Be My Light

Today we had a guided tour of different sights in Kyoto. I felt like I was in the Rolling Stones as we were ushered to four different sights with our own personal bus. We visited the Kiyomizu-dera which was one of the finalists for the New 7 Wonders of the World. It's a temple built into a hill surrounded by beautiful colors with the city looming below.

My favorite part of the day was visiting the Heian Shrine. For those Lost in Translation lovers, think back to the scene where Charlotte is hopping across the stepping stones. This was filmed here and it's in the beautiful garden section of the Shrine. Unfortunately, my camera ran out of batteries but I'll be heading back sometime to take some pictures of the fall colors and take in some alone time there.

*Thank you to Erik Hajek for spellings and names of these places. Without his facebook photos, I would be referring to these sights as, that one place, or the big thing with the wood.*


Here's a picture of Mat Williams at the Kiyomizu-dera:

Japan should be on your list of places to see

I apologize for my lack of posts this last week so let me get everyone up to speed. We reached Japan on October 25th (which I believe was Thursday). We stayed in a hotel in Kyoto because it was too late for everyone to get to their apartments. Fortunately, we were in a beautiful part of town and got to explore a little bit that night. We saw Kyoto Station, walked across cross walks without risking lives, and got a sense of how - for a lack of a better word - cool, Japan is.

On top of Kyoto Station

We woke up the next morning and were met by Rob - Ncc'er studying in Kyoto - and two teachers. They escorted us to our train which was to bring us to the apartments. However, rain was a problem. That and each of us were carrying 50+ pounds of luggage. My puller broke, luggage was falling at random times, and I'm pretty sure someone dropped theirs at the bottom of an escalator creating a laughable pileup. We finally got on the train and managed to arrive at our destination and home for the next two months - Kameoka. Why do I love NCC? They create connections. At the Kamaeko station I hauled my bags down the stairs and was met by Hiro and Yasu (former NCC study abroad students). It was great seeing their smiling faces and having someone to hug upon arriving in an unknown country. For some reason, this took off any pressure of the trip and I felt comfortable with Japan already.

Hiro was a great leader. He led me and Nick to our apartments and even got me a birthday present - 2 bags of chocolate candy called 'Crunky' and a pen holder with a little guy straddling the pen (sexual? not sure yet). The apartment is small, but we've been making it work. There is one bed and then underneath is the other bed- properly called the Batcave.


View from the porch

After settling down, we headed to the store to pickup food because we will be making our own meals while in Kameoka. My goal for the trip is to learn how to make an omelet that will bring people to their knees.

Friday night we were able to go to Rob's and hang out with some of Hiro's friends. We ordered pizza and talked with our new Japanese friends. It was a great time and I'm looking forward to finding some new friendships- something that was missing from Beijing.


Hiro and Yuske


Hiro is one of the best English speakers at his school and also has the apartment where everyone hangs out. Saturday we went there and played Halo 3 and some other video games. Two great things came out of this day: Hiro is letting us use his bike and he is lending us his unused Xbox. The kid is a saint.

Sunday after riding the new bike to the store to pick up some new eggs and milk (forgot to turn on the fridge once the original milk was put in - oops) I came back and made some toast and eggs. I felt like a housewife with my husband watching World Series games with his friends and me slaving away at the range. After breakfast I headed out on an adventurous bike ride and got some amazing shots of the area.




Unfortunately, some bad luck occurred. After about two hours, I was going to cross the street and the back tire popped and deflated before I even could get off the bike. It was one of the sadder moments of the trip. I'm going to try to get a new tire tomorrow so wish me luck.

Today was our first day visiting the school. We had an orientation led by an American named Chris Hammond who appeared to be very legit and a favorite of the staff and students (think a cross of Chris Martin and Guy Ritchie). After we ate a quick meal at the cafeteria and then had an exciting three hours of class led my the Taddy Bear. It was painful, but only six more and we're free. We had to wait around for our five o'clock welcome dinner, but it was worth the wait because we got to meet some great people and eat a delicious buffet style dinner. Here are some pictures of the school.



That should do it. We are doing some sightseeing tomorrow with our new friend Yuske and then we begin Japanese on Monday. How are you doing? Tell me something new.

Your friend,
Austin H. Morgan

damn that girl she's scandalous

I passed/survived my Chinese test. We'll leave it at that as I'm off to better things. We depart wonderful Beijing tomorrow at 1:55pm. We will be flying to Kyoto and then transferring to a hotel for the night. We will wake up the next morning and head to our respective apartments which are located all over Kyoto. The school has placed all of the Japanese speakers in one apartment, and all of the non-Japanese speakers in another. I think it was a coincidence, but one that makes you go, hmm. Either way, I'm excited for a change of scenery, new people, new places, and supposedly one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Put that with the wonderful fall weather, and you have quite the Japanese combination.

Everyone is at the post office shipping presents/books/drugs back home. Somehow I managed to pack like a rat and not need to send anything home. I even have more room than when I came from home to Beijing. Maybe I was mysteriously robbed. There have been tales of the maids stealing toilet paper - and hearts.

Go pick up the Cobra Starship cd. Listen to 'Kiss my Sass' and expect to hear that tune at your local club/dance joint sometime soon. Also listen to 'Angie', especially if you have a love for Maroon 5 like myself. Come on, 'Makes Me Wonder' is a hit and you know it.


Picture of the Day:

'Life Rule #417: Never eat objects you consider cute.'

one more day

tomorrow i will be in better spirits.

cobra starship part II debuts tomorrow.

we leave for japan in 2 days. i'm excited for people who don't wear jean jackets and pajamas and call it fashion.

hugs.

my head is busy

i vote for it to be tuesday at noon. i vote to pass me on the chinese test. i would be happy if these two came true.

sometimes you go someplace looking for something, but you don't find it. but then you realize you may not have left what you were looking for, but you left something that makes you forget about looking for anything. sometimes you need to forget about goals and deadlines and dreams. evaluate yourself and you'll find something you like. everyone - no matter how hopeless they are - has something that makes them get up everyday. if we didn't there would be a lot of people traveling to the top floor of buildings.

greg agnes started a blog. it's link is located somewhere over ------->
greg is a good person. a good guy. he's my dean moriarty.

if you are my friend and you know i like you (that's key, the knowing if i like you) you should start a blog so i can keep up with your happenings. i don't like looking through facebook pages for hints, but i'll do it.

imagine.

Picture of the Day:

I don't have one, but this guy will show you a lot of people who do.

An Extra Emphasis on "Study" Abroad

Our Chinese test is Tuesday. My head is full of characters, tones, and definitions that will all disappear on Tuesday night. Women chi fan.

I went to the silk market today for some last minute Chinese shopping and picked up a fedora for myself. It is grayish brown and wonderful. We are already becoming very close. I also bought some hip black and white striped socks, along with another pair that is purple and black. When I get back maybe you will see them when I am walking fast to class and my pants fly up due to high winds.

I miss milk.

Part of our culture course in Asia involves different eastern activities and Friday afternoon we had painting. I drew these two masterpieces and it made me miss drawing, painting, or any of those activities you did before you were fifteen when you became too cool and started hanging out exclusively in social networks.

'Black Sky at Night, Lover's Delight'



'Two Birds'



On the second painting it looks like a boogie man is climbing up the tree. In reality, I got kind of bored and accidentally used too much black on that branch of the tree.

you can be happy.

wake up and yawn in unison. stretch, smile, and make animal noises under the blankets. eat cereal and watch bravo. put on cut-offs and t-shirts and jump on our bikes. buy slushies and kiss. prepare a dinner and hop on the train. listen to music together as the train puts us into a sleepy daze. walk with blankets and find a spot on the lawn. eat and smile. relax and find a comfortable position with you under my wing. enjoy the cinema. fall asleep and share warmth on the train home. eat a snack and be close.

perfect.

Hitting the Links - In China

Today was my first experience golfing on foreign soil. There is no real difference between golfing in China and the U.S. besides the fact that I couldn't understand the words my caddie - yes, caddie - was saying. It was a lot of fun walking down the fairways in the sun as my caddie pulled my bag behind me. A couple times I purposely dropped my club in disgust just to let her pick it up off the ground. I also pulled a professional move and fired her after my round of 107.

Today was also day 2 of Matt, Nick, and Austin's study extravaganza. I've learned more in 2 days than the previous 6 weeks combined (here's to you Chinese education system).


Picture of the Day:

"How dare you suggest an 8 iron?"

I wish web cams had sensory feelings

Nick, Matt, and I implemented a strict study routine today. 2 hours a day for the next 8 days and we should be ready for the Chinese final next week. If not, we can cry on each other's shoulders in a love triangle of sorts.

We visited the Forbidden City today. A tad overrated on the Beijing Sights to See list, but it was good to experience. I jumped off a little ledge and hurt myself. Pictures will surface soon.

Jason and I are going golfing in the morning if we can find our way to the course. I'm excited because golf > Chinese class. ALWAYS.

My girlfriend misses me.

I'm off to medicate my heels and practice Chinese characters (have you tried drawing these things?)

Picture of the Day:

'The Creeping Shadow'

Congratulations Mr. Timberlake

Justin is the first male artist since Michael Jackson to have 6 Top 40 songs off one cd. Which song is your favorite? I enjoy Lovestoned.

I'm currently three songs through the new foo fighter's album (jt disrupted my listening). dave grohl could make music until he is 60 and people would still listen. it's nice to see one of the good guys of rock continuing to make good music.

Continuing with the music news, Jimmy Eat World's new cd comes out tomorrow. If I was 17 this news would make my month, but I'm still excited to hear what they've got up their sleeve. J.E.W. are one of the special bands that don't make bad songs. It's impossible for them to write a poor one. Their single, 'Big Casino' is big sounding. I picture experiencing this song in a stadium with 20,000 other fans. It's playing at their myspace if you are interested.

I played some table tennis today with the brosephs. It was good to get the blood running, but I don't have a slam shot. Every baller needs a slam shot.


Picture of the Day:

'Speed 2'

under the boards

that feeling when you can finally breathe is always welcome. i'm better than this.

can you be improving while you feel as stale as ever? does that feeling mean i'm getting better? maybe.

it's alright being sad, especially when you can see a very bright light at the end of the foreign tunnel.

there is some very good music out now, or coming out soon.


"All night long I'm dreaming of your loving arms."


Picture of the Day:

'Hotel California'

hibernation

marriedtothesea.com

i don't want to dream tonight

Saw Mao's mausoleum today. Well, maybe. Supposedly, there are 2 Mao bodies - 1 real, 1 fake - and they rotate so we saw a body today. The mausoleum has a funeral aroma to it, but they (China) have done a nice job with it even though Mao really wanted to be cremated, and would thus be angered at the idea of himself in a glass case for passer byers.

Some days go by slower than anticipated.

Some days I don't want to crawl out from under the sheets.


Picture of the Day:

'Smiles'

see you again

Tonight we visited the house of Mr. Jiang. He is in charge of the foreign students that come to this school. He reminds me of Jiminy Cricket with his smile and cuteness. He has a 2 story house with a nice kitchen, 3 bathrooms, and a ping pong room. We were treated to him playing the accordion and he amazed even though he claims he never has time to practice.

Tomorrow we're heading to Chairman Mao's mausoleum. I hope we have a creepy story to tell when we come back.

Picture of the Day:

'The Pink Stool'

Shut Up and Drive

The weather is changing and my body is falling behind.

I enjoy the fall season, but it's easier to fall into a depressed state than during the warmer months.

Ate at a pizza buffet today, but the best item available were the onion rings. They did have some good coffee and I heard my stomach thanking me for the warmth.


Picture of the Day:

'The Chairman'

Yeah, I could use a dryer

Today we learned to do calligraphy with paint brushes. Oh, excuse me. By learned I mean we wrote this (-) thirty-five times each. It was surprisingly difficult, yet, fun. Tad and I sat next to each other and compared arm length and height. We tied.

Tad: "How tall are you?"
Me: "I'm 6'3'. (1 minute passes). How tall are you?"
Tad: "6'3'. Well, I used to be."

The 5th Foreign Objects episode has been posted. No animals were harmed in the taping of this episode.

http://www.youtube.com/group/foreignobjects


Picture of the Day:

'Where are we?'

Beyond Liang

I picked up Capote today at the 10 yuan ($1.33) movie store down the street. I'm in love with it thus far. I was fortunate enough to have read In Cold Blood while on the forty plus hours of trains last week and it easily is one of the best books I have ever read. If you are looking for a distraction from academic text, pick up In Cold Blood. It will make you love reading again. All too often I find myself disliking words because of some stale class text, but I've found having a book on the side to read a little bit at night always helps. Did you know (Nelle) Harper Lee and Capote were life-long friends? I love learning of connections between people that I've been in the dark about my whole life. It makes me appreciate their works even more for some reason.

I want Japan more and more everyday.

While in Harbin and Dandong I took a healthy amount of pictures and instead of bombarding you with a million pictures at once, I'm going to pick out my favorites and highlight them over the next couple of days. I'm going to try my hand at titling them, as well. I'm feeling creative.


Picture of the Day:

'Not so China'

back with a BANG

Go listen to the new Cobra Starship song 'Guilty Pleasure'. It will lift you from your seat and make you dance all alone in your room.

This Way to Dancing


Photograph de la dia:

'oh my gosh, there is a tiger four feet from my head'

Aimless in Wonder

Sleep and I have not hung out in 36 hours. Expect some stories tomorrow about our trip, along with some amateur photography. Here's a teaser trailer:

So, we made it to Harbin

We are currently spending our third day in Harbin. We leave tomorrow morning for Shenyan, hopefully we'll find a bus, and then make the three hour trip south to Dandong.

Harbin is a beautiful city with clean air, nice people, and actual city qualities. We are the only white people here, the only people wearing shorts, and I'm pretty sure Nick is the only person wearing sandals.

We visited a tiger park yesterday. Let's just say we took a safari in a caged bus through fields of hundreds of tigers. The tigers actually leaned up against our cage as paying individuals held meat out for them to eat. They don't do this at the Brookfield Zoo. More stories soon.

Wish us luck. We should be looking out over North Korea in 2 days.