Japan update #3!

It's been way too long! Sorry it's been a while since I've updated you all, I've been busy, busy, busy (more like lazy, lazy, lazy). Anyways, I am at the two week mark until I leave Japan. I can't believe I've already been here for 5 weeks! I'm very sad to even think about leaving, but I have a feeling it won't be my last time here, and I have many good things waiting for me in America.

Lots of things have happened since the last time I updated!

First off, Sean and his dad got a new kitten! Possibly the cutest ever. I believe they settled on the name Luna.

What a cutie!

Another exciting thing is that I learned how to windsurf! It was a little rough the first time, but after a break and some hydration, I got the hang of it a little better! It is so tiring! I can't wait to try it again, though. It's been a little windy for an amateur like me to go out again, but I'm determined to go out again before I leave. No pictures of me windsurfing yet, but here's one of Sean! 

I totally look that intense when I windsurf, too.

Another fun adventure was going to observe Sean's Taiko group. Everybody there was super nice and welcoming to me. I had the pleasure of taking pictures while they rehearsed. It was definitely loud, but very cool! I think every music major should at least attempt an ensemble or genre of music that requires no printed music in front of them. It definitely would be out of my comfort zone, but good nonetheless! They were all having such fun, too. It seemed like a really great stress release at the end of a long day. Taiko is probably the most physical music making I've seen. 

They invited me back to observe for the next rehearsal, which will be tomorrow! Can't wait!

In addition to all this fun stuff, we've made two trips to the shrine near the house. It's only about a kilometer away, so it's easy to walk to. The first time, we went to visit the shrine and so I could see what it has there. 

Here's me with the horse that is right at the entrance to the shrine. 

The second time we went, was for the hike up the mountain that the shrine is towards the base of. It's actually two mountains, and by an accidental wrong turn, we ended up hiking both peaks! The mountains are called Miyajiyama and Arijiyama.

I'm insisting that we continue to find mountains to hike before I head out, since it's fun, beautiful, and a good source of exercise. 

The very beginning of the hike.

The view through the trees on top of Miyajiyama.

Sean on top of Arijiyama. 

Day to day, I continue to practice, run, read, study Japanese, enjoy the beach, avoid massive insects, and apply copious amounts of sunscreen. A life that will be difficult to give up...

I'm looking forward to being here to celebrate Sean's 21st birthday on Saturday. Send happy thoughts his way!

Will update again, and this time I won't wait so long!

Love and miss you all.

Brianne

Japan update #2!

Hi everybody!

So much has happened since last time I updated. Sean and I took a three day trip to Kyoto and Nara (thanks to his wonderful and generous parents!!).
We took a very early train from Fukutsu (where Sean lives) and went to Nara the very first day.
Nara is about and hour away from Kyoto by train and is a really wonderful town with so much history. There are deer that roam freely. I believe that they're thought to be sacred animals. Also in Nara is the largest wooden structure in the world, which houses the world's largest statue of the Buddha Vairocana.
We saw countless temples and shrines on our trip. The very first one we saw was Kōfuku-ji, a buddhist temple in Nara. There wasn't a temple that we saw that didn't keep me amazed.
After seeing the beautiful botanical gardens in Nara, we left to return to a wonderful mountainside hotel in Kyoto. 

Nara Deer

The Giant Buddha

Our beautiful hotel

The hotel was traditional style. We walked barefoot everywhere and I got to wear a yukata, which is like a summer version of a kimono. There were also public baths (which I was unable to use, due to rules against tattoos). But instead I was able to use private baths which were pretty much really awesome hot tubs (and one was a sauna). Each bath had different minerals and a different feel to it. One was surrounded in bamboo while another felt like it was in a cabin in the woods. Essentially, I was pretty pampered. 
We were fed at the hotel as well. The first night was a little stressful on the food front. The food came out very fast and I felt as though I couldn't even process what was put in front of my before the next thing came out! For those reading this that may not know this, I have been a almost-lifelong vegetarian and have chosen to eat seafood for while I'm in Japan because, well -  otherwise I wouldn't eat. Needless to say, I was very overwhelmed by the food the first night. The second night, I did much better. I made a vow to try everything (as long as it didn't go against my rule being that the only meat I would eat is seafood). I ended up eating quite a few different types of fish, squid, octopus, urchin, and a couple other things. It was definitely an experience. After dinner we would relax a bit more, before getting complimentary Ramen and dessert! What people think is Ramen in the USA is definitely not what Ramen is here. So good. (There's even a Ramen truck that comes around Sean's neighborhood late at night playing music like an ice cream truck!)

Just a 5 minute walk from our hotel to see this.

The second and third days were spent sightseeing in Kyoto. Some of the sights we saw were: Kiyomizu Temple, Tenryuji Temple, Ninna-ji Temple, Nijo Castle, Rokuon-ji Temple (the Golden Pavilion), Sanjusangen-do (or Rengeo-in), Toji Temple, and the Ryoanji Temple.
And that list just includes the ones I got tickets to and didn't lose...we also saw countless shrines and other sights that didn't include tickets or pamphlets.

A couple highlights:

Sanjusangen-do 

This temple was extremely long. It was filled with 1000 buddhist deities. The temple is known for their archery festivals that have been going on as long as the temple has existed and still go on to this day. The contestant must shoot the arrow from one end of the temple to the other, and very few could actually do it.

Since I was not allowed to take pictures inside the temple, this is one that google has provided me! :)

Ryoanji Temple

This zen rock garden is famous around the world. There are 15 rocks in it and the walls are made of clay boiled in oil. As time went by, there was a design made by the oil that seeped out.

Sean and I at the Kiyomizu Temple

Though it was a long walk up the hill to this temple, it was totally worth it. Many people come here for purification by water. There is a water that has been running for thousands of years and I was able to be purified by it! 

Rokuon-ji Temple (the Golden Pavilion)

This is probably the most seen sight in all of Japan. Rightfully so, it's beauty speaks for itself.

Okay so I've done enough blabbering and there's no way to explain every single thing we saw, so here are a few more pictures to close! (If you would like to see more pictures, I've posted a ton to my facebook). Comment if you have any questions as to what any of them are!

Ever since we've returned, it's been back to a life of relaxing, practicing, reading, working out, studying Japanese and enjoying life on the beach. Will update again soon.

Love and miss you all, 

Brianne

Week 1 in Japan

Hi friends!
I have officially been in Japan for over a week now. It's absolutely wonderful here. I honestly don't even know where to start.

Sean's house is directly on the beach, so we've mostly just been spending time enjoying it and relaxing. He works at the windsurfing shop just a few houses down so we often walk over there and say hi. I'm beginning to become a little bit familiar with some of the people there so it's not too awkward if I go by myself while Sean is surfing. Usually while he's out though, I am practicing or working out or something to that nature.

The food here, for the most part, is excellent. I have tried many things that I really like. I have also tried one thing that I absolutely could not even stomach. It's fermented soy beans. I didn't expect that the one thing I disliked to me completely vegetarian, though!
One cool thing about the food here is that the dairy is different. Most people here, by USA standards, are lactose intolerant. Because of that, they automatically use a different kinda of lactose in their food. So I've been eating ice cream without a problem!

We've spent some time in the mall and in the city, which is called Tenjin. Sean's friend from high school is studying abroad in Tokyo and his group took a trip to closer to us, so he came and stayed a night at Sean's. We played with fireworks on the beach and enjoyed a day in the city. Tenjin is really neat because it has a whole underground district that is streets you walk on and shops all along the way. So even though it was raining, we got to enjoy the city!
We also went to the university that Sean's dad works at. It's pretty incredible. Everything was impeccably clean, organized, and well kept. The students we saw didn't even seem to be very stressed, either! Though on the bus ride home we definitely saw what they call here "Salary Men" that were coming home from work that could barely stand up they were to tired. People are pretty pressured to have a busy schedule here. It's nice where we are, though, because we are right on the ocean. More people seem to have an "island mentality" around here. Relaxing has definitely not been an issue...


Here are some pictures of everything so far!

Sean windsurfing

Fireworks on the beach

Part of the university

In one of the photo shoot rooms at the university!

Me, Sean, Nate

Above Tenjin

Next week, Sean and I will be staying for 3 days in Kyoto. We will be seeing a lot of shrines and temples and older buildings than I've ever been in the presence of. I can't wait! More pictures and updates to come.

From Friday until Sunday I was in Kentucky for the Great American Brass Band Festival. It was a really great experience. We stayed with Dad's college roommate who's currently a theory professor at Eastern Kentucky University and a gigging trumpet player all around Kentucky. 


At the festival, we sat in the heat, surrounded by hundreds of people, watching some of the best living trumpet players in the world. (Also, I managed to spend from 8 am until 11 pm outside, and not get a sunburn! Probably a first.)


I had the honor of having full on conversations with Jens Lindemann and Al Vizzutti. They both had really great things to say. Jens told me that it doesn't matter where life takes me after college, as long as I keep on playing my trumpet and staying happy. As long as I have my horn with me, I'm set. As Jens was driving away, he stopped the car and opened his trunk. He pulled out his most recent CD and handed it to me. I highly recommend his CD...it's really amazing. 
In conversation, Al Vizzutti told me that I was changing what used to be a "mans world". Pretty neat to get to talk to these guys. 


A couple others that I got to shake the hands of were Vince DiMartino and Doc Severinsen. Doc is considered by many to be the best trumpet player in the world. When introduced as such, he came to the microphone and stated: 
"There is no best trumpet player in the world. There's just a bunch of us trying to do the best we can. Some days it works, and some days it doesn't." 
This was probably my favorite quote from the whole day.
Vince was who the entire festival was dedicated to. He is retiring from his position as a professor. He will, of course, continue to play! 


Here are some pictures and videos from the festival!

US Army Herald Trumpets

Left to Right:

Allen Vizzutti, Rich Byrd, Me, Jens Lindemann

Me & Doc Severinsen

Vince DiMartino signing my poster

Doc Severinsen and Al Vizzutti

Jens Lindemann performing on his blue trumpet

The masters acknowledging each other. 

Left to right:

Vince DiMartino, Gabriel DiMartino, Doc Severinsen, Al Vizzutti

If you want to hear a bit of it, here is a video of Vince DiMartino, Doc Severinsen, Allen Vizzutti, and Al Hood. (Al Hood is someone you trumpet players out there should check out!)

Okay enough nerdy trumpet talk! I am currently sitting in a hotel room in Toronto. I fly out tomorrow morning! Should be arriving in Japan on Wednesday. All of the following posts will be about Japan..I can't wait.

Love, 

Brianne

Hello from Cleveland!

I figured I should update you all on what I've been doing here in Cleveland. Honestly, nothing too out of the ordinary. I have, however, seen some good friends and family, gone to the famous West Side market, also done a bunch of housework, exercising, and practicing. Also, I tried fish! I had tuna, salmon, and eel. I think I have prepared pretty will for Japan! Though, I'm fully expecting to try many more things while I'm there. It's good to know that I can mentally do something new like that, though. After being a most-of-my-life vegetarian, this was a big step! Though I will go back to not eating fish once I return to the US.

Anyways, here are a couple pictures from being in Cleveland.

West Side Market in Cleveland

Louise and I enjoying crepes from the market

The lovely lady on the left just graduated!

Dad and I are off to Kentucky on Friday morning! Expect many geeky trumpet related posts when I get there! For those of you who don't know, we are going to the Great American Brass Band Festival. This year, it's trumpet themed! They are honoring the talented Vince DiMartino. Looking forward to telling you all about it!

Peace and love, 

Brianne

Hi everybody! I am still enjoying my stay at home in Rochester. I've been working out a bunch and doing lots of fun activities! I head out to Cleveland on friday.

Kayaking on Irondequoit Bay

Mom and TJ saying goodbye before he embarks on a cross country road trip!

Yesterday was farmer's market, kayaking, coffee with friends, and dinner with family.
This week will be dedicated mostly to saying my goodbyes to friends and family, and doing last minute planning and packing for the rest of my summer.

Any suggestions for packing? I think I have my list completed, but I don't want to miss anything so I'm taking any suggestions. (Yes, I do have my passport and no, it has not expired)

Missing everybody from Potsdam, but looking forward to meeting so many new people this summer and having stories to tell everybody back home.

Hi everybody!
After a 4 hour car ride from the North Country, I have officially arrived in my hometown. Destination 1, Rochester, NY, marks the beginning of summer.
I plan to spend the next two weeks here before embarking on a trip to Cleveland, OH to visit my dad.

Oh and I got to see my dog. (She was a lot happier than she looks here...)


Keep looking here for more updates!