Published on
March 31, 2004 in
Senmaya.
I just wanted to take a break from my Kyoto pages to thank everybody who contributed to the scrapbook that just got here. It makes me very happy to read about how you guys are doing in Edmonton. I just came back from Morioka and I had a good time with my Japanese language class. School starts again and many of my teachers have been transfered so I will be meeting new people again starting April 1st. Tara, your boyfriend seems awesome. Nice catch…^_- Rhonda, send me some pics of your boy sometime. I want to see what he looks like. Jen and the others, you know I miss you all. Good luck with Animethon and keep in touch. God, I’m getting all emotional. I think I need to sleep here….^_^ Here’s, Jason ver 2.0 is almost done. Here is a sneak peek…You’ll have to excuse me. I am a little tired in this picture.
Kyoto
A pictoral reflection
By: Jason Hill
Zen gardens – Ginkakuji
Introduction:
My journey to Kyoto has brought out many deep feelings. It was a real joy for me to visit a place so beautiful and so ancient. I got the opportunity to reflect on art, nature, history, religion and life. Please enjoy this pictorial essay. While having lived in Japan for over 8 months now, I haven’t witnessed anything like I have here. I attempted to bring what I was feeling in these pictures. For today I will talk about my favorite piece of Kyoto. The Kinkakuji. If you click on the picture, you will see a larger version of it.
The Golden Pavillion
Kinkakuji, or the Golden Pavilion as it’s called in English, was my most cherished memory of Kyoto. It was built by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in the Muromachi period(1333-1573), and then burned to the ground by a crazed monk in the 1950’s. The way the gold reflects off the sun is simple breathtaking.
Green, gold, blue and white. The perfection of nature melded with art. I felt a great peace here at Kinkakuji. It is ironic considering the man who had it built was a warlord. I suppose this was his place to reflect. For on this sunny day it was my place to reflect.
Published on
March 23, 2004 in
Travel.
I got back from my trip to Kyoto a couple of days ago and needed some time to chill. I had a great trip. I will post some pictures of some of the sites that I went to. Back at work now and looking forward to the weekend where I will get the chance to sleep. Kyoto is one of the best cities I’ve ever been to. I’m really glad I went. I also really glad I got to hang out with my good friends Dan and Mannie. They seemed to love Japan. I wouldn’t have been the same experience without them. Well anyways, I heading back to work now. I will talk more about the trip a little later.
Published on
March 15, 2004 in
Other.
You know, I was always curious to know how soccer worked in England. There seemed to be so many teams and one team could rise up the ladder and compete in the big leagues if it wanted to. There also seems to be less focus buying high level teams. If you want to get to the top, then you have to earn it. I got the following link from Wikipedia. And it goes a great job explain English football. They call it the football pyramid:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_pyramid
Oh yeah. I’m off to Kyoto for a week to meet up with my friends Dan and Mannie, and explore ancient Kyoto. Catch you all later.
Published on
March 11, 2004 in
Travel.
I think Tuesday will be the busiest day of my life. Here’s a quick rundown of what I’ll be doing. Failure to make any of these appointments either leads to shame or loss of money already spent. It’s crucially that I be on time for everything. yikes!
Jason’s Tuesday Schedule
06:00 – Wake up, shower etc.
07:00 – Leave for Train Station
07:26 – Leave for Daito
07:38 – Arrive at Daito
08:05 – Arrive at Daito Junior High
09:40 – Daito Graduation Ceremony
11:30 – Leave Daito and scurry to Daito Station
12:08 – Get on Train for Senmaya
12:19 – Arrive Senmaya
12:45 – Arrive at School
13:00 – Senmaya Graduation Ceremony
16:00 – Leave Senmaya School. Go home, grab suitcase.
16:59 – Catch bus to Sendai
18:55 – Arrive in Sendai
19:30 – Catch bus to Kyoto
19:31 – Die of exhaustion..^_^
Published on
March 5, 2004 in
Sports.
Hockey night in Iwate
On Wednesday I went to Morioka with Greg, a friend of mine here in Iwate. I watched his team play hockey, and after everyone found out I could skate, they wanted me to join as well. So it looks like next year, I will be playing hockey for the Bishumon rubbish. Odd name I know, but they have Florida Panther Jerseys. Can’t wait. Now I just have to get all the equipment together. It’s a B pool, but it’s still good fun.
The good ol’ hockey game!
Team huddle!
They even have a ref and two linesmen!!
I’ve been dreaming of playing hockey again. And now I can realize my hockey dreams and my Japan dream all at once. Life is good.
Published on
March 4, 2004 in
Senmaya.
It’s grad time at Fujisawa High school
On Tuesday I attended my first graduation ceremony. I would describe it as a mix of happy and sad. I’ve only taught these students for 7 months now, but I’ve gotten to know them quite well, and I will miss them. The ceremony started at 10am and went for about 1 1/2hours. Later that day I went to a party that was held for the teachers who taught the graduates. It was a great day, though I would advise people not to drink beer, sake and whiskey. Leave a very sour feeling in your stomach the next morning…>_
sotsugyoushiki(grad)
The first and second year students.
The main stage. With flag and bonsai.
Handshakes and hugs.
Me with the grads.
Pic didn’t work out the way I wanted it to.
Me and Tomomi.
Me and Hiroki.
A Couple of notes. This was the third graders last day of High School, so it was a tear jerker. You can see my new suit in the pic as well. It’s a dark grey suit. I really should have bought a white tie with it, but oh well. Also, if you’d like to see bigger versions of these pictures(with more details), please email me and I’ll set you up. Right now, it’s hard to host them all as they are very large pictures. I resize them to fit my blog. I’ll tell you one thing. Grad in Japan is a very different thing than in Canada. It was very formal and very rigid. But I’m glad I had to chance to participate. I’ll be able to go to next years grad as well. Also, why are my cheeks so big in these pictures…>_
Published on
March 1, 2004 in
Senmaya.
You’ll be in my heart, yes you’ll be in my heart
from this day on, now and forever more
Sorry, just the ramblings of a sentimental old man. I once said these words to someone I loved after hearing them. As far as I’ve traveled, and as long as it’s been, those words still echo in my head today.
Foolish old ramblings aside, it’s time for a picture update. Yes, this past Sunday, I got to participate in Hina-masturi, or doll festival. It’s usually celebrated in the hopes of giving girls good health in the future. After that we all went skating and I got to hang out with some elementary kids who have pretty good English abilities. I will be teaching them next year. First I’ll start with the actual doll pictures:
Aren’t they beautiful?
More details.
We did some English teaching as well.
Of course after a little English teaching, we get a free sushi lunch. Yummy!
Jason, King of the Children.
This is Senmaya Ice Arena!
Group shot!
And that was it. The kids had a good time, I had a good time, and things were good. After that, I went home and took a nice long nap. I’m off to Morioka on Wednesday to watch a hockey game, and possible play for them next year. Jason is playing Hockey in Japan? How can this be?
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