On my last day in the lab again some of the lab members were so nice to me and treated me to dinner. We ate yakiniku. It was really expensive, especially for college students. But good ol’ boss Momose took care of me until the very end. The meat was so good. It was just a nice time to be with everyone one last time.
2008-01-11
Friday- December 21, 2007
Saying bye to the people in the lab
On my last day in the lab again some of the lab members were so nice to me and treated me to dinner. We ate yakiniku. It was really expensive, especially for college students. But good ol’ boss Momose took care of me until the very end. The meat was so good. It was just a nice time to be with everyone one last time.
Yakiniku with the lab members. I remember eating yakiniku for my welcome party to the lab and now they sent me off with one last good meal. The meat was juicy.
Me and members in the lab. I put this picture up in my room because it reminds me of all the fun times I had in Professor Endo’s lab in Nagoya University. The students were all so smart and I had such a blast there. Oh, I will miss them so much.
On my last day in the lab again some of the lab members were so nice to me and treated me to dinner. We ate yakiniku. It was really expensive, especially for college students. But good ol’ boss Momose took care of me until the very end. The meat was so good. It was just a nice time to be with everyone one last time.
Thursday- December 20, 2007
Making the cookies
Because I received so much from the students and everyone in the lab I wanted to give something to everyone. But because I ran out of money and there are 30 people in the lab I was kind of limited. But, Miho told me that she just got a new portable oven for Christmas. So we decided to make cookies for everyone. Well Miho pretty much made everything. I just watched and ate left over cookies. But I did buy Christmas cards for everyone and write a message in English, Japanese would just take too long. When I gave out the cookies the next day some were really happy even though it was such a small thing. I told them instead if they ever come to Hawaii I’ll try to take care of them just as much as they took care of me in Japan.

Miho making two kinds of cookies: chocolate chip and m&m. Both were good. We made a lot!
Chocolate chip cookies, the soft version.
Because I received so much from the students and everyone in the lab I wanted to give something to everyone. But because I ran out of money and there are 30 people in the lab I was kind of limited. But, Miho told me that she just got a new portable oven for Christmas. So we decided to make cookies for everyone. Well Miho pretty much made everything. I just watched and ate left over cookies. But I did buy Christmas cards for everyone and write a message in English, Japanese would just take too long. When I gave out the cookies the next day some were really happy even though it was such a small thing. I told them instead if they ever come to Hawaii I’ll try to take care of them just as much as they took care of me in Japan.
Miho making two kinds of cookies: chocolate chip and m&m. Both were good. We made a lot!
Wednesday- December 19, 2007
Bonenkai-Farewell party and Karaoke
It’s the end of the year, and end of the year party’s are the tradition. Our lab decided to go out on a Wednesday night to celebrate the closing of this year. Because I’m going home in less than a week they also decided to combine it with my farewell party. We went out to eat a nice restaurant and everyone in the lab was there. There were even old post docs and professors that came. The food was pretty good but it wasn’t that filling because we knew we were going to another restaurant later on that evening.
During the first restaurant dinner, I gave a speech thanking the students and the professors for all the help they have given me. I also teased some of the students in the lab because I got to know their funny characteristics. But, I also thanked them for their wonderful friendship. I didn’t know it, but they prepared some presents for me. I received chopsticks, a fan, a tea cup set, a funny lamp, and my most favorite a calendar of my favorite actress Itoh Misaki. I was really happy when I got the calendar. I was just so touched by their generosity. I only got to know them for such a short time, but they bought me such nice gifts.
After the first restaurant about half of the people went home and half continued on to the second restaurant which was more like a person’s house. The food was good there and we just talked and ate some more. After the second restaurant there was a third restaurant, well a wine bar option. I didn’t want to go there so some of us went home and some of us continued on to karaoke. It was my second time to karaoke. It was so fun!!! Even though I didn’t think that Japanese people could sing really well, they are really all pros at karaoke. They’re the ones who invented it.
We got back to school around 3 in the morning. I was beat, but some of the other guys continued on with their experiments. Crazy!!!
Meet or fish or duck (I forget) from the first restaurant. It was pretty good.
Some of the lab members in the group after the first restaurant for the end of the year party. The structure group is all in there as well as some other goofballs. I had such a good time with all these guys.
Rocking out with some of the guys in the lab. All of them are pros at karaoke. They even know many American songs. I was impressed because even though their normal conversation is not that good their singing in English was very good.
It’s the end of the year, and end of the year party’s are the tradition. Our lab decided to go out on a Wednesday night to celebrate the closing of this year. Because I’m going home in less than a week they also decided to combine it with my farewell party. We went out to eat a nice restaurant and everyone in the lab was there. There were even old post docs and professors that came. The food was pretty good but it wasn’t that filling because we knew we were going to another restaurant later on that evening.
During the first restaurant dinner, I gave a speech thanking the students and the professors for all the help they have given me. I also teased some of the students in the lab because I got to know their funny characteristics. But, I also thanked them for their wonderful friendship. I didn’t know it, but they prepared some presents for me. I received chopsticks, a fan, a tea cup set, a funny lamp, and my most favorite a calendar of my favorite actress Itoh Misaki. I was really happy when I got the calendar. I was just so touched by their generosity. I only got to know them for such a short time, but they bought me such nice gifts.
After the first restaurant about half of the people went home and half continued on to the second restaurant which was more like a person’s house. The food was good there and we just talked and ate some more. After the second restaurant there was a third restaurant, well a wine bar option. I didn’t want to go there so some of us went home and some of us continued on to karaoke. It was my second time to karaoke. It was so fun!!! Even though I didn’t think that Japanese people could sing really well, they are really all pros at karaoke. They’re the ones who invented it.
We got back to school around 3 in the morning. I was beat, but some of the other guys continued on with their experiments. Crazy!!!
2008-01-10
Tuesday- December 18, 2007
Dinner with the Takeshima’s
Since I just am helping to purify more 15-N labeled Tim21, I’m pretty much done with lab work. So at night I went with Miho to eat dinner with the Takeshima’s. Yaya and her family are so nice. The food is always so good and the conversations are so funny. Miho also made the best apple pie I ever ate. I was very impressed.
Me, Miho, and the Takeshima’s. The Takeshima’s are so great. Even though I just got to know them, they feel so much like family. I will miss them very much!
Since I just am helping to purify more 15-N labeled Tim21, I’m pretty much done with lab work. So at night I went with Miho to eat dinner with the Takeshima’s. Yaya and her family are so nice. The food is always so good and the conversations are so funny. Miho also made the best apple pie I ever ate. I was very impressed.
Monday- December 17, 2007
Colequium- presentation
I gave my presentation today. It was in English so I wasn’t that nervous. Everyone said I did a good job even though they didn’t understand what I said. My professor even gave me a compliment for making good figures. I felt bad during the presentation because I didn’t really get “good results.” I wish I could have done more, but I realized what the professor said when he said four months is too short.
Our group went to celebrate by going out to eat hamburgers at a restaurant. Even though I didn’t find anything new this whole time I learned a lot. I am so thankful for all of the lab members especially Momose-san and Yagawa-san for being so patient with me.
Sunday- December 16, 2007
Eating dinner with the Imaizumi’s
After going to church at Gokiso I went to Toyata Ward to meet Miho and her parents. I then went to the Imazumi’s house to eat dinner with Sena and her family and some other members in Gokiso ward. It was so fun. Sena’s mom is such a great cook. There was too much food there. The bishop and his family are so great.
After going to church at Gokiso I went to Toyata Ward to meet Miho and her parents. I then went to the Imazumi’s house to eat dinner with Sena and her family and some other members in Gokiso ward. It was so fun. Sena’s mom is such a great cook. There was too much food there. The bishop and his family are so great.
Saturday- December 15, 2007
Back to Tokyo then Nagoya
I had the train schedule in my hand to get from Sendai to Tokyo. Because Tokyo is especially crazy and I haven’t been there in a long time I was worried about making the wedding on time. Well after missing the first train at Sendai station because I had to buy omiyage, me, Maya, and Kristin ate at McDonalds for breakfast. But, after eating breakfast I almost missed the second train because I wasn’t watching the time. Well, I made it after running, but on the way I left all my goodies I got from the Yokohama conference and Sendai with Kristin. Opps! But, it was off to Tokyo without turning back. I just crashed on the bullet train because it’s so comfortable. I made it to the temple and I was able to see Shogou and Machiko just as they got married. They looked so happy and so beautiful together. They are both such great people! I also got to see other old friends there at the temple.
In front of Tokyo Temple with Mr. and Mrs. Shougo Yuasa.
After eating lunch after the wedding I made it back to Nagoya on the Shinkansen again. In total the trip from Nagoya to Yokohama to Sendai, then back to Tokyo and Nagoya cost 400 dollars. But, the money was well worth it. The only thing I wished is that I had more time. But it was so good to see everyone and it was a good break from all the lab work.
At night I met Miho to see “I am Legend.” We were both excited for it. But the movie was so scary. We were totally tricked by the advertising.
I had the train schedule in my hand to get from Sendai to Tokyo. Because Tokyo is especially crazy and I haven’t been there in a long time I was worried about making the wedding on time. Well after missing the first train at Sendai station because I had to buy omiyage, me, Maya, and Kristin ate at McDonalds for breakfast. But, after eating breakfast I almost missed the second train because I wasn’t watching the time. Well, I made it after running, but on the way I left all my goodies I got from the Yokohama conference and Sendai with Kristin. Opps! But, it was off to Tokyo without turning back. I just crashed on the bullet train because it’s so comfortable. I made it to the temple and I was able to see Shogou and Machiko just as they got married. They looked so happy and so beautiful together. They are both such great people! I also got to see other old friends there at the temple.
After eating lunch after the wedding I made it back to Nagoya on the Shinkansen again. In total the trip from Nagoya to Yokohama to Sendai, then back to Tokyo and Nagoya cost 400 dollars. But, the money was well worth it. The only thing I wished is that I had more time. But it was so good to see everyone and it was a good break from all the lab work.
At night I met Miho to see “I am Legend.” We were both excited for it. But the movie was so scary. We were totally tricked by the advertising.
Friday- December 14, 2007
Yokohama and the Sendai adventure
Because this day was so crazy I put it into two parts.
Yokohama- After staying up late last night to finish some experiments I took off in the morning to go to Yokohama to the BMB 2007- the 30th annual meeting of the molecular biology society of Japan and the 80th annual meeting of the Japanese biochemistry society. It’s easier to say that it was a big nerd conference. It was held at Pacifico Yokohama, a huge conference hall. It was a really pleasant walk from the Sakuragichou station. You walk through a beautiful shopping mall and see a large Ferris wheel. Inside the conference hall were literally hundreds of posters lined up. Our lab put up about 10 for the week. Also there were chemical companies promoting their products. The best part was getting all the free stuff.
At the BMB conference I saw an Agilent Technologies booth. I used to work for them during the summer so it was cool to talk to the guys there. The conference was packed with companies and literally you couldn’t read all the posters that were up in one day.
After I went around with Yamamoto-san collecting things like coffee cups, shirts, calendars, USB drives, tons of pens, and paperweights I made my way up to Sendai to see my friends Maya and Kristin from high school. The train ride was quite comfortable on the bullet train, but I could feel it getting colder as I traveled up north.
Sendai- I always wanted to go to Sendai because my mother served her mission there over 30 years ago. I heard so much about it and now that my friends from high school were there it was the perfect time to finally go. However, it was only for one night.
I got to Sendai in the evening and it was dark and rainy. I met up with Maya at sendai station and we ate a “zunda” green soy bean shake and gyuutan- cow tongue. They both sound gross, but they’re both well known in Japan. After getting lost while meeting up with Maya at the station we finally met up with Kristin at an ALT party where we ate Indian food. Yeah, Indian food in Japan. Maya was so nice to treat me. After dinner us three Iolani kids just saw Sendai. We saw some of the Christmas lights that were still up. The most interesting thing of the night was meeting a young college kid who was drawing people’s faces on the street. We each paid him 5 dollars to draw our faces. It was really cool, but I left the picture in Sendai. Anyway, he wrote our faces with our Japanese characters. We all thought it was pretty amazing. After that it got cold and late. We planned to sing karaoke, but instead we just went home.
The store that sells green soy bean shakes. It was pleasantly good. Maya also treated me to the other famous product of Sendai gyuutan. It was also good.
Me and Maya in the streets in Sendai. We came back here to get our faces drawn by a young college student.
Because this day was so crazy I put it into two parts.
Yokohama- After staying up late last night to finish some experiments I took off in the morning to go to Yokohama to the BMB 2007- the 30th annual meeting of the molecular biology society of Japan and the 80th annual meeting of the Japanese biochemistry society. It’s easier to say that it was a big nerd conference. It was held at Pacifico Yokohama, a huge conference hall. It was a really pleasant walk from the Sakuragichou station. You walk through a beautiful shopping mall and see a large Ferris wheel. Inside the conference hall were literally hundreds of posters lined up. Our lab put up about 10 for the week. Also there were chemical companies promoting their products. The best part was getting all the free stuff.
After I went around with Yamamoto-san collecting things like coffee cups, shirts, calendars, USB drives, tons of pens, and paperweights I made my way up to Sendai to see my friends Maya and Kristin from high school. The train ride was quite comfortable on the bullet train, but I could feel it getting colder as I traveled up north.
Sendai- I always wanted to go to Sendai because my mother served her mission there over 30 years ago. I heard so much about it and now that my friends from high school were there it was the perfect time to finally go. However, it was only for one night.
I got to Sendai in the evening and it was dark and rainy. I met up with Maya at sendai station and we ate a “zunda” green soy bean shake and gyuutan- cow tongue. They both sound gross, but they’re both well known in Japan. After getting lost while meeting up with Maya at the station we finally met up with Kristin at an ALT party where we ate Indian food. Yeah, Indian food in Japan. Maya was so nice to treat me. After dinner us three Iolani kids just saw Sendai. We saw some of the Christmas lights that were still up. The most interesting thing of the night was meeting a young college kid who was drawing people’s faces on the street. We each paid him 5 dollars to draw our faces. It was really cool, but I left the picture in Sendai. Anyway, he wrote our faces with our Japanese characters. We all thought it was pretty amazing. After that it got cold and late. We planned to sing karaoke, but instead we just went home.
Thursday- December 13, 2007
Last Institute
I enjoyed going to institute so much. I wanted to thank Stake President Komiya for teaching me so much, so I wrote him a thank you letter. But on the way to institute I dropped it on the train. I’m so dumb! But, I really did learn so much from going to “marriage prep” class. I thanked him for making a friendly environment that encourages the young people to be so open and active. I really loved going there and making new friends in the church. I also got to go on some fun dates as the class always recommended. Thursday nights in Nagoya were really a blessing for me. No matter how hard busy school got, I always made sure I made it out there and I feel I was blessed for doing it.
I enjoyed going to institute so much. I wanted to thank Stake President Komiya for teaching me so much, so I wrote him a thank you letter. But on the way to institute I dropped it on the train. I’m so dumb! But, I really did learn so much from going to “marriage prep” class. I thanked him for making a friendly environment that encourages the young people to be so open and active. I really loved going there and making new friends in the church. I also got to go on some fun dates as the class always recommended. Thursday nights in Nagoya were really a blessing for me. No matter how hard busy school got, I always made sure I made it out there and I feel I was blessed for doing it.
Wednesday- December 12, 2007
Last Eikaiwa and dinner with Sena
Today was a lot of lasts for me because I know I’m going back to Hawaii in a few weeks. Before Eikaiwa I ate dinner with Sena for the last time. We ate curry at Coco’s. It was a lot of fun. But, I felt bad sometimes because I tease Sena so much. She seems like a sister to me even though we knew each other for such a short amount of time. We both went to Eikaiwa after to help the missionaries. It was so much fun being there with all the people there. Even though I only went twice before it felt like I knew these people for so long. Everyone is friendly and everyone has a good time. I really felt tonight that I wanted to stay longer in Japan to be around these people.
After walking home with Sena in the rain I made my way back to the lab to finish up my last preparations for my presentation.
Today was a lot of lasts for me because I know I’m going back to Hawaii in a few weeks. Before Eikaiwa I ate dinner with Sena for the last time. We ate curry at Coco’s. It was a lot of fun. But, I felt bad sometimes because I tease Sena so much. She seems like a sister to me even though we knew each other for such a short amount of time. We both went to Eikaiwa after to help the missionaries. It was so much fun being there with all the people there. Even though I only went twice before it felt like I knew these people for so long. Everyone is friendly and everyone has a good time. I really felt tonight that I wanted to stay longer in Japan to be around these people.
After walking home with Sena in the rain I made my way back to the lab to finish up my last preparations for my presentation.
Tuesday- December 11, 2007
Experiments till late
Because I found I have to give a presentation, I had to make sure I had presentable data. My professor has a high standard in his lab so you need to present good things or else he gets mad at the students. I heard he made other students cry before. Because I’m planning a trip this weekend I needed to make sure that all the experiments were done before I leave. That way I can enjoy the weekend.
Because I found I have to give a presentation, I had to make sure I had presentable data. My professor has a high standard in his lab so you need to present good things or else he gets mad at the students. I heard he made other students cry before. Because I’m planning a trip this weekend I needed to make sure that all the experiments were done before I leave. That way I can enjoy the weekend.
Monday- December 10, 2007
Putting it all together
It’s been a little over three months since I came to Nagoya to study. The professor asked me to present my work just like all the students do every Monday. I will be presenting with the other 4th year students next week.
I also wanted to show something funny that happened while we were collecting antibodies from the rabbits.
One of the rabbits started to pee when we were collecting the blood for antibodies. Don’t worry the rabbits aren’t always kept in the metal containers. Only when we take their blood are they put in the metal contraptions so they don’t run away.
It’s been a little over three months since I came to Nagoya to study. The professor asked me to present my work just like all the students do every Monday. I will be presenting with the other 4th year students next week.
I also wanted to show something funny that happened while we were collecting antibodies from the rabbits.
Sunday- December 9, 2007
CES Fireside
After a day of fasting about various things I went to a Christmas devotional at the church. The music was really good and the messages were good as well. Because it was a satellite broadcast from the United States it was nice to hear talks in English. It was the coldest day in Nagoya yet.
After a day of fasting about various things I went to a Christmas devotional at the church. The music was really good and the messages were good as well. Because it was a satellite broadcast from the United States it was nice to hear talks in English. It was the coldest day in Nagoya yet.
Saturday- December 8, 2007
Nagoya Castle
After Miho slept over Michiko’s apartment we then met up at Nagoya University to spend the day together. We bought the donichi kippu “weekend ticket” so we could go around Nagoya for the whole day. We first went to Nagoya castle a famous tourist spot. We then took a nap in the park and then went shopping. I started my Christmas shopping by buying a kimono for my little niece. I also bought Shiseido products for my mom. At night we went to a Christmas concert together. It was an all around nice day together.
A picture from the park around Nagoya castle. The castle is obviously in the background. It was a nippy day, but really fun being a tourist.
After Miho slept over Michiko’s apartment we then met up at Nagoya University to spend the day together. We bought the donichi kippu “weekend ticket” so we could go around Nagoya for the whole day. We first went to Nagoya castle a famous tourist spot. We then took a nap in the park and then went shopping. I started my Christmas shopping by buying a kimono for my little niece. I also bought Shiseido products for my mom. At night we went to a Christmas concert together. It was an all around nice day together.
Friday- December 7, 2007
Eating dinner with the couple
So Shougo is my from mission and Machiko is friend’s with Miho so we decided to go out to dinner together. We had dinner together at a small Italian place. The dessert was the most interesting. We then went to their new apartment that they will be living in from next week Saturday when they get married. It was really nice, I mean really nice. I got jealous. Hearing of them talk about their marriage and seeing their actual preparation for marriage made me want to get married too.
A bread filled ice cream dessert. The bread was toasted and the ice cream was frozen and it was a delicious and an interesting warm, cold dessert.
So Shougo is my from mission and Machiko is friend’s with Miho so we decided to go out to dinner together. We had dinner together at a small Italian place. The dessert was the most interesting. We then went to their new apartment that they will be living in from next week Saturday when they get married. It was really nice, I mean really nice. I got jealous. Hearing of them talk about their marriage and seeing their actual preparation for marriage made me want to get married too.
Thursday- December 6, 2007
Professor Endo’s birthday
Even though my professor’s birthday wasn’t today the lab celebrated it because everyone is busy on other days. I bought him a polo necktie at the shopping mall by Nagoya station. That was the first time I have been in the expensive stores in Japan. It was pretty crazy to see that the same stuff we can get in America is more expensive in Japan for some reason.
Even though my professor’s birthday wasn’t today the lab celebrated it because everyone is busy on other days. I bought him a polo necktie at the shopping mall by Nagoya station. That was the first time I have been in the expensive stores in Japan. It was pretty crazy to see that the same stuff we can get in America is more expensive in Japan for some reason.
Anyway, by the time I got back to the party after institute a lot of people went home. But, I still got to mingle with most of the people there. It was a lot of fun. It’s so nice that the professor likes parties. Everyone works hard and everyone enjoys a lot too. 

A picture of the birthday boy (Professor in the middle). He’s so cool.
Wednesday- December 5, 2007
Bia-core
So for the past few weeks me and Yagawa-san have been preparing protein samples to run with in the SPR machine. I’m talking like two weeks of preparation. Anyway, the day we planned to run it someone was using the machine, and usually no one uses the machine. Anyway, we finally got to run our samples and we were really excited to find something out. But, alas again no good results were obtained and we have to move on the NMR which will take even longer. Anyway, I’m learning a lot about research, especially the fact that the two letter “re” are very important. Because we do things over and over again until something works.
The surface Plasmon resonance machine (SPR) other-wise known as Bia-core to the Japanese because that’s the company’s name. It cost a few hundred thousand dollars, but the results we got were worth zero because the proteins we used didn’t give good results.
So for the past few weeks me and Yagawa-san have been preparing protein samples to run with in the SPR machine. I’m talking like two weeks of preparation. Anyway, the day we planned to run it someone was using the machine, and usually no one uses the machine. Anyway, we finally got to run our samples and we were really excited to find something out. But, alas again no good results were obtained and we have to move on the NMR which will take even longer. Anyway, I’m learning a lot about research, especially the fact that the two letter “re” are very important. Because we do things over and over again until something works.
Tuesday- December 4, 2007
Takoyaki with Miho
Tonight after the experiments Miho made me Takoyaki for dinner. It was really nice. She brought all the ingredients including the takoyaki fry pan. She made too much again, so I took the leftovers for lunch the next day. Again even though she had a full day of work she made the one hour trip to make me dinner. I’m so impressed. I asked her if she made all the food because she liked me, she told me she did it because she likes to cook.

The process of making takoyaki. Just pour the batter with all the ingredients. (‘Tako’ means octopus and ‘yaki’ means to fry. Inside the balls contain pieces of octopus- it’s really good and really famous). Then use the special fry pan to make ball shaped dumplings. Then top it off with sauce, mayonnaise, furikake, and fish flakes.
Tonight after the experiments Miho made me Takoyaki for dinner. It was really nice. She brought all the ingredients including the takoyaki fry pan. She made too much again, so I took the leftovers for lunch the next day. Again even though she had a full day of work she made the one hour trip to make me dinner. I’m so impressed. I asked her if she made all the food because she liked me, she told me she did it because she likes to cook.
Monday- December 3, 2007
Putting in the scholarship application
Because I’m going back to BYU to finish up my undergraduate degree soon I had to rewrite a scholarship application for the chemistry department. It was fun writing science stuff all in English. I hope I get the award again to do research because I would be more motivated. I’m also applying to be a TA again for chemistry classes. I know that will keep me busy but I’d rather be busy than just playing around. I had a good enough break so far in Japan already.
Because I’m going back to BYU to finish up my undergraduate degree soon I had to rewrite a scholarship application for the chemistry department. It was fun writing science stuff all in English. I hope I get the award again to do research because I would be more motivated. I’m also applying to be a TA again for chemistry classes. I know that will keep me busy but I’d rather be busy than just playing around. I had a good enough break so far in Japan already.
Sunday- December 2, 2007
JLPT Level 1
The test was hard! I honestly don’t know if I passed or not. I hope I did. I went to Aichi University- Nagoya campus to take the test. There were over 1000 foreigners there taking the same test. The trains were packed. Even though there were so many other foreigners I saw only black haired people in level one. It was so hard. The listening part was the hardest for me because I thought that would be the easiest part. It was a 5 hour test with all the breaks in between. But, I was happy it was done. I wished I studied harder, but I gave it my best with the time I had. The results don't come till February so I'm not going to worry.
The test was hard! I honestly don’t know if I passed or not. I hope I did. I went to Aichi University- Nagoya campus to take the test. There were over 1000 foreigners there taking the same test. The trains were packed. Even though there were so many other foreigners I saw only black haired people in level one. It was so hard. The listening part was the hardest for me because I thought that would be the easiest part. It was a 5 hour test with all the breaks in between. But, I was happy it was done. I wished I studied harder, but I gave it my best with the time I had. The results don't come till February so I'm not going to worry.
Saturday- December 1, 2007
Softball, Tennis, and Basketball
So one day before the big Japanese test I decided to take a break by playing sports. But I wasn’t prepared for all the sports of the day.
Our church went to Yokaiichi in Mie ken to play softball again. Because we won the previous softball tournament everyone wanted a piece of us. But in the end we came out victorious and beat everybody. I wasn’t too involved because I was still worried about my test, but I hit a few bombs including a pinch hit grand slam. I guess I still got it. Anyway, more than softball I played tennis, and that’s where I got super tired. At night we came back to Nagoya to play basketball. There were about 20 of us and we made three teams. And from that I got even more tired. But the whole day was super fun.
So one day before the big Japanese test I decided to take a break by playing sports. But I wasn’t prepared for all the sports of the day.
Our church went to Yokaiichi in Mie ken to play softball again. Because we won the previous softball tournament everyone wanted a piece of us. But in the end we came out victorious and beat everybody. I wasn’t too involved because I was still worried about my test, but I hit a few bombs including a pinch hit grand slam. I guess I still got it. Anyway, more than softball I played tennis, and that’s where I got super tired. At night we came back to Nagoya to play basketball. There were about 20 of us and we made three teams. And from that I got even more tired. But the whole day was super fun.
Friday- November 30, 2007
Article Publication
It’s weird how science journals work. Everyone in the lab here at Nagoya is working to get their research published. Our professor only tries for the highest level journals though. He sets his sights high and does good research. Anyway, I finally got an article published from the work I did at BYU in Provo. It took over a year to get published but here it is. It’s pretty esoteric, but it’s cool that everyone in the group did something to get these results. I’m happy. This is the link to the article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2007.08.011 I don’t mind if anyone has no interest.
It’s weird how science journals work. Everyone in the lab here at Nagoya is working to get their research published. Our professor only tries for the highest level journals though. He sets his sights high and does good research. Anyway, I finally got an article published from the work I did at BYU in Provo. It took over a year to get published but here it is. It’s pretty esoteric, but it’s cool that everyone in the group did something to get these results. I’m happy. This is the link to the article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2007.08.011 I don’t mind if anyone has no interest.
Thursday- November 29, 2007
Institute, and Dinner at McDonalds
Today we had a fun institute class talking about dates, what makes a good date? I think I learned a lot. I just thought what a fun time it is to go on dates. Even though married life is eventually what my goal is I sill think the single life is also fun.
Anyway, after institute I ate with Yaya and Miho at McDonald’s. They became friends immediately. We all enjoyed a good McDonald’s snack.
Lights in front of Nagoya station. They’re already up for the holidays.
Today we had a fun institute class talking about dates, what makes a good date? I think I learned a lot. I just thought what a fun time it is to go on dates. Even though married life is eventually what my goal is I sill think the single life is also fun.
Anyway, after institute I ate with Yaya and Miho at McDonald’s. They became friends immediately. We all enjoyed a good McDonald’s snack.
Wednesday- November 28, 2007
Eikaiwa- English conversation class at the church
Because I have been studying so hard for the Japanese test I had to speak some English to recharge my batteries. It has been over two years since I came back from my mission where we taught free English class on a weekly basis. I felt I needed to do some service recently so I decided to help the missionaries out.
English class was fun and all the people there were so nice. All the students have different English abilities, but still everyone had fun together. I played ping pong after class too, but Ilost to one of the missionaries because I’m a little rusty.
Because I have been studying so hard for the Japanese test I had to speak some English to recharge my batteries. It has been over two years since I came back from my mission where we taught free English class on a weekly basis. I felt I needed to do some service recently so I decided to help the missionaries out.
English class was fun and all the people there were so nice. All the students have different English abilities, but still everyone had fun together. I played ping pong after class too, but Ilost to one of the missionaries because I’m a little rusty.
Tuesday- November 27, 2007
Seminar with Professor Itoh from Kyoto University, Okazaki fragmetns
Because I’m writing this entry late, I’m not sure if this date was the real date the seminar occurred. Anyway, there was a seminar recently from a famous professor in Kyoto University. It was all in Japanese so I had a hard time following. But, everyone said that it went well.
Today I learned that the Okazaki fragments that everyone learns about in high school or college biology was discovered just a few laboratories down from where I am.
The memorial plaque in front of the lab where Okazaki fragments were found. If he would have lived longer he would have probably won the Nobel prize, and that would make the Science department at Nagoya University the recipient of two Nobel prizes.
That makes me feel even more special to study at Nagoya University.
Because I’m writing this entry late, I’m not sure if this date was the real date the seminar occurred. Anyway, there was a seminar recently from a famous professor in Kyoto University. It was all in Japanese so I had a hard time following. But, everyone said that it went well.
Today I learned that the Okazaki fragments that everyone learns about in high school or college biology was discovered just a few laboratories down from where I am.
That makes me feel even more special to study at Nagoya University.
Monday- November 26, 2007
One week to Study for the Japanese test
So with one week left, before the “big” test work in the lab slowed down a little. That’s a good thing because I can concentrate this week on studying for the Japanese test. Taking all the practice tests is a little overwhelming. I can’t say if I had more time I would do better but, I really wish I had more time. In a way I wish I just focused on my Japanese, but that means I would have to give up some of my experiences in the lab.
I just hope I can do well on the test. If I pass theirs is much that will come except for a certificate in the mail. Some jobs in Japan require the passing of this test to work for their company. But, I don’t see my self working in Japan in the near future, but it would still be nice to have.
So with one week left, before the “big” test work in the lab slowed down a little. That’s a good thing because I can concentrate this week on studying for the Japanese test. Taking all the practice tests is a little overwhelming. I can’t say if I had more time I would do better but, I really wish I had more time. In a way I wish I just focused on my Japanese, but that means I would have to give up some of my experiences in the lab.
I just hope I can do well on the test. If I pass theirs is much that will come except for a certificate in the mail. Some jobs in Japan require the passing of this test to work for their company. But, I don’t see my self working in Japan in the near future, but it would still be nice to have.
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