I'm no longer at the Cafe because it interfered too much with my teaching job. The experience, however brief was worth it and I'm grateful for all of my new friends.
I saw my first movie in theaters the other day. The title was called Gantz II . The sequel to the ever popular Gantz I. Surprisingly enough, even though the entire movie was in Japanese I was able to follow it pretty well. This had nothing to do with my skill level and everything to do with the many actions scenes that required little or no dialogue.
The movie plot was simple. Kill the aliens and save your loved ones. It was a more gory and violent version of the Power Rangers with a typical Japanese twist ending. If anyone is curious, you can watch the dubbed or subbed version of Gantz I online.
After seeing the movie I did some research. Apparently Gantz was first a Manga or book series then it became and animated series, and then it graduated to the live action cinematic masterpiece that I beheld on the big screen.
Well enough about the movie itself, let me explain what a theater in Osaka is like. We went to a multiplex in Namba. It was on the eighth floor of a department store and it was huge! When you buy a ticket you also get to chose your seat. That's right, assigned seating. This in itself could be the main reason why Japanese movie theaters rock.
Because there is no need to fight for a good seat, one is allowed time for the purchasing of popcorn and to quote Sheldon, "the pre-show urination". Thus one can arrive mere seconds before the opening credits
with peace of mind knowing that the chair they had picked out especially for themselves would be waiting patiently for them unchallenged.
Lastly there is the concessions themselves. Not only do they have melon soda and carmel corn but draft beer, teriyaki chicken, some kind of wired hotdog/sandwich thing, and various kinds of potato substances but the prices themselves are a thing to behold.
Ladies and gentleman, I proudly present to you the two drink, two types or popcorn combo for the mere price of 800 yen. That's about $10.00. The price of two drinks and two kinds of popcorn back home is to high to mention.
The only downside I found to a night out at the Japanese Cinaplex is, the movie tickets are about 2000 yen. I won't even bother telling you all what that is in dollars.
Thus ends the account of my day at the theater.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
First day on the job.
Today I was Japanese. I was treated like a Japanese employee, was spoken to in only Japanese, and even was ordered around by my shogun of a boss. It was one part awesome and one part terrifying.
Today was my first day as a waitress at the Japanese cafe in the new shopping center by Tennoji station.
Does anyone remember the show quantum leap? I totally quantum leaped into another persons body. That's what it felt like. Because I have a lot of experience working In restaurants so most of the time I could understand what they wanted me to do even if I didn't understand what they were saying. The more I worked the more words and phrases I could pick up. The most difficult part is keeping them strait.
I speak to the customer using honorific language and phrases but they answer back however they want. They may use polite language or slang. Understanding is difficult.
I cleared tables, brought out drinks and food, seated people and stood out front yelling welcome in Japanese and the daily special. Crazy!
Most of the time I could understand what people were asking but I did not know the correct way to answer.
I worked for seven hours and I never saw anyone take a break.
I know that if I keep this job than I will learn Japanese super quickly but time will tell if having this job and my teaching job will be too much.
Today was my first day as a waitress at the Japanese cafe in the new shopping center by Tennoji station.
Does anyone remember the show quantum leap? I totally quantum leaped into another persons body. That's what it felt like. Because I have a lot of experience working In restaurants so most of the time I could understand what they wanted me to do even if I didn't understand what they were saying. The more I worked the more words and phrases I could pick up. The most difficult part is keeping them strait.
I speak to the customer using honorific language and phrases but they answer back however they want. They may use polite language or slang. Understanding is difficult.
I cleared tables, brought out drinks and food, seated people and stood out front yelling welcome in Japanese and the daily special. Crazy!
Most of the time I could understand what people were asking but I did not know the correct way to answer.
I worked for seven hours and I never saw anyone take a break.
I know that if I keep this job than I will learn Japanese super quickly but time will tell if having this job and my teaching job will be too much.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
A day at the ZOO
Yesterday I visited the Tennoji/Osaka Zoo. It was only 500 yen to get in, that's about $6.50.
Inside was a beautiful park with trees fountains, creeks, and flowers. An oasis of nature in the middle of down town.
There where hundreds of school kids running around the park and people sitting down eating their boxed lunches.
I made my way into the zoo. There were animals there that I had never even heard of and in the exotic animal section they had such critters as Coyotes, and Mountain Lions. It was nice to see a familiar predator.
Let's see, lions, tigers, monkeys, camels, hippopotamus, deer, giraffes, zebras, gorillas, chimps, koalas, eagles, owl, seals, snakes, crocodiles, exotic birds, and elephant rides.
Among some of the animals that were new to me was the Red Panda or in Japanese, Tanuki. This animal looked like a cross between a Koala and a raccoon. It didn't look anything like a panda.
Another strange animal was the Speckled Bear. It was like a black bear but with a different face. They were fun to watch. Very active animals, I even saw a bear fight. With growling and clawing and peeing and everything.
Then finally there was the Malaysian Bear. I can't even describe this strange thing. You all will just have to look if up on the internet.
The Japanese zoo was just like the San Diego Zoo except instead of burgers and funnel cakes for snacks, there is ramen and takoyaki. They also had cotton candy, popcorn, and ice cream because let's face it... everyone loves ice cream.
I also checked out the local movie theater. It is 3 stories high and has foreign and Japanese films. The ticket prices range from like $15.00 to $17.00 but popcorn and snacks are really cheap and you can order beer and wine. I think if you went to the movies for two people with refreshments it would probably cost you about $35 to $40. Which now that I think about it, dinner and a movie for two back home is about the sam.
Long story short I never saw a movie. I decided to save that for another day.
Some movies that were playing thought were, That new Matt Daimon movie that I think is called the department or the inquisitors or something, Gantz 2 because Gantz 1 was such a big hit, some chinese kung fu movie, and some cutesy kids anime that I don't recognize.
Next time maybe.
Inside was a beautiful park with trees fountains, creeks, and flowers. An oasis of nature in the middle of down town.
There where hundreds of school kids running around the park and people sitting down eating their boxed lunches.
I made my way into the zoo. There were animals there that I had never even heard of and in the exotic animal section they had such critters as Coyotes, and Mountain Lions. It was nice to see a familiar predator.
Let's see, lions, tigers, monkeys, camels, hippopotamus, deer, giraffes, zebras, gorillas, chimps, koalas, eagles, owl, seals, snakes, crocodiles, exotic birds, and elephant rides.
Among some of the animals that were new to me was the Red Panda or in Japanese, Tanuki. This animal looked like a cross between a Koala and a raccoon. It didn't look anything like a panda.
Another strange animal was the Speckled Bear. It was like a black bear but with a different face. They were fun to watch. Very active animals, I even saw a bear fight. With growling and clawing and peeing and everything.
Then finally there was the Malaysian Bear. I can't even describe this strange thing. You all will just have to look if up on the internet.
The Japanese zoo was just like the San Diego Zoo except instead of burgers and funnel cakes for snacks, there is ramen and takoyaki. They also had cotton candy, popcorn, and ice cream because let's face it... everyone loves ice cream.
I also checked out the local movie theater. It is 3 stories high and has foreign and Japanese films. The ticket prices range from like $15.00 to $17.00 but popcorn and snacks are really cheap and you can order beer and wine. I think if you went to the movies for two people with refreshments it would probably cost you about $35 to $40. Which now that I think about it, dinner and a movie for two back home is about the sam.
Long story short I never saw a movie. I decided to save that for another day.
Some movies that were playing thought were, That new Matt Daimon movie that I think is called the department or the inquisitors or something, Gantz 2 because Gantz 1 was such a big hit, some chinese kung fu movie, and some cutesy kids anime that I don't recognize.
Next time maybe.
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