Monthly Archives: July 2014

Introducing TBT Posts: The Nasifs Go To Normandy

#TBT: As a lazy, unorganized perfectionist, it has been difficult for me to make posting to this blog a regular event. Therefore I’ve decided to fluff up my blog with Throwback Thursday posts, featuring stories or editorials I’ve written in the past.  If they are edited, it will be minimal.

In belated honor of Bastille Day, I am proud to present (a very slightly modified version of) the essay I submitted in response to the question, “Why do you want to study abroad in France?”

May 2011:

When I was told to write “a short history of your life and why you wish to study abroad,” my first instinct was to write a long-winded account of my strengths and weaknesses, tragedies and triumphs.  I could absolutely characterize that in a way that would convince my readers of my desire to go abroad. But as an avid writer, I despise convention. I don’t think that would do it justice.

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Japan in a Nutshell

Long reigns the Gion Matsuri (literally Gion Festival), a celebration in Kyoto, Japan since 869 A.D.  That’s no typo – this tradition has been celebrated annually for 1200 years.  Originally founded as a sacred ritual to pray away famine, death, disease and disaster, Japan’s oldest and greatest celebration has morphed from one oppressed religion to another.  Today it is a kind of open party, complete with a parade, huge floats, public drinking, carnival games, and food stalls, across the entire city.  It is the pride of this archipelago nation, a celebration fit to rival Chinese New Year, or Mardi Gras in New Orleans.  Keyword: fit.

The Gion Matsuri, on a side street.

Hoko Shrine: The Gion Matsuri, on a side street.

Some of the ancient festival’s parade floats, parked throughout the Gion district in the days before the festival, tower 100 feet above the street. A few even have a dozen men on board, participating in ancient, graceful and mysterious rituals of singing and drum-tapping.  The lore of these rituals continues to this day.

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A Night with Yuu in Osaka

Streets in Osaka.

Streets in Osaka.

Japanese friends are hard to make.  Since coming to this transilient country I have befriended quite a few Americans and some British and Irish people. That’s mostly it.   In such a dense and developed nation, far fewer speak English than possibly anywhere I’ve ever been.

The culture is also hard to penetrate: most Japanese are shy, indirect, and not very socially brave. Americans are therefore seen as intimidatingly cool. Moreover, Japan suppresses individualism and glorifies conformity.  They even have a saying to this effect: The nail that sticks up gets hammered down.

Then there are those great exceptions on which ride the waves of history.

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