Monday, 7/30

Woke up this morning at 7, went exercising, and picked up some boxes from the post office while I did so. It was raining again, sort of a light drizzle or mist, but it was consistent. It was also the first day of school here and I pass by an elementary school, so it was crazy busy with traffic. Came back, got ready for class, and then marched myself down to Burns Hall for a double session on Japanese materials after a week of Chinese materials.

Long day of classroom time...a morning session on Japanese history from the ancient period to the Meiji, but not enough time on the entire subject. I think I have a somewhat better grasp on ancient and medieval Japan, but there was a certain rush to finish. The second instructor in the afternoon talked about Shinto and Buddhism, particularly Zen Buddhism and how they are a part of Japanese culture and society. It was interesting, but he went too fast and the powerpoint that he used slid by far too quickly to get some of the material that he was discussing. At least we will get copies of his materials so that it will make more sense in hindsight and with the notes I managed to take.

To put in perspective: I took 14 pages of notes this morning, and about 5 this afternoon.

I had a brief lunch break with a group of 4 female professors, eating at the university dining hall closest to the dorm. They modernized from the last time I was to the Paradise Palms Cafe, so there are more choices. I got a loco moco for lunch. I need some comfort food and something filling after not really eating dinner last night (I was still full from the dimsum at 3:30) and no real breakfast. I think I will try their bbq plate before I leave.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loco_moco

Mine was two over easy eggs, some okay but cheap hamburgers, two scoops of rice, brown gravy and a side of Hawaiian macaroni salad (which is really just macaroni, mayonnaise and a little bit of seasoning). It was filling so it was good.

Got back to the dorm about 4:30, and went through email and other assorted work related stuff I didn't get to this morning since I was in a bit of a rush. Tonight I am going to work for a bit (not hungry for dinner at the moment), but tomorrow is a long day: 3 hour lecture on Japanese art and aesthetics, lunch, off to the Honolulu Museum of Art (still listed as the Academy of Art in our program) for an art lecture, and then back in time probably for a movie from 6:30-9:30. I believe this movie is a Japanese movie about a funeral director.

http://honolulumuseum.org/

Hopefully I will have tons of pictures from tomorrow's jaunt for you to enjoy. I can't believe it's going to be August soon. That's it for now...