Inspiration to get through January

[megandd]

Japanese dramas and television shows, I think, are great for language emersion if you don't live in an area with a huge Japanese population or anywhere near native speakers. So yeah, I watch a lot xD. Um.... for this season? Shokuzai, 13 sai no Hello Work, and Strawberry Night.

I haven't seen any of those yet. Which one is your favorite for this season? The last one I saw was season 2 of JIN, and I really enjoyed that series.

[merkypie]

Japanese dramas and television shows, I think, are great for language emersion if you don't live in an area with a huge Japanese population or anywhere near native speakers. So yeah, I watch a lot xD. Um.... for this season? Shokuzai, 13 sai no Hello Work, and Strawberry Night.

I haven't seen any of those yet. Which one is your favorite for this season? The last one I saw was season 2 of JIN, and I really enjoyed that series.

They haven't aired yet. They premiere next week During the winter vacation I watched a whole bunch of dramas; Inu wo Kau to iu koto, Zenkai Girl, Umareru, Control and Ouran HS Host Club. I haven't seen Jin 2, then again, I haven't even seen Jin. lol

[megandd]

Japanese dramas and television shows, I think, are great for language emersion if you don't live in an area with a huge Japanese population or anywhere near native speakers. So yeah, I watch a lot xD. Um.... for this season? Shokuzai, 13 sai no Hello Work, and Strawberry Night.

I haven't seen any of those yet. Which one is your favorite for this season? The last one I saw was season 2 of JIN, and I really enjoyed that series.

They haven't aired yet. They premiere next week During the winter vacation I watched a whole bunch of dramas; Inu wo Kau to iu koto, Zenkai Girl, Umareru, Control and Ouran HS Host Club. I haven't seen Jin 2, then again, I haven't even seen Jin. lol

I couldn't believe that they chose Yamamoto Yusuke to play Tamaki! I always think of him in his role in Hana Kimi, so it never quite worked in my mind. Personally, I would have loved to have seen Ikuta Toma as Tamaki.

JIN was really good! It's about a neurosurgeon who falls through a hole in time and ends up in the Edo period. He practices modern medicine there, but the people of the past aren't quite sure what to make of him. Oh! And, he becomes friends with Sakamoto Ryoma! XD

[merkypie]

I couldn't believe that they chose Yamamoto Yusuke to play Tamaki! I always think of him in his role in Hana Kimi, so it never quite worked in my mind. Personally, I would have loved to have seen Ikuta Toma as Tamaki.

JIN was really good! It's about a neurosurgeon who falls through a hole in time and ends up in the Edo period. He practices modern medicine there, but the people of the past aren't quite sure what to make of him. Oh! And, he becomes friends with Sakamoto Ryoma! XD

I honestly did not mind Yamamoto Yusuke as Tamaki. It was awkward for the first two episodes but then like he kind of blended into the role and was great at it. I don't think Toma would have done Tamaki justice THOUGH he does have more of a "ambiguous" look to him to help pass him off as half Japanese, I think. Hahaha, I'm just so Toma out right now.

Really? So thaaaat's what Jin is about. Hmmm, seems interesting, lol xD Everyone talks so highly of it... Does he ever get back home or is he just stuck there?

[megandd]

I couldn't believe that they chose Yamamoto Yusuke to play Tamaki! I always think of him in his role in Hana Kimi, so it never quite worked in my mind. Personally, I would have loved to have seen Ikuta Toma as Tamaki.

JIN was really good! It's about a neurosurgeon who falls through a hole in time and ends up in the Edo period. He practices modern medicine there, but the people of the past aren't quite sure what to make of him. Oh! And, he becomes friends with Sakamoto Ryoma! XD

I honestly did not mind Yamamoto Yusuke as Tamaki. It was awkward for the first two episodes but then like he kind of blended into the role and was great at it. I don't think Toma would have done Tamaki justice THOUGH he does have more of a "ambiguous" look to him to help pass him off as half Japanese, I think. Hahaha, I'm just so Toma out right now.

Really? So thaaaat's what Jin is about. Hmmm, seems interesting, lol xD Everyone talks so highly of it... Does he ever get back home or is he just stuck there?

Don't get me wrong. I think he did a great job in the role. I just don't think he quite looked the part. lol How can anyone be sick of Ikuta Toma? He's just too nice to look at. XD Although, I will admit that he didn't do too great of a job playing a serious role in Maou. He should stick to the comedy. Ohno Satoshi on the otherhand really surprised me with how well he did playing a heartless murderer. He was absolutely perfect!

Do you really want me to answer that question? That's a the big question that everyone asks during both seasons. I will tell you that there isn't a clean break between the seasons. The whole story is just split in half because of how the season schedule works out. If you might want to watch it from the beginning or else you'll be a little confused. I highly recommend the series, and it's definitely a great way to get your mind off of the wait! =D

[merkypie]

I honestly did not mind Yamamoto Yusuke as Tamaki. It was awkward for the first two episodes but then like he kind of blended into the role and was great at it. I don't think Toma would have done Tamaki justice THOUGH he does have more of a "ambiguous" look to him to help pass him off as half Japanese, I think. Hahaha, I'm just so Toma out right now.

Really? So thaaaat's what Jin is about. Hmmm, seems interesting, lol xD Everyone talks so highly of it... Does he ever get back home or is he just stuck there?

Don't get me wrong. I think he did a great job in the role. I just don't think he quite looked the part. lol How can anyone be sick of Ikuta Toma? He's just too nice to look at. XD Although, I will admit that he didn't do too great of a job playing a serious role in Maou. He should stick to the comedy. Ohno Satoshi on the otherhand really surprised me with how well he did playing a heartless murderer. He was absolutely perfect!

Do you really want me to answer that question? That's a the big question that everyone asks during both seasons. I will tell you that there isn't a clean break between the seasons. The whole story is just split in half because of how the season schedule works out. If you might want to watch it from the beginning or else you'll be a little confused. I highly recommend the series, and it's definitely a great way to get your mind off of the wait! =D

XD Really? Hahaha, but his " Haruhi " was perfect LOL Ah, I think his fans got me a bit tired of him. I also can't forgive him for what he did to Ningen Shikkaku, but I do like him a lot in Unubore Deka. He was great in that! He handles comedies a lot better than serious roles I've noticed... And HAHAHA Oh man, Maou... also he did was scream and run and scream and run. Ohno did great as Naruse, I have to agree. I really liked Maou

Oh, so its one of those dramas? Bringing me Hissatsu Shigotonin flash backs... that was a long drama. Once I'm finished with school and actually have some free time, I'll definitely dedicate a day or so to watching Jin.

[megandd]

I honestly did not mind Yamamoto Yusuke as Tamaki. It was awkward for the first two episodes but then like he kind of blended into the role and was great at it. I don't think Toma would have done Tamaki justice THOUGH he does have more of a "ambiguous" look to him to help pass him off as half Japanese, I think. Hahaha, I'm just so Toma out right now.

Really? So thaaaat's what Jin is about. Hmmm, seems interesting, lol xD Everyone talks so highly of it... Does he ever get back home or is he just stuck there?

Don't get me wrong. I think he did a great job in the role. I just don't think he quite looked the part. lol How can anyone be sick of Ikuta Toma? He's just too nice to look at. XD Although, I will admit that he didn't do too great of a job playing a serious role in Maou. He should stick to the comedy. Ohno Satoshi on the otherhand really surprised me with how well he did playing a heartless murderer. He was absolutely perfect!

Do you really want me to answer that question? That's a the big question that everyone asks during both seasons. I will tell you that there isn't a clean break between the seasons. The whole story is just split in half because of how the season schedule works out. If you might want to watch it from the beginning or else you'll be a little confused. I highly recommend the series, and it's definitely a great way to get your mind off of the wait! =D

XD Really? Hahaha, but his " Haruhi " was perfect LOL Ah, I think his fans got me a bit tired of him. I also can't forgive him for what he did to Ningen Shikkaku, but I do like him a lot in Unubore Deka. He was great in that! He handles comedies a lot better than serious roles I've noticed... And HAHAHA Oh man, Maou... also he did was scream and run and scream and run. Ohno did great as Naruse, I have to agree. I really liked Maou

Oh, so its one of those dramas? Bringing me Hissatsu Shigotonin flash backs... that was a long drama. Once I'm finished with school and actually have some free time, I'll definitely dedicate a day or so to watching Jin.

I didn't recall Ningen Shikkaku, so I looked it up, and I didn't see Ikuta Toma on the cast list. What did he do in that one?

I also love Ohno Satoshi's versatility. He was able to go from Naruse to Kaibutsu-kun so quickly, and still do an amazing job! It takes talent to purposefully be that kind of silly. XD

Speaking of j-dramas, let's hope that our classes aren't like those that Yankumi kept getting in Gokusen. lol I loved that drama though, especially while I was still an education major. (I decided I liked high school better, so I changed my major from Elementary Education to English. I still haven't gotten my master's yet, so I can only teach in private schools at the moment.)

[merkypie]

I didn't recall Ningen Shikkaku, so I looked it up, and I didn't see Ikuta Toma on the cast list. What did he do in that one?

I also love Ohno Satoshi's versatility. He was able to go from Naruse to Kaibutsu-kun so quickly, and still do an amazing job! It takes talent to purposefully be that kind of silly. XD

Speaking of j-dramas, let's hope that our classes aren't like those that Yankumi kept getting in Gokusen. lol I loved that drama though, especially while I was still an education major. (I decided I liked high school better, so I changed my major from Elementary Education to English. I still haven't gotten my master's yet, so I can only teach in private schools at the moment.)

Ningen Shikkaku, The Fallen Angel. Not the one with Kinki Kids XD Though that mixup does happen a lot.

I've only seen Ohno in Uta no Onii-san and Maou... Oh, and Mitsuo but I haven't seen Kaibutsu-kun yet. lol. I wanted to but never got to it. I like Matsuoka Masahiro and I think he was in it lol. But from what I did see, Ohno does have some talent.

HAHAHA no. Unless Japan was actually kawaii choochoo land I doubt we're going to get whatever they show on GTO and Gokusen. I'm pretty sure our classes will be as average as they are in America, lol. I hope no one pulls a Onizuka and start watching Kinpachi-sensei to get some teaching tips either...

[upcycledbliss]

So I so not know much about Japanese pop culture. I know religious history-especially Buddhism, and political history somewhat in depth from school and stuff about karate, cherry blossoms, tea, some jazz fusion/ world music, and few other things from personal interest (or addiction in the case of tea, matcha was close second to rose hips and oolong).

But, I know nothing about other things, I know hardly any language, any suggestions for improvement in any areas? I have no cable but do have hulu plus. Though, I don't really pay too much attention to any pop culture other than listening to radio on way to work. I only watch Bones on TV and recently discovered red box for movies (my internet is not in my apt but clubhouse so I can't watch netflicks etc inside my apt).

I have watched some anime but not a lot and not any in Japanese and mostly on Saturday mornings (when I had cable) and because of an exboyfriend. Mind you I am not a fresh out of school graduate either.

[merkypie]

So I so not know much about Japanese pop culture. I know religious history-especially Buddhism, and political history somewhat in depth from school and stuff about karate, cherry blossoms, tea, some jazz fusion/ world music, and few other things from personal interest (or addiction in the case of tea, matcha was close second to rose hips and oolong).

But, I know nothing about other things, I know hardly any language, any suggestions for improvement in any areas? I have no cable but do have hulu plus. Though, I don't really pay too much attention to any pop culture other than listening to radio on way to work. I only watch Bones on TV and recently discovered red box for movies (my internet is not in my apt but clubhouse so I can't watch netflicks etc inside my apt).

I have watched some anime but not a lot and not any in Japanese and mostly on Saturday mornings (when I had cable) and because of an exboyfriend. Mind you I am not a fresh out of school graduate either.

What you have is enough. I talk passionately about Japanese dramas because I've been watching them since a child and I do enjoy watching them. To me, watching Japanese dramas is like watching Fringe (loooove me some Fringe), or for your case, Bones. I don't believe that having no knowledge of Japanese pop culture is a bad thing, its just another area of the JET Program to serve its purpose. Educating us on Japan and we educate them on our home country.

I don't watch anime. Don't stress about that. Watching anime isn't a deal maker and its not necessary. Some people love anime... but there are a lot of people out there who don't so don't bother yourself with it. Especially if animation isn't your thing to begin with.

I guess build on what you know and love. Once you're in Japan you'll have all the time of the world to really get that cultural immersion in. Well, you'd have no choice

[megandd]

I didn't recall Ningen Shikkaku, so I looked it up, and I didn't see Ikuta Toma on the cast list. What did he do in that one?

I also love Ohno Satoshi's versatility. He was able to go from Naruse to Kaibutsu-kun so quickly, and still do an amazing job! It takes talent to purposefully be that kind of silly. XD

Speaking of j-dramas, let's hope that our classes aren't like those that Yankumi kept getting in Gokusen. lol I loved that drama though, especially while I was still an education major. (I decided I liked high school better, so I changed my major from Elementary Education to English. I still haven't gotten my master's yet, so I can only teach in private schools at the moment.)

Ningen Shikkaku, The Fallen Angel. Not the one with Kinki Kids XD Though that mixup does happen a lot.

I've only seen Ohno in Uta no Onii-san and Maou... Oh, and Mitsuo but I haven't seen Kaibutsu-kun yet. lol. I wanted to but never got to it. I like Matsuoka Masahiro and I think he was in it lol. But from what I did see, Ohno does have some talent.

HAHAHA no. Unless Japan was actually kawaii choochoo land I doubt we're going to get whatever they show on GTO and Gokusen. I'm pretty sure our classes will be as average as they are in America, lol. I hope no one pulls a Onizuka and start watching Kinpachi-sensei to get some teaching tips either...

I didn't think they would be that bad. It would just be funny if they were, and we had to inspire the students to greatness. Actually, we should probably be inspiring the students to greatness anyway, but without the extreme measures. lol I'm hoping that I'll get to work with high school students. I've noticed that I feel more comfortable with the higher grades. You can reason with them better, and you can keep their attention for longer. Little kids can be fun, but teaching them all day can be exhausting because you have to change activities so often. When I was doing my student teaching, I realized that my 1st graders got bored with any new activity after five minutes. At least you can occupy high school students for an hour before they shut down. <3

@upcyclebliss - I love j-dramas, but I'm positive that there's still a lot about Japanese culture that I know nothing about. Living in Japan will be a learning experience for me too. =D

[ume no hana]

Thank you everyone for the advice!!

[nicklar]

I think Japan pumps out an incredible amount of great films. I'm not so much into their drama series, although my wife is an avid viewer. Some of my favourites and you'd have to dip into Ebay or the like to find them include Kamikaze Taxi, Poppoya, Postman Blues, Love Letter and Grave of the Fireflies. I watched Kura on the plane home from the JET Program and I shed a tear at one point. Also so many great books - 69, Totto-chan and Snow Country are some of my favs amongst many others.

I put a brief list here but it could be MUCH longer

[serendipityi777]

To be honest, there is nothing that can keep my mind off JET. However, I have kept myself occupied. Now that I am on my Winter vacation, I am developing Android ROMs and Apps and watching Japanese comedies to keep myself exposed to Japanese. Apparently ガキの使いやあらへんで (gaki no tsukai) had a new episode released last month so, that should keep me occupied...for a while.

[Chez1986]

oooo it is hard to bide the time to know if I have a interview or not. But I have enrolled my self on a short teaching assistant course, so it will be useful experience for me whether or not I get an interview. Unfortunatley the institution as to where i was studying Japanese is not going up to a third year due to lack of interest and the next one would be a train ride away which makes things difficult as I work fulltime during the week so I will make do with teaching or attempting to teach myself via books and the internet lol also am reading the devotion of suspect X so that is helping me to pass the time.

Its difficult though, but theres not a lot we can do now but stay positive

Good Luck everyone xxxxx