End term Exams!

These days we are very busy. We are preparing for the various exams. This week we had "Presentation Test" where we had to talk for about 5 minutes on a famous person of our choice. Wednesday we will have the "Dialog Test" where we need to build up a dialog with one of our classmate for about 5 minutes.

On Thursday we will have the "Confrontation Test" where two groups of people will be build and each group has to give either a positive or negative comment on the discussed topic.

On Friday we will have the "News-Test" where we need to prepare a piece of News and read it as if we were a newscaster.

Next week, there will be the "Kanji Test", "Writing Test", "Grammar Test" and "Reading Test". Finally our school will finish on March 17th, and we will have holidays for 3 weeks...can't wait for it! ;)

Tsunami Warning!

After the earthquake in Chile, the Japanese TV displayed the tsunami warning and risk zones on all TV stations. The Japanese tsunami warning map, with updated information was displayed permanently during normal programming.

3 levels were given, Green, Yellow and Red, but we already knew that everything was fine, except for the southern island of Japan where I've heard they had some waves and high tide.

Luckily everything went fine and it was not a big issue. In any case, it seems that Kobe is quite protected from tsunami coming fromt he Pacific, as there is some Reef stopping waves from coming thru...

Japan at The Olympics!

In Japan the Olympic fever was high! Japan showed support preparing various sets around the city (but probably around the whole country, too ;) and the above one in a shopping center in Kobe was interesting, since hanging from the ceiling ;)

The number one watched Olympic star for this year was Mao Asada, 23 years old, Figure Ice Skating.

She was everywhere on TV and pictures of her were all around. Unfortunately she didn'g get the first place that was won by the Korean Kim Yu-Na, and which apparently was the first time for Korea to take home a Gold Medal in Ice Skating.

The Japanese Mao Asada did however an excellent performance, and she got the silver Medal. Of course she was really sad that she just missed the Gold for few points.

The support she got in japan was amazing. During her performance, I was at a local Gym and everyone stopped during her performance and run in front of the TV...

Birthday Boys!

In the Picture from the left: Yaya-san, Jamikon-san, Davide-San, Medi-San and Ken-San. I said birthday Boys, because Yaya-san was the representative of the class distributing the birthday gifts ;)...a Birthday Cake!

Orientation Day

Today was Orientation day. Various representatives for different school came to present their Technical School. Among them there were different faculties like Computer, Design, Psychology and Business School.

Up to now most of the students that wanted to start this year, have already choosen their path, but for the undecided ones, i think this was their last chance for this year.

What's the difference between University and Technical school? Both are recognized in Japan as official Schools, but hearing from various students, entering a Technical School is easier than the university. Why? To enter an University you need to pass the admission test, whereas for technical school mostly they only Interviewed the candidate, but didn't have to pass an actual test.

From what I've heard, entering a Japanese university is not very easy, it requires quite a good level of Japanese... that's why, the students that prefers University over Technical school, I think they will stay at this school for another year...

イモトアヤコ (Imoto Ayako)

You'll be surprised if you have never seen Japanese TV before. The one in the picture is Imoto Ayako and is the protagonist of one weekly TV show on Sunday. Is a funny girl. She travels around the world trying various daring things. Check her out on youtube here!

The nice thing on Japanese TV is that they always have some subtitles on what is being discussed, so if you cannot understand what they are talking about, reading the subtitles might help ;)

I'm not sure if in Japan they have Digital TV. At home I have only 10 channels, 2 of which are for Shopping (they sell stuff...).

By the way...did you know that you can watch TV for free on your Japanese mobile phone?

Valentine's Day in Japan!

14th of February was Valentine's Day. But what does Valentine's Day work in Japan? Well, as in any other country, is the day of people in Love. What is the difference in Japan compared to the rest of the world? ;) well...you'll be amazed...

First of all, in Japan, the ones receiving a gift on Valentine's Day....are... MEN! You read right ! Girls will buy expensive chocolate or in some cases, prepare small chocolates themselves and give them to the loved ones. Of course, doesn't mean that men's can just get away with their chocolate ;) ... but the interesting thing is that on february 14th, they will get the chocolate. On March 15th, is the opposite, girls will receive a gift and the day is called the "White Day".

Another thing to point out, is that if you are a man and will get a chocolate on the 14th of february, doesn't necessarily mean that they are in love with you. There are different levels of chocolates: The one for the Loved One, the One for friends and the One for Colleagues. It always depends on the cost. If you get a, let's say, Doraemon Chocolate, it means ...well...you are just a friend, but if you get a chocolate box from Godiva (one of the most expensive chocolate shops in Japan that looks like "Chocolate-Boutiques") it means...well... you are the lucky one!

Unfortunately this nice tradition is slowly disappearing. In fact, even in japan, is more and more usual to celebrate Valentine's Day in the Western Style, which means more fand more requently girls now expect a gift from men... too bad!! isn't ? ;)