Ramen...

So tonight I went to Santa Ramen in San Mateo for dinner. I sat at the counter and a mom and daughter sat next to me. The kid was probably in the first or second grade. Yet, they ordered 2 full-sized bowls of ramen. I spent most of my dinner glancing at them wondering if they are going to finish all of it and if I can get the leftovers if they don't. ^_^;;  Even though I was really full w/ my own order...

今天晚上我去 Santa Ramen 吃拉麵。在我旁邊坐著一位媽媽跟他女兒。女兒差不多一年級左右。他們叫了兩碗拉麵。我一直想他們吃不吃的完。假如沒有吃完的話我可不可以把剩下的吃掉。^_^;;

(And... I decided that doing this in Japanese was too hard. :p)

13 years of kendo and I still get blisters

Yesterday I decided to do suburi (素振り) while watching TV, and I got a blister on my left hand under my callus after about 300, finishing with 600. The callus is below the pinky, about half-way down the hand. 13 years of kendo and I still get blisters. :-p I want to say that my hands have not built back up since the surgery, or that the dragonfly bumps on the tsukagawa (柄がわ) contributed, but in the end, all I can do is smile, clip off the callus, and bear the pain. -_-;;

昨日私が素振りをやりました。三百素振りをやった後で、私の左手がまめを得ました。全部六百素振りをやりました。まめは小指の下で、手の中心にいます。十三年の剣道、私はまだ素振りでまめを得ます。-_-;;

昨天我自己練了一下劍道。練了三百下我的左手就起水泡了。總共練了六百下。水泡起在我的小指以下，差不多手的中心。劍道練了十三年我還在起水泡。:-p 可能是手術後練習不夠，還是劍柄上的蜻蜓，可是還是有點無奈。

-_-;;

Good news!!

Saw my surgeon this Tuesday, and he gave me the all clear. Woohoo!! Now I can practice kendo again... w/ an open conscience. :-) I'm going to go back to practicing nito for a while in preparation for the nito seminar at the end of April in Salt Lake City.

這個星期二我的醫生說我可以開始練劍了。真高興我可以光明正大的練。:-) 這一陣子我打算練二刀流因為四月底在 Salt Lake City 有一個二刀流的 seminar.

この火曜日に医者が剣道をするのは大丈夫だと言いました。とってもうれしかった。この月私は二刀流を練習すると思います。四月に、Salt Lake City で、二刀流の合宿があるから。

Note to self...

When you get turned down for a relationship, Sting's song "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" is not a good one to listen to. :-( T_T

失恋の時、Sting's 歌「If You Love Somebody Set Them Free」はとってもまずいです。

失戀的時候不應該聽 Sting 的歌，“If You Love Somebody Set Them Free。“

買電池 電池を買って Buying batteries

今天我去超級市場買菜的時候決定要買電池。兩個電池的包裝$1.19，降價成$1.00。八個電池的包裝$5.69，降價成$5.29。我站在那裡快五分鐘，搞不懂為什麼一次買八個電池反而比較貴，一直以為是我的算術太差。^_^;;

今日僕が電池を買いました。二つは$1.19, セールのかげで$1.00. 八つは$5.69, セールのかげで$5.29。僕が考えて、なぜ八つの電池は二つより高いました。また僕の数学が悪かったになりました。^_^;;

Today I decided to buy some batteries at the supermarket. The two battery package was $1.19, with a sale down to $1.00. The eight battery package was $5.69, with a sale down to $5.29. I stood there for about five minutes trying to figure out why the eight battery package was more expensive per battery. I kept thinking I was making math mistakes. ^_^;;

P.S. The Japanese for this post was horrid. :-p I would appreciate any feedback and corrections.

Waza usage

前幾個禮拜我跟庭軒（劍道六段）在網上講話，他說在他的映像裡，我用的技（わざ）不夠。或者是我都只有用到出ばな技（でばなわざ）。說實在，我有點驚訝他會這麼說，因為我覺得我用太多応じ技（おうじわざ）。可是仔細想想，他說得有道理。我的毛病（之一）是我對不同對手用不同技（わざ）。雖然這是應該的，可是我是往不好，不平均的方向應用。跟映像比我強的對手對打的時候，我不太用応じ技（おうじわざ）。跟映像比我弱的對手的時候，我用太多応じ技（おうじわざ）。在 Champaign 這裡大部分的對手都比我弱，所以我才會覺得我用太多応じ技（おうじわざ）吧。。。

我想我會有這種形象是因為攻め（せめ）和劍道訓練的關係。強的對手的攻め（せめ）比較強。感受到他的攻め（せめ），我會經不起，而採用先攻的打法。我會先攻是因為劍道重視攻擊；攻擊比撤退安全。換句話說，我對我的応じ技（おうじわざ）信心不夠，於是我不敢讓強對手採先機。對我弱的對手我有信心我可以交架他的攻擊，於是我常用応じ技（おうじわざ）。另一個原因可能是懶吧。:-p 仔細想想，這可能是我這次在 MWKF Tournament 輸的兩場的重要原因之一。

我還不清楚我要如何克服這個現象。前一陣子我打了一下上段（じょうだん）來克服對後輩（こうはい）怕輸，太多応じ技（おうじわざ）的現象。對後輩（こうはい）我得繼續採用不同的打法，包掛攻め（攻め）、仕掛け技(しかけわざ）、応じ技（おうじわざ）。我猜對先輩（せんぱい）我得對我自己多一點信心。應用我的攻め（せめ）和応じ技（おうじわざ）、並且注意我的平常心（へいじょうしん）。

I was talking to Kenji, my cousin in Taiwan who is a rokudan (六段）in kendo, a couple of weeks ago. He said that part of his impression from our last spar back in the summer was that I didn't use many wazas (技). He felt that the only waza （技）I did were debana waza（出ばな技). I was surprised to hear him say this, since I feel that I use too much ouji waza (応じ技）. After more reflection, I think I know why he said that. One of my problems, I think, is that the types of waza （技）I use depends on my opponent. However, instead of adjusting based on openings and what would work, I am adjusting based on my opponent's strength. That is not a good sign, in my opinion. Against opponents I perceive as stronger than me, I tend to not use ouji waza （応じ技）as much, while I over-rely upon them against opponents weaker than me. Since most of the people here at UIUC are weaker than me, I tend to think I use too much ouji waza （応じ技).

I think this has a lot to do with seme (攻め）and the training we receive through kendo. An opponent stronger than me usually has strong seme（攻め), and I respond by attacking earlier and more often to try to seize the initiative. Most people would respond this way because in kendo, attacking is better/safer than defending. In other words, against a strong opponent, I tend to give up on applying my own seme (攻め), break down my opponent, and utilize ouji waza (応じ技). I am more confident when facing a weaker opponent, and then give my seme (攻め）and ouji waza (応じ技) a chance to come through. Now that I think about it, this rushing, not wanting to yield the initiative to a stronger opponent, and reluctance to utilize ouji waza (応じ技）is a pretty big part of my losses at the last MWKF tournament...

I'm not entirely sure how I can go about fixing/improving this. I did joudan (上段）for a while to make myself attack more against my kohai (後輩) instead of waiting and relying upon my ouji waza (応じ技). I need to continue to bring my full arsenal, including seme, shikaki waza, and ouji waza (攻め、仕掛け技、応じ技). I guess I need to have more confidence when facing a senpai (先輩), and try to utilize my seme and ouji waza more (攻めと応じ技). I think this is part of/indication of lack of heijyoushin (平常心).

College town

I am too used to the college town. :-p At U of I, there are many stores open 24 hours. Practically every supermarket is 24/7.

After kendo practice here in San Jose on Thursday (and some time drinking and chatting ^_^), around 11pm, I couldn't find a place to get some Vitamin Water!! Heck, I passed by 3, count them, *3* gas stations that had garages instead of a store. Psh, gas station with a garage, who's ever heard of that?! :-)

U of I 實在是太方便了。因為很多大學生，所以很多店都開24小時。這個星期四在 San Jose 練劍道練完後，差不多十一點左右，想找一家店買個喝的找了半天才終於找到一家。

U of I は便利すぎるです。たくさん大学生がいるから、たくさんの店が二十四時間開店です。この木曜日、私が San Jose で剣道を練習しました。十一時ぐらい終わりました。後で、なんか飲みたいから、店を探しました。全然ありませんでした。

Stupid...

I was at the grocery store this Monday and I decided to buy some bing cherries. They were $3.99/lb. When I was at the cashier, it was rung up as cantaloupe, which are 2 for $4, so I was charged $2. I noticed this and pointed it out. My bag of cherries was weighed and it came out to around $8 instead. :-O Boy did I feel dumb... I guess you have to pay for variety. :-P

真笨

這個星期一我去買菜的時候我決定買一些櫻桃。一磅$3.99。不過付錢的時候，小姐不小心打成甜瓜。甜瓜兩個$4，所以差不多$2。我發覺後請她改。我那一袋櫻桃竟然是$8。:-O 我真蠢。

夏天回台練劍

不敢啦！太熱了！ ^_^ (just kidding. 再熱我也樂意練。)

仔細想一想，我好像至少四年多沒有夏天回台灣了。都是放寒假的時候回去。這也是我第一次夏天在台北練劍道。感覺完全不同。光是換衣服就流汗了。偏偏我這次帶的稽古着和袴是我最長，最厚的一套。上次特意留下來的較薄的一套卻找不到。:-( 下一次一定帶最薄，最短，最輕的一套回去練。^_~

"剣道の平常心"上已經講到體力不支的問題。真得對通常就在這種氣候下練劍的人佩服。不過，回想一下，一個小時半，跟老師稽古4次差不多啦。可能是沒有在排隊，而是坐著休息而覺得懊惱吧。以前不是在排隊就是在練。這次沒什麼排隊的需要，可能跟想像不合所以遭到特別打擊。不過在中山道館練得時候，真的有點喘不過氣來。不知道在高架下的空氣循環有沒有影響。

不過，聽到林老師跟別人在講話時，真的覺得應該再加把勁才對。他說夏天不練體力，哪時候練？日本人也說夏寒稽古的目的其中之一是克制氣候的影響。於是那晚再追了一支稽古。:-)

Practicing kendo in Taipei in the summer

No thanks! It's too hot! ^_^ (just kidding. I'd do it again no matter how hot it is.)

Now that I think about it, it has been at least four years since I've gone back to Taiwan in the summer. I've been going back during the winter. Of course, this is the first time I practiced kendo in Taipei in the summer. The feeling is completely different. I was sweating just changing clothes. Unfortunately, the keiko gi and hakama I brought with me this time are the longest and thickest set that I have. I couldn't find the lighter set I left behind last year. :-( Next time I'm definitely bringing the lightest and shortest set I have with me. ^_~

I talked about my stamina problem in "剣道の平常心". You have to be impressed with people who practice regularly under that kind of weather. Upon further reflection, in an hour and a half, practicing with sensei only 4 times is not out of the ordinary. I'm probably depressed because I was sitting down resting instead of standing in line. It used to be that if I wasn't practicing, I was standing in line waiting to practice. So in the end I would have only practiced around 4 times in that amount of time. There wasn't much need to stand in line this time, so the difference in expectations may have made the impact even more dramatic. However, I really had problems catching my breath while practicing at 中山道館. I wonder if practicing under the overpass made a significant difference on the air circulation and heat dissipation.

But when I overheard Lin sensei talking to someone else, I really felt I needed to get my butt in gear and try harder. He said, if you don't work on your stamina during the summer, when would you work on it? According to the Japanese, overcoming the effects of the weather is also part of the training in the summer and winter. So that night I forced myself to do one more practice. :-)

劍道：不要只打小手

昨天晚上我覺得二刀流開始有點順手。尤其是打對方的小手的時候。不過我想，這不一定是一件好事。因為，劍道的基本打法是面。有一個說法是假如你打得到面，其他的目標也會自然而然的呈現。小手雖然開始的時候比較簡單，不過假如往打小手就可以的想法繼續下去，我的劍道就不會進展。所以昨天我打了幾次小手以後我就逼我自己打其他的目標。

不過，二刀流的後退打（引き技）還是、全然だめ（完全不行）。LOL XD

Kendo: Don't just hit kote

Last night I felt that I was becoming more comfortable w/ nito. Especially when hitting my opponent's kote. However, I felt that this is not entirely a good thing. The basic target in kendo is men. There is a saying that if you can hit the men, all of the other targets will open up. Even though kote is an easier target at the beginning, if you continue to think hitting the kote is sufficient, your kendo would not grow and advance. Therefore yesterday after hitting the kote a couple of times, I forced myself to hit other targets.

However, my hiki waza in nito still sucks. LOL XD

男士們，你覺得誰比教會剪你的頭髮？

我昨天去理髮廳剪頭髮。我現在居然會事先預約理髮師。:-O 大概是因為頭髮比較少所以才會比較注意吧。^_^;;

我預約的理髮師有兩位。兩位都是男士。我這幾年來發覺，男士替我剪的頭髮都比女士剪的好。我不知道為什麼。:-/ 我的頭有點怪。腦後的頭髮非常不聽話，常常往上翹。可是，男士剪的頭髮就比較沒有這個問題。也是這個原因我才會事先預約我喜歡的理髮師。:-)

當然囉，讓女士剪頭也有其他的好處。不過我寧願有個好料理，好看的頭髮，然後再去想搭訕和約會的事情。^_~

Men, who do you think is better at cutting your hair?

Yesterday I went to get a haircut. Nowadays I actually call in ahead of time. :-O I guess I pay more attention now that I have less hair. ^_^;;

I ask for one of two barbers, both of which are men. I find that guys tend to give me better haircut than women. I don't know why. :-/ My head is kind of weird. The hair at the back of my head is very disobedient and sticks up quite often. However, when a guy cuts my hair, this problem is not as evident. That's why I make sure I call ahead for my barber nowadays. :-)

Of course, there are other advantages to having a girl cut your hair. But I would rather have an easy to take care of, good looking head of hair, and worry about flirting and dating stuff later. ^_~

The Godfather... kind of

昨天晚上我終於看了教父(The Godfather). 只是，我看到的不是真正的。:p 看起來，為了電視轉播，他們把第一部跟第二部連起來，然後把一些鏡頭切掉。第一部的前一半被剪掉，所以出名的馬頭鏡頭沒看到。:( 第二部的回想(flashback)也都被剪掉。我這是根據網上上面寫的概要(?synopsis?). 看來以後我還得再看一次。不過我要可以快速轉接(?fast foward?)才行。^_~