The Life of A Minority of A Minority

"I was born into this world to do something that matters" - Hideyo Noguchi http://www.hafujapanese.org/eng/bg03.html

[kimjongsho]

Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.    Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.    Order. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.    Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.    Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.    Industry. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.    Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.    Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.    Moderation. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.    Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.    Tranquillity. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.    Chastity. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.    Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Benjamin Franklin

Correct principles to live by

[kimjongsho]

Here is one of the festivals I visited in Japan. Throughout the year, they have several different kinds of events such as this one. Summer holds the most festivals throughout Japan though. I actually happened to visit one each week with my cousin and his friends. The summer festivals are called Hanabi and are quite spectacular to watch. There are many vendors who sell yakitori (Swallow meat on a stick), yakisoba (Japanese fried noodle), and mochi (pounded up rice balls). Those are the main foods sold at the summer festivals that I have visited, but other such things are sold as well like thick bacon on a stick, and even Frankfort hot dogs. In this video in particular though, my great uncle Ken Watanabe is playing the classical Japanese flute in which he took the train for 4 hours every week to practice in Tokyo for about a year.

[kimjongsho]

Well, it has been more than a month since I have been back in America. I have been debating about creating a blog, but then I realized that I should share my experiences to whomever is interested in different cultures and is inspired to travel around the world. So here it is, my three month trip to the place I was born: Japan