Realization.

So my practicum in Michigan finished last Friday.

Last 6 months was a great time to learn about the IE field and more importantly about myself......

I realized that I love coordinating events for college students focus on internationalization.
I realized that I knew about visa regulations more than I thought, but I cannot practice it and it is frustrating.

I realized that I really want to move to a big and diverse city.
I realized dancing Bachata and Merengue.

I realized I love reggaeton and dancing to it, not so much country music.

I realized that I matured and became being so positive.

I realized that I am an easy-going and I meet great people everywhere I go and I appreciate that.
I realized that my friends from SIT are my true friends.

I realized that I don't want to make trip plans anymore.

I realized I love the IE field but at the same time, I am interested in physiology and exercise science.
I realized in the near future once I got a full-time position, I want to become a personal trainer and work at both a university and the gym.

I realized that I love lifting weights and getting muscles.

I realized that I don't function in the really cold weather and miss warm and hot weather.

I realized that it will be 8 years since I had last proper Japanese style New Year, and I miss it.

I realized that it will be total 8 years for living in the U.S.

I realized that I am still kid, young, and immature.
I realized that I still want to improve so many aspects about myself, and will never satisfy about myself because I believe once you stop trying to improve yourself, that will be an end of your life.

Study Break and friends and unorganized random thoughts.

I am at the public library now to write my capstone.

I was on laptop for about 1 hour, wrote 1 or 2 page(s).

Now I am stuck, and don't feel writing my capstone. So, I decided to update my blog.

The end of year 2013.

My life is different from my plan. By age of 26, I planned to get married.

Reality: single. No!!!!

My plan regarding job: having full-time job in the U.S.

Reality: a grad student and unemployed. I mean I cannot work anyways. No!!!!

 My plan regarding where I live: Chicago or another big city in the U.S.

Reality: middle of snow in the U.P. Ummmmmmmm NO!!!!!! It is so cold! I mean it is a nice city, met many good friends. But at the same time I want to have more opportunities.

Over all: Life usually does not go as you plan. But that is a life. You cannot control a majority of things around you. You need to know your limit - know what you can control and don't even try to control what you cannot control.

I know this post doesn't make sense to you. But this is my thoughts at this moment.

Oh and guess what. You are the cause of your own stress.

I really do not attempt to organize this posting. This seems like my personal journal. Well, of course I don't share my deep feelings with others, but at least this is my surface of feelings. Ha!

無知の知。Know that you don't know everything.
文句言う間があったら、する事しない。If you have time to complain about things, why don't you do something to improve your situation? You decided to do whatever you are doing.

Winter has come!!!!

Yes winter has come to Marquette. This means it is time for some winter activities!

So here is first one:

Yup Ice Hockey! NMU has a good men's ice hockey game, they played against University of Alabama - Huntsville. 

And they won the game with 3-0. It was a good game :-)

And snow:

Yup, it was snowing last weekend! Ummmmmmmm I have a mixed feeling about this. 

I don't like cold weather, but love snow. 

Oh what do we have here....a red pole on water pipe....I assume it is for fire fighters to find water pipe. 

I didn't see this in Illinois and Vermont. 

Oh and snowboarding!! I cannot wait for my first snowboarding for this season!!!! 

Winter has come to Marquette!!

It is snowing! Winter has come to Marquette! It will be looooong winter, but I can't wait for snowboarding this season! I just need to find a good mountain around here though.
Yes, I am spoiled in VT/MA where we had good mountains..
ついに雪が降った！もう冬やね～。てか、めっちゃスノボーしたい！ほなけんど、ここら辺にはええ山無いけんなぁ～。ヴァーモント州とマサチューセッツ州にはええ山があったけん、しょっちゅうスノボーしに行ったのに。。。ま、しゃ～ない。。。

Besides snow, it is the middle of fall semester, and I will be finishing my internship in 2 months. Wow..
Oh by the way, our office got new furniture!
雪以外の報告は、僕の研修も後残すところ２ヶ月。いや～早かった。けど、その後はどうなるかまだわからへん。

あ、新しい家具がオフィスに届いた！

We got a new world map! This also shows where our students come from and where domestic students go for study abroad! It is neat, eh?

世界地図。

And a nice rug. 

と、じゅうたん。

Being buys in last a couple of weeks

Ummm it has been just busy in last a couple of weeks and forgot to update my blog.

Anyways, this is fall in Marquette.

Trees are turning to yellow and red, it is getting cold, and it is getting dark early. 

My internship at NMU has left less than 3 months. Yes, time goes by so quickly. 

この数週間、忙しいて、全然ブログ更新できんかった。

ま、得書くこと無いんやけんど、以前撮った写真でもアップします。

もう秋になり、紅葉が綺麗で、だんだんと寒くなってきとるし、外も暗くなるんが、はや～なってきた。

それに、NMUでの研修も半分の３ヶ月切ったし、歳を取るにつれ、時間が経つんも早～なってきた。

Homecoming at NMU 2013

Last week was homecoming week here at NMU.

For those who don't know what homecoming is, it is a week long welcoming celebration for university alumni. Many alumni return to the university and enjoy a variety of events.
It is a big event for current students as well. Many events are planned by the university. Usually homecoming is concluded with sports event such as American football game.

One of main homecoming event is parade. This is a community event, rather university event.

Many student organizations and residence hall march throughout a town to show their school spirits. It is very American event, I don't think there is homecoming in any other countries. 

北ミシガン大学では先週１週間、ホームカミングでした。ホームカミングの間、大学に在籍中の生徒、卒業生、それに地元の人たちが一緒になって、いろんなイベントに参加します。日本の大学で言う学園祭みたいなもん。日本の学園祭と違うんは、大学のある街全体が１週間ずっとお祭り騒ぎ。で、メインイベントは街の中を行進する、ホームカミングパレードと、スポーツ（だいたいがアメフトの試合）。

ま、年に１回のお祭りやけん、みんな忙しくも楽しいんでました。

Diversity in tiny town in MI

From this posting, I will write in both English and Japanese.

Last weekend I took a couple of international students to Michigan Tech University for Parade of Nations.
Parade of Nations is to celebrate a variety of culture, nations, and diversity at MTU.

MTU has over 1,000 international students, which is about 15% of total student population. 

After an event, we went to waterfalls.

It was a good weekend....

日本人の知り合いの方から、日本語でもブログしたらええのに、って言われたけん、今回から日本語でも投稿します。

先週末、車で１時間半ほど行ったところにある、ミシガン工科大で開かれた「パレード　オブ　ネイション（日本語訳で国のパレード）」に、留学生を連れて行きました。最初の写真３つがそのときの様子。

ほんで、帰りにちんまいけんど、滝を見に少し寄り道。残り３枚の写真が、滝付近で撮った写真。天気が良かったけん、ええ週末やった。

Like a roller coaster in 4 days

Happy Tuesday everyone!!! It was a good American football weekend except Sunday.....Carolina Panthers lost. :-( But Saturday was good football day; my two favorite teams, Alabama and Oregon won!

Well, there were a couple of events in last 4 days.
On Friday, our office hosted a picnic. Many international and domestic students, and faculty and staff members at NMU showed up. It was a good time, and it seemed like everyone enjoyed it.
I was going to upload pictures, but I forgot to bring my camera to the office........

And yesterday we had American Football 101 at football stadium.

After presentation, students and IPO staff played American football

Home of Wildcats: Superior Dome

So Superior Dome is the largest dome that made with wood. Our first home game is this Saturday, and next week is Homecoming game. 

Nature in Marquette

So Marquette has not only a beautiful lake, but also beautiful trail and green.

So as you can see, if you like nature, Marquette is the place for you!

Good weekend with old cars and more

It has been good weather in last a couple of days. Sunny and temperature has been above 30 degrees in Celsius, which is nice. But for Yoopers, it hasn't good weather. Oh well, summer supposes to be hot!

Anyways, last weekend, we had Harbor Fest in Marquette. It used to be called Seafood Fest. But HEY! We got no seafood here. 

Well, although we didn't have seafood, with my new housemates, we went to see old cars. They were mainly from 60s and 70s classic American cars. But there were a couple of really old cars from 20s. 

This is old Mustang, a classic American super/muscle car

And this is really old car, I believe it is from the 1920s

Besides old cars, we had an art performer

He was painting with spray cans. He was really good!

And this was what was happening at evening. Musicians played and people was listening or dancing. 

So this was one weekend in Marquette. There will be another festival this weekend in Marquette. 

New Office New Semester

I did not realize that I haven't posted for nearly 2 weeks. Opps...I guess there haven't been events in town for a while.

But it is getting busy again in Marquette and NMU.

Students are coming back to school, so it is getting busy.
International Programs Office has moved to a new place, and it looks good. I will post picture soon. It is still sort of too messy to post.

But at least I can show my office.....

Yes I love magnets......I still have more at my home.

And I guess I can show our new IPO Office.......

Please come to our new office to sit down these comfortable sofa, chat with your friends, or simply visit us!

Little American town in Michigan

Sadly, City of Marquette is the biggest city where I have lived in my life so far. 

Yes, it is kinda sad, I wish I have lived in Osaka, Chicago, or other big city. 

But Marquette isn't a bad city. Actually, it is a beautiful city, here is evidence :-) 

View of Lake Superior from main street in MQT

Washington St, or main street. Many night life happens at this street

There are many good local restaurants along Third Street

View of Lake Superior will never disappoint you......;-)

Just one of weekends in August at Marquette

There were numbers of events in last weekend at Marquette. 

One was Farmers Market. 

This is banana bread and lemonade with basil, which I got from two of vendors at Farmers Market. They were both good, but especially banana bread was fantastic! I am sure that I will keep buying this from them. 

We had farmers market in Vermont, but one we have in Marquette is smaller, but still as nice as one in Vermont. 

Then, on Saturday and Sunday, we had Guts Frisbee National Tournament in Marquette. 

I know about ultimate Frisbee, but I did not know about Guts Frisbee. It was very different sports. 

Oh buy the way, Frisbee is very popular sports in the U.S. You will see people playing it almost everywhere in the U.S.

So besides my grad school work, this was what happened last weekend. I know more events are coming this weekend. People in Marquette is very active during summer. 

Threefestivals in one weekend

Last weekend, there were 3 different festivals.
On Friday, we had Blueberry Fest.
On Saturday and Sunday, we had Art on the Rock and Outback Art Fair.

Unfortunately, weather did not welcome these three festivals, but I went to two of them: Blueberry Fest and Art on the Rock. They were both great festivals. Of course, if the weather were nicer, there would have been more people. But oh well.

Blueberry Fest is all about blueberry. We had blueberry cap cake, blueberry muffin, blueberry soda. And BLUEBERRY PIZZA. Yes Pizza with Blueberry.
I did not try this though. Although I try relatively all new things, this was not the one. Sorry.

Art on the Rock was a great art fair. Local people showed their art works. Since I don't have great artistic sense, it was great to see how people make great art works.

I know there will be more festivals and fairs in August and September in Marquette.
Since we have a long winter, people in Marquette plan all festivals and fairs in two months on "summer."

Wait, summer.....

WHERE IS MY SUMMER!!??
Last weekend, it was so cold, rainy, and not pleasant at all.
Yes, although this blog is targeted incoming and prospective international students at NMU, I cannot lie.
It was 13 degrees in Celsius on Sunday. We had to put fire place.

But don't worry, we will have nice summer in Marquette. This is just different from other parts of U.S. and the world :-)

So, keep updating yourself, there will be more things to do in Marquette this coming month, August.

But ah....I miss Japanese hot, humid, disgusting, but fun festivally (?) summer with fireworks.

Port of Marquette

Though it is not ocean, Marquette is along Lake Superior. This means sometimes we get a tall ship and cruise at Port Marquette.

This weekend a tall ship stated here. Next week, a cruise which will come from Chicago, IL, will be here.

This is just a snapshot of summer life in Marquette, MI.

Is this Soccer. Or is this Football?

I say it is soccer. I know it is indeed football. But oh well. I don't know exactly why it is called soccer in Japan, but my guess is due to USA? Though before WWII, Japan had connection with Germany, where they called football. So I really don't know why, and it doesn't matter as long as you enjoy it.

In Marquette, people just get together and play pick-up soccer game on every Tuesdays 6-7pm, Fridays 6-8pm, and Sundays 1-3pm at Kaufman Field: North of campus on Hawley St.

So if you like playing soccer, want to meet local people, or just want to do something, you should join us.

I go every time, after I go to gym. Yes, go to gym and train my legs before play soccer.
PEIF, Physical Educational Instruction Facility, at NMU is my gym.

Anyways, come to join us!

I will upload pics late :)

Update: As I promised, here are pictures of a soccer field :)

Why Am I Here and What Am I Doing Here!!??

I just realized that I have not explained why I am in Marquette and working at Northern Michigan University. So........here is why

It was because....

Well, this internship is part of my graduate program at SIT Graduate Institute. All students at SIT need to do at least 6 months internship at somewhere in the world. Only world, but I never heard that we cannot go to space for internship. So technically we could go anywhere in this universe.

A reason of living Marquette and working at NMU is because I knew someone at the office where I currently work, and I contacted him to see whether or not I can work as a graduate intern. He said okay.
After I researched for other potential internship site, I decided to come to Marquette and work with him.

My original plan for internship was going to somewhere in West coast. But that did not happen. I did not even think and want to go back to Japan for internship. After living in USA for 6 years, I feel comfortable living this country. It did take me a while to adjust to this society. But one key to adjust to new society is being open minded, and not to compare US culture with your home cultures. This is just different, and you need to appreciate such difference. Otherwise, you will have hard time to adjust to American culture.

What do I do here in Marquette and NMU?
I try to support you! Yes, you, international students. Hehe. Since I am an international student in USA, I know what many other international students go through at university, and I want to help other international students to adjust to new life and cultures in USA.
I am still learning and adjusting American cultures. It is never ending process. But at least I have some experience, so I want to share my thoughts, ideas, and experiences with other international students.

I know I don't put picture today. I don't have any new photo now, but I will take some new few days, so wait!

For current, incoming, or prospective international students at NMU, or even at other institutions who read this blog, please ask me any questions :)

Thrill Seeker

So I have been told that one thing I should do while I live in Marquette is cliff jamming. 

So I did it yesterday. 

I would say it was about 4~5 ft, or 4~5 m.

I expected much higher than as it was. 

But of course I needed moment to make decision.

It took me about 10~15 min to make decision, and here is evidence.

My friend took this perfect moment. 

If you are thrill-seeker, I would suggest this cliff jamming. BUT I do not take any responsibilities for any consequences. 

But it was fun :) 

Nice hot summer refreshment :)

It is getting summer in Marquette, MI. Some people say it is hot here. To me not that bad since I have experienced terrible humid hot summer in Japan.
For prospective and current international students, you should note that this comparison between your home and here in MQT, eventually leads to homesick and culture shock……

Anyways, hot summer=nice tasty ice cream, right? I mean WHO DOES NOT LIKE ICE CREAM!!??

Vanilla ice cream with hot fudge, and underneath, there is brownie. CHOCOLATE!!!!!

In Marquette, we don't have Dairy Queen, but we have a good ice cream shop on Third St. and Prospect St. So if you are in town, try it :) 

Stay hydrated and enjoy your summer! 

Vermont, Vermont, Vermont..........

So as I said yesterday, today I am going to talk about my life in Vermont.
It is impossible to write whole 9 months experience in here, so I will share it just little by little so that you kinda have to keep checking my blog, ha! :)

So although I am in Marquette, MI as a graduate intern, I am still officially graduate student at SIT Graduate Institute in Brattleboro, VT. I am pursuing MA in International Education.
Life in VT was amazing, and words cannot explain it.

In late August in 2012, I got to there, driving from North Carolina. It was hot summer, but I was excited.
I met almost all new international students, I mean there were only about 20 international students.
I met new domestic students as well.
Foundation....Oh Boy. I honestly miss my Foundation classmates and my team members.

By the end of school year, my room became mess and I could  not study in y room. My new room was called El Cafe :)

Rotch, most classes were here at Rotch. 

Well, sadly I don't have my Foundation pics......But I do have some crazy pictures...especially one from Fashion Show....yeah my PIM 72 and MAT 44 friends, you know what I'm talking about lol It is coming soon. 

Well, even though next few days blogs are not going to be about life in Marquette/NMU, it will be about life in USA. 

I hope prospective international students get some curiosity of living USA :)

See you next time! 

My first Blog post in my life.....:)

So my supervisor asked me to start blog for work, I started to this Blog. 
I have never done blog before, so I am still learning how to blog.

Well, it has been about 1 month since I moved to here, Marquette. This is a very beautiful place to live. 
Near Lake Superior. 

New "mountain" (Yes they are not mountain to me....).
Honestly this is the biggest city I have ever lived so far in my life. It is kinda sad though....

Anyways, I will try to update my blog as often as I can. 
Probably my next blog will be about my life at Vermont.