UPI-U

The interview exercise for our upcoming UPI-U project went well I think. After interviewing my Japanese teacher, Yamaguchi Asako, I mixed her audio with photos using the soundslides program. For the UPI-U actual project i think i will use imovie or movie maker to incorporate some video i have taken. But soundslides is a fun app to use if you have a large file of photos and some good audio.

Another project is using our keitai (mobile phone) to make a short documentary. This is an interesting assignment because we will be working with a school in london to collaborate a comparative documentary on tokyo and london which are sister cities i believe. the one i will work on is about parks in tokyo and parks in london.
the picture is of Yoyogi park at each entrance is a huge tori gate.
this is a video from a festival.

In hopes of tying this post to the assignment rubric; The first day I found a pool and observed the activities. Another day I took fliers and some notes on the differences and similarities I noticed. And on the third day, I applied for a job.

Since I chose to look for a job instead of focusing on my Tokyo Stories assignment I will detail the first day of my part time job. Having experience teaching aquatics classes, I began working with children teaching English and swimming at the Kugahara Swimming Club.

My first day of work was also my coworker, Tomo's, birthday so I was invited along with the other coworker to his home for his birthday party. At the party I felt quite at home. Just like a party in Georgia, we consumed lots of steak, beer, and interesting conversation, most of which was in Japanese, of course. With the small amount of Japanese I could gather, I learned that there would be a small local matsuri that same night.

I thought, "what a perfect opportunity to observe a real Japanese festival". Little did I know that I would become part of the spectacle. While recording the events with my iPhone (I neglected to bring my camera with me) I was pulled into the parade and found myself underneath a mini shrine. I'm still not sure why it is labeled "mini' because according to Tomo, it weighs as much as a small sedan. I had bruises to prove it.

Regardless of the weight and half squat position I was forced to maintain, probably due to the average height difference I have with most Japanese, I had a great time. I think the free beer and food at the end of the festival also helped.

Here is the link to the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dMODRRwWtk

In the video; Tomo Endo, his family, our coworker Steve, and I are waiting on the street outside of the Endo's home watching the approaching shrine festival. It's about 8min and towards the end I am pulled in to help carry the "mini" shrine.

On a last note, regarding the video; I apologize for the quality and filming style. It was an iPhone and towards the end I'm not sure who was in control of it. :P

First Blog Ever

This is my first blog ever.