Cruxay.com

I’ve come to the understanding that I’m getting rather lazy at updating this. Perhaps I shouldn’t have advertised as much as I did because I now feel like I’m letting you (my viewers) down a bit. Of course, from the start I had no idea where to take this and what to do really. I just did it as more of a way to burn some time in my long summer, and have been talking about a website for a long while now.

A friend and I came to the conclusion that writing about the past is difficult, especially when I’m dying to go back to Japan. We also came to the conclusion that when I return to Japan, posting here will become much easier and much more interesting as well. For those who have been following along (with the site, comments, and the youtube) will know more or less when I am going back. But I’ve kind of been in the dark about the details and never officially posted how/where/when/why/etc on here.

During this time of uncertainty concerning the future of this site, I just want to thank those that have been keeping up with the posts here & on youtube, and hope that you will continue to do so. Those that have exchanged links with me as well, I’ve learned a lot from your sites that I’ve never known before, and I’m going to continue reading your posts and learning more. 

Thanks for being a part of this. Who knows, maybe something will come out of it in the long run. For now I’m just going to try and focus on posting when I want to and about what I want to.

For once, I think I’ve put something out that I actually like. Despite having no intentions of making a video like this, and almost no footage whatsoever, I think I managed to put together something rather decent.

This video features just some of the places I came across during my time in Japan (May/June 2007). Locations include: Shinjuku, Yoyogi, JR Shinkansen, Asakusa (during Sanja Matsuri), Akihabara (Zelda shot), Ueno Zoo (animals & Chiki the street performer), Kyoto, Arashiyama, Miyajima (deer), Tokyo Tower (Roppongi), Matsushima, Hiroshima (arcade scenes).

Have a look and let me know your thoughts about it either here or on youtube. Thanks.

Those following the Youtube will have noticed my latest video on Humility. Although the general response has been rather good and sparked discussion, I (as usual) am not pleased with the turn out of the video. I feel as though I might have come off as a little preachy, and that I did not do a good enough job at explaining the whole point of the blog.

I’ve talked to a few friends about it, and they all OK’ed the vid and said it was fine. Maybe I’m just being paranoid. Either way, please check it out and leave some feedback here if you’d like. I think I’m going to try and come back to this issue of Japanese humility in the future with a more “scholarly” approach.

Today’s uploaded photos are from my visit to Osaka, in the Kansai region of Japan. Osaka is a popular travel spot for several reasons, and much like anywhere else in Japan, Osaka has a very interesting historical background. There are lots of Buddhist temples, as well 大阪城（おおさかじょう：Osaka Jou) Osaka Castle, which is very well preserved and absolutely beautiful to look at. I Didn’t get to spend a lot of time in Osaka, but then again I’m nowhere near as crazy about the place as some people I know. Check out my pictures from Osaka (link here, as well as in the top banner under pictures).

Also, I’d like to mention that I am looking for others with interest in Japan that have blogs or sites to trade links with. Networking our sites not only increases the amount of traffic we can potentially receive, but also allows us to expand our knowledge and understand the different perspectives at which we all deal with learning the Japanese language and Japanese culture.

I’ve already established 3 link trades so far. These are great sites and I’d appreciate it if you have interest to go check them out:

Sanokame.com: A very informative fellow from Sweden who has some great stuff to say about Japanese entertainment, as well as design and technology in general.

NeilDuckett.com: A fellow ‘gaijin’ living in Tokyo, Japan with a rather extensive blog packed full of pictures, Japan employment information, and links to many other great Japanese weblogs.

DannyChoo.com: A huge online community for those interested in Japanese culture, anime, idols, and otaku related information.

Of course, all these links are in the side bar, and I’m hoping to see YOURS there soon as well.

Cheers.

What are the secrets to learning Japanese quickly and easily? There are none! Hard work and perseverance are the only way you are going to learn the language. Check out my video above for my thoughts on that.

I haven’t had any time to work on the site today because of several reasons. One is that I made a new video blog as a response for some fellow Japan youtubers, which you should definitely check! But also because I had to run to school to pick up my History of Hong Kong final paper which I ended up getting a B+ on, and I so called that mark because I knew he wasn’t going to give me an A, even though I slaved over that thing until it was perfect! and also because I made some Curry Rice for dinner for the family, which I will also blog about soon enough.

Check the vlog for now… It’s late so I’m going to get some rest.

I’ve been experimenting with youtube Vlogging lately and came out with 2 blogs on Japan on my youtube page. They are just re-caps of some videos I took of Yoyogi, Tokyo on my last day there. 

If you haven’t checked them out yet, maybe you should =). I don’t know if I’m going to be continuing with v-logs, as I still can’t seem to feel comfortable doing them. But who knows.

These are so embarrassing!!!