Lukas and Martina in Japan//japan.lukas-prokop.at/blog/2016-12-21T15:10:00+09:00Christmas party2016-12-21T15:10:00+09:002016-12-21T15:10:00+09:00Lukastag:japan.lukas-prokop.at,2016-12-21:blog/kokui-christmas-party.html<div id="preamble">
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<div class="paragraph"><p>※ This article discusses the 17th of December 2016.</p></div>
<div class="paragraph"><p>At the beginning of December, Martina was invited to join a christmas party. We both joined the event. A corresponding <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_Santa">Secret Santa</a> (we called it <em>Wichteln</em> in Austria) was organized via <a href="http://drawnames.com/">drawnames.com</a>.</p></div>
<div class="paragraph"><p>On 12th and 16th of December 2016, Martina and I went shopping to find an appropriate gift. The price limit was defined by 1000-2000 Yen and we could ask anonymously for wishes via the web interface. My receiving friend was interested in Zelda, NBA and vaping. I bought him some Zelda merchandise and Pocky. It was not easy to find wrapping paper, so we bought a Santa sock instead. Martina bought <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiky%C5%AB!!">Haikyuu manga</a> for her assigned person.</p></div>
<div class="paragraph"><p>On the 17th of December 2016, we headed to Kobe University’s <a href="http://www.kobe-u.ac.jp/en/access/accomodations/kokui-residence.html">Kokui Residence</a> (<a href="https://www.google.at/maps/place/Kokui+Ry%C3%B4/@34.719728,135.2179513,935">here on Google Maps</a>). It was the first time, we were at a different dormitory by Kobe University. The party was privately organized. We have been about 50 people and <a href="https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapunzel_Naturkost">Rapunzel</a> Glühwein was offered by a German exchange student. She told me she bought the German product from an import distributor located at Sannomiya. Not everybody participated in Secret Santa, but we have been at least 20 people. First, the Secret Santas got revealed. We had to describe our assigned person in a non-obvious way (usually how he/she is dressed). Then the gift was offered. The receiving person had to reveal her assigned person next. However, we ended up in 4-5 circles this way. I received a portable version of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shogi">Shogi</a>, commonly referred to as <em>Japanese Chess</em>. I love my gift. In the following, I gave my present to my assigned person.
By the way, how do you assign people for Secret Santa such that no-one picks himself (without using a third-party like a web application)? The solution is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kC5k5QBqcc">presented by Hannah Fry</a>.</p></div>
<div class="paragraph"><p>Afterwards, we chatted with other people. Particularly from Germany and Australia. The last train required us to leave at 23:30.
For this event, it was nice to experience Secret Santa in an international context. The party was not particularly lively.</p></div>
<div class="paragraph"><p>In recent times, my bucket list did not get shorter. The christmas party took place on Saturday and I could have done an event day on Sunday.
But I was very busy with the progress of my bachelor thesis and decided to consider this christmas party as event.
In short: Christmas holidays are coming and I am motivated for sightseeing/travelling.</p></div>
<div class="paragraph"><p>Want to know another interesting fact about Christmas at Kobe University?
Every faculty decides on its own when makeup classes (substitution classes for dates, when class couldn’t take place) take place. They are typically attached to holidays making holiday planning a mess (in my humble opinion).
So as far as I am concerned, I will have Japanese class, but no other class in the week of 26th of December.</p></div>
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The last week of October 20162016-11-01T00:30:00+09:002016-11-01T00:30:00+09:00Lukastag:japan.lukas-prokop.at,2016-11-01:blog/last-oct-week.html<div id="preamble">
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<div class="paragraph"><p>※ This article discusses the week of 24th to 30th of October 2016.</p></div>
<div class="paragraph"><p>Last week, we had some event almost every day. So let’s mention them briefly:</p></div>
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<dt class="hdlist1">
Study Abroad Fair
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<dd>
<p>
On Wednesday, students at Kobe university interested in studying abroad dropped by at the Study Abroad Fair. Exchange students voluntarily get in line and students can ask questions. Me and Shoko represented Austria. It was stupid from my part that I didn’t join Shoko at her table, but she was chatting with Japanese people and I currently asked American and Chinese people about their home university. I learned how organization at American universities is done (at least at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queens_College,_City_University_of_New_York">Queens college</a>). Chinese universities feature a system close to Kobe University. One student actually showed up at our table, but only asked about American universities. No-one was interested in Austrian universities though European universities are in general not unpopular.
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</dd>
<dt class="hdlist1">
Dinner after club activity
</dt>
<dd>
<p>
After Karate, one of the cafeterias is still open. It offers a nice dinner. I think I will eat a soup regularly after being at the Karate club.
</p>
</dd>
<dt class="hdlist1">
Medical Checkup
</dt>
<dd>
<p>
On Thursday, we had a Medical Checkup. In Japan, it is mandatory that universities do a medical checkup for their students. Exchange students need to check on the first available date in April or October. Regular students need to check in April. As a foreigner, this seems ridiculous and also concerning to your privacy. As far as I can tell, they check whether you have tuberculosis and are vaccinated against MMR (measles, mumps and rubella). But you also need to provide a urine sample, your sight is checked and an electrocardiogram is taken at the Medical Center. It took 2 hours and I missed 1.5 courses this day (it was announced to take ~45 minutes). Annoying.
</p>
</dd>
<dt class="hdlist1">
Halloween party
</dt>
<dd>
<p>
On Thursday, students organized a Halloween party. I didn’t attend. I wanted to focus on my studies / Kanji test tomorrow.
</p>
</dd>
<dt class="hdlist1">
Scholarship
</dt>
<dd>
<p>
We received our first payment of the scholarship. Financial troubles are therefore gone and we can pay our rent.
</p>
</dd>
<dt class="hdlist1">
Wiffle Ball
</dt>
<dd>
<p>
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiffle_ball">Wiffle ball</a> is a lightweight version of Baseball. If this is new to you: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_in_Japan#Professional_organizations">Baseball is the most professional sport in Japan</a> and therefore very popular. We met at <a href="http://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=18/34.68693/135.19964">Minato no Mori Park</a> to meet some locals who created an event at Meetup on Sunday. An American and a Briton shared a game with us. We tried pitching and batting for (almost) the first time. It was really fun. I claimed I can bring more exchange students to the next Wiffle ball game. Once the sun set, it got cold and we went for the Foodie.
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</dd>
<dt class="hdlist1">
Foodie
</dt>
<dd>
<p>
After playing Wiffle Ball, we went to <a href="http://modernark-cafe.chronicle.co.jp/">Modernark</a> to eat for dinner. I ate the most delicious cake in my life: It’s called "Pecan Pie" and originates from the US.
</p>
</dd>
<dt class="hdlist1">
Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area
</dt>
<dd>
<p>
This event day is covered in a separate <a href="horyuji">article</a>.
</p>
</dd>
</dl></div>
<div class="paragraph"><p><span class="image">
<img alt="Lukas is batting a Wiffle Ball at Minato no Mori Park" src="images/wiffleball.png" width="400">
</img></span></p></div>
<div class="paragraph"><p>Finally, a remark on current life:</p></div>
<div class="ulist"><ul>
<li>
<p>
We are often tired. I assume we currently lack some ingredient in our daily nutrition (iron?). We are investigating.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Our next goal is to buy a mobile phone to have mobile data available here in Japan. Both of us need a new device.
</p>
</li>
</ul></div>
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