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.