So I haven't updated this blog in forever.
About a month ago, I spoke at a new student orientation for Temple Students going to TUJ in the fall. I told them everything I had to say.
I met this girl, Shine, who will be living with Yamanaka-san. Good to hear that.

Unfortunately, I've been too lazy to post those damn pictures, but give me my time!

I do not know if it qualifies as reverse culture shock, but I know that ever since I've been in Philly, I've been heavily disgusted by SEPTA, the public transportation of Philly. When I was in Japan, if you miss a train, it's there in 3-5 minutes. Maybe 10 on a BAD day. But here in Philly, 8-10 minutes is the norm, and it usually gets as bad as 15-20 minutes! I'm a busy man I don't need to deal with that.

One major thing I miss about Japan is the training. What can I say? I met my idol, trained at his gym, and in no time, I had to come back.

I've come back to graduate school in Fall 2009, but trust me - when I graduate, I'm going off to Japan! Whether I teach English or work for a Japanese company doing something business-related, I'll be glad to be back and work on my Japanese.

I've been looking into JET and ECC (Preferably ECC so I can go back to Tokyo). The pay is very low - about 2500 a month, so we're talking at least 30,000 a year. Not bad, but for Japan, I'll be living like a beggar. But get this... I plan to have supplemental income from fighting PROFESSIONALLY! OSSU!

My parents don;t quite agree with my plan, but I will do whatever is available to me and whatever is more feasible.

Reverse Culture Shock?

Back in orientation at TUJ, many of the people in Office Of International Students were warning us about "Reverse Culture Shock." I feel that even the Gilman site covers this for returning scholars.

I've given it some thought if I am actually experiencing it. I've been wearing my hair like Masato and painting my nails like him - and if anybody questions it, I tell them "IT IS JAPANESE STYLE!"
When I am with friends, Japan is basically what I talk about. But could it because I just came back?

Suddenly going from Tokyo where I am 15 minutes away from Shibuya to going to Bloomsburg, a rural town in Pennsylvania seems like quite a difference. Because I'm from here, I wouldn't call it "culture shock", but when I am with friends, it seems as if there is nothing to do. I'm used to being in Shibuya, going to some weird stores, maybe going to a bar full of salarymen and OL. But in Bloomsburg, I'm back to hanging out at Wal-Mart like I used to do in High school (especially since most of my friends aren't 21 - so no bar for them). Soon, I will head out for Philadelphia, which will be closer to Tokyo because it's urban - but still, not quite.

However, before I returned, I stated that I was looking forward to coming back, and I am certainly glad to be back. I have stuff to do here before I go back to Japan - like graduate!

Anyway, in other news, my brother, who inspired me for this blog, was on the Colbert Report last night. Hasan Elahi. The reason it inspired me was because wherever he goes, whatever he does, he posts his location on the internet supplied with an image of his surroundings. Additionally, there are photos of everything he's eaten and the toilets he used.

Unfortunately, what I did was not as sophisticated or in-depth, but I feel that this is the best I could do. Since I am now back, I will be going back into my posts by each entry and editing photos into them since I wasn't able to upload ANY of my photos in Japan (insufficient software on my computer).

SAIGO HI

So I went back to the gym. Nothing big. Except I took a lot of pics and a video of my training there.
Masato wasn't there and I wasn't able to hand him the award. But I gave it to the trainers and they did it right away the day after.

Friday, I just went to school to print out my itinerary and then walked to Tokyo tower to check it out since I never went there, then I hung around Shibuya, said my farewells to the FreeHugs people.

I'm gonna really miss Japan and the people I've met here. It's unfortunate I have to leave, but I have a duty to go back to the US and contribute my international experience to my peers and anyone else it may concern.

I did talk to one of my professors, and I have many routes I am considering to return to Japan.

Today, I saw SHAMO - a movie featuring Masato and I also bought tickets for the Narita Express.

I leave rather early tomorrow, so I will return to packing.

Japan, all I gotta say is - Sayonara, Mata na.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjlGGyMLVYg

SILVER WOLF IS #1

So the day after I got to school, I was telling my friends about how I didn't have a fight, and I showed them the video. OH SNAP! I suddenly had a fight!
Basically, because all I did that week was party, I rapidy lost my weight in preparation for this match.
I was 67.2kg before Practice on Friday
Now fast forward to the match on Sunday: I weighed in at 63.5 kg
NICE-O!
Here's a video of the match:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sknhFjTtETg
I lost by points due to a yellow card for holding and kneeing. However, I did well and am proud of my performance in my first fight overseas.
After the fight, I told my teammates, "Because these are my last three days and I have no damage, I will be at the gym everyday"
And I have done so.

Today, before my session, I bought cake for all my trainers. After I got back, I saw this on the blog:
http://ameblo.jp/silverwolfgym/entry-10092615598.html
They are basically telling fans that I am going back home and telling me to come down to the gym when I come back to Japan.

It is very sad. While I did not come to Japan for the sole purpose of training martial arts, it is a major reason why I chose Japan as my destination. I learned Japanese and studied Japanese culture mainly to be able to train at a Japanese gym, preferably this one.
Upon my return, I am more motivated than ever to "ganbare" - do my best - in my studies and kickboxing. In that way, I can have either the option of returning to Japan after I graduate in either grad school in a Japanese MBA program or fight professionally in Japan - and maybe even both.
SILVER WOLF#1! WASURENAI!

Finals over

Finals were pretty rough. I struggled with International Trade, but International marketing was a JOKE. My Asian Business final was hard too - but thankfully, I got to go out drinking with the prof afterwards. That was something fun and truly a "only in Japan" moment.

Last night, I went to Roppongi to a year end party, but I wasn't feeling it, so I bounced with some friends to Odaiba.
Today, I woke up late after being out in Odaiba all night. In the evening, I met my buddy Annas in Shibuya and later ran into Jesse. Eventually, we went to GasPanic - the first club I went to in Japan - the meat market. And surprisingly, I met a K-1 fighter:
ANDY OLOGUN from NIGERIA.

That was fun. After that, I met my homestay parents with Annas, who used to live in the same homestay last semester. We then ate at a restaurant in Eifukucho, where Annas lives. Good stuff.
With finals over, there will no study and plenty of abroad. I'm going to definitely enjoy the rest of my time at SW

KIMATSU SHIKEN

So I went on the RISE site, and it turns out I'm not fighting. Too bad and a major dissappointment. The biggest matter is that I gotta wear my American flag shorts in Canada, because I may not have another chance to fight in Japan.

Anyway, I've been very busy because of finals lately. ANd just as busy training.

However, last Saturday, I skipped training to go to Akihabara. I was told that I would be disappointed if I went alone, but I had a good time. It was basically a nerd's world. You see those guys with long hair and dragon print shirts? Yeah, they were there - in two flavors: White and Japanese. Akihabara itself is filled with Anime stores, Arcades, computer stores, and porn shops. The computer stores didnt interest me because I don't need any new computer equipment, and I was tired of the few Anime stores I went to. I'll have to admit that the porn stores were rather funny, but rather uncomfortable when a random Japanese man starts smiling at you and attempts to initiate conversation. I spent a good amount of time at the arcades though.

On Sunday, I went with Chiemi-san to Asakusa. Asakusa is part of the Shitamachi, which is the old part of Tokyo. There, I went to Kaminarimon Gate and Senso-ji. It was a good time. Right after we were done there, Chiemi-san took me to a Dojou place - apparently one of the few restaruants that serve it. Dojou looks like a small mudskipper. I'm not too big on fish, but this was alright. My personal highlight was eating WHALE sashimi - tastes like beef.

Later that day, we stopped over at Ginza to go to a UniQlo. UniQlo is basically Banana Republic quality at Old Navy pricing. Personally, I always have trouble finding jeans in my size. They're either too wide or too short. But here in Japan, I saw 26 waists, 27! 28! 29! I'm personally 29-30, and I was soooo happy to see 29 waist jeans. However, when I put them on, they were incredibly long. Solution? UniQlo custom tailors the jeans to your size... FOR FREE. I went on a shopping spree and got some shirts that I gotta say look SEXY. I'm gonna be careful wearing these shirts because girls are gonna be all over me - TRUE MASATO STYLE.

Monday and Tuesday was more training. Strarting from Wednesday, I began to prepare for finals, but yesterday, I saw the bad news of my non-existent match. However, it gave me more time to focus for finals. Now, I only have one more final left,and I look forward to seeing more of Tokyo after I am done with that.

OSU!

RISE KAMINARIMON

So on Friday, I asked my trainer, Daiguji if I could enter RISE Kaminarimon, an Amateur kickboxing tournament. One of my goals while coming to Japan is to get some International experience and bring it back to the US with me.

I wish I could fight at 60kg, but I have to do 65kg (because of Gyuudon) and I will be doing B-Class. Anyway, here I am representing SILVER WOLF.

On Friday, I basically got beat up by all my senpai. But it was worth it, and this Friday, I'm going to spar them all again.

Saturday, I trained again - Boxing class with alot of punchout drills. My trainer, Daiguji told me "Ippai renshuu." So that's what I'm doing.

Sunday I rested and went to the Kanamara matsuri, a Japanese Phallus Festival. Originally, the festival was celebrated by prostitutes to prevent against sexually transmitted diseases. But over time, it became a Shinto Fertility Festival. THe legend has it that a demon lived inside a woman's vagina and would bite off the members of her husbands on the wedding night. However, a suitor finally had a blacksmith forge an iron sheath for his penis and broke the demon's teeth.

Here are some pictures: