to be on a basketball team AND a volleyball team. The students that asked me said that I looked stronger than anyone on the other teams. Valid reason for picking me I guess; "Big, strong, American". Now, my skill level is up for debate.

I had a wonderful friend send me a letter that had the following poem in it, by Rumi:

The Guest House
This begin human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

Life is beautiful. Everything happens for a reason. Even the pain. The sorrow. The joy.

Love and Peace from Tokyo,

Seth

Tokyo Baptist Church

What a busy day! My feet are definitely hurting.

I woke up this morning and met Rachel and Mariko at Shibuya Station. The trains weren't especially busy this morning and Shibuya, what some people compare to NY Times Square, was actually rather docile compared to most days. I even had time to go grab a frappacino from Starbucks. Always a great way to start your day.

We hopped on a local bus to take us to the Tokyo Baptist Church and as soon as we arrived, I knew we were in Baptist Country. People were singing and clapping at the doors and it looked more like a festival outside in the parking lot than a church gathering. We were greeted and immediately escorted to the front of the church (the last place I wanted to be). It was obvious that there were many foreigners in the crowd and as soon as I saw the Pastor, I knew we were in for a treat. He was about 5'6", 50 or 60 y/o, with strawberry red hair. He was a little spitfire with a southern accent and a heart and soul for rejoicing. "AMEN!" "ALLELULIA!"

After singing some 'engrish' soul songs, we were immediately veiwing TWO baptisms. "PRAISE JESUS!" All I could do was sit. And watch. The preacher that followed up on the baptisms immediately talked about how we are to be disciples and "CONVERT!"

He lost me at disciple. I love me some good soul hymnals and dancing, but evangelism...not so much. I was anticipating the sermon to be...interesting. And I really enjoyed it, though I was a bit gaurded at first. There were, of course, some points/opinions stated on behalf of the pastor that I disagreed with and questioned, but I figured that since it was my first time in their church, I would keep my mouth shut. Not to mention, I really didn't want to hear their answer. It is always the same. Someone begins to preach about what you have to do to live a good life and what is good and bad and what we should and should not do.... All the answers. "Because the Bible says so..."

Check out the Church Website @:

http://www.tokyobaptist.org/news/

You can even listen to the sermon for 4/19/2009.

Enjoy!

Afterwards, we made our way back to Shibuya Station where we met some of the students. We ventured to a park where a phtographer from the French Embassy was waiting for us. I am not sure why they wanted to take our pictures. Maybe and Anti-American ad? HAHA. No, but really, they took all of our pictures for something that the Embassy is creating. It was all very nice. Free. Loving. Peaceful. They said that they would send us some of the pictures soon. So, be looking for them on the blog.

Love and Peace from Tokyo,

Seth

Video Update and Other

Hey, all,

Below is a video update from me. I am working on week 3 in Tokyo and things are going well thus far. I hope that you enjoy the video.

Also below is a link to Google Maps. It shows exactly where I am in Tokyo. I hope that you have fun exploring.

Miss you all!

Love and Peace,
Seth

LINK TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD:

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Copy and paste the link into your address bar.
2. Let the image load - it will be a picture of the street
3. My Dorm will be on the left of the picture. (A White/Gray Building directly across the street from a two-story, red house with white stairs leading up to the door.)
4. Zoom out to explore the area.
5. Every Morning, I walk to Ookayama to hop on the train. The train takes me to Shirokanedai. It is in Shirokanedai that Meiji Gakuin University is located.
6. HAVE FUN EXPLORING!!!
7. You now know what route I take everyday and can relate to my experiences a little better.

Love, Peace, and Google Maps.



http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&ie=UTF8&layer=xc&g=%E3%80%92158-0083&ll=35.603967,139.679865&spn=0.001862,0.004131&z=19&cbll=35.603552,139.679686&panoid=HTNLBYgIhi4fDKgwKWQjfg&cbp=12,263.49186602830065,,0,-4.409090909090927

Celebrating

It was another lovely day here in Tokyo. I am really enjoying this weather. I was going to open my window earlier this morning, but I had a little visitor stuck between my window and the screen. It was a little lizard of some sort. After playing hard to get, I was finally able to open up the screen and push him out. I am still trying to figure out how he made it in there. Looks like I will not be leaving my window open during the night. I do not really appreciate uninvited guests in my bed.

I woke up this morning and did a quick little workout. It is so true when they say that working out makes you happy. It was a fabulous way to start the day!

Afterwards, I showered, cleaned my room, took out the garbage, ate brunch, and went for a stroll through a local neighborhood to pick up some groceries and necessities. So I put on some presentable clothes and my flip flops and headed out.

I stopped at a few drug stores to pick up bathroom supplies and some detergent. I was amazed to see how much detergent is here! Nearly $22.00 for a SMALL container of Tide. But because Tide was the only container that I was familiar with (aka - the only container that I could read), I had to splurge and go for it.

I then stopped at a few little boutiques, looking at flowers and talking to some shop owners the best that I could. After trying to discuss where I was from and what I was doing here in broken Japanese, I finally made my way to the Super Market. It was my lucky day because there were a lot of sales! I feel as though "sales" is universally appreciated by all college students.

On my way back home, I encountered many people. Lots of families out for strolls with there pets. But among these people, there was only one person that really interacted with me. As I was walking past a smoke shop, this elderly woman looked up to me and smiled. I smiled back and said 'hello' in Japanese, with an obviously foreign accent, I'm sure. She replied and added a sweet but almost sarcastic がんばて, which in English translates to "Good Luck."

I have never felt more foreign to an area.

Regardless, I am enjoying myself and am celebrating the end of my first week of classes. Last night, some friends of mine who also live in the International House and I went to the local liquor shop to pick up some celebratory drinks and munchies. Gin and tonic and ramen. That is something that I will miss when I return to the states.

Keep me posted on happenings back home.

I would love to hear from you all!

Love. Peace. Always.

Breathe

Ikebukuro after lunchtime

Life is good.

Putting aside all the difficult times in the States, life is good. But since I am in Japan, I am allowed to do that. In fact, I have to do that. There is no way I could function here at school if I didn't put it all aside.

Granted, I still don't sleep well; thinking of the mess that I call my life. But I have to give myself some time to breathe, in order to think.

I am still reading 'The Wedding', by Nicholas Sparks, and everyday I become more enveloped in the story; in the romance and in the beauty. It is so nice to read something that doesn't require much thinking.

"Later, when I did at last crawl into bed, I slipped under the covers and turned my face to my wife. Her breathing was steady and deep, and I could see her eyelids fluttering, letting me know that she was dreaming. Of what, I wasn't sure, but her face was peaceful, like that of a child. I stared at her, wanting and not wanting to wake her, loving her more than life itself. Despite the darkness, I could see a lock of hair lying across her cheek, and I stretched my fingers toward it. Her skin was as soft as powder, timless in its beauty. Tucking the strand of hair behind her ear, I blinked back the tears that had mysteriously sprung to my eyes."

-The Wedding, Nicholas Sparks

It is so nice to be able to actually have time to read. I read most times on the train while I am traveling to and from school. It is about forty minutes to get to school and about 30-40 on the way back. It usually takes longer in the morning because of the rush hour. I am usually crammed on the train, standing a foot taller than most people on the train.

Being big has its ups and downs in Japan. Let me weigh some of the pro's and con's for you.

PRO'S:

1. I can push people.
2. I can see over most people to view the train schedules.
3. I am easy to spot for my friends.
   
4. People are rather intimidated, thus preventing muggings (something that is already rare here).
5. I am the first to be picked for the sports teams.
6. I have an excuse for not wearing the fashionable skinny jeans worn by most men here.
   
7. The older lunch ladies always add on a little bit more rice and curry sauce when they dish me out food.
   

CON'S:

1. People usually push me because, for some reason (probably because I look like a stereotypical, big, stupid American), they think that I will not move for them. My feet aren't bricks, you know?
2. I am even more able to pick out of a crowd. I am already white, have an American accent, and dress differently. Just add 'giant' to that list.
   
3. Intimidation does not make friends.
4. I feel pressure to live up to the expectations of being a "big, strong American".
5. I can't fit into any clothes. What I packed is what I am wearing.
6. People always assume that I am hungry and want to eat ALL THE TIME. Even when I am full, they don't believe me.
   
7. I probably hear at least four or five 'big' jokes a day. Most related to my weight.
   
8. You always know when I enter and leave class because I can't fit through the aisles without knocking over at least one chair and repositioning the whole row of tables.
   

My classes went really well today. I had three: Japanese (3 hours long), Language, Media, and Gender (1.5 hours), and Sumi-e Painting (1.5 hours). I especially enjoyed the LMG course. We discussed the social construct of gender vs. its direct influence from sex. Quite the discussion. It is suppose to be all about Japan, but our instructor wants us to draw from our own experiences. Even more interesting.

The crazy thing to think about is that, since my classes (except Japanese) only meet once a week, I am only meeting with them 14 more times.

Keep me updated with things in the states. I would really love to hear from you!

Love. Peace. Always.

Seth

Grean Tea Parfaits and Pinot Noir

Why the title? Because I had a wonderful day that began with a Green Tea Parfait from a local cafe and ended with a glass of Pinot Noir.

Jiyugaoka Bus Station

I hope that everyone is still enjoying the updates on my blog and such.

Keep me posted on happenings in the states!

For now, take a gander at these pics and videos from my stay thus far.

Heiwa and Sakura


I am in love with this picture. Rachel and I.

This video is at Toshimaen Park for the Sakura Festival.

ADDRESS

Seth Carlson
MG Okusawa House, Room #107
1-41-12 Okusawa Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-0083

Write it just like that. :-)

Just an fyi....I am not expecting a package at all, only letters :-)

But if you do send a package, make sure you declare it to be less than 10,000 Yen so I don't have to pay duty on it.

Forgetting the days...

A view of the river in Toshimaen at the Sakura Festival.

I have officially been in Japan for one week now.

The back of the Chapel on the campus of Meiji Gakuin Univ.

Now that everything seems to be settling into a routine, the days are going by so quickly. It seems that soon after I leave the dorm to head off to school, I am then returning to end my day and retire to my room. I am excited to be here in Japan, but I am also excited to return home to share these stories and adventures that I am having and am soon to have. I think that this is going to be a great experience and that this will play well into my schedule for next semester. I just hope that I am able to figure something out as to what I will be doing after graduation in December. Right now, I have no idea. Maybe the JET Program? Maybe something in the states?

It seems that every time I am faced with decisions like this, I choose the wrong one. Hopefully I choose something that I am happy with and that I can live with. It is my life after all.

My feet are tired from walking everywhere. I do so much walking. 15 minutes here. 20 there. It all adds up and at the end of the day, my legs feel it. It only makes me sleep better.

Sunset over Sakura in Ookayama.

Entering the Meiji Shrine outside of Harajuku.

Toshimaen Park Sakura Festival.

Today was my first full day on campus. I thought that we were going to be late this morning but, instead, we were about ten minutes ahead of schedule. We went right into taking the placement test. I feel as though I performed poorly. But then again, one of the students that has been here for a semester already said that I was taking the test with the group of individuals who were in either the #1 or #2 class. Honestly, I wouldn't mind being in the #2 or #3 class. I don't know if I could keep up with the higher level classes at this point.

Simply put, I want to learn. And if that means that I learn the best in a lower level course, then I can deal.

Everyday that I am here, I am more and more amazed at these people. The efficiency of Japanese society is amazing. From forming lines at the train station to the architectural design of skyscrapers, everything is done in the most efficient manner.

One thing that I have also noticed is that Japanese culture and society seems to be very segregated. From old to young and foreigner to native, Japanese recognize these differences and do not interfere with "the order of things." At times, I see the older generation and dislike the way that everything seems to be the same (or at least portrayed to be the same). There are no expressions. Everything is so stoic and formal. There is no diversity. There is no color.

And in the same breath, I appreciate the tradition. And it is because of this tradition and simpleness that I admire the older generation of Japan. I am one of the minority in the youth of this nation that do, in fact, admire them. So many times I have seen an elderly woman need an extended hand from a youth nearby and that hand is not given. So many times I have seen elderly men smile and wave to the small children and their parents just pass him by. No smile. No acknowledgment. Nothing but neglect. I find it so sad.

As much as I admire this beautiful city and kind people, I have a bitter taste in my mouth. Life is too fast here. There is no time for reminiscing. There is no time to wind down. There is no time to admire a falling cherry blossom. There is no time to watch the sun set over the Tokyo skyline. There is no time to enjoy. No time to love.

Walking around in Shibuya. Love and Cherry Blossoms.

I love all that this city has to offer, but I do not think that I could live in a city as fast as this. A city, yes. But not this fast. I would grow too old, too quickly. I am not ready for that.

The other day, I sat in the famous Starbucks in Shibuya and watched the bustling intersection, one minute full of bicycles, cars, and buses, the next minute full of pedestrians, rushing to work. As I was watching, I saw a couple. They were young and obviously in love. The look on their face spoke of their admiration for one another. They seemed so happy. It was the first couple that I had seen in Japan, actually. It was so lovely to see that kind of happiness. Especially in a society that doesn't always know how to show it. I feel the same way about America at times. I only wish that more people would express that kind of happiness, love, and commitment.

Cherry blossoms (Sakura) are everywhere. Beauty is all around Tokyo. And I am so happy that I have had the opportunity to see some of it. Enjoy the pictures! Email me if you have any requests for pictures or certain news.

Love. Peace. Happiness.

平和。

Cherry blossoms between two historical buildings on campus.



An adorable girl and her father in Shibuya.

Update for Day Three

Enjoy the video update from day three!

Miss you all,
Seth

In the Beginning...

Hi, all,

Went to the Setagawa Wards Office outside of Shibuya today to get my Foreign Resident Registration completed. All went well. They didn't throw me into jail at least. Then, after that, we had to apply for our National Health Insurance. I never thought that things would be so technical just to study abroad. Guess I was wrong.



I hope that I am not getting sick, but I feel something in the back of my throat. So, I loaded up on Vitamin C today and took some immmunity pills just a few minutes ago. Cross your fingers that it is not a sickness and simply jet-lag or something to that extent.

Everyone on the trip is really nice. BUT, I am so tired of traveling in a group. There are a lot of younger kids in the group who have never even traveled without family members. So being stuck with those who are "shadows" and typical tourists is getting old. But then again, I will never be able to escape looking like a tourist in Japan. I guess I just like to attract as little attention as possible. Keep quiet, head down, walk fast, walk with confidence (if at all possible in the train stations), etc. In short, I am anxious to start my daily routine of waking up, skyping, showering, reading, writing in my journal/book, walking to class by myself, sitting through class, taking lunch at the cafeteria and then snapping some cadids of the campus/students, and returning to the dorm to cook, do homework, skype, and center myself.

Here are some randoms that I snapped today. Hope you enjoy!

On the Street Where I Live

This is the street that I live on. I went for a brief walk this morning and it was cut short by the cold wind.

More to write later. Love you all!

Seth

After settling into the dorm and such. Enjoy the little tour! :-)

Seth

PS. You'll all be seeing videos of me out and about in Japan very soon. You all are going to love the neighborhood that I am based in.

Hello, all,

Above is the video from the start of my second day. It's a little long a detailed but, hey, I am talking, right? Haha.

I am currently in my dorm room. I just moved in today! I met all of the students and everyone is really nice! The neighborhood that the dorm is in is amazing!

I'll put together another video so you all can see my dorm. :-)

Enjoy!!!!

Love and Peace from Tokyo,

Seth