Teaching English in Japan

TEIJG Throw Back

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:51:49 PDT

Totally Enthusiastically Interested in Japan Guide - Episode 51

Throwing it back to episode 51 for you! In the show we answer some listener questions and give you the usual comedic banter that you come to expect from "The Yank" and "The Crank".

Download Episode 51

TEIJG 56 Throw Back Episode - The Japan Podcast

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 07:03:51 PDT

Totally Enthusiastically Interested in Japan Guide

This is a throw back to Episode 56 of TEIJG. Hope you enjoy it!
Download Podcast Here
PS. Also testing the feed. For some reason it isn't showing the older episodes.

Throw Back Podcast Show Notes:

Eric`s news:
I am on the Slow Carb Diet
No more kyushoku School lunch
Black Coffee and Soda Water

J-News:
It`s cold!! Low 2 high 5
Kim Jong Il Died and now his overweight possibly psyco son is leader
New Japanese National Soccer Team Uniform to debut TV around new years
PSP Vita is out and it`s awesome.

Teaching News:
Last Day of Class Dec 21st
Closing Ceremony Dec 22nd
Back To work January 11th - 22 days off

Hakata's Own HKT48 Suki! Suki! Skip スキ! スキ! スキップ

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 16:49:06 PDT

If you read this site or listen to the podcast you will know that I am sick of the whole AKB48 thing. I think it's more than run it's course and JPOP needs to go a different direction for a while. That said I lived in Fukuoka for years so anything related to Fukuoka or Hakata, I will support. Even if it is kind of related to AKB48. HKT48 has a new hit on the charts and here it is. It's not the full song, since Japanese record labels still really don't get it. They are a little old school when it comes to supporting new technology, if you can call YouTube new, lol. Anyways have a look at the video here, and let me know what you think. It's the usual happy go lucky JPOP style so most people will like it.

KPOP Group Kara Doing Excellently in Japanese Music Charts

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 14:02:16 PDT

Looks like Kara's newest song "Bye Bye Happy Days" is doing pretty well on the Japanese music charts. They are currently ranked at 14th but were 12th. This is pretty amazing for a Korean group, especially since the charts usually are filled up with AKB48 and their sister groups, lol. One thing I do have to say about this song is that it's very "JPOP-ish". So, my guess is that it was geared for the Japanese market from the start. Enjoy the video and let me know what you think! Thanks for reading, ET

TEIJG 55 Throw Back Episode

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:39:10 PDT

This is a throw back to episode 55 of TEIJG. Hope you enjoy it!
Download Podcast Here
PS. Also testing the feed. For some reason it isn't showing the older episodes.

TEIJG 66: Totally Enthusiastically Interested in Japan Guide

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 10:21:11 PDT

Episode 66 of TEIJG is a quick video I grabbed from my YouTube Channel. It's one where I ride my bicycle around where I used to live, Ohori Koen (Park) in central Fukuoka City, Japan. I wanted to test the podcast feed and I figured it was a good video for it. I hope you enjoy! There will be a new audio episode this week.

Download

TEIJG Podcast Update - Relaunch - Totally Enthusiastically Interested in Japan Guide

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 09:31:29 PDT

Hello fellow TEIJG fans! I am doing well in good old San Antonio, Texas. I have finally found a job and have been working for about 2 weeks now. Working in the "real world" makes you really appreciate how much you miss teaching English in Japan, I tell you. Well, I don't miss the teaching part too much but I do miss living in Japan!

So I have decided to keep The TEIJG Podcast going, but since I am not teaching English in Japan or actually living there anymore, I need to shift focus a little bit. I will start to focus on some different areas of Japan.

Japanese Pop Culture
News
Technology Stories
Sports
Toys
Cars
Food

Basically, TEIJG is going to be your weekly update on Japan, and all things Japanese or related to Japan and the region.

I guess we have to redue the acronym for TEIJG, huh???? How about this:

Totally Enthusiastically Interested in Japan Guide \(^_^)/

What is PM 2.5?

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:44:46 PDT

Recently in Japan there has been a lot of talk about P.M. 2.5. At first, I was thrown for a loop to figure out what it actually meant. I mean from watching the news I could deduce what it meant, but knowing the meaning that the Japanese gave it....that can sometimes be entirely different.

Well in this case PM 2.5 basically means pollution from China combined with the yellow sand that blows in from the Gobi Desert every year. The combination of these two is what the Japanese mass media call "PM 2.5".

The "PM" in "PM 2.5" means particulate matter. The "2.5" means the size in micrometers.

My good buddy Mexican Samurai did a video talking about it on YouTube. Check it out!

Thanks for checking out TEIJG!

TEIJG Podcast - 065 Going Solo

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 10:23:47 PDT

In this episode of the Teaching English in Japan Podcast (TEIJG), Eric "The Yank" goes it solo. He talks about the things he misses most about living Japan, and the things he misses least about living in Japan.

Download Podcast

Thanks for listening and expect some kind of episode at least twice a month.

Thanks For the New Maps, Apple

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 09:56:17 PDT

Just a quick post to let you know that Apple is updating the maps app with A LOT better maps on Japan. They haven't really been that great to date, but looks like they are starting to sort things out.

[Image Credit: 9 To 5 Mac]

Here is a post from 9 To 5 Mac that goes into more detail.

As for my recommendation.... I still think that Google Maps is the better option. Though why not use both since they are both free. That way you can decide which one works for you. I would start with Google Maps and then check Apples Maps after if you are having issues.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 09:48:13 PST

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu (きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ Kyarī Pamyu Pamyu) birth name: Kiriko Takemura (竹村桐子 Takemura Kiriko, born January 29, 1993), also known mononymously as Kyary, is a model, blogger, and recording artist from the Harajuku district of Tokyo. Her official stage name is Caroline Charonplop Kyary Pamyu Pamyu(きゃろらいんちゃろんぷろっぷきゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ Kyarorain Charonpuroppu Kyarī Pamyu Pamyu). Kyary's debut album, Pamyu Pamyu Revolution, was released in May 2012.

These songs really remind me of Japan thats for sure!

Japanese Language YouTube Channels

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 08:56:07 PST

I tell you! You are lucky you live in the internet age! You can get all sorts of Japanese language content on YouTube and other places around the web. I thought I would list some of the channels and places to go find all of this great Japanese language content.

For starters lets go to YouTube. YouTube has lots of legal and questionable Japanese videos on it. You can use them to keep up to date with recent happenings in Japan, such as music, news, and other current events.

NHK Online Channel

Tokyo MX Channel

There is also DigInfo News Japan which is more technology focused for those that want to practice their business and IT Japanese.

Here are three other Japanese Language News Channels that are available on YouTube.

ANN News Channel

FNN News Channel

BSフジプライムニュース (BS Fuji Prime News)

ももいろクローバーZ [Momo iro kuroobaa Z]

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 08:25:23 PST

ももいろクローバーZ [Momo iro kuroobaa Z]

One of the most recent bands to break out in Japan is Momo Iro Kuroobaa Z. The group was originally named Momoiro Clover and is also referred to as Momoclo (ももクロ) for short. It is nicknamed "Weekend Heroines" (週末ヒロイン Shūmatsu Heroin) for performing on weekends as on weekdays its members are at school.

ももクロ - Momokuro Abbreviated name used by fans.

Momo iro Kuroobaa Z = Pink Clover Z

Mono no fu = Momo Iro Kuroobaa Z Fans

NMB48 A Kawaii Overload??

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 11:40:31 PST

Did NMB48 go too far with the cuteness?? Would you call this a Kawaii Overload?? Have a look and let me know what you think. I think it's a little over-the-top, but then again that's what the OTAKU's want and it sells. BTW: NMB48 is from Osaka and it stands for "Namba 48". Namba being a part of Osaka.

More about Namba, Osaka from the Wikipedias"

Namba (難波 Nanba^?, IPA: [namba]) is a district of Osaka, Japan. Namba is regarded as the center of so-called Minami ("South") area of Osaka.^[1] Its name is one of variations on the former name of Osaka, Naniwa. Namba is best known as the city's main south-central railway terminus: JR, Kintetsu, Nankai, and three lines of the Osaka Municipal Subway have stations there.
Some of the most famous images of Osaka, including the Glico Man and the Kani Doraku Crab, are located around the Dōtonbori canal in Namba. Namba is also known as an entertainment district, and hosts many of the city's most popular bars, restaurants, nightclubs, arcades, and pachinko parlors. The area is also known for shopping, with the Takashimayadepartment store (for older styles) and the sprawling underground Namba City shopping mall (for newer styles).
Namba Parks is a new development consisting of a high office building, called "Parks Tower," and a 120-tenant shopping mall with rooftop garden. Various kinds of restaurants (Japanese, Korean, Italian, etc.) are located on the 6th floor, and shops on the 2nd to 5th floors. Parks Garden features enough greenery to help visitors forget that they’re in the middle of the city. There is also an amphitheater for live shows, as well as space for small personal vegetable gardens and wagon shops.
Namba is located in Chūō and Naniwa wards.

Yes, Morning Musume is Still Around!!

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 11:23:48 PST

With all the love going to AKB48 and the eight million other sub-groups spun off of AKB, Morning Musume seems to have been forgotten. Well, I am here to tell you that they are still around and still making "music". I do put music in quotations because some people don't think this over produced noise is music, but I am not one of them. I think that this J-Pop Idol type of music has it's place. I mean cute girls and happy-go-lucky music, it's a formula for happiness, right? Here is the latest Morning Musume Track "Brainstorming" (モーニング娘。『ブレインストーミング』 (ルーズショット Ver.)) And below this I will put my all time favorite Morning Musume track "Love Machine". It's not the first time I heard their music, but it's the one that was really poplular when I first moved to Japan. I mean it was everywhere! It was on the radio, on TV, on the big TV screens in the shopping districts, just everywhere! モーニング娘。『LOVEマシーン』(Morning Musume Love Machine)

Reverse Culture Shock - Re-Adjusting to Life in America

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 07:11:17 PST

I spent about 10 years give or take in Japan, so it has been a part of my life for a long time. Plus the years before when I studied Japanese and enjoyed a lot of the aspects of Japanese culture like Japanese music, Japanese movies, and Japanese dramas. Moving back to the USA of course comes with a little bit of "Reverse Culture Shock". So to help with it, it's a good thing to not go completely cold turkey. I still watch Japanese videos on YouTube and other places like Crunchy Roll. I still follow Japanese car culture, and other aspects of life in Japan.

San Antonio, Texas doesn't have the biggest Japanese community, but there are a few places that I can go to get my Japanese fix. One of the best ones is an Asian supermarket that has A LOT of Korean food and a good amount of Japanese food and snacks too. Here is a little video I did. Next I will hit up Minnano a Japanese store in San Antonio.

Classic Japanese Cars

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 07:02:23 PST

I have been an Auto Otaku for years and while in Japan I shot A LOT of videos of cars that we just didn't see in the USA and in other parts of the world. I put all these videos on a YouTube Channel called AutomobileOtaku. Currently there are 176 videos on the channel, and I think I have enough footage to get to 200. If you are interested in Japanese cars, especially classic Japanese cars you should head over to the channel and watch all the videos. Of couse subscribe to the channel too!

Here are a couple examples of what's over there:

Things I Don't Miss About Living in Japan

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 06:40:08 PST

Along with the "Things I Miss About Japan" post I figured I would have to do the opposite post to be fair to myself and others that might want to hang out in Japan for a few years.

1. The Squater Toilets. Espeically the squater toilets at the rural train stations that are basically a hole in the ground. The smells there are just terrible! These are a last resort and recommend not using if at all possible. That said if you gotta go you gotta go!

PS. Check for toilet paper before you do a number two.

2. Highway Tolls. Highways are crazy expensive in Japan. Basically you pay about $25 for every hour you drive. I often used them because, to me, my time is very valuable, and the time savings is worth it to me. That said it's nice to be back in America and not have to pay for tolls on the highways.

3. The Weather. I don't miss the freezing cold winters and the hot and humid summers. Spring and Fall are the best seasons in Japan!

4. Teaching. Though I had a blast teaching in Japan, after about 9 years of teaching, I was done! I give credit to all the teachers that can do it as a career, but for me it was a means to an end. I think if I had to do it again it would have to be on a part time basis, and it would have to be smaller conversation classes, not large JHS classes.

5. Kanji. The Japanese writing system isn't too bad except for those difficult little Chinese Characters called Kanji. Not being able to read and understand everything in Japan wasn't too stressful but I wish I did understand more. That said I don't miss them at all!! lol

6. AKB48 on the news every freaking day. I am a fan of JPop and Kpop too for that matter, but the amount of coverage that AKB48 got was just irritating. Every dam morning on the news there was an AKB48 story!?! It got to the point where I stopped listening to JPop all together because I was just sick of hearing about AKB48.

10 Things I Miss About Japan

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:56:28 PST

1. No murder counts on the nightly news.

2. Public Transportation, especially trains and subways.

3. Long vacations and relatively easy work days.

4. Lawsons, 7/11, Popular, and other convenience stores.

5. Fukuoka City.

6. All my Japanese and Gaijin Friends.

7. Fast cheap internet.

8. No data caps on my iPhone and Android Phone.

9. The food....ALL OF IT!

10. Riding a mamachari (grandma bicycle) around the city.

Girls Generation - SNSD 少女時代 New Video

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 10:06:32 PST

The KPop group Girls Generation aka SNSD aka 少女時代 are at it again with a new music video. As usual they are looking great and dancing in a very colorful video.

Tokyo Pixs

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 19:24:41 PST

So if you didn't know I (Eric "The Yank") have left Japan and I am now living in San Antonio, Texas. Before I left Japan I had to make a quick trip to Tokyo to get some visa stuff sorted out. Here are some random pixs from the trip. Hope you enjoy.

Mt. Fuji from the air.

Hachiko Statue.

Shibuya 2012

Shibuya 2012.

Toyota Land Cruiser in Tokyo.

Japanese Patrol Car

The "Shirobiku" (White Bike). These guys love giving tickets so be careful!!

Hanging with K.A. in Roppongi area.

Tokyo Tower (The original one).

Christmas tree in front of Tokyo Tower.

Kua Aina Burger in Tokyo was just as good as the one in Hawaii!

The View from Tokyo Tower

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 18:33:12 PST

Here is a video I took from the top of Tokyo Tower. 150 meter and 250 meter view points. Enjoy

Japan Pixs - Race Queens

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 16:05:08 PST

Gotta have a cute Japanese girl at the races, of course!!

Japanese Convenience Store Chicken Katsu Bento

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 18:17:53 PST

This bento is from the Japanese convenience store called "Popular". It's chicken katsu with rice and a little tsukemono.

Autumn is Here in Japan - Nov 2012

ett808@gmail.com (Eric Timmer and Anthony Oliver ) — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 16:42:11 PST

Fall is here in Japan. The leaves have changed and the temperature has started to drop. Not too cold yet, but winter is right around the corner.

The "DREADED FRUIT" being dried at my in laws house in the mountains.