Thursday, December 27, 2007
Ski Trip Break
I'm going to the Ski Trip in Nagano today, so I won't be updating this blog for a while. Sorry! and Chiao~
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Christmas,Santa Claus,Jesus Christ
Happy Christmas everyone! Late 1 day coz my friend ask me to 'party' a bit with him last night.. haha.. （こんなに長くなっちゃってごめんよ。頑張って！ ＾ー＾）
Hmm, so we all must have said "Merry Christmas" countless times to our friends and family and people we don't even know.. but what is the real significance of Christmas? Have you actually thought about that before you say "Merry Christmas" to someone? The other day I went to church, the pastor was saying something about "merry" coming from "Mary", the virgin mother of Jesus. Hmm.. don't really understand what significance that has.. hehe.. In English, "Merry" generally means being happy and cheerful. And Christmas could probably mean the birth of Jesus Christ.
So, now, what has all that have to do with Santa Claus? Is Santa Jesus' uncle or something? heh. of course not. The legend of Santa Claus told in modern times is that he lives in the North Pole and is assisted by his green elfs and reindeer to give presents to children during Christmas. However, this legend, which has been told for a long time to children all over the world, Christian or not, is of course only a legend. And the tradition of passing on the story is also slowly becoming irrelevant because kids find out about it easily nowadays and refuse to believe.
And as shocking as it may sound, I think one of the most Santa-believing kids are actually in Japan. When asked by my teacher in class, most of my classmates say they only found out that the presents were not from Santa at around age 8 or 9, and some even believed until they were 11! Do you notice that the way I'm saying this implies that every one of my classmates believed in Santa? ^^ If you were to say that you believed in Santa in Malaysia, you would be laughed at like an idiot by the other kids for sure.
Well, the reason for this might be that we were notlied taught by out parents about Santa that way. In Japan, parents buy presents and put it beside their bed or Christmas tree to make it look as if Santa came and dropped them the present. This is how strong-going the Christmas legend/tradition is in Japan. Many times, when kids find out that Santa do not really exist, they become distrustful for being cheated and some even come to hate Santa and legends they were told when they were young. Well, I believe that every legend told comes from a true story some way or the other. It might have been someone great and admired, so the people write about them, adding a bit "zest" to the stories and making everything ideal.
As for Santa Claus, it was a Christian bishop who lived in the 4th century by the name of Saint Nicholas.
Another version of this story is that Saint Nicholas dropped 3 gold coins through the chimney into the house of the daughters mentioned, and coincidentally they were drying up their socks at the fireplace, so the coins fell straight into the socks. This is where the tradition of giving presents in a sock come from. So, you're asking how a Christian saint became our great magical uncle in the North Pole? Well, all I can say is, humans have really great imaginations. ^^
So, what about Jesus Christ? Well, to start with it, in the Bible, Jesus is said to have been born of the Virgin Mary. The night Jesus was born is said to have been a very holy night, bringing joy to the hearts of people. Jesus himself was said to have not cried when born, despite of being born in a stable and laid in a manger. I believe that it is undeniable that Jesus' birth fulfilled the prophecies made by Jewish prophets long before His birth of a Messiah who would be a Saviour. This day is what is now officially called Christmas Day, generally accepted to be on the 25th December.
However, the real date is actually unknown. The date was actually decided by the first Christian Roman Emperor, Constantine.
You might ask why Constantine had this wild idea of replacing a pagan holiday with Christ's birthday. However, during that time, it might have been the wisest thing to do, because the nations he ruled all believed in the pagan Gods, and by replacing the pagan holiday, people would thus be celebrating Christ and not pagans. It was also easier for the people to celebrate a holiday on the day they were familiar with.
However, in conclusion, December 25th needs only to be seen as the day of celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and not the birthdate of Jesus Christ. Many churches seem to forget this fact (or uninformed) and proclaim that the birth of Jesus Christ is on this day. You might ask what does that matter? Well, when you think of it in a spiritual way, the day Christ was born is a Holy Day and a day full of joy and power. It is the day that the Son of God was born in flesh and blood to the world. Now you see how significant it is?
To think that the Protestants actually banned Christmas, and are now celebrating it vigorously is kind of weird. Well, either ways, Christmas is a happy day on which we should all celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ, Son of God who saved our souls with His own innocent blood. And it is also a day to remind ourselves that He is coming again. We do not know when, but it is imminent that we prepare ourselves for it.
Hmm, so we all must have said "Merry Christmas" countless times to our friends and family and people we don't even know.. but what is the real significance of Christmas? Have you actually thought about that before you say "Merry Christmas" to someone? The other day I went to church, the pastor was saying something about "merry" coming from "Mary", the virgin mother of Jesus. Hmm.. don't really understand what significance that has.. hehe.. In English, "Merry" generally means being happy and cheerful. And Christmas could probably mean the birth of Jesus Christ.
So, now, what has all that have to do with Santa Claus? Is Santa Jesus' uncle or something? heh. of course not. The legend of Santa Claus told in modern times is that he lives in the North Pole and is assisted by his green elfs and reindeer to give presents to children during Christmas. However, this legend, which has been told for a long time to children all over the world, Christian or not, is of course only a legend. And the tradition of passing on the story is also slowly becoming irrelevant because kids find out about it easily nowadays and refuse to believe.
And as shocking as it may sound, I think one of the most Santa-believing kids are actually in Japan. When asked by my teacher in class, most of my classmates say they only found out that the presents were not from Santa at around age 8 or 9, and some even believed until they were 11! Do you notice that the way I'm saying this implies that every one of my classmates believed in Santa? ^^ If you were to say that you believed in Santa in Malaysia, you would be laughed at like an idiot by the other kids for sure.
Well, the reason for this might be that we were not
As for Santa Claus, it was a Christian bishop who lived in the 4th century by the name of Saint Nicholas.
Saint Nicholas of Myra is the primary inspiration for the Christian figure of Santa Claus. He was a 4th century Christian bishop of Myra in Lycia, a province of the Byzantine Anatolia, now in Turkey. Nicholas was famous for his generous gifts to the poor, in particular presenting the three impoverished daughters of a pious Christian with dowries so that they would not have to become prostitutes. He was very religious from an early age and devoted his life entirely to Christianity.Source : Wikipedia
Another version of this story is that Saint Nicholas dropped 3 gold coins through the chimney into the house of the daughters mentioned, and coincidentally they were drying up their socks at the fireplace, so the coins fell straight into the socks. This is where the tradition of giving presents in a sock come from. So, you're asking how a Christian saint became our great magical uncle in the North Pole? Well, all I can say is, humans have really great imaginations. ^^
So, what about Jesus Christ? Well, to start with it, in the Bible, Jesus is said to have been born of the Virgin Mary. The night Jesus was born is said to have been a very holy night, bringing joy to the hearts of people. Jesus himself was said to have not cried when born, despite of being born in a stable and laid in a manger. I believe that it is undeniable that Jesus' birth fulfilled the prophecies made by Jewish prophets long before His birth of a Messiah who would be a Saviour. This day is what is now officially called Christmas Day, generally accepted to be on the 25th December.
However, the real date is actually unknown. The date was actually decided by the first Christian Roman Emperor, Constantine.
There are numerous reasons why Constantine may have chosen the date of December 25th to celebrate Christmas. On that date also was celebrated the birth of Mithras, the Persian god of light.Source: Wiki
You might ask why Constantine had this wild idea of replacing a pagan holiday with Christ's birthday. However, during that time, it might have been the wisest thing to do, because the nations he ruled all believed in the pagan Gods, and by replacing the pagan holiday, people would thus be celebrating Christ and not pagans. It was also easier for the people to celebrate a holiday on the day they were familiar with.
However, in conclusion, December 25th needs only to be seen as the day of celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and not the birthdate of Jesus Christ. Many churches seem to forget this fact (or uninformed) and proclaim that the birth of Jesus Christ is on this day. You might ask what does that matter? Well, when you think of it in a spiritual way, the day Christ was born is a Holy Day and a day full of joy and power. It is the day that the Son of God was born in flesh and blood to the world. Now you see how significant it is?
During the Reformation, some Protestants condemned Christmas celebration as "trappings of popery" and the "rags of the Beast". The Roman Catholic Church responded by promoting the festival in an even more religiously oriented form. Following the Parliamentary victory over King Charles I during the English Civil War, England's Puritan rulers banned Christmas, in 1647.Source: Wikipedia
To think that the Protestants actually banned Christmas, and are now celebrating it vigorously is kind of weird. Well, either ways, Christmas is a happy day on which we should all celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ, Son of God who saved our souls with His own innocent blood. And it is also a day to remind ourselves that He is coming again. We do not know when, but it is imminent that we prepare ourselves for it.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Christmas Eve!
Still quite early, but a very Happy Christmas to everyone! And A Super Merry Birthday to Satomi Ishihara! haha. Yup, Satomi's birthday is on Boxing Day.
Hmm, just now I found out that Satomi has an Internet Log too! Satomi Nikki! However, it's not updated that much. But it's quite nice to be able to see her personal pics. =) Actually, I thought she was absolutely Internet-illiterate before this. Haha. But then again, it's a high probability someone else is helping her to update the Diary. ^^
Okay, I should stop talking about Satomi and putting up more of her pics.. lol.. Anyways, I bought a KFC party bucket kind of thing today and ate it with 2 foreign students from Sri Lanka and Mongolia here. Got about 12 pieces of chicken and salad and a Choco Cake.. Ho ho ho.. A small Christmas party, but quite fun! heh.. Would've been more fun if got more ppl, but.. nvm.. (To tell the truth, I'm a bit disappointed with the thin layer of friendship between us foreign students here..so thin and could break any time.. sighs)
Well, anyways, I was actually planning to send a postcard to the family whose house I went for the homestay in Saitama, but unfortunately the post office was closed.. I think should be open on Boxing Day, but maybe not open because it was the Birthday of the Emperor yesterday(Sunday). sighs.. nvm lar.. a bit late also nvm kua.. heh.
Hmm.. some people must be curious about how Christmas feels and looks like in Japan.. I don't really know coz I'm not going anywhere for countdown tonight.. But this picture up here is a picture of the decorations in Ueno Park which I took 2 weeks ago. Quite pretty..
And these penguins were really cute! heh.. =) Okaylar, that's all tonight..
HAPPY CHRISTMAS everyoneeeee.. and a Merry New Year very soon!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
お出かけ
I went out to ka-la-o-kay today with my classmates. Yea, the first time I go ka-la-o-kay with my classmates. The first time I went ka-la-o-kay was with Calvin far off in Aomori. Haha.. so out of place, right? ^^
今日クラスメート達とカラオケ行ってきました。そう、初めてのクラスメートとのカラオケの打ち上げ。初めてカラオケに行ったのはかるびちゃんと一緒で、青森にいたときでした。まあ、それは泊まるとこなかったから。。。
Well, to tell the truth, I'm not good at ka-la-o-kay at all, not o-kay at all. Messed up all the keys and lyrics.. lol. Well, that's mainly because most of the English songs are quite old.. no new ones for me to sing.. sighs.. and the Japanese songs that I know are all a tempo too fast or more.. ^^;;
正直言って、僕カラオケむいてないっすね。。歌詞も音声も全部間違えまくりだった。（笑） まあ、注文できる英語の歌あんまり新しいのなかったのもあるけど。で、僕が知ってる日本語のうたはほとんどテンポがはやいアニソンだから。。一番よく歌えるの「太陽の歌」かな。。＾＾
Hmm, but it was quite fun, and cheap.. Sang 7 hours for 810 yen. and it's usually 1000 yen per hour in Tokyo. well, just to be prepared for the next time, I'll try to listen to more Japanese songs and practice a bit.. haha..
でも、結構楽しくて、なによりも安かった。7時間で810円。本当はフリータイムで9時間だけど、途中帰った。東京だったら、一時間でも1000円ぐらい。。フリータイムもそんなに長くないと思う。うん、今度のカラオケに備えて、もうちょっと日本語の歌聴いて練習しようかな。（勉強の方もしっかりしてないくせに。。笑）
I left early coz the free time course is actually for 9 hours, and I couldn't possible sing that long. I was looking for somewhere to eat nearby the Karaoke when I saw a book/dvd shop.
僕には9時間はさすがに無理だったんで、先に帰った。その前に、近くに食いもん探して夕飯済まそうと思って。。そして、このつたやのような店を見た。
From the outside, it looked like every other book/dvd shop, something like tsutaya.. So, thinking of burning some time, I went in to see.. And what did I get? A whole archive of... those things that I would rather not announce publicly. ^^; So, those guys who are prepared to make reservations, you're in luck. haha.. kidding.
外からは普通の本屋さん・DVD屋さんみたい（見分けとかあるかもしれないが、僕なんか分からないから）。。時間の余裕もたっぷりあるからと思って、入ったんだけれども、なんとなかにはアレばっかりだった。アレの大きなアーカイブらしく、本当にびっくりした。日本の本屋さんって、ちょっと危険だね。。気をつけないと。。（笑）
Well, after making a round in the shop and getting sick of the air inside, I went back to finding my dinner.. I found a TonKatsu(fried pork) shop nearby and decided to try one of the popular food here. Yes, TonKatsu is Maebashi's specialty.
まあ、そのまま出ちゃうのも変だから、店内一週して、中の空気に苦しまれて（8歳とか9歳のに何する気？こんなのだけは勘弁してくれ）、出ていってまた食いもんを探し改めた。そして、とんかつ屋さんを見かけた。一応前橋の名物で、食べてみようかなって思った。そう、不思議に思う方もいると思うけど、本当です、前橋はとんかつ！（間違いでしたら、せめてくるといい）
It might sound very common, but it's true.. It's the specialty here. Anyways, this was my dinner today, which cost me 990 yen (around RM30) >.< The fried pork was succulent, juicy and sweet. And I'm always amazed how Japanese can fry their food and yet it's unoily. Quite worth it lar.. ^^
とんかつって、一般過ぎると思われるくらいだな。。さすがに名物とは思われないイメージだね。ちなみにこれが僕の夕飯セットだった。990円で日本ではこんな感じかな。まあ、マレーシアのスタンダードと著しい段差があるけど。＞。＜ このとんかつは食感がとってもやわらかく、ジュウシーで、ちょっと甘いかんじ。とにかくうまいっす！それと、日本人がどうやってものを揚げながらも、絶対油濃くならないのが不思議なんだ。
That was all for today.. and this last picture is a picture of the sky which I took yesterday.. notice the cloud which looks like a bird in the blue sky? I love the winter sky in Japan.. heh
今日はこれで終わり。そして、この最後の写真は昨日撮った日本の冬の夕暮れの写真。鳥みたいな雲おっきいの一匹ちっちゃいの一匹見える？日本の冬空って、本当最高！大好き！
今日クラスメート達とカラオケ行ってきました。そう、初めてのクラスメートとのカラオケの打ち上げ。初めてカラオケに行ったのはかるびちゃんと一緒で、青森にいたときでした。まあ、それは泊まるとこなかったから。。。
Well, to tell the truth, I'm not good at ka-la-o-kay at all, not o-kay at all. Messed up all the keys and lyrics.. lol. Well, that's mainly because most of the English songs are quite old.. no new ones for me to sing.. sighs.. and the Japanese songs that I know are all a tempo too fast or more.. ^^;;
正直言って、僕カラオケむいてないっすね。。歌詞も音声も全部間違えまくりだった。（笑） まあ、注文できる英語の歌あんまり新しいのなかったのもあるけど。で、僕が知ってる日本語のうたはほとんどテンポがはやいアニソンだから。。一番よく歌えるの「太陽の歌」かな。。＾＾
Hmm, but it was quite fun, and cheap.. Sang 7 hours for 810 yen. and it's usually 1000 yen per hour in Tokyo. well, just to be prepared for the next time, I'll try to listen to more Japanese songs and practice a bit.. haha..
でも、結構楽しくて、なによりも安かった。7時間で810円。本当はフリータイムで9時間だけど、途中帰った。東京だったら、一時間でも1000円ぐらい。。フリータイムもそんなに長くないと思う。うん、今度のカラオケに備えて、もうちょっと日本語の歌聴いて練習しようかな。（勉強の方もしっかりしてないくせに。。笑）
I left early coz the free time course is actually for 9 hours, and I couldn't possible sing that long. I was looking for somewhere to eat nearby the Karaoke when I saw a book/dvd shop.
僕には9時間はさすがに無理だったんで、先に帰った。その前に、近くに食いもん探して夕飯済まそうと思って。。そして、このつたやのような店を見た。
From the outside, it looked like every other book/dvd shop, something like tsutaya.. So, thinking of burning some time, I went in to see.. And what did I get? A whole archive of... those things that I would rather not announce publicly. ^^; So, those guys who are prepared to make reservations, you're in luck. haha.. kidding.
外からは普通の本屋さん・DVD屋さんみたい（見分けとかあるかもしれないが、僕なんか分からないから）。。時間の余裕もたっぷりあるからと思って、入ったんだけれども、なんとなかにはアレばっかりだった。アレの大きなアーカイブらしく、本当にびっくりした。日本の本屋さんって、ちょっと危険だね。。気をつけないと。。（笑）
Well, after making a round in the shop and getting sick of the air inside, I went back to finding my dinner.. I found a TonKatsu(fried pork) shop nearby and decided to try one of the popular food here. Yes, TonKatsu is Maebashi's specialty.
まあ、そのまま出ちゃうのも変だから、店内一週して、中の空気に苦しまれて（8歳とか9歳のに何する気？こんなのだけは勘弁してくれ）、出ていってまた食いもんを探し改めた。そして、とんかつ屋さんを見かけた。一応前橋の名物で、食べてみようかなって思った。そう、不思議に思う方もいると思うけど、本当です、前橋はとんかつ！（間違いでしたら、せめてくるといい）
It might sound very common, but it's true.. It's the specialty here. Anyways, this was my dinner today, which cost me 990 yen (around RM30) >.< The fried pork was succulent, juicy and sweet. And I'm always amazed how Japanese can fry their food and yet it's unoily. Quite worth it lar.. ^^
とんかつって、一般過ぎると思われるくらいだな。。さすがに名物とは思われないイメージだね。ちなみにこれが僕の夕飯セットだった。990円で日本ではこんな感じかな。まあ、マレーシアのスタンダードと著しい段差があるけど。＞。＜ このとんかつは食感がとってもやわらかく、ジュウシーで、ちょっと甘いかんじ。とにかくうまいっす！それと、日本人がどうやってものを揚げながらも、絶対油濃くならないのが不思議なんだ。
That was all for today.. and this last picture is a picture of the sky which I took yesterday.. notice the cloud which looks like a bird in the blue sky? I love the winter sky in Japan.. heh
今日はこれで終わり。そして、この最後の写真は昨日撮った日本の冬の夕暮れの写真。鳥みたいな雲おっきいの一匹ちっちゃいの一匹見える？日本の冬空って、本当最高！大好き！
Friday, December 21, 2007
Bowling
Today after school, I went bowling with 4 of my classmates. It must have been 5 years since the last time I played bowl. That was the time we went to war with our solar pasturizer in KL(err.. I only went to receive the cert tho, i think..) lol.. and had some fun at Sunway Pyramid. heh.. the good old times, eh..
Well, anyways, my first time playing ball in five years, everyone were just beginners, so it was a bit silly and funny, but still quite fun. heh. I had two strikes(I think I had more at Sunway.. heh) today. After that, we went to eat ramen.. All in all, it was kind of fun. Just that they have been classmates for 3 years, so there are memories and stories that I don't know about.
Tomorrow is Karaoke. Err, I have no confidence at all in singing, but I guess it should be okay, coz there will be so many people there too.. heh. Just sing a few off-tunes and laugh it off. ^^
今日放課後クラスメート4人とボーリング行ってきました。僕ボーリングやったのは5年ぶりだろう。皆初心者みたいで、ちょっとばかばかしところもあったが、楽しかった。僕はストライクが二つ。ほかの3人は五つくらいだったかな。。その後はらめん食べに行った。みんなもう3年間クラスメートだから、当然僕には知らない思い出や話があるが、今日いっぱい話し聴けて皆のこと少し分かってきて良かったと思う。
明日はカラオケか。。うん、僕は歌うのに自身ないけど、人数も多いから、なんとかなるかな。
Well, anyways, my first time playing ball in five years, everyone were just beginners, so it was a bit silly and funny, but still quite fun. heh. I had two strikes(I think I had more at Sunway.. heh) today. After that, we went to eat ramen.. All in all, it was kind of fun. Just that they have been classmates for 3 years, so there are memories and stories that I don't know about.
Tomorrow is Karaoke. Err, I have no confidence at all in singing, but I guess it should be okay, coz there will be so many people there too.. heh. Just sing a few off-tunes and laugh it off. ^^
今日放課後クラスメート4人とボーリング行ってきました。僕ボーリングやったのは5年ぶりだろう。皆初心者みたいで、ちょっとばかばかしところもあったが、楽しかった。僕はストライクが二つ。ほかの3人は五つくらいだったかな。。その後はらめん食べに行った。みんなもう3年間クラスメートだから、当然僕には知らない思い出や話があるが、今日いっぱい話し聴けて皆のこと少し分かってきて良かったと思う。
明日はカラオケか。。うん、僕は歌うのに自身ないけど、人数も多いから、なんとかなるかな。
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