Friday 31 December 2010

改名の仕方 How to change your name in Japan

自分が名前を変えたときの経験です。必ずしもあなたが同じ道をたどるとは限りません。

性同一性障害を理由に改名するために私がたどった道を順に書きますのでご参考までに・・・。質問があれば匿名なので気軽にこちらでどうぞ。たぶん1日ぐらいで回答しますのでしばらくしたら同じページを開いてみてください。

ステップ1

自分に新しい名前をつけます。自分の性に合った名前で、奇抜すぎないものを選んだほうがいいと思います。最近の若い人は珍しい名前の人が多いですが、自分の年代からして不自然なものだと、裁判所の方で改名を許可されないかもしれません。一度許可されないと、再度裁判所に改名の申請をしても難しいそうです(←裁判所の方曰く)。

ステップ2

しばらくその新しい名前を実生活で使いましょう。「しばらく」ってどれくらい?って心配な人がいらっしゃるかと思います。自分の場合、実生活で新しい名前「シェイン」は全く使っていませんでした。その代わりに彼女(当時)が「志苑」という名前で呼んでくれていました。それは大体改名する3年ぐらい前でしたが、その彼女とはすぐ別れたのでほとんど使っていなかった・・・。誕生日カードを志苑って名前でもらったのでいいかなと思ったり。改名の1年くらい前になってfacebookをシェインで登録しました。

この段階はみんなに改名の意思を伝えるという意味で大変かもしれませんね。自分はインターネット上でしか「シェイン」を使っていなかったのでそうでもなかったですが。ステップ3の前に親に改名したいと伝えました。

ステップ3

近くの家庭裁判所に提出する名の変更許可申立書ここでダウンロード・印刷できます)を書きます。下は自分が書いたものです。参考までに、「名の変更を必要とする具体的な事情」の欄には「性同一性障害のため●●(←改名前の名前)という女性名を使うことに、幼少時から精神的苦痛を感じ、また、公共機関等で本人確認されにくいため。」と書き、備考欄に「両親とも名の変更に同意しています。」と書きました。

この申立書以外には、3年前に発行してもらった性同一性障害の診断書をクリニックに行って2枚コピーしてもらい、それも提出ました。




ステップ4


たぶん提出してから1週間後だったと思いますが、家庭裁判所から下の写真のような審判の予定の通知が来ました





ステップ5

ステップ4の通知が届いてからちょうど1週間後に予定されていた審判の為に親と裁判所に行きました
ステップ4の通知に書いてあった通り、9:30につき、受付に行き少し待つと調査員だと思われる50代のオバサンが迎えてくれました。親と自分を少し広めの個室に案内してくれ、尋問が始まりました。内容で思い出せるものを下に列挙します。
◎新しい名前はよくある名前か (イギリスでシェインという名前は名前ランキングで70位ぐらい(←事前に調べた)だと答えました。)
◎古い名前は親が一生懸命考えてくれたものだと承知しているか (それについては悩みましたが、古い名前では絶対生きていけないと言いました。)
◎1度名前を変えたら2回変えるのは難しいということも承知しているか。
◎今までいかに女であることを不快に思ってきたか。
◎古い名前で不便に思った時の具体的なエピソード (メガネストアで本当に本人か5回ぐらい聞き返された時の話をしました。)
◎治療歴についてしつこく聞かれました。 (治療らしき治療はしていないので、診断書の発行してもらうまで成り行きを話しました。それから、将来ホルモン治療と胸オペをするつもりだとも言いました。)
以上のような話を2時間近くして、尋問は終わりました。2階に案内され、小さな待合室(下の写真)で待たされました。それが以外と長い時間でした。たぶん40分ぐらい。

下は待合室からの景色
座っていた椅子と自分の学校のかばん
赤ちゃんも大人しく待ちましょうw

裁判所の入り口↓
朝来た時待ったところ↓

ステップ6
尋問から1週間程たつと裁判官の方が自分が名前を変えることは適当だと認めた結審の書類(下写真)と、その後何をすればいいかの案内が届きました。





ステップ7
ステップ6の事務連絡にあったように親が戸籍を変えに行ってくれました。市役所の人に「本人が市役所に来られないなら委任状(下図)を本人に書いてもらう必要がある。」と言われたので一度帰ってきて自分が委任状を書いてもう一度親が市役所に行ってくれました。
注意!戸籍の名前が変わって以前の名前は残ります。

Thursday 16 December 2010

Pebble

Sometimes good children do bad things against their intention. It happened to me during my stay in London at my cousins' house when I was about 6 years old. Usually, our stay at their house would be packed with plans of places to go and things to do. We would go to museums, castles etc and have many exciting experiences. On that day, however, there was nothing planned. My mum went shopping with my aunt and my uncle was downstairs reading the newspaper. My cousin Felix was outside with his friend Martin and my other cousin Alex was with me upstairs.
Alex and I were playing Mario Cart. I was greatly absorbed by the video game because I didn't own any games at home and this was one of my rare occasions that I could play cool hi-tech (I thought it was) games. I was in deep concentration when I was distracted by a strange noise---Felix and Martin were throwing pebbles at our open window. Irritated by the distraction, I found a pebble that was thrown into the room, picked it up, and threw it back at them. I really couldn't see where the stone landed because the front garden, which was the direction I threw it, had many leafy trees. I could see the two boys' faces among the trees, looking somewhat shocked. "That serves you right" I thought, and triumphantly went back to the video game.
Less than a minute later, my uncle came stomping up the stairs and shouted "what on EARTH are you doing!?" After a horrible moment, I realized I had done something wrong. My uncle continued "the car window's broken!"
I felt my face turn white as a sheet. My uncle's car was parked on the street in front of the house and the stone I threw had hit the window and smashed it. The car couldn't be seen from upstairs because of the leafy trees. I clutched my security blanket and began to cry. I felt afraid. I was a good, sensible kid (still am) and I wasn't used to getting into trouble(still am not). I peeked from upstairs and saw my uncle who had gone downstairs. He saw me looking at him. I said in a little but audible voice, "I didn't mean to. I'm sorry." I don't remember what he said to me.

I'm now only glad that the pebble didn't hurt anyone. That would have been far worse...

The Log

It was a cloudy Sunday morning. There was a rule in my apartment that at least one person from one household has to participate in the monthly weeding. This was one of those weeding days. My dad and I got up early. We wore long sleeve shirts and trousers. We went outside at exactly 10 a.m. and many people were already gathering in front of the shed. I got a sickle and my dad got a scythe.
After weeding in front of my apartment for thirty minutes, I went to a nearby park to do some weeding there. As I approached the swings, I noticed a long, dark, think log lying on the path. I wondered why there was a huge log in the park. There weren't any big trees around the area. Only young thin ones were there. I walked towards it. I suddenly realized what it really was and froze. It wasn't a log. It was a huge snake! It was moving from one side of the path to the other side. I watched it slither before me, unable to move. As soon as it disappeared into the bushes I run back to my dad and told him what had just happened. My dad and one of our neighbors same to the park to see only to find nothing.
This happened when I was 6 years old or younger. It is such a peculiar memory that I'm not even certain that it really happened or not. It could be those dreams that you remember vividly and never forget. Whether it is real or not, it was a memorable experience.

Hmmm.... Very interesting...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fafP3HM4tWE

I think I'm going to be an eagle... Stay in this country will make me a chicken.

Tuesday 7 December 2010

Why does Juken have to be so emotional?????

Mr H is totally bullying 2 students in my class and it's painful to hear them cry during class. You wouldn't BELIEVE how intense the teachers are about this shit.
And We aren't the ones who are being depressed. The teacher are making us stressed out by saying "you'll never win you don't think about how your techniques."

Saturday 4 December 2010

HARRY POTTER ROX!!!!!!!!!!!

I watched Harry Potter today... and guess what?

It was awesome.

DUH!!!

Of course it's awesome! Harry Potter movies are always awesome!

One discovery I made was that Bill Weasley is so damn hot. Who could guess by looking at Ron? OK maybe Fred and George and Ginny are good looking but holy shit, he's gotta be the most good looking red head guy on earth or something.

Tuesday 16 November 2010

Hair Confidence

I was so shocked when I saw photos of myself taken about 5 years ago. I looked so dykey because I was trying so hard to look like a dude by keeping my hair short. It was a total fail---my feminine face was (still is) giving it away.
But now I'm confident enough to grow my hair longer than before. The only thing is, the school doesn't like boys with long hair. The teacher told me to cut it yesterday. I was intending to go on Sunday but the place I always go to is renewing so is closed till the end of November. I'll go this weekend to another place.

Tuesday 9 November 2010

Happy

I think my classmates should listen to this... They are going nuts. :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTSgoXAXddk

Thursday 28 October 2010

Animal Farm

I'm on chapter 5 right now. I'm taking notes of words that I don't know the meaning of as I read. There are lots of words that I've heard before but don't know the meaning.
My mum was delighted about the 1984 video, by the way.

It's embarrassing to admit but the book I'm reading now is Princess Diaries which is totally girly. I just like it because it's HILARIOUS and the content is crappy. :P And it's the second time reading it!
I tend to read a couple of books at the same time. I was reading a Gerald Durrel book before but now I'm on Princess Diaries 4.
Reading the same book over and over and over again is something I do too.

Wednesday 27 October 2010

About the Speech Thing

When: November 10th
Register starts at 9:00
First speech stars 10:10
Ends: 14:00
Where: Ibaraki-ken-ritsu library 3rd floor Mito
Who: me and 12 other people will talk about shit.
Why: because we don't have anything better to do.

Taking photos or videos are prohibited.
We can't practice before it starts.

Am I going to this thing on my own? If so, I am sure I will get lost going there. :)

39!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My guesses saved me!!!!!

God, I'm sorry for blaming you for making the universe so complicating. It doesn't matter now because I passed the test.

Tuesday 26 October 2010

Just a Quick Update...

I've been busy doing nothing.... OK I was doing some things like cleaning my room. Now it's junk free! I couldn't believe how much shit I had accumulated over the years. I threw away books I used in junior high and papers I will never look at. Heaps of paper went to the recycle. It took all weekend. Meanwhile, my class mates had another mock test on Saturday. Not something unusual... They are taking mock tests all the time!!! We even have one this weekend too.

I got some info on the next speech contest. It's in Kenritsu Library in Mito. I'm the 3rd person to give the speech. I will write about it tomorrow because I don't have the paper with me.

Tomorrow is my big day. I get the Chemistry test back which I can swear I totally failed. I know I think this way for every test but this time, I knew I fail right after the test started. There weren't so many questions I answered with confidence. I think I have to take another test in December to graduate... I thought Chemistry is the perfect proof that God doesn't exist when the test was over.

Monday 4 October 2010

Geoffrey Chaucer (1343-1400)

He was an English author, poet(詩人), philosopher(哲学者), bureaucrat(官僚), courtier(廷臣) and diplomat(外交官).

His Life...
His earliest record is when he was a page(従者) of Elizabeth de Burgh because his father was connected to her.

Around 1366, he married Phillipa Roet. This is the tomb of Phillipa. ↓ She worked for Edward III's queen as an assistant.

In the early days of the Hundred Years' War, Edward III invaded France and Geoffrey traveled to France with Lionel of Antwarp, Elizabeth's husband.
In 1360, he became a prisoner. Edward paid 16 pounds and released him.
He became a member of the royal court as a varlet de chambre(倉庫係下士官). It was a high position that gave him many jobs and money.

His career as a writer began to blossom when Edward III rewarded him with "a gallon of wine for the rest of his life."

It was given on a celebration day called St George's day. On St George's day, prises like 芥川賞 were awarded. This placed him a precursor(先駆者) to later poets laureate(優秀な詩人).

He began working as a Comptroller(会計監査官) in 1374. He worked for 12 years which was a long time.

Geoffrey is thought to have started writing "Canterbury Tales" in the early 1380s.


When April with his showers sweet with fruit

The drought of March has pierced unto the root

And bathed each vein with liquor that has power

To generate therein and sire the flower;

When Zephyr also has, with his sweet breath,

Quickened again, in every holt and heath,

The tender shoots and buds, and the young sun

Into the Ram one half his course has run,

And many little birds make melody

That sleep through all the night with open eye

(So Nature pricks them on to ramp and rage)-

Then do folk long to go on pilgrimage,

And palmers to go seeking out strange strands,

To distant shrines well known in sundry lands.

And specially from every shire's end

Of England they to Canterbury wend,

The holy blessed martyr there to seek

Who help ed them when they lay so ill and weal


In 1389, he got a job to organize the king's building projects. He conducted repairs on Westminster Palace, St. George's Chapel, Windsor and continued building the wharf at the Tower of London. It was a tough job but he was paid well.In 1390, records say that he was robbed and injured. He quit his job the next year.


His Works...

His most famous book is "The Canterbury Tales." The book is not completed. This is the modern text. It is written about people in the medieval era. The Catholic Church still had power, but it was the subject of controversy(論争). One of the characters in the book works for the Church and he admits that the Church is corrupt(腐敗).

Why he is important...
He was one of the first poets to use a five stress line.
"The Canterbury Tales" is so famous that many writers have written an ending to it. Also, many books have adopted the title such as "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood.

It Gets Better Project

I heard that in BigGayNews.com that someone called Dan Savage started It Gets Better Project for LGBT Youth. It started because six gay kids have been reported that they have committed suicide in September. There are probably more than that but hasn't been reported. Dan set up a YouTube channel so that people can post videos about their experiences and say things will get better.
It's nice to see that so many people are speaking out. I think it helps a lot.

All this is happening in the US.
What about Japan? Japan has the fifth highest suicide rate in the world according to wikipedia and probably loads of kids (including me) have committed/attempted suicide because they are gay or trans or whatever.
I just did a brief search on YouTube about LGBT and all that comes up are recorded TV shows or stupid fake gay porn.
It's interesting that although Japanese people use the Internet like Americans, we don't use it wisely...

Wednesday 22 September 2010

Sports Day

I was so pissed off today.

I had learnt from last year's sports day that it's wise to put sunscreen on and wear sunglasses when you have to sit outside on a sunny day. I should do anything to not expose myself to the sun. Sunburn kills!

Today was very sunny and hot sports day.
So, obviously, I put sunscreen on and brought my sunglasses.
We had the opening ceremony, I did the first game (two teams had to pull poles in to our territory-I couldn't even TOUCH the poles! The others were fast! Not that I care...lol), went back to our waiting place. I took out my umbrella and wore my sunglasses.
I was just sitting there, minding my own business.
Then, who should come but the most talented person in pissing me off-my class teacher, Mr K.
He was coming to chat with the boys. I saw him coming but I was looking at the people who were adding up the points.
He saw me and a second later, he said, "Hey take your sunglasses off!"
I did as I was told thinking "oh here he goes again..."

But my friends who were sitting next to me said
"WTF!?!?!? Umbrella is ok and sunglasses are NOT!?"
"I want to ask him when they banned sunglasses."
"There are teachers wearing them, so why can't students wear them?"

I was listening to them complain more than I would. I didn't think they would because I thought I was the biggest Mr K hater.
The situation was unreasonable for the non-haters, apparently.

Maybe he was jealous because I have a little more brain than other people and learnt from last year's experience and he hasn't learnt the same thing even though he has attended far more sports days than I have.
Maybe he was jealous because I looked good wearing the thing. (I know this because the girls told me that I looked good-they even took pictures of me!)
Maybe he thought I was just trying to be cool (which is SO not the reason why I was wearing them-I was trying to PROTECT MY EYES FROM THE SUN!!!!)
Maybe he thought it was overpowering because wearing sunglasses isn't-I think-very common in Japan. (what a pussy)
Maybe he's just a big weenie.

Whatever his reason was, I was pissed.
So what did I do after this?
Well, I tried my best to help the others (who are more "valuable" than me because they are going to a Japanese university) and made a shade for them with my umbrella.
This is because Mr K told me before the summer holidays that I should do anything to support the valuable people until we graduate.
Which is why I clean the blackboard after every class and take the trash out.
I think I'm doing my best.
I hope he's satisfied.
Because I'm beginning to get paranoid that I'm not doing enough.
Which is the way I am sometimes.
Which causes me to feel worthless sometimes.



Anyway.
It's good to get that off my chest.


Sports day ended early than planned because so many students got hyperthermia. Even the ambulance came.

What I thought of today-I was happy to come home early.

Wednesday 15 September 2010

The Hundred Years' War (1337-1453)

Story...

The war began because:

  • England wanted France's land and France wanted England's land.
  • France didn't like the fact that England ruled a large part of France.
The Battle of Crecy(1346)
This took place in northern France. Historians consider this battle as the beginning of the end(終焉の始まり) of classic chivalry(騎士道).

The Battle of Calais(1347)
After winning the battle of Crecy, the English army marched(行進) to Calais and began a siege(包囲攻撃) which lasted a year. England turned it into a military base(拠点) and it remained in England's hands until 1558.


The Battle of Poitiers(1356)
This happened because Edward and the Black Prince attacked France. King John II of France chased after Edward and this caused two forces to meet outside Poitiers. France nearly won but England won in the end.

The Battle of Harfleur(1415)
Henry V landed in France with about 10,000 men in the summer of 1415. This battle lasted for about a month. Although England won, the army was severely depleted(枯渇した) mainly from illness.

The Battle of Agincourt(1415)
Henry marched his force of about 6,000 knights(騎士) and archers(射手) towards Calais. During this time, the French army of 20,000 managed to position itself between Henry and Calais.
Joan De Ark(1412-1431)

Around 1429, Joan appeared at the court of Charles VII. Charles allowed Joan to lead a relief force(援軍) in April to Orléans. In May, Joan attacked the English at Orléans. She drove the English from their positions. The next day they abandoned the siege. This meant that military advantage now lay with the French.

Saturday 11 September 2010

Google Earth

My mum recently installed Google Earth to our PC. I don't know what made her do that but anyway, we have been hooked.

We've been looking at our house here in Japan and the one my parents own in Bath, UK. There are a lot of same looking houses in the neighborhood in Bath so we argue which one's ours. It doesn't matter which but we get excited!

Also I like to check out places after I do the translation thing for World Vision. I translated 12 letters from Swaziland last week and I didn't have a clue where it located in Africa. It turned out to be a tiny country just North of South Africa. It's amazing that you get to get a glimpse of what it's like there. And you don't have to fly for so many hours!! You just twirl the globe and you're there!

Sometimes I randomly go to Italy or Sweden or somewhere I would like to go in the future. There are 360 degrees panorama photos in big cities (sometimes in suburbs like Bradford-on-Avon!) and I like looking around. It feels like I'm actually walking around the city!

You can even go see the moon and other planets but that's not so amusing to me because there's not much to see. Although, I have to say, I was surprised that there are already names of places on the moon!

It makes me want to travel more!!! I WANT TO GRADUATE!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday 9 September 2010

Best Maths Teacher EVER!!!!!

The maths teacher (Mr Idetsu) who has been teaching us since last year is AMAZING. I'm realizing how talented he is as a teacher.

First of all, the way he teaches is perfect. It's like impossible to NOT understand (at least I think). He explains every little thing and even the things I find obvious.


Last week, we had a day when we had 3 maths class. I was nervous about this because I knew we were going to study something which looked really difficult when seen on the text book. I had to read through before going to school. Although I tried to figure out what the hell the text book is trying to say, I didn't have a clue. This made me even more nervous. Seriously, look at this!

This was what I was trying to figure out. So I was nervous before class.... Mr Idetsu must have graduated Hogwarts or somewhere magical! He demonstrated the process using a really simple graph and just like that! I understood! But then he said "I know this is a long formula but I what you to memorize it."


Holy shitttttt!!!!!!!!! I'm crap at memorizing stuff!!!


He continued, "I'll show you the way to memorize it." Professor Dumbledore of Maths did it. He taught us a really easy way to memorize it! Yey!!


That not all that's great about him. He provides us with the right amount of questions, first simple, gradually raising the level. At the end of the 3 lessons, I was so happy that a) I understood it, b)I can use it, and c)I have such a great teacher.


The other day when I had to go to the court house for my name change (I'll write about that later), I went to school late. I missed some classes-including maths.

In the next maths class, Mr Idetsu reviewed the entire thing! I mean, he nearly always does a quick review but in that particular class, he explained thoroughly what they had learned in the last class. And in the end of the reviewing, he asked me if I understood!!!


He never gets too pissed off when the dude who's always sleeping during class can't answer a question. He stays calm and explains. Maybe that's spoiling him but it impresses me.
He asks a question to the right level person. Not always but he asks the bright ones a more difficult question and the ones like me who are not so good gets the easier ones.
He gives us exercise questions every morning. Even on days when we don't have maths.

I can go on with this list!

The point is, I've never encountered such a talented teacher.

Tuesday 7 September 2010

Homophobes

Geez I thought I brought enough queerness to the classroom and dudes STILL make fun of any act that's gay!?
Yesterdays thing wasn't even REMOTELY gay. This guy (who's always made fun of because he's a nice person) was just talking to the guy behind him. And the people who think they are cool made fun of that and then said "Not that I'm making fun of your lifestyle" and sniggered.
I FUCKING HATE THESE STUPID PEOPLE!!!!!!!!! They think they're so cool and do stuff that makes them SO uncool. >:(
I wish girls would bump them saying "I'm sorry, I'm gay" in a really sarcastic way.
Maybe that could be a way to teach homophobes a lesson...

Monday 30 August 2010

Newest Speech Contest Script

LGBT. Perhaps many of you here know what it stands for. It is an abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. I am a bisexual transgender student and I would like to make it clear that sexuality and gender do not always fall into a simple categorization. Thus, I think it is very important that conversations about sexual and gender minorities be more open so as to increase understanding. I personally feel that such conversation is a taboo around me and lack of understanding causes a negative impact to the attitude against sexual and gender minorities from an early age. You can easily find examples of the negative attitude in our everyday life.
For example, when I was in elementary school, I liked a girl so I told her. All her friends who found out that I liked the girl said I was gross and a freak. I was upset to learn homosexuality isn’t acceptable for some people. Also, there is a data from a survey done in 2008 in Japan saying that more than 50% of the gay men who answered said that they were called names when they were in school. So, it is clear that there is a negative attitude towards LGBT people. As I said in the beginning, I believe the way to change this is by talking about it more openly and understanding it. This is because I think it will cause people to think about it more seriously. But how and where should it start? I say schools. I know for a fact that there are clubs and meetings for LGBT people at universities. However, not many non-LGBT people are involved in those groups so it is not an effective way to educate people about LGBT issues. I think it should be talked about from elementary schools onwards because the only way to stop prejudice is to grow up in an educated prejudice free environment. Next, I will talk about how we should be talk about sexuality and gender in the early stage of schooling. I have never heard LGBT people being mentioned during sex education in Japan. It should be taught that sex and gender do not always fall into neat categories. Children should know there are diverse sexual orientations and gender identities and it’s perfectly normal, healthy and fine to be that way. Sex education generally starts at the age of about 7 with the introduction of human birth, and if education about LGBT issues is taught, the views of young children will be more open minded and less prejudiced. Also, the number of bullying incidents against LGBT youth will hopefully decline.
Actually, I have read in the newspaper, The Times, that, in 2009, compulsory sex education will include discussions on gay unions and civil partnerships in the UK. Also, the Spanish Government declared that “diversity education” will be a compulsory part of the school curriculum from 2007. According to LifeSiteNews.com, this education will train children to overcome homophobic prejudice and reject discrimination with regard to gender. These changes have raised a strong opposition because some think that it will promote or “convert” students to LGB or T. I think this opinion is the result of lack of knowledge. If people have the correct information, they will realize that homosexuality and transsexualism is not contagious. Some also say that it goes against their religious beliefs. While I respect others religious beliefs, I strongly think that everyone should have the correct knowledge. Religion shouldn’t be an excuse for being ignorant since there are LGBT people who are religious.
I don’t know the outcome of these movements but I‘m sure this is a firm step to a better world. I hope the changes suggested here will happen in Japan soon.

Friday 20 August 2010

Religion

When I was waiting for the gate to open before the plane going back, I had time to watch TV at the waiting place. I think it was Discovery Channel or something but it was a documentary about religious people in the middle east.
I used to think Middle East=Muslims=Terrorism=SCARY and CRAZY!!!??? Not that I thought ALL Muslims are scary but I had the impression that it's a scary religion.
Anyway, when I was watching the program, a lady said praying so many times a day makes her peaceful.
Then I thought she's totally right. Religion is something that is for creating peace for yourself and others. It started in order to survive through hard times, right?
Terrorists may be religious but that's fake religion. Also people who discriminate against gays and trannies believe in fake religion.

In my opinion, any religion that makes anyone sad or hateful is fucking bullshit!

Thursday 19 August 2010

Thoughts and Discoveries during the Trip

There were so many visible trannies in Bangkok and the beach. My dad recognized at least 3 mtf(male to female)s. I thought it was rude of him to tell me "there's one" or "did you see that" each time he saw them. I know he wasn't trying to be rude but still.
Also, he bought me a book about them at the bookstore near the beach.

I finished reading it a few days ago. It was an autobiography of 9 Thai mtfs. In Thailand, they are called kathoeys. Before reading, I thought, if they have their own name, Thai culture must be cool about them. But it seems that's not always the case. Most of them came from poor houses and had to come to Bangkok to work and send money to their family. Their families don't complain about them because they need the money. Many ladyboys work in prostitution because they make much money in a short time that way.

Also, because men are considered superior to women, mtfs are considered to be like a servant and could be treated like shit. So, the ladyboys are desperate to transition completely, like, thinks they have to have the complete surgery. So the ladyboys who have gone through the complete transition looks down on the ones who still haven't or who aren't planning to do so. I thought that was sad. :(

Anyway, I thought this book was very interesting and informative.

--------------------------------

My dad told that Thailand is famous for plastic surgery. I knew this because I've heard many have gone to Thailand to undergo sex reassignment surgery.

He told me that many Thai people have silicone inserted between their eyes to make a barrier so that one eye doesn't slide off to the other when they are asleep! That's funny!! Haha!

--------------------------------

In this trip, I realized how important and useful to be able to speak English. I mean, I know it's important but not HOW important. I can't speak a word of Thai but I could communicate because the others could talk English. If I just spoke Japanese, I would be totally clueless of what was going on. Also, I realized that SPEAKING is more useful then writing or reading. My dad has been living in Bangkok for a year now and he can just about make himself understood when talking to the local Thais. He can't read or write Thai. He says he's not really good at listening to Thai either. Still, he's coping.

I think about my class mates (they're going to school everyday even during the summer holidays) and think "is what they are learning going to be useful when they go abroad for holiday?" ...I don't think so. Sad.

--------------------------------

Because I had all this amazing experience, I CAN'T WAIT FOR GRADUATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Like, I FEEL LIKE I'M GOING TO EXPLODE WITH EXCITEMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok I need to calm down....

I can't wait to break free from the "wake up, go to school, study, come back, sleep" routine and experience new things. There's so much that I wouldn't dream of with text books.

I'm only going to school practically until December so it's only 4 months. It sounds short but feels SO LONG!!!!!!

Random Photos of the Trip

Everyone loves (of appears to love) the royal family. Wandee, who showed me around the temples, even gave me a t-shirt that says something like "I love the King and Queen" (according to her...it's written in Thai.) This photo was taken in front of a supermarket in Bangkok. According to dad, the photo of the Queen was taken a long time ago and she probably doesn't look like this at all now!!

Dad was fascinated by the sight he saw in the bathroom of the hotel.

Apparently, someone ate Dorian in my dad's office and the smell stayed in the building for a few weeks and this notice was put up!!!!!


I recognized one design in the market. Banksy!! ....No I didn't buy it.

There were so many tattoo shops in Bangkok and dad suggested that I should get a 6 month tattoo at the beach but they only had 1 week tattoos so I didn't. I'll probably get a permanent one when I'm older though! :)

Wednesday 18 August 2010

Another one...

On the tuktuk to the grand temple.

Some Vids

Here's one of the lizards I saw in Day2.The Reclining Buddha I saw in Day 3.

Trip to Thailand: Day 7

This was my last day. We left the hotel and arrived at the apartment 1:30 and got lunch and McDonald's.
The only exciting thing I did was the fish massage. This was the only ting I had in mind before coming. It's just a tank with a lot of fish in it. You put your feet in it and fish comes to nibble your skin!
It felt WEIRD!!!!!!!!!!
At first, I SCREAMED because it felt weird. It's impossible to describe in words.

After my feet was eaten, we went to a restaurant. when we were walking, I saw an astonishing sight. A baby was lying on a stall while the mum was selling stuff.

This is end of what I did during my trip. However, I have things I want to write about on the things I thought during this trip. Also I will try to post videos but I'm not sure if Blogger will successfully upload them. :-)

Tuesday 17 August 2010

Trip to Thailand: Day 6

Woke up at 9 and dad was already gone so I had a shower and went down to the buffet where dad was reading the newspaper. He told me that the toilets in the hotel is very nice to I should take a photo of it. I went to look and this is what I saw.
Even the toilet roll holder was posh!! The actual toilet was just BIG. I mean, two people could sit on it!
So I took a photo of the throne.
I had breakfast at the buffet here. The white thing in the centre of this pic is the sea!
The hotel was so beautiful. EVERYTHING was very clean and the people were nice. I noticed that Thai people are very nice and friendly. Maybe tourism means a lot for Thailand.
What surprised me was that there were so many Russians. The menu at restaurants were in Thai, English, and Russian! I wonder why Russians like Thailand so much. I love Thailand, too! :)
Example of what is nice about the hotel...

The people there decorated this bowl of water with flower petals EVERYDAY!!! I regret not taking a photo of the day before's bowl because it was more amazing than this. Not that this one doesn't look good...
On day 6, dad went out swimming at the hotel pool and I attempted to do the same. I just sat by the side. I regret that. :(


Spent the afternoon reading and watching Lost until...


Party time!!!
We went on a not-exactly-tuktuk-but-something-like-that-taxi to Pattaya where there are many shops that "healthy" people wouldn't go near.
There were MANY shops like that. Dad told me that it's like that in that area because that's where soldiers from Vietnam war came to play. It's been like that since.
We went in one of the bars and I had Sprite and dad talked with the girls. The lady there challenged me on 4-in-a-row. I lost all games. She must be doing the same thing everyday!
I also played pool for the first time. We played 3 games and I only won the first game. I had fun anyway.

She was a very nice person.
The bar we went to was only one of the many bars.
We looked for a place to eat but couldn't find anywhere nice so went back to lost night's restaurant.
When we were going back to the hotel, we stopped at a "Mango with sticky rice" stall. I love the ones that mum makes but this one was just as nice. Spelling mistake on notice. They do their best. :)

Oh, and another thing on Day 5...

The flight of the gibbon has the second longest whizzing thing, according to the instructor. Before we rode on the long one, he explained to us that if I don't make it to the other side, a helicopter will have to rescue me.

From the tree before the long one, we watched the group before us do the long one and one of them couldn't make it. She was left hanging in the middle of the rope. I thought "is a helicopter really going to come!??"
We watched but nothing came. Some minutes later, the lady was gone! The rest of the group safely moved on. I couldn't figure out how she got to the other side.

Now it was our turn to whizz off. The first instructor safely made it to the other side and next was my turn.

I went.
The speed was ok... until just before I got to the other side.
I reached out to the instructor waiting for me but he couldn't reach.
I thought "Oh shit I'm going back...." and went back half way and was left hanging there!
There was nothing I could do. I just thought "what's gonna happen next??" I looked down to see tree tops.
I didn't panic. What good would it do?

A minute later, a heavy backpack (probably filled with water bottles) whizzed down from the other side. The instructor shouted to me to hold on to it. I held on as he pulled me over.

No helicopter came.

Saturday 14 August 2010

Trip to Thailand: Day 5

Day 5. This was the most exciting day. So much happened! I had to get up very early to get a taxi and went to a hotel where a van was waiting for us. 6 more people were supposed to be there but they weren't. This was because the hotel wasn't easy to find. These are what I took when we were waiting.

This is a bird nest. I had seen something like this on a bird book but was the first time to see one for real. It unfortunately didn't have anything in it. This was the place we waited. This side doesn't look interesting but there were many tropical plants on the other side.

We waited for 30 minutes and they still hadn't come so we set off. The driver was a staff of the place we were going to. He drove for 90 minutes and we slept during that time.


We got there, read the contract, signed it, and walked in to the forest...

There waited a shack with lots of equipment...

The instructor put all the equipment and...






Weeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually, the storm the day before knocked down a tree and fell on one of the course so we took the shorted course but it was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!

My knees were all shaky at first but after a few whizzes, I began to have fun. The most thrilling part is when you gently jump off. It feels like suicide although you know it's completely safe.

When I say "safe," There still is a good chance of losing a finger of two. If your finger touches the rope, that would be the end of it. We were told that it's safe if we hang on the top part of the pulley. But if you are brave and let go of the pulley and try to grab it at the end of the ride, you will most likely miss the pulley and grab the rope. So we were told to hold the harness.


Two instructors assisted my dad and me which was awesome because they took good care of us. They were both very nice.


We were 50 meters up in the air and it was impossible for me to let go of the handle. Dad was pretty brave in this photo but he was more scared than me most of the time! Haha!

We went whizzing from tree to tree and it felt like hours but it was actually no more than 30 minutes. At the last tree, we had to get down.... I thought this part was the most scary because ti was pretty much like free falling. The instructors were controlling the rope, of course.

After we got back down with our feet firmly on the ground, we were given water and rested for a while.

I thought that was the end of the adventure.
After we had a rest, the instructors said we were going to do another kind of fun.
We climbed ladders, walked on swinging bars and did other exciting stuff that is hard to explain in words. I will port photos of it below this post. This took more time than whizzing the trees.
This is the other instructor. He was a very cheeky monkey. Literally.
That was the end of the Flight of The Gibbon. We came down from the forest and had lunch by the lake with a British couple who also did the adventure. They had been traveling around Asia for 5 months because they had saved up enough money and they wanted a break from everyday life. They went on the Siberian Train, went to Beijing, Singapore and other places and their stories fascinated me. Japanese people need a long holiday and refresh. :) They agreed to my dad when he said "traveling is the fastest way to have experience."
We were called by a staff that the van was waiting for us. We said goodbye to the couple and got on the van.
The plan wasn't to go back to the apartment...
The van took us to a beautiful hotel...






BY THE BEACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We rested for a while and went out, bought drinks and sat by the beach. It was very nice!!
This photo looks like a scene from Lost, dad said.

I'm totally hooked on Lost. I watched 3 out of 7 disks. As dad says, it's "moreish". Once you start watching it, you want more more more MORE of it.
So after I watched Lost, we went out for dinner...
...where two dogs was looking at the customers so that they gave him food! I thought the restaurant was nice to keep dogs.
I LOVE DOGS. I'm definitely going to have a dog when I'm older.
This is what the beach looked like when we were coming back from the restaurant.