tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356434902024-03-06T21:38:29.835-08:00186+More than 186 countries around the world... So many places to see, so many people to meet, so many things to learn.Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-13938089026079805212011-01-06T04:05:00.000-08:002011-01-06T04:30:11.864-08:002011 is here!Happy New Year fellows!<br /><br />It's amazing how fast the 2010 went by, and how its been already almost 2 years since I last updated this blog.<br /><br />A whole lot has happened since then...<br /><br />*Started a Master Program in Sustainability Sciences in Tokyo University, which I ended up quitting last year not feeling satisfied with the structure of the program and the way it was managed, and having not being convinced myself of actually wanting to do more research-based studies when I started it... but anyhow, not something I want to go into detail right now.<br /><br />*I started living with Kai since August 2009, and after a few months living together we decided to get engaged! (Well it was me who proposed, but we had talked about it for a while :D)<br /><br />*From April to June, I joined Peace Boat's 69 Cruise around-the-world, as a volunteer "Communication Coordinator", doing translation and interpretation between English, Spanish and Japanese during events, lectures, seminars, workshops, tours, exchange programs, etc, happening on-board and on the ports we visited. An incredible experience!!! that I still have to look back on and reflect upon.<br /><br />*After coming back from Peace Boat, Kai and I had our wedding in September in Colombia, with all her family and all my family (including my big extended family :p) together having an amazing time. Then, in October we had a wonderful party in Tokyo, Japan, with so many of our special loved friends celebrating with us.<br /><br />Some things haven't changed though... I still work for IKEA. But mean-while, and having quit the master program and since it is still my dream to have a vegan cafe someday, I decided to look for opportunities to get some experience. And so from this month I started working at a cafe in Omotesando called PURE CAFE. It is really nice, with a great atmosphere and delicious healthy food, although a little bit pricey because of the location.<br /><br />Today was my first day, and it went much better than I expected. Well, didn't really know what to expect... but I got to learn a lot of things in just one day, and I am really looking forward to learn more, although there is lots of stuff to remember.<br /><br />That's my update for now, hopefully there will be many things to post about this new year, and if not, there is hundreds of stories to tell about the incredible year we have left behind.<br /><br />I do hope to keep updating often, so spare a visit when you can.<br /><br />Cheers, wishing the best for all of you for this 2011.<br />May you explore new territories and (re)discover dreams/passions that you had, or never knew you had.Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-40998788921690135512008-05-15T01:08:00.000-07:002008-05-15T01:23:55.077-07:00Park(ing) DayAwesome! Definitely San Francisco is home of the most creative ideas ever!<br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6zvG-ay7k5c&hl=en"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6zvG-ay7k5c&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />This year it will be on September 19. Anyone interested?Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-1270459069174604202008-04-21T08:18:00.000-07:002008-04-23T20:40:49.389-07:00Masters<span style="font-size:85%;">Even when I feel really happy to have the opportunity to study in Japan with a scholarship, Japanese education is based on a very simplistic way of seeing things (at least in public universities) and they divide studies into 理系 (sciences) or 文系 (humanities), and then environmental design somehow stays in between, not really fitting into one or the other, specially a profession like Landscape Architecture. After thinking a lot about this, I have considered that instead of continuing studying LA here in Japan with my scholarship, it would be better for me to study something more scientific so to speak, and then go back to design. Which is why I have almost make up my mind about applying for the <a href="http://www.sustainability.k.u-tokyo.ac.jp/">Master of Sustainability Sciences</a> in Tokyo University.<br />Then, as always, I like to dream about the future, so I was just checking out Master programs in Landscape Architecture around the world, (I think I have been doing this since even before I started university :p) and here are some of the options...<br /><br />CANADA<br /><a href="http://www.uoguelph.ca/sedrd/LA/">University of Guelph</a> (I actually applied to the BLA there when I was at high school, but they told me I needed one year of university studies in Colombia since we only study 11 years at uni... but I have always really like this uni for some reason)<br /><a href="http://www.sala.ubc.ca/programs/landscape-architecture">University of British Columbia</a> (I love Vancouver, and it looks like an interesting program being under the School of Architecture + LA)<br /><br />NZ<br /><a href="http://www.lincoln.ac.nz/story3773.html?">Lincoln University</a> (Just because I want to go to NZ someday :P plus I find it really interesting how they always have Maori studies over there)<br /><br />EUROPE<br /><a href="http://www.wageningenuniversiteit.nl/uk/education/programmes/msc+programes/landscape+architecture+and+planning">Wageningen University</a> (Netherlands - Just studying in Europe is great reason enough... and it seems to be a very good <a href="http://www.emla.nl/">program</a>)<br /><a href="http://www.slu.se/?id=987&programkod=NM013#Examen">Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences</a> (I really like the program description, and after working in IKEA my interest in this otherwise cold, up in the north, expensive country grew)<br /><a href="http://www.masterla.de/mla/index.htm">Anhalt University of Applied Sciences</a> (Germany - but I dont need to learn German before, though I would like to!)<br /><br />UK & USA -> I guess I am still avoiding the USA as a place to study or live, and for some reason I also lost my interest in UK recently... no personal feelings! </span><span style="font-size:85%;">I may still consider UC-Berkeley just because there is lots of hippies around. :)</span>Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-78076297019950959202008-04-18T07:58:00.000-07:002008-04-18T08:08:00.899-07:00Green 186+<span style="font-size:85%;">I just started a new "academic" blog, to post stuff about Landscape Architecture, Ecovillages, Sustainability, and anything I found related to my studies...<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://green186.blogspot.com/">http://green186.blogspot.com/</a><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;">That way I will have a small file of info to look at, and it will probably help me keep info organized for my thesis, research, etc...<br />I am kind of sleepy now, so not being able to think about a better name, just called it green 186+, pretty typical, but hey! green will always be cool!</span>Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-6554608862454560252008-04-17T03:10:00.001-07:002008-04-17T04:17:57.589-07:00IKEA Commercials~<object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/58XWn0UWQRI&hl=en"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/58XWn0UWQRI&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br />I was just checking out some IKEA commercials, and then I found quite a few funny ones so I thought I'd share the laughs with everyone~<br /><br />I wonder if people actually can get this one...<br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yofQc1exZ50&hl=en"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yofQc1exZ50&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />It is quite interesting how googleing around I once again realized how closed American society (and I guess here I include Latin America as well, and just leave our dear Canadians and Californians outside) is to LGBT issues and "non-traditional" families... specially compared to Europeans.<br /><object height="347" width="415"><param name="wmode" value="opaque"><param name="movie" value="http://uncutvideo.aol.com/v7.205/en-US/uc_videoplayer.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="aID=16e5ba7d6338afa0de3d32119418b97a0&site=http://uncutvideo.aol.com/"><embed src="http://uncutvideo.aol.com/v7.205/en-US/uc_videoplayer.swf" wmode="opaque" flashvars="aID=16e5ba7d6338afa0de3d32119418b97a0&site=http://uncutvideo.aol.com/" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="347" width="415"></embed></object><br /><br />Its just like MIKA says about his song "Billy Brown" in this video...</span><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mlg9MFtoZds&hl=en"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mlg9MFtoZds&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object>Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-71381818233186395152008-04-17T03:09:00.001-07:002008-04-17T03:09:57.711-07:00Immigration...<span style="font-size:85%;">I was planning to assist to the Ecocity World Summit taking place in San Francisco next week, and had already pay the registration, the air-ticket, and even made plans to meet other friends, fellow CSers etc... and was so looking forward to it. But!<br /><br />The Japanese government for some weird reason only gives out student visas that last 2 years, so every 2 years we have to renovate it (as we all in Japan now), plus it is a visa just to stay in the country, so if we want to go out of Japan, we need to get a reentry permit otherwise we cannot come back in. 2 years ago it took less than 2 weeks to renovate the visa, so I figured out if I applied at the end of March by this time (3 weeks later) I should have already got my new visa, and I would just have to go and get the reentry permit and would be ready to go...<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> but I missed (yeap it was my fault) the fact that since the school year starts in April most people apply for the renovation in March so its the most busy time of the year. Now, that was ok, since yeap I guess it was my fault, but what really really pissed me off, was the fact that when I called to ask if there was something I could do about it (since in the end this summit is something directly related to my studies), the guy actually just told me in a very ironic way: if you really want to go then you can quit school, get a tourist visa, then get a reentry permit, and when you come back you can apply for a student visa again, but probably that will be too troublesome, right? what the f*ck!? yeah, it sounds like a great idea to quit school just because of your stupid paper work. I wouldn't be so pissed off he had just say, sorry there is nothing you can do. I really had to control myself, keep quiet and breath deeply before saying "wakarimashita, arigatougouzaimashita" instead of "what the %&#%%"&'&%#$(&'&&%#$%*>%%$</span><div><wbr><span style="font-size:85%;">#" to him.<br /><br />But anyway, shit happens. And in the end, now I have more time to finish some work that was driving me crazy, can see my friend Flavia more before she goes back, see other friends, and go the CSing gathering in Chigasaki next weekend, as well as the earth day events this weekend here in Tokyo and probably meet people I haven't met for a while, so well, I just want to forget about it anyhow.<br /></span><br /></div>Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-53764255541280833912008-04-03T03:09:00.000-07:002008-04-03T03:46:45.734-07:00Summer is here...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhBWZF9wa21wM3QfNrqKAKap-xY9Lg5ogl2SgCddfeLkRUxDS-xb1SmR-3BD4sHavd6HwkwD7-3A3xXnPyh8M4zEGmw-VhvyExaIXpaslYIN23lGCcnffHSM3SlxFC7qXmR2byQ/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhBWZF9wa21wM3QfNrqKAKap-xY9Lg5ogl2SgCddfeLkRUxDS-xb1SmR-3BD4sHavd6HwkwD7-3A3xXnPyh8M4zEGmw-VhvyExaIXpaslYIN23lGCcnffHSM3SlxFC7qXmR2byQ/s320/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184968110739810466" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">...here in IKEA. :p<br /><br />Today I finished my induction training at IKEA which lasted for two days and a half, most of the time just sitting watching powerpoint presentations about IKEA's history, way, structure, different departments, safety & security and so on. Sitting watching the screen was pretty tiring, but it was quite interesting as well, touring the whole store, getting to understand how it all works, and having the chance to meet lots of people (we had the training together with people from different departments, different stores (there will be 3 new stores in Japan this year), and both part and full time workers).<br /><br />I had already worked for about 2 weeks (5 times) before the training, so it helped me understand much better what I had learned from my coworkers during those days, and specially it gave me a much clearer idea of what the IKEA way and culture is. Which I have to say I really really like.<br /><br />When I started working I spent lots of time googling about IKEA, because I wanted to be sure I was not working for somekind of Swedish Walmart (sorry but I am sure I am not the only one that have ever consider IKEA like that... just look at that huge building! and those prices), but I was happy not to find anything bad, and to realize low prices do not mean less worker benefits, environmental destruction and so on.<br /><br />In fact, they seem to be trying to improve constantly in a lots of ways, and after working there for a few days I am sure that at least the IKEA stores are a great place to work. Specially here in Japan! Until now I had all but considered even the idea of working here in Japan (the whole image of the "japanese salary-man" was enough for me) or even at big company anywhere, and I just wanted to work part time in IKEA because I like their products and its not so far from my place, but working there for just a few days has really open my eyes to new possibilities and opportunities, which I will have to think about more...</span>Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-33486225158551512702008-03-10T05:11:00.001-07:002008-03-10T05:42:42.980-07:00四年生<span style="font-size:85%;">I am at my university studio now and I was just speaking with a friend who is entering the same lab as I will be entering, and it seems to be that we will be pretty much free until May... I was expecting my last year at uni to be pretty free but having heard so much about how some Japanese teachers make you be at the lab even when there is nothing to do I didnt really know what to expect. Now on the other hand not hearing anything at all about what we are supposed to do next year (starting in April) is making me a little bit confused...<br /><br />Anyway, I am pretty much sure about what I want to research for my thesis, so I guess I just need to talk directly to my teacher about it, and then just do all the research and study by my own, on my own timing, which is just the way I like to do it :) Then I have to see if I can actually do a thesis project about Leticia (a city in the Colombian Amazon), which I would really love to do, but being Colombia so far it may be difficult to find all the necessary information and so on. On the other hand, I am really looking forward for the Ecocity World Summit in San Francisco at the end of April, where I am sure I will learn lots of things, meet wonderful people, and be even more motivated to do my research and project, and who knows if I find some idea that attracts me even more.<br /><br />Being free then also means that I will have free time to play around, meet friends, and then of course work because otherwise I cannot play around so much :p (oh! and I cant forget to study for the master's entry test... :s haha)<br /><br />So, today I started one part-time job at a community design office in Tokyo, which means doing all the hand work and computer work left, but its actually a really good way of seeing how such a company works and I actually like cutting stuff and working with photoshop and illustrator (otherwise I wouldnt be able to study design I guess :p) so its all good~<br />Plus today I also went for a job interview at IKEA, and so if all goes well I will be working at IKEA as well, playing around with nice furniture and stuff~ (<= that's my idea about work haha)</span>Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-23068198006535735462008-01-31T19:18:00.000-08:002008-01-31T20:02:22.393-08:00Moving Down<span style="font-size:85%;">This weekend I am moving out, or well, in fact, I am just moving downstairs to another room in the same building. So before everyone asks me why I move out to the same place, I thought I'd write about it.<br /><br />I have been living here for already almost 2 years, I just knew this was the place I wanted to live in when I enter the room and saw the high roof and the window up there that made the room look much more open and clear. Plus the fact that it had a loft (I used to sleep in lofts all the time when I was living in Bucaramanga, and even in Bogota I used to sleep in the upper bed of the bunk bed I used to share with my big brother) and it cost only ¥37000 a month made me choose this place even when it wasn't so close to university (its still only 15 minutes by bike, but of all my classmates who go to university walking or by bike, I am the one who lives the farthest).<br /><br />Anyway, this semester has been really stressful, with the design studio project, and being so busy working in it, staying at university all night, and so on, my room was getting really messy all the time, and I was getting tired of coming back from uni late at night (or early in the morning should I say). So I just felt like I needed to move out, to just refresh and start again. Its what Japanese call 「気分転換」, or something like starting a new life. Most Japanese will probably just buy a new cellphone when they want to start a new life, but that wouldn't work for me (in fact I have already lose my cellphone twice...), so I just decided I would move out.<br /><br />First I was looking at rooms near my uni and Matsudo station, and I found one that I thought I liked (those guys at the Agency know how to convince you!), so I fill out the form to reserve the room, and canceled by contract in the room I was (am) living. But after a weekend with more time to think about it, I just realized how much I like this place, and specially how used I am to this neighborhood...<br /><br />The two indian restaurants with nice and good priced Dal and Vegetable Curry and friendly staff, the small natural bakery that uses 国産小麦 (flour produced in Japan) , its delicious bread (they even have Vegetable Curry Bread!) and where they already know I am vegan and always tell me if a new bread has milk or egg in it, the 2 八百屋 (vegetable stores) where I can buy cheap vegetables and fruits and smile with the 元気 old ladies shouting around, the 手打ちそば restaurant in a very nice traditional house (which I have only been twice to, but I just like to see it on my way back), the nice bar in the corner of the station with the surfing boards and the palm in the entrance (which I have never been to, but I always say I have to go to when someone visits me), the big nice park 25 minutes walking from here where I used to go whenever I had a free day (now I am becoming Japanese and I carry a schedule with me all the time, so not so many free days lately) and so on...<br /><br />So I just felt really 懐かしい about it, and I figured out it was better just to stay in the same room. But when I went to talk with the agency, they told me they had already rent it to someone else from March... So I asked if they had another room available in the same building, and that's how and why I am moving down. And even the price goes down (well just ¥1000) but that's good. And well the high roof also goes down, but since this room is in one of the corners<br />I get a really nice window on one of the side walls. So all in all I am happy with the moving out (or down)!<br /><br />Come and visit me sometime soon~ :)</span>Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-73647735885453663902008-01-30T08:43:00.000-08:002008-01-30T08:44:52.073-08:00Un poco de Gandhi para Colombia<span style="font-size:85%;">Bueno en estos dias he estado leyendo "The Essential Gandhi. An Anthology of His Writings on His Life, Work, and Ideas", y hubo un capitulo ("Gandhi's road to jail") que de alguna manera me hizo pensar en la situacion actual de Colombia.<br />Si, claro que Colombia es un pais ya "independizado", pero definitivamente no es libre, al igual que muchos paises (por no decir casi todos).<br />Pero no dire mas, y por ahora los invito a leer y sacar sus propias conclusiones...<br /><br />*****<br /><br />"...For me patriotism is the same as humanity. I am patriotic because I am human and humane. It is not exclusive."<br /><br />"...If India makes violence her creed and I have survived I would not care to live in India. She will cease to evoke any pride in me..."<br />"...If I can have nothing to do with the organized violence of the Government I can have less to do with the unorganized violence of the people"<br />(y aqui tengo que decir que la violencia empieza por los pensamientos, sigue con las palabras y en ultimas se convierte en accion)<br /><br />"Firstly, we must acquire greater mastery over ourselves and secure and atmosphere of perfect calm, peace and good will."<br />"Secondly, we must still further cleanse our hearts, and we Hindus and Moslems must cease to suspect one another's motives."<br />"Thirdly, we Hindus must call no one unclean or mean or inferior to ourselves."<br /><br />"Parties may fall and parties may rise; if we are to attain freedom our deep convictions must remain unaffected by such passing changes."<br />"...We must not resort to social boycott of our opponents"<br />"The rule of majority, when it becomes coercive is as intolerable as that of a bureaucratic minority."<br /><br />"Our motto must ever be conversion by gentle persuasion and a constant appeal to the head and heart."<br /><br />"There is not yet in India that truthful and non-violent atmosphere which and which alone can justify mass disobedience, which can be described as civil which means gentle, truthful, humble, knowing, willful yet loving yet never criminal and hateful"<br /><br />"Non-violent attainment of self-government presupposes a non-violent control over the violent elements in the country."<br /><br />"Our capacity for Swaraj (Self-Rule) will be proved by our ability to conduct our activities in spite of the withdrawal even of the originator of the current program"<br /><br />"It would be a thousand times better for us to be ruled by a military dictator than to have the dictatorship concealed under sham councils and assemblies. (...) There is no such thing as slow freedom. Freedom is like a birth. Till we are fully free we are slaves."<br /><br />*****<br /><br />Y ahora si lo digo...<br />que triste ver como un pais ha terminado por caer en la misma violencia que tanto quiere rechazar, y ha sido polarizado tanto que ni siquiera nos podemos unir por una causa tan simple y noble como lo es la libertad, la paz y la no-violencia, sin estar hablando mal unos de otros.<br />Lamentablemente Colombia y la mayoria de los Colombianos no estamos listos para pedir y exigir paz.<br />Y mucho menos si seguimos insistiendo en juzgar a un sector sin mirar y aceptar nuestros propios errores.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> "Peace. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"> It does not mean to be in a place </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"> where there is no noise, trouble, </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"> or hard work. It means to be in </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"> the midst of those things and still </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"> be calm in your heart."</span></div>Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-61060114355727164462008-01-12T04:56:00.000-08:002008-01-12T05:08:52.329-08:00Why not 9?<blockquote>"ARTICLE 9.<br />Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes.<br />(2) In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized."</blockquote><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/az97IBqGVP0&rel=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/az97IBqGVP0&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The "<a href="http://whynot9.jp/index_en.html">Global Article 9 Conference</a>" will be held in Tokyo, Japan, in May 2008. This conference will bring together the voices of the world supporting the existence and principle of Article 9. It will bring together Nobel Peace Laureates, intellectuals, cultural figures and NGO activists, and provide a forum to discuss what the citizens of the world can do to realize the principle of Article 9, through promoting disarmament, demilitarization and a culture of peace. It will aspire to create an international movement for realization of "peace without force." The holding of such a conference will be a concrete step in materializing the aim confirmed at the Hague Appeal for Peace Conference in 1999; "Every Parliament should adopt a resolution prohibiting their government from going to war, like the Japanese article number nine. "The endorsement of Article 9 in the World Peace Forum's final statement, "Vancouver Appeal for Peace 2006: Make Peace" has also greatly encouraged our campaign, supporting our ambition to stage a large scale international conference revolving around Article 9.<br /><br />If you haven't, <a href="https://s107.secure.ne.jp/%7Es107017/en/support/index.html">VOICE YOUR SUPPORT</a> for Article 9!<br /></span>Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-16041496000140068022008-01-07T15:19:00.000-08:002008-01-07T15:35:49.919-08:00Avaaz.org - Stop the Clash of Civilizations<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WWyJJQbFago&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WWyJJQbFago&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-1751427239739345832008-01-07T05:39:00.000-08:002008-01-07T06:22:05.448-08:002008... will it actually bring some change?<span style="font-size:85%;">Happy New Year everyone! Hope you had a great time during the holydays, had a good rest, and are ready for enjoying and making the best of this new year.<br /><br />This year brings with a really big hope for change for the world because we cant deny the influence the USA president has over so many issues: the environment, economy, human rights, security, terrorism, culture clashes, and so on...<br /><br />I was quite happy to hear Obama won the Iowa caucus, and is probably winning the NH primary, most probably becoming the nominate for the democratic party, and hopefully president, since well he seems to be able to bring some change to the USA government.<br />But then I came accross <a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/Yr9RoZguG6w&rel=1">this video of the New Hampshire debate,</a> where the first question is about.... you guess... war, terrorism, Osama bin Laden, and military action.<br />I dont care how hypothetical the situation is, or how certain your intelligence service is about Osama bin Laden's hide-away. STOP talking about the possibility of yet another military invasion by the USA government on a foreign country!!!<br />I mean how bad is the hunger for war in the USA politics (or economy/corporartions to make it more clear), that they seem not to be able to stop thinking about military action for one second!?!?<br />Do they really think that if they kill Osama bin Laden the terrorist threats to the USA will finish? Really, why cant these people get it?<br /><br />I really thought (and still think) Obama becoming president would be a whole much better than another republican, or for that matter, better than Hillary (and probably Edwards -dont really know much about him). But I guess none of them would really bring the deep changes that the whole world needs and is looking for in the USA government.<br /><br />And it seems to be that the only candidate out there that actually makes some sense, <a href="http://www.dennis4president.com/">Dennis Kucinich</a> with his "<a href="http://www.dennis4president.com/go/issues/strength-through-peace/">Strength Through Peace</a>" message, is simply unelectable for the press (and corporate America). But really, I am sure I am not the only one who would love to see one-day an environmentalist, pacifist and, on top of that, vegan person leading a country (specially the USA), am I? Is that so "hippie" to even accept that its definitely better than people who would start yet another invasion just for fear?<br /></span>Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-56274439883304193432007-12-28T06:38:00.000-08:002007-12-28T07:12:49.850-08:00Oxfam Trailwalker Japan<span style="font-size:85%;">I have started to volunteer for Oxfam Japan this year, and now they are starting to make the preparations necessary for next years Trailwalker event, probably one of the biggest fundraising events organized by Oxfam in different parts around the world.<br /><br />It challenges groups of 4 persons to complete a 100km trail in 48 hours, with the support of many people and companies who donate their money to support Oxfam's various poverty alleviation and emergency relief projects around the world.<br /><br />I remember I love to watch the Discovery Channel Eco-Challenge (which involved many disciplines to complete a 500km course) and thinking I would like to do that some day (specially the on in NZ, cause the landscapes were amazing!)<br /><br />Now the Trailwalker is just hiking, but its still 100km, and the best part, is that all the fundraising goes to a great cause. So this year I will be volunteer to organize the event, and who knows maybe next year I can make a team and participate as well.<br /><br />If anyone is interested in volunteering or participating do <a href="http://www.trailwalker.jp/">check the HP</a>! and let me know if you have any questions~<br /><br />Next years event will take place in May 16~18, and the course starts in Odawara, going through Hakone, and finishes in the foot of Mt Fuji. The landscape seems to be really beautiful. I found <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/trailwalkers2007/page10/">these pics</a> from last years event.<br /><br />"Oxfam Trailwalker is an event that involves significant commitment, endurance and at the end of it all, a wonderful sense of achievement. Whatever role you play, by participating in this ultimate life changing event, you'll be helping to make a real difference by raising funds for some of the poorest communities in the world"</span>Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-82869086466377357062007-12-23T22:30:00.000-08:002007-12-23T22:32:10.106-08:00Amarantine - Enya<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nUBlBcjBPeE&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nUBlBcjBPeE&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-73345706530211994162007-12-18T05:51:00.000-08:002007-12-18T06:04:34.933-08:00Sunshowers - M.I.A.<object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/knQuxZj9rTA&rel=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/knQuxZj9rTA&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object>Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-89352399045852039792007-12-03T07:55:00.000-08:002007-12-03T07:56:38.758-08:00Gano Venezuela<span style="font-size:85%;">Despues de haber estado preocupado por Venezuela por las ultimas dos semanas, es dificil creer que Chavez alla aceptado la derrota de su reforma, con tan solo 2% de diferencia. Me alegra poder pensar que por fin Chavez se dio cuenta de que crear mas division no es bueno, pero sobretodo que la opocision en Venezuela por fin parece tener de verdad una idea de lo que quiere, y me alegra que ese cambio sea liderado por los jovenes estudiantes que muchas veces parecerian tan poco interesados en politica y tan alejados de la realidad de su pais.<br /><br />Segun entiendo esto quiere decir que Chavez no puede ser reelegido mas (a menos que quien sabe que se le ocurra), pero aun lo tendremos por unos largos 5 anhos, que espero la opocision logre usar para crear (junto con los simpatizantes de Chavez) un programa de pais mas igualitario que incluya a todos los Venezolanos.<br /><br />Me siento extranho diciendo esto cuando ya me siento tan alejado de Venezuela, pero aun asi, sigue siendo el pais donde naci, y sobretodo donde muchos de mis amigos y parte de mi familia viven, y simplemente es triste ver a un pais tan dividido sea donde sea.<br /><br />Por ahora me podre sentir feliz y tranquilo por Venezuela~<br /><br />...y volver a mi trabajo de disenho todas las noches sin tener que estar preocupado por lo que podria pasar.<br /><br />Abrazos a todos mis amigotes en (o de) Venezuela, los quiero mucho! y me alegra que las cosas por ahora se vean un poco mejor~<br />~Viva Venezuela~</span>Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-70136334459050575492007-11-30T23:50:00.000-08:002007-12-01T05:55:27.153-08:00The Idan Raichel Project<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.idanraichelproject.com/en/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSRl2u-GDx9PxEzQE9UQrLq6ENpMN-FaBTLwis8W9j64TLA3sbEe-OVVzWrOBJKFVauDF8DWKKQlQfA1loU8nkMaDHxlsGjJ9G53UlusQ4zaGAc2ATbREGDb1yxzpWGbiWknOrw/s400/Picture+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5138912022470269746" border="0" /></a><br /><object height="355" width="425"></object><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Fv1W8E-TKoQ&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Fv1W8E-TKoQ&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-52889184601763741242007-11-27T05:43:00.000-08:002007-11-27T06:41:01.251-08:00Dennis Kucinich<span style="font-size:85%;">I remember 3 years ago, many people around the world saying how since the USA government seems to affect so many people around the world, all the people in the world should be able to have the right to elect it. Well, we may not have the right to vote since we are not USA citizens, but as long as the USA government wants to get involved in every countries' issues, we all have a say in its elections.<br /><br />But anyway, in this post I dont want to talk about the big ones... (according to the media at least)<br /><br />I just want to say I find it so relieving to see a candidate in there that seems for once to be embracing peace, within the USA, with other nations, with the environment, and even with animals. Who seems true to his principles and not the corporations' ones. And who gives a voice to so many people that are just disappointed with the way politics is done in the USA and pretty much all around the world.<br /><br />I dont know how much chance he has to get to win this elections. I just dont think the USA's corporations are willing to accept such a candidate as president, or that the people is mature enough to take a decision based on their own opinions (without getting so influenced by the media), or to elect someone who because of the peace he embraces in all matters of his life (including his eating habits), may not seem "strong" enough to govern the USA.<br /><br />But just seeing him there, gives me hope that people is actually realizing that politics dont have to be the same as always, and that there is people out there representing the so called "alternative" ideas. Which we are starting to see, more than "alternative" are plain simple and logic, when you think about the people, the environment, and life itself, and not the profits and the big corporations.</span><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZLhCrTpYpAs&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZLhCrTpYpAs&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br />*STRENGTH THROUG PEACE*<br />Dennis Kucinich '08Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-69234582963785995272007-11-24T05:54:00.000-08:002007-11-25T03:24:01.847-08:00Venezuela<object height="355" width="425"><span style="font-size:85%;">It is sad to see how the country I was born, where many friends live, full of beauty and resources, seems to be on its way to be totally controlled by one man hungry of power, and with oil money in his pockets...<br />Like I was talking with an Irish guy early in the morning after a night of clubbing, an equality of opportunities and justice in the society (or socialism) is obviously something to be pursue by today's society, but not by one man, oppressing any opposition, taking away liberties, and creating division, cause that is quite simply a dictatorship, and no good can come out of it.<br />I just can but hope that the opposition and rational supporters of socialism have actually a chance to stop the actual government to continue its way, or that I am actually mistaken, and Chavez actually has good intentions, and a clear mind to realize nothing good comes out of division, oppression and insults...<br /><br /></span><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8H_nvbU0wFw&rel=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8H_nvbU0wFw&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object>Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-85721506282482520112007-11-18T07:35:00.000-08:002007-11-18T07:51:04.451-08:00Hoppy Bday to me~<span style="font-size:85%;">My bday has already finished here in Japan, but I still have 13 hours left in Colombia :)<br /><br />This weekend I just got to think, hear, realize, doubt, learn, talk, rethink, notice, feel... so many things right now I am having a very hard time trying to organize my mind.<br /><br />But I just want to say how happy and thankful I feel for having (so many) so special persons around me. It is just actually overwhelming to realize all the people I have met in this 21 years., all the things I have lived with them, but specially all I mean for them and all they mean for me.<br />I really wonder if I deserve so much, and if I really can give back (and forward) all what I have received. I really dont think I can even get close.<br /><br />Thank you so much for everything, every person, every animal I have (and haven't) had a connection with, every moment, every feeling, every smile... all the little details that make life great.</span>Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-8018183514628342742007-11-09T03:31:00.000-08:002007-11-09T04:13:54.695-08:00Car vs Bike<span style="font-size:85%;">On wednesday, I met with Alisa, Ayaka, and some couchsurfers for dinner. Jasper, from Holland, is travelling around visiting different eco-villages, and learning from the places he visits, for him to go back to Holland (or somewhere else?) and build his own house. Jiji, came to study his PhD in Japan, and is now teaching english, but he is also interested in eco-villages and natural living, and he will be going to NZ next year as well with a working-holiday visa to visit some of the ecovillages there.<br /><br />Lately I have been thinking about my thesis project, and last time I was talking about it with my sister, we end up talking about a self-sustainable community in Colombia that her Yoga teacher just visited. Which was one of the reasons I was so eager to meet Jasper this time. Since a 2 years ago I got really interested in permaculture, self-sustainability and so on, but as with many other things, I just didn't give it enough time or importance, because it just seems to be an idea that would send me to an alternative living, away from the normal society, which has been something I have been wondering a lot since I came to Japan:<br />What do I want to do when I go back to Colombia...<br />Whether to go somewhere and live a more natural life, growing my food, making things by my own, OR stay in the city, working (either a normal job, in my own design office, as a teacher...) and trying to change society itself, but having to live with all the rush and problems of the society.<br /><br />But lately I have started to realize it doesn't have to be one OR the other, and I have really started to think about the kind of life I would like to have, and the way I can include most of the things I am interested in, and I would like to do in it. And I have even get to think how I could even use my studies right now to bring those two together. I guess that's why I decided to study Landscape Architecture in the first place, but somewhere in between I kind of lost my way, but I am glad I am finding it again, and maybe even more clearly.<br /><br />I just really need to organize my life (spending less time in facebook and more time learning , thinking and reflecting), study more of those things that most probably you cant learn at uni, and bringing those things into my life.<br /><br />Well... I just thought I would put up next quote when I started the blog (hence the title) but it kind of got long :) It's an interesting statement I found in the British Permaculture Association site...<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"></span><blockquote><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">"The average American's involvement with their automobile is an astonishing 1600 hours a year. Working in order to buy it, actually driving it, getting it repaired and so on. This means that when all car mileage in a given year is divided by the time spent supporting the car, the average car owner is travelling at an average speed of 5 miles per hour. To attain the speed of a bicycle we are devastating our cities, air, lungs and lives."</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Ivan Illich, social commentator</span></blockquote><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"></span></span></span>Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-25427516527410579402007-10-31T16:36:00.000-07:002007-10-31T17:55:34.621-07:00Happi Haro-win!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v143/26/121/544536943/n544536943_388420_6521.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v143/26/121/544536943/n544536943_388420_6521.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Last weekend I had the best halloween ever! Well being the first time I actually celebrate halloween, dressing up and going out, its pretty understandable, but it was definitely an incredible halloween I'm sure. What can compare to a loop around Tokyo's Yamanote Line, in a train full of people in costumes, having fun, chatting, chanting, and meeting new friends.<br /><br />Our first plan was to have an outdoor party at Yoyogi Park, and then head to some club for the rest of the night. But a Typhoon decided to visit Tokyo for the weekend, so an outdoor party was out of question. For our luck, Alisa found out about this crazy unofficial mob halloween event held every year in Osaka and Tokyo, so after seeing some videos from previous events, and wondering whether it was safe or right to join or not, I decided to give it a try with some friends,and judge by myself.<br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SDPIqTfFmu8"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SDPIqTfFmu8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />So our night started at Alisa's place, where I finished dressing up (putting some leaves around my feet and arms, putting green make up in my face, and getting ready to go~) and then head out to Tokyo! In our first stop, a convenience store for some food and drinks, we couldnt stop smiling to each other seeing the reaction of the people who saw us, or the cashier who avoid to look at my eyes all the time! (though that is actually usual in Japan, but I guess it was reinforced by the fact she wouldnt like to look at my eyes and laugh, cause it would be seen as "shiturei" by japanese standards... but come on! I am wearing a costume, the idea is to make you laugh!)<br /><br />After that we head to Shibuya to meet other friends, so there we were a tree, a pirate and the devil, in the middle of Tokyo's world famous crossing, under the eyes of all these people. Happily after a short wait, we ran up into another tree! and had a nice chat while waiting for our friends. Meanwhile, Japanese people will simply look at us, and a group of boys actually came to say "otsukaresama desu" to me... (otsukaresama is an expression "used to acknowledge someone's efforts or show your appreciation for the trouble that they have gone though" (I had to google that cause I always have trouble explaining japanese expressions :p) but its an expression that is usually used when you finish work instead of saying "goodbye" or when go back home after doing some work or meeting at the uni or even with some friends) which then again felt weird at the moment, cause "tsukare" actually literally me</span><span style="font-size:85%;">ans "tired", but know that I see it as "acknowleding someone's efforts" actually doesnt sound too bad.... :p<br />anyway, after a while my friend Mone arrived, with her in-pajamas ladies friends, so NOW we were being stared. lol<br /><br />After going for some drinks in a cafe (inside a bookstore! just imagine 8 people in costume walking along the corridors of a bookstore with people reading books around, and you may understand how funny the whole experience was) we headed to Shinjuku, were the infamous Yamanote Halloween Train Party starts... we were there 10 minutes before the scheduled (by who knows who?) departure time, and there was already around 20 people in costume waiting in the platform. So we made our way to them, met some, then again looking for other friends who were joining us from Shinjuku, and so, in the next 10 minutes the platform went from 20 people in costume, to be completely FULL of people in costume, chatting, drinking, making noise, while waiting for the right train to arrive.<br /><br />and so, there it was, "densha mairimaaaaaasssss gochui kudasai", the Yamanote Halloween Train welcoming us, for the only time in the year where you actually can totally enjoy a full-train. Remember the famous images of train station staff pushing people so that doors can close during the rush hours? well that's just how full our train was... and the train staff actually was ready to push us all in, in order to let the trains run smoothly on time (though they were already deleted because of the typhoon) which seemed to be their only concern (not the fact that there was around 500 crazy people in costume having a party in the train...).<br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/B8qgC6B34PQ"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/B8qgC6B34PQ" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br />The leaves in my head appear somewhere around the middle of this video... :p<br /><br />and so in we went, for the best round-the-loop ride of the year, chanting station names (there is a lot of fans of ikebukuro, akihabara, tokyo (of course!), and even gotanda?), taking pics, going around meeting new people and so on. We actually changed cars (in the same train) once and it was so surprising cause after being in such a crazy full of people one, this one seems so empty, even when there was quite a few people in costume chatting and all... :)<br /><br />And so after a little bit longer than an hour, we were back in Shinjuku, saying goodbye to our lovely Halloween train, the crowd dispersing (very slowly cause everyone (specially usual commuters waiting for their train) wanted to take pictures with everyone) and heading to clubs around Tokyo for the rest of the night...<br /><br />now, I know there is a lot of conflicting views on this train party, which was one of the reasons I wanted to go and see it for myself, before bashing it out as some crazy gaijins (infamous foreigners here in Japan) abusing the japanese system. And I can say after living it by myself, that even when a few people might do obviously go too far, the whole event in itself is just a great way of celebrating halloween, creating bounds between Japanese and Foreigner participants (and even non-participants who mostly are either so surprised they cant even react, or who enjoy the surprise in a usually monotonous train ride), thanking Yamanote line, the japanese train system, and Japan in itself for being soooo wonderful! and in the end just having an out of the ordinary fun time (something really necessary in Japan).<br /><br />and to prove that... here is a video for you to compare...<br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eFIjt65ohIg"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eFIjt65ohIg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /></span>Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-49375080208496533002007-10-24T07:39:00.000-07:002007-10-26T15:45:29.518-07:00Gotta be Japan!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/10/20/world/20japan.xlarge1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/10/20/world/20japan.xlarge1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I just got a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/20/world/asia/20japan.html?em&ex=1193025600&en=35c022026819f87a&ei=5087%0A">link</a> from a CSer (read that couchsurfer) friend from NY, about the new Japanese "against crime clothing design." But the first thing that came to my mind when I actually realized that there was someone inside that last vending machine was: Halloween costume... :)<br /><br />Remember the shower costume from Karate Kid, I think it could actually make a great costume for Halloween! Just imagine a vending machine walking around Tokyo streets... and someone running behind trying to buy a drink :p<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Chf2ZgBukpcrw1Xwlw9r3GnH0c_Cz0vBEcVA4GlvPw9lVkT8oGH1fBMC7AUC5b8xFL3bm3zHO4YE21bozK6nOIX_IIVc5zOY7r6FsN64xM6hmLX1cjMIB9FjXBhBGP3e4_6m0w/s1600-h/IMG_5206-md.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Chf2ZgBukpcrw1Xwlw9r3GnH0c_Cz0vBEcVA4GlvPw9lVkT8oGH1fBMC7AUC5b8xFL3bm3zHO4YE21bozK6nOIX_IIVc5zOY7r6FsN64xM6hmLX1cjMIB9FjXBhBGP3e4_6m0w/s200/IMG_5206-md.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124915996284778850" border="0" /></a>Being 20 I feel so funny for being so excited about halloween this year. Since the first time I refused to dress up when I was like 10 years old and didnt want to wear the Peter Pan costume they had for me I havent really like halloween or at least I wasn't too fond of it. But this year, I just have been thinking of halloween party at Yoyogi park, my tree/ent costume (pic to the right is just an image of what I was thinking that I found in the net), and so on, even when I have been really busy with design works and the internship at the NGO.<br /><br />And it kind of made me realize how much I have changed in the last year, kind of coming out of my shell, being much more extroverted (though I still like to look at things from a distance (or a corner) from time to time) and enjoying so much more partying, meeting new people, and just doing crazy stuff. I do have to thank Hospitality Club and Couchsurfing for that once again, cause meeting new people from all around the world with such an open mind and heart, kind of give me some new impressions about people, and has helped me make wonderful friends who I would have never had the chance to meet in other ways. And, it has helped me know more about myself as well.</span>Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643490.post-28065966287201499782007-10-08T05:55:00.000-07:002007-10-08T06:35:30.352-07:00Global Festa<span style="font-size:85%;">Well, just like I wrote in the last post it would only take a couple of days for me overcome the "back in Japan" crisis, and get back to the fun, and appreciate how much I enjoy it here. School has already started, but last week we didnt really do much, anyhow I am just taking 10 credits<br />this semester, which means I only have to go there monday, tuesday and (just because 2 days is too few) friday.<br />On Saturday I went to work as tutor at the science class for kids nearby my university, which is always something I enjoy lots. It was really amazing though that after almost 3 months not going there the kids still remembered us, and this kid who always likes to play with us after the class finish, came to say hi, and the first thing he asks me is "have you buy a TV already?" Yeap, I really didnt know what to say... but it made me feel welcome. :)<br /><br />After finishing work, I headed to Tokyo to meet Yuri at the Global Festa in Hibiya Park. It was this really nice festival with many NGO's and embassy stands, and food from every corner of the world. I had a really nice time chatting with people from Oxfam which is just starting here in Japan, and I decided I will participate in next year's Trailwalker. And also had a really nice chat with a Canadian Architect working with Habitat for Humanity, who got me really interested in their projects, and made me think about my thesis. Other than that there was so many stands and so many interesting things, so many things I want to get involved, but in the end there is only a small bit that you can do.<br /><br />From there I headed to Inage, to my old dormitory. I hadnt been there since really long time ago, so it was really great to meet Javier, Jose, Fran, Ahmed, Louay, Angel, Antonio and meet some other people, and had a lots of laughs together. Definitely that's probably what latin-american people do better... joking and laughing.<br /><br />Sunday I spent the morning cleaning my room, washing clothes, buying food, and then headed to the CouchSurfing gathering at Shibuya. One of the many amazing things about CSing is that everytime you dont really know what to expect from the people you will be meeting. They always have amazing backgrounds, great stories, experiences, and things to share. And they are always so friendly, open-minded, and easy-going. So there I was in Hachiko, meeting great people and starting a great night. After going for some food, and waiting for other members who joined later on, we headed to Shinjuku's Nichome, the gay area in Tokyo, to meet other CSers, have some drinks, and of course for some dancing and fun. After having a "beer blast" (all the beer you want from 7 to 9 pm for 1000 yen) and getting to know more about everyone, some went back, and we headed to Artys for a all-nighter of clubbing~ Definitely Artys is the best club ever, its so small, but the people is so friendly, and the music is great.</span>Juankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398162800792517797noreply@blogger.com0