Roppongi Hills Club

A few days ago I had the chance to visit the Roppongi Hills Club and was able to capture this shot.  I have been waiting all year for a chance to take this picture!

    Full post to come after I finish finals.  

Meeting Pepper

Last month, Japanese telecommunications company, SoftBank introduced their newest robot, Pepper.  This robot is equipped with the latest speech and comprehension software as well as an advanced robotic body.  These robots are able to hold conversations both through verbal and physical forms and are also said to be able to assist with basic everyday functions.

Upon hearing that the Ginza SoftBank store had these robots on display, I knew I had to go.  

                                       

Here is a video of my experience.  We talked about my first love.  In Japanese.  It was great.

Of course, on the way I stopped for some photography.

The Ginza SoftBank Store.

Pepper, holding a conversation with a boy.  

ICU Cycling Club, Spring Run 2014

Before I came to Japan, I had dreamed of being able to go on adventures to beautiful places with the company of great friends.

Joining the ICU Cycling Team and becoming part of their wonderful family has given me the opportunity to live out this dream in a way I never though possible.

Here is a movie that I have been working on for the past 2 months that illustrates one of my favorite memories of my year abroad, a week-long cycling trip around the beautiful island of Okinawa during Spring vacation.


Youtube wont let me upload the video due to some copyright issues with the song I used, so please follow this link to my facebook account where the video is posted.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4069335308686

(Copy and paste this link into your web browser)

Canon L Lens

Two days ago I picked up my first professional lens, a Canon 24-105mm F4L.  I will be using this to take my photography to new levels and to produce a short film for a fish factory in Onagawa in July.

After a quick walk around with this lens, here are some sample photos I produced.   

Mt Fuji Climb (Video)

Here is a video I put together of my adventure up Mt. Fuji with the Subaru Cycling Team!

Cycling up Mt.Fuji

Today I joined Team Subaru on one of their Fuji hill climb events where they ride up to the 5th station of Mt. Fuji.

Up to this station, there is a paved road that we used.  It is a 25km long route with over 7,000 feet of climbing!

I reached the 5th station after an hour and a half of never ending climbing.  

Team Subaru! 

Preparing for our frigid descent where we reached speeds of 45mph.

We stopped by a park where we saw the sunset rays striking Fuji-San.  

Though it seems like I will not have the time to climb to the summit of Mt. Fuji this year, this experience was a very worthy alternative.  

Spring Volunteer Trip to Tohoku.

I have been up to the Tohoku region over ten times during this year abroad for various projects.  However, my most recent trip last weekend was an especially insightful experience. 

During this trip I joined Team Asunaro and Youth for 3.11 in a number activities.  These included giving a speech about how I started my volunteer activities to children living in temporary housing and helping out the local fishing industry with their wakame (seaweed) harvests.  The fishing industries in this region are the backbone of the local economy, their recovery embodies the resilience of the Tohoku people.  

Working alongside these fishermen was an incredible experience.  Being able to contribute to the recovery of Tohoku's economy with my own hands felt very gratifying and really gave me the feeling that things are finally improving in Tohoku.  

An elementary school that suffered damage from the quake and it set for demolition.

The temporary elementary school built until the new school is constructed. 

My roommate Kris Tom and I preparing to go into the school to give our presentations.

The entryway. 

During my presentation I told the students about my T-shirt fundraiser that raised $11,000 and about the generous donations from the American people.  I also told these students about my aspirations to work in the field of America-Japan relations in the future. 

I tried my best to give my speech in Japanese, but some topics were too difficult for me.  Kris helped to translate the parts of my presentation that I could not convey.  

When asked about their dreams for the future, this child stood up and declared he wanted to be a baseball player.

This girl told us that she wished to be a dancer. 

The vice Principle observing our presentations. 

Kris Tom giving his speech about having a dream for the future.  

Shimpei Suga, the leader of this program, also gave a speech to the children. 

The 5th and 6th grade class who attended our presentation.

Lunch at the temporary food court nearby the school

Following our presentations, we then went to assist the fishing industries with their annual wakame harvest! 

Wakame transferred from the ships for cutting.

Cutting Mekabu from its stem.

Sakura were also in full bloom!

As were many other flowers. 

The port where we worked. 

Tamoka Okamura, a professional photographer who was also on the trip.  He lent me some of his lenses and gave me some tips on my photography techniques. 

The Team Asunaro volunteer group.

Kimura Senshin and his wife, the owners of the fishery we volunteered at. 

A shiba inu at the temporary housing complex we stayed at.  

Dinner that night. 

Onagawa City before March 11th.

The aftermath. 

Cement blocks for the reconstruction of the storm break in Onagawa City. 

After our volunteer work, our group went to a park to see the sakura. 

I really enjoyed this volunteer trip and will try to volunteer again before I leave.  If you would like to take part in a program like this, please let me know in the comment section. Our group is always looking for volunteers!