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By Joe, August 30, 2008 12:50 am

(Note: this is more of a personal ramble than anything else. If that sounds boring, don’t bother with this one)

I left Hirosaki at a fairly critical juncture when I went to Korea. I left during the middle weeks of the month of August, after the end of the semester and as such, many people have left, especially people from the western countries. In particular, one of my good friends here has left to go back to the U.S., Hojin. I definitely spent a lot of my free time over at Shimoda hanging out with him and the other guys there, many of whom have now gone like I said. The good old kaikan here feels much more empty, too. Sure, I talk with some of my friends from Korea who will be here for a year, but besides that it feels like no one else is around. The experience of the first semester is quite over now.

Continue reading 'A Fresh Start on School, Life and Japanese'»

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By Joe, August 27, 2008 1:07 am

Here is the video from my trip to Korea! Yep, Joe in Japan was Joe in Korea for a while there. I did very little editing, so sorry if it’s a bit raw. It’s 24 minutes long, so make sure you have your favorite beverage handy!

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By Joe, August 9, 2008 6:48 pm

Hey all! Had quite the busy past week here in Japan. Every summer here is always full of summer festivals. Aomori prefecture, the prefecture I am currently living in, is host to the Neputa and Nebuta festivals. They are quite rambunctious affairs, with loud cheering, lots of food and drink, and of course, dancing. I even got the opportunity to participate in Neputa here in Hirosaki with my fellow exchange students. So let’s get right into it with the details!

Continue reading 'Neputa and Nebuta'»

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By Joe, August 9, 2008 4:27 pm

Food Coat

Originally uploaded by jrkester

The “Food Coat” at McDonalds.

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By Joe, August 5, 2008 7:48 pm

Video direct from the festival.