http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/ <div align="center"><img src="http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/3017/chibiboomkt5.jpg"> いらっしゃいませ！<br><br>I am Gladys Angala, a <s>19</s> 20 year old English Major, currently an Exchange Student of the University of the Philippines in the University of Tokyo, Japan.<br><br>This will be my blog for my adventures in Japan! よろしくね～！ｄ（＾－＾）ｂ <small>♥ Many thanks to Kuya <a href="http://eva-guy01.deviantart.com/">Robert Wong</a> for the special Boom in Japan illustration! ♥</small></div> Wed, 9 Jul 2008 01:09:34 -0000 Mon, 7 Jul 2008 16:49:23 -0000 http://images.ainokodomo.multiply.com/logo http://ainokodomo.multiply.com 100 100 Visit to Nedu Primary School in Bunkyo-ku. - Games with the 5th/6th graders. - Self-introduction. - Song prepared by the 2nd graders. - Lunch with the 1st graders. <3 - Fooling around Nezu Station. - Game Center + Purikura with Ben, Hei-won and Lam. *o* 180-185 are from Viet http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/album/118 Mon, 7 Jul 2008 16:49:23 -0000 AIKOMsei-packed day. - Final project for Japanese IV (TV News Program) - Lunch with Michelle and the others at a steak house in Shibuya (walked from Komaba Todai to Shibuya lol) - Dinner c/o Eddie and Viet Thi. CHICKEN RICE! *O* bangumi 33-74 are from http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/album/116 Mon, 7 Jul 2008 12:35:58 -0000 - Picture taking last June 23, 2008. - J4 get-together-to-thank-me-their-Chief-Editor in the evening. - Next day preparing for the terebi bangumi Photos all from http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/album/115/Japanese_IV_Class Sat, 5 Jul 2008 10:42:33 -0000 Just in time to see the left-over ajisai! They were cutting them down already when we arrived.;A; 12-19 are from Viet http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/album/114/Ajisai_in_Hakusan_Jinja_June_24_2008 Sat, 5 Jul 2008 04:10:30 -0000 We intended to see the hydrangeas, but somehow, we ended up eating lunch at an Indian restaurant, singing in a karaoke box, and shopping in Harajuku. But that day we had so much fun, therefore we called it "Ajisai no Hi." Though I'm not really into gothloli outfits, but still, Harajuku will be the death of my salary if I go there. All the cute one-piece dresses are there!*O* There are many expensive shops, but if you look around, there are also cheap ones. I got to bring home 3 one-piece dresses and 2 jackets.<3 1-3, 5, 25 are from Viet http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/album/113/Ajisai_no_Hi_June_20_2008 Fri, 4 Jul 2008 17:40:44 -0000 Some updates after being MIA for a while.<br><br>FIRST: Nihongo classes are over! Which means free time. Nihongo classes are in the morning, so now that they're finished, I don't have to wake up early anymore. I can sleep at least eight hours a day~ Oh my god, I'm so happy~ *O* Though I still have to do some work for our newspaper. Japanese IV's final project is a newspaper, for which I volunteered to be Chief Editor, thus the "BUSY-編集長中" status in Y!M.<br><br>Other classes ended last month, too, but this month I still have a presentation, exams and term papers to finish. Our Directed Independent Study course's deadline's also fast approaching (the end of this month) so I must make some progress on that 30-paged academic essay.&gt;_&lt;;;<br><br>SECOND: I'm in for two more trips before I go home. First is the Mt. Fuji Climb with the other AIKOM students, a sort of post-graduation trip to see the sunrise on the summit of Mt. Fuji. Second is the Kyushu trip with Viet Thi, and we plan to go to Hiroshima, Yamaguc... http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/journal/item/94/Updates Fri, 4 Jul 2008 17:24:26 -0000 Cat Cafe in Kichijoji. 800yen for an hour and you get to play with their cats. <3 Sorry for the blurry pictures.^^;; You can't expect kittens to just freeze when you point the camera at them.:P Batteries died on me after a while. Guess I didn't charge them properly.>_<;; Dinner at a ramen shop after.:3 93-98 are taken from my crappy SE phone 99-103 are from Viet http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/album/111/Cafe_Calico_June_10_2008 Fri, 4 Jul 2008 13:44:28 -0000 Random pictures in the bus 29-32 are from Viet Thi 33 is from Helene (yay I love this pic <3) 34 is from http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/album/110/AIKOM_Kii_Peninsula_Trip_Bus_June_3-8_2008 Fri, 4 Jul 2008 13:13:34 -0000 Tabehodai dinner at a restaurant in Kyoto Hotel and Spa. Spent some time in a riverbank while waiting for the bus. 12 is from Viet Thi. 13-15 are from http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/album/109/AIKOM_Kii_Peninsula_Trip_Dinner_in_Kyoto_June_7_2008 Fri, 4 Jul 2008 12:58:58 -0000 While the other AIKOM students were running around Kyoto visiting temples, Viet Thi and I took the JR Nara Line to Nara City! We've both been to Kyoto before so I decided to just take her to Nara because she hasn't been there yet, and I wanted to play with the deers agan!<3 27-51 are from Viet http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/album/108/AIKOM_Kii_Peninsula_Trip_Back_to_NARA_June_7_2008 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:30:02 -0000 Random temples surrounding Tentokuin in Koyasan. Taken in the morning before we left for http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/album/106/AIKOM_Kii_Peninsula_Trip_Koyasan_June_7_2008 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 13:59:00 -0000 AIKOM 13 students doing some sort of modern yoga in a temple in sacred Mt. Koya. http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/album/105/AIKOM_Kii_Peninsula_Trip_TWISTER_June_6_2008 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 13:32:44 -0000 In Koyasan, visitors stay at temples that offer lodging and serve only vegetarian food. <b>Tentokuin</b>, for example, is a clean, modern temple lying alongside a big carp pond near the center of Koyasan. - Wan Mohd Fairaz, 2008 AIKOM Field Trip Guidebook 20-22 are from Viet http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/album/103/AIKOM_Kii_Peninsula_Trip_Tentokuin_June_6_2008 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:46:41 -0000 <b>Kongobuji</b>, translated as Temple of the Diamond Mountain, was named in 1868. This temple is best known for being built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1537 to honor and commemorate his mother's death. However, the origins of this temple begin with Kobo Daishi, better known as Kukai. He wanted to make a headquarters for the Shingon sect of Buddhism on Mt. Koya in the early 800s. That motive has withheld until today where Kongobuji is the main administrative center for the Shingon sect overseeing over 4000 temples throughout Japan. - Sayuri King, 2008 AIKOM Field Trip Guidebook 22-24 are from Viet Thi 25 is from http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/album/100/AIKOM_Kii_Peninsula_Trip_Kongobuji_June_6_2008 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:23:53 -0000 <b>Danjo Garan</b> is where the Konpon Daito (Great Pagoda) is located. The Konpon Daito is a typical Shingon construction based on the doctrine of esoteric Buddhism. It is paired with the Saito Pagoda each of which enshrines Dainich-nyorai. The Great Pagoda was struck by lightning five times in the past and was reconstructed each time. 38-40 are from Viet http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/album/99/AIKOM_Kii_Peninsula_Trip_Danjo_Garan_June_6_2008 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:11:54 -0000 <b>Okunoin</b> is the most sacred site of Mt. Koya surrounded by an immense graveyard. The cemetery path extends about 2km from the entrance to the tomb of Kobo Daishi. Shaded by cryptomerias, the 200,000 tombs include those of Hosen (founder of Jodo Shin sect), Shinran (founded of Jodo sect), Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a fistful of Edo-period emperors, and even some famous Kabuki actors. Age and moss have melded them into a muted congregations at the foot of the towering, cathedral-like trees. In the modern area of the cemetery south of the Tamagawa River, we will see quite a hodgepodge of creative tombstones and markers, including a number of company logos (let's look out for the huge rocketshaped monument and the granite coffee cups!!) - Michelle Park, 2008 AIKOM Field Trip Guidebook http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/album/97/AIKOM_Kii_Peninsula_Trip_Okunoin_June_6_2008 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 11:59:03 -0000 Not really in the itinerary. In one of our brief stopover places, there's this hanging bridge where we all took pictures and had fun. http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/album/95/AIKOM_Kii_Peninsula_Trip_Hanging_Bridge_June_6_2008 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 11:10:59 -0000 Second hotel. I would've loved this hotel if it weren't for the dinner, which is Japanese-style and FISH. RAW FISH. Yes, people, even if I'm in Japan, I don't eat sushi. It's just eeew. Anyway, this place rocks because they have a game center (oops! wasei eigo. that's arcade for you) where Lam, Sun, Viet Thi and I played Space Hockey and some other games. Clara and the other girls joined us, too after they got out from the onsen.:P 40-41 are from Viet http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/album/94/AIKOM_Kii_Peninsula_Trip_Daiwa_Royal_Hotel_June_5_2008 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 10:31:58 -0000 http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/album/93/AIKOM_Kii_Peninsula_Trip_Takijiri-oji_and_Museum_June_5_2008 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 10:22:39 -0000 <b>Oyunohara</b> is where Kumano Hongu Taisha was originally located -- a sandbank at the confluence of the Kumano and Otonashi Rivers. In 1889 a severe flood destroyed many of the shrine buildings and the salvaged remains of the pavilions were rebuilt at their present site. The entrance is now marked by the largest Torii shrine gate in the world. It was erected to commemorate two thousand years of history. It is 33.9 meters tall, or about the height of a three to four-story building. - Beatrice Na, 2008 AIKOM Field Trip Guidebook <b>Kumano Hongu Taisha</b> is one of the Kumano Sanzan. It is located in the mountains in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture. It is the head of 3000 Kumano Jinja in Japan and has long attracted pilgrims from all over Japan. Alexa Cowing, 2008 AIKOM Field Trip Guidebook Hongu 16-17 are from Eddie http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/album/92/AIKOM_Kii_Peninsula_Trip_Oyunohara_Kumano_Hongu_Taisha_June_5_2008 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 09:07:49 -0000 <b>Kumano Nachi Taisha</b> is a Shinto shrine located halfway up Nachi Mountain, about 350 meters above sea level. Its religious origin is the ancient nature worship of the Nachi no Taki. - Helene Juramy, 2008 AIKOM Field Trip Guidebook <b>Seigantoji</b>, which was declared as a World Heritage site in July 2004, is the first temple of the Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage. It overlooks the sacred Nachi Falls ans is situated right next to the Kumano Nachi Taisha. - Lam To, 2008 AIKOM Field Trip Guidebook http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/album/90/AIKOM_Kii_Peninsula_Trip_Kumano_Nachi_Taisha_Seigantoji_June_5_2008 Sun, 15 Jun 2008 03:00:41 -0000 <h1 id="headline"><a href="http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080614x1.html">Major earthquake strikes Tohoku</a></h1> <h2 id="deck">At least three killed, 150 injured by 7.2-magnitude jolt in northeast</h2> Compiled from Kyodo, AP <p id="paragrah">A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 jolted extensive areas of northeastern Japan on Saturday morning, killing at least three people and injuring more than 150 in Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Akita and Yamagata prefectures.</p> <p id="paragrah"> </p> <img alt="News photo" src="http://www.japantimes.co.jp/images/photos2008/nn20080614x1a.jpg" border="0" height="140" width="250"> <font size="1"><b>Watch your step: A mountain path in Kurihara, <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-style: normal; " title="Mouse over ^ icon to search." class="lingo_link" href="http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn19990518a3.html" rel="nofollow">Miyagi Prefecture,</a><img id="lingo_icon" class="lingo_icon lingo_icon_black" src="http://img.breitbart.com/images/lingo/spot/spacer.gif" style="border: 0pt none; margin: 0pt ! important; padding: 0pt; float: none; position: static; left: auto; top: auto; line-height: normal; background-color: transparent; visibility: visible; width: 12px; height: 12px; background-repeat: no-repeat; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top; display: inline; cursor: pointer; "> is shown cut off by a massive landslide caused by Saturday morning's powerful earthquake in the <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-style: normal; " title="Mouse over ^ icon to search." class="lingo_link" href="http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nb20040911a5.html" rel="nofollow">Tohoku region.</a><img id="lingo_icon" class="lingo_icon lingo_icon_black" src="http://img.breitbart.com/images/lingo/spot/spacer.gif" style="border: 0pt none; margin: 0pt ! important; padding: 0pt; float: none; position: static; left: auto; top: auto; line-height: normal; background-color: transparent; visibility: visible; width: 12px; height: 12px; background-repeat: no-repeat; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top; display: inline; cursor: pointer; "> </b> KYODO PHOTO</font> <p id="paragrah">In addition, at least 10 people are missing and hundreds of others stranded in rural mountain communities cut off by landslides, authorities said.</p> <p id="paragrah">The 8:43 a.m. quake, which measured upper 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 in parts of Iwate and Miyagi prefectures, was followed by a series of smaller aftershocks.</p> <p id="paragrah">The aftershock triggered landslides, scarred hills, tore up roads and destroyed bridges, leavi... http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/journal/item/93/Japan_again_proves_to_be_the_earthquake_capital_of_the_world Sat, 14 Jun 2008 11:07:12 -0000 Hello! How is everybody?<br><br>Sorry for not updating much these days. I was so busy right after I came back from the week-long trip to Singapore. I've uploaded the pictures already, but I didn't have time to just sit in front of the computer and type a loooooong entry about our (mis?)adventures in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.<br><br>For the meantime, <a href="http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos">please do take a look at the pictures</a>. You can see that <br><br><font size="6"><a href="http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/album/75/Singapore_Singapore_Flyer_May_10_2008#31">I've gotten a haircut!!!</a></font><br><br>This time, I'm just dropping by to let you know that I will be gone again for about a week.:P <br><br>Our Exchange Program's going to Kii Peninsula in the Mie Prefecture to visit the Grand Shrine of Ise. After that, we're off to Kumano in the Wakayama Prefecture to again look at some shrines and temples and then we're going to Mt. Koya. Saturday's a free day in Kyoto, but since I've already seen pretty much of the old capital, Viet Thi and I are off to Nara~! She's never been there, and as for me, I'd wanted to go back there because the time I spent there before was too short! So y... http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/journal/item/92/Im_still_alive Tue, 3 Jun 2008 10:31:10 -0000 I'm posting now while I'm waiting for the rice to be cooked because I won't have time to post tomorrow.<br><br>Finally, I'm leaving for Singapore tomorrow night. My flight's at 7pm but I'll be leaving Mitaka at 1:30. Bought a ticket for the Odakyu Limousine Bus which goes straight from Kichijoji to Narita Airport. Cost 3,000yen but that okay compared to the number of transfers I need to do if I take the train. Not to mention I'm lugging a stroller half my size + my laptop. 楽だもん。<br><br>Why leave at 1:30 when the appointed time for check-in still at 5pm? You see, I have this tendency to get lost easily. Or do something wrong in the process so I have go back to a place or whatever. Either way, I need lots of time to go around Narita Airport. I remember the day of my departure for Japan, the lady at JAL's check-in counter didn't give me an embarkation card so after queueing up for more than ten minutes in the Immigration part, I had to go back and get an embarkation card and fill it out and queue up aga... http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/journal/item/91/Tomorrows_the_day Sat, 3 May 2008 03:23:03 -0000 <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/SBW42woKClAAAD2JNfQ1"></a><a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/SBW46AoKClAAAD1SMvU1"></a><a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/SBW49goKClAAAD36Oqw1"></a>is you get to watch a shooting for an ongoing drama.<br><br>I watched Last Friends only yesterday out of exhaustion from studying. I got to see parts of the first episode weeks ago on TV (and commentating and spoiling Ali and Alex at the same time) and when I saw the setting, I just had an inkling of where it might be, but somehow I couldn't put my finger on it.<br><br><br><a href="http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SBW4iwoKClAAADpNHJw1"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.ainokodomo.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SBW4iwoKClAAADpNHJw1/vlcsnap-21428.png?et=0fgx%2CCTZWkZqjO%2CZHIffRw&amp;nmid=" border="0"></a>This was the first scene I saw. I was thinking of Kichijoji but I wasn't sure.<br><br><a href="http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SBW42woKClAAAD2JNfQ1"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.ainokodomo.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SBW42woKClAAAD2JNfQ1/vlcsnap-21616.png?et=EM%2BxgrYJ4ICSLsdQZcEWRA&amp;nmid=" border="0"></a>And then this, too. I know there's a Lonlon in Kichijoji but there's one in Mitaka, too.<br><br><a href="http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SBW46AoKClAAAD1SMvU1"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.ainokodomo.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SBW46AoKClAAAD1SMvU1/vlcsnap-21815.png?et=iiit2L7uUHyUz1Zo%2BJP2XQ&amp;nmid=" border="0"></a>This should've told me it was Kichijoji, but there were no landmarks I could remember.;A;<br><br><a href="http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SBW49goKClAAAD36Oqw1"></a><a href="http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SBW57goKClAAAF8gfLw1"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.ainokodomo.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SBW57goKClAAAF8gfLw1/vlcsnap-38678.png?et=HSqBUATelgr3xt%2BtdvgkVQ&amp;nmid=" border="0"></a>If I knew this scene would come a few seconds later, I wouldn't have switched channels. Those kanji characters would've told me everything I needed to know.<br><br><a href="http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SBW46AoKClAAAD1SMvU1"></a><a href="http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SBW49goKClAAAD36Oqw1"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.ainokodomo.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SBW49goKClAAAD36Oqw1/vlcsnap-23449.png?et=Jbr1S%2BudNcLWul1af5Zt4g&amp;nmid=" border="0"></a>But since I stupidly changed channels, when I saw this scene, the place being Inokashira Park was still a hunch.<br><br>And then I watched the whole three episodes subbed, and whee~ IT IS KICHIJOJI!<br><br><a href="http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SBW49goKClAAAD36Oqw1"></a><a href="http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SBW79goKClAAAF1Onwk1"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.ainokodomo.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SBW79goKClAAAF1Onwk1/vlcsnap-16496.png?et=OM0FKE9T%2CmnwJgL3Jr%2BqDQ&amp;nmid=" border="0"></a>North side of Kichijoji. There's t... http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/journal/item/90/The_good_thing_about_living_near_Kichijoji Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:33:46 -0000 A very nice surprise. Kimi-sensei joins our party and sings a song! http://ainokodomo.multiply.com/video/item/44 Sun, 27 Apr 2008 05:37:25 -0000