関係 (Relationships)

Hello everybody!

As always, the gaps between my posts continues to be very long. I know that only few friends of mine read the things that I write here, but even so it is very important for me to have this space and write a little about mine experiences in Japan. My first semester at the University of Tokyo was finally over, but I'm still pretty busy, because of reports and the work at lab. Many times I thought about writing a new poster here, but I was so tired (and a little fed up of everything) that I ended over and over again postponing my post. Now it's 3:42 AM August 9 (a thursday) and, suddenly, I had the inspiration! And today's inspiration is about relationships.

Relationships are always complicated! For me, just thinking about sharing a part (it can be small or big) of your life with another person is something really scary, but also very beautiful: scary because I believe that when you share your life with another person, you inevitably end exposing your weaknesses and fears, becoming more vulnerable to the occurrence of stressful situations; and beautiful because I believe that at the same time that you become so vulnerable, you also open your life to new possibilities, which makes you grow as a person!

And that's why relationships are so important for us: for us to grow. As we live our daily-lives, we end up living everyday repeated routines that put us in a "comfort zone", where we know what to expect and how to react to it. However, as we allow relationships in our lives, new and unpredictable situations pop-up and force us to re-evaluate our actions and ways of thinking. Some people can deal better with this, some worse...

Living by myself here in Japan has led me to think a lot about this, basically because I'm in a situation where this "comfort zone break" is really intense! The culture of japanese people is completely different from brazilian culture. The language also is another barrier, since I'll never be able to express my feelings in Japanese as well as I express in Portuguese (and that isn't a problem of learning japanese language, but a human limitation). Also, the situation that I am exposed now as a whole is really stressful, making me really sentimentally vulnerable.

Saying "I like" or "I care about you" here is way more strong than in Brazil. As well as hearing "I don't care" shouldn't be seem so harsh as it sounds for us, brazilians. Asking if people are ok here can be restricted to physical conditions, while in Brazil can also concern the psychological conditions. Touching is also a difference, since hugs and kisses are more restricted to passional relationships here, while in Brazil it is broadened to other kinds of relationships.

I really don't wanna put a merit of which way of thinking/ behavior is the correct (although I have a personal and strong opinion about this). Instead, what I wanna emphasize here is that these differences really exist and they can make your life really hard here in Japan.  

I'm feeling really sad right now. I believe I'm a really good person, and I always do my best to respect and try to understand the people that are near me. But something that I really don't know how to respond well is to disappointment. I'm really disappointed with someone here and I'm thinking continuously how to react to it. I still don't know the answer, but I'm sure of one thing: this will broaden my understanding about relationships!

I'm crying a lot, feeling really bad, but I'm sure that I'll find a way out... because I have people out there that I know they need me. I really can't understand those people that says that happiness or love exists inside each one of us and that only you existing is enough! I decided to live for other people, to help them, to learn about theirs lives, to become a part of them... and it is from this that I find my happiness... mine desire to continue to struggle! I can't live alone and thanks God I'm not alone! 

秋と冬 (Autumn and Winter)

Hello!!

This post is a little late, but I didn't want to let it go... so I'm going to tell you a little about mine experiences at the Autumn and Winter seasons in Japan... since it's been a few months that I don't post anything here, I surely have a lot of things to tell. However, it's possible that I'll miss some points sometimes... Anyways, I intend to try my best!

The ending of 2011 and the beginning of 2012 were a little confusing for me and a lot happened. First of all, I was really, but really concerned about having to move out from my previous dormitory, in Setagaya District of Tokyo. The dormitory is going to close in april of this year, and everybody was aware of it. However, being a foreign student in Japan can be really a problem for you to find a house, specially if you don't have so much money saved. I'll try to explain briefly the process for renting rooms in Tokyo.

First of all, you have to go to a real state agency (不動産) in order to be able to know the available places. You can do this, mainly, by two means: (1) searching first at the internet websites and making an inquiry (問い合わせ), or (2) going directly to a real state agency in the area that you'd like to live. After you go to the agency, you'll be taken to take a look at the available places, and if it attends to your requirements and it's fitting to your budget, the paper work for the renting starts... and THAT's when thinks get harder!

The first problem is that mostly owners don't like to have foreigners as renters for their rooms, basically because of the communication problem. So, for this, I have a sincere suggestion for those who are thinking about living here in Japan: when you go to a real state agency, TRY TO COMMUNICATE USING JAPANESE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, instead of asking for english attendants. For sure, communication in japanese is extremely hard, but if you build a communication bound with the agency attendant, maybe he/she will be able to help you persuade the owners of the house about you.

Then, to the second main problem, we have the total movie-in cost, which is really high! In Japan, when you rent a room, you have to pay a lot of fees for different purposes, besides a first month rent, by the time you move in. For example, my apartment rent is 58.000 ienes/ month. However, when I moved I had to pay, before-hand, an amount of 160.000 ienes!! It's more than I earn in a month!! In this amount are included: a deposit money (敷金), a key money (礼金), a 1-month rent, fees for cleaning and changing the keys and a fee for the real state agency. So, if you plan to live in Japan, start to save money quickly!

And, finally, the final cost regards the guarantor (保証人). In order for you to rent a house, usually the owners ask for an application at a guarantor company. This company is responsible for covering the costs of the rental, if you don't pay it. In my case, I used a guarantor company from my own university, which is cheaper. But this must be discussed with real state agency staff.

Sooo... after all this paper work, I finally got my new apartment, in Tokyo. He's small, but really nice, and I enjoy everyday that I spend in it! This moving occurred in December of last year, and a couple of weeks later, I traveled back to Brazil to celebrate christmas and new year with my family. But, before, I went on a small hiking trip, to the Mt. Takao (高尾山).

The Mt. Takao is avery well know touristic point of Tokyo, where you can enjoy a walk near the nature. In Autumn, specially, a lot of people gather to climb the mount, because of the changing colors of the leaves (紅葉, which can be read as コウヨウ, or モミジ - a kind of japanese Maple Tree). I put some pictures of this trip here. It's really really beautiful!

In the middle of the way, there was these beautiful spots where you could regain your breath and relax a little looking to the scenery.

A lot of people gathered at these spots, to have lunch, talk and enjoy the nature. The feeling up there was really nice!

Also, at some point, there was this unusual octopus statue. It's said that if you rub this octopus's head, you can get a good fortune. So, a lot of people lined in front of this statue, in order to receive the blessing.

This is an exemple of a beautiful tree with red/ yellow leaves (紅葉). It's so beautiful! I was amazed by these colors! =)

These handrails have names and places written on it. No clue about the reason, but I thought it was really interesting.

These statues can be found not only in Mt. Takao, but also in other parks and temples in Japan. They represent one of the most loved divinities in Japan, called Ojizou-sama (お地蔵様). Tradicionally, the ojizou-sama are protectors of the children, but are also related to the protection of travelers. Usually, these statues can be found around roads, or in graveyards.

Traditionally, the ojizou-sama are protectors of miscarried or aborted fetuses. According to this story, these aborted children are not able to cross the mythical Sanzu River on their way to afterlife. So, the ojizou-sama protect these souls from the demons, hiding them under his robe. That's why people put baby clothes, toys or food next to these statues: in order to help the ojizou-sama in the protection of these children souls.

On the way to the top, there was some nice temples and, of course, the so expected red leaves! Take a look at the pictures....

And that's me after all this walking. Martino (my friend) was really well, but I got really tired by the time we reached the summit. But, the beauty of the scenery was worth it! =)

Now... back to Brazil...

The travel to Brazil is really exhausting! I spent: around 3 hours to get to Narita airport from my house; a couple of hours waiting for the departure time; around 11 hours from Tokyo to Frankfurt; 8 hours (I REPEAT, 8 hours!!) of transit in Frankfurt airport; more 11 hours from Frankfurt to Guarulhos airport; and, finally, around 2 hours to get to my house in Brazil. Total: 35 hours traveling!!!!

Anyway, the trip was really worthy it! It was so good to see one more time all my family and friends... I really miss everybody... everyday! Although my life is very good here in Japan, it really pains me to be so far away from them... I believe that I'll fell the same when I finally go back to Brazil, concerning my new friends here. But this is in the future...

Before departing back to Japan's winter (remembering that it was Summer in Brazil by the time), I went to Satie's birthday party, which also was a farewell party for me! It was really, really hard to say goodbye once again to everybody. Maybe because I was remembering how I feel here without everybody, when I started saying goodbye to everybody, I couldn't avoid to cry. But don't worry, people!  I'm really ok!

So... back to Japan's winter, I just have one think to say: PUTA MERDA, QUE FRIO DO CARAMBA! Hahaha. Yes... I know it's portuguese, but it's really what I feel regarding the cold weather in winter here. I don't like to use air-conditioners, but with this cold it's impossible not to use! Really!

At the first week that I was back to Japan, I went with the University to visit the Edo Museum (江戸博物館) and to see a real Sumo fight (相撲)!! Guys... it's thrilling!! I never thought I would like to watch Sumo... but, when they start to fight, you really can't take the eyes off the fighters(相撲取り)! The fights are really short (about 30 seconds), and the preparations veeeery long. But then, they suddenly rush one to another and start to slap and push each other!! Hahaha! It's crazy!

This guy on the right, with yellow robe is Brazilian!! I don't remember his name, but you can see the Christ Statue from Rio de Janeiro in his robe. There was a Brazil's flag also!

Sorry... I don't have pics from the real moment of the wrestling. It was too fast, and I was always so surprised that I ended not taking pictures xD

But well... back to Japan's winter....

I saw snow!!! Waaa! It's really beautiful! Snowed only for 2 days, but it was enough for me to get to know it... it's kind too wet, too slippery, too cold for me... hehehe!  Take a look at the stairs from my house, the way to the station and the streets of my university below...

It's amazing, isn't it?! ^^

Well... before closing the post: The things at the laboratory are going well also... I've just started a training in extraction, amplification and sequencing of DNA, and, basically, that's my main objective here: to learn how to use molecular tools in my research. So I'm happy! I'm not so good at the lab stuff, but I'm giving my best! Also, soon my classes of the masters will start, and, then, I think that I will really feel like doing something that will be worth!

So it's this... I with some problems with my family, but I believe everything will be okay! I'll keep trying my best!

Hope to post again very soon!
Di

日本の夏休み (Japan's Summer Vacation)

Hey everyone!

Long time no post, right?

The things here in Japan are really crazy, so I didn't had so many time to thing about a post here in my blog. I'm really sorry for that!

So... this post is dedicated to the first full season that I experienced here in Japan: the summer (夏). Summer here in Japan can be very interesting, but also very hard to endure. The temperatures in Tokyo are really high, and the humidity of the air intensifies the heat sensation. It's important for you to take some precautions about your body, because it's really easy for you to faint in the crowd trains, or to get a strong headache because of the sun.

Well, in São Paulo, as well in many other places in the world, the Summer is the time to go to the beach and enjoy the heat refreshing yourself in the sea. For us, the sensation of refreshment is related to the water, the sea, drinks, ice-cream... but here in Japan, this ideas are a little different.

For example, the Summer is the season that many insects emerge here in Japan. Among them, are the Cicadas (which are really big and disgusting here). The Cicada's population are so big here, that the noise that they make can become unbearable for foreigners like me. But, for the japanese, the sound that the cicadas emites brings a sensation of refreshment in Summer! When they hear the cicadas sounds between the trees, often they say: "涼しい"(which means like "Ah! Freshness!"). In the same way, they associate sour foods, candies or beverages (酸っぱい物) with this refreshment sensation! Interesting, isn't it?

Also, Summer is a good season for festivals in Japan. And people often go to these festivals using Yukatas (浴衣). For me, yukatas seems like kimonos, but more simple. Because it is a very simple clothe, with almost one only layer of tissue, yukatas gives to your body a very good sensation of refreshment in the heat. Check out the yukata that I bought to myself in the photo beside. The festivals are very funny, also! There's a lot of good food, like Yakisoba (焼きそば - a chinese pasta-like dish), Takoyaki (たこ焼き - Octopus dumplings), Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き - pancake-like japanese dish) and Kakigoori (かき氷 - shaved ice with flavor). In the festival that I went near my dorm, I was able to see this beautiful rainbow in the picture. It was really nice!

And, finally, the most famous event in summer is the Fireworks sightseeing, or the Hanabi (花火). The fireworks events are really incredible... there is a whole planning about the sequences and kinds of fireworks that are going to be used... I taped some videos in a Hanabi that I went in Yokohama (横浜)... I'm posting some of them bellow. Better seen than told! ^^

There are more 2 videos, that are the biggest ones (and the more interesting ones). I can't upload them directly here, but these are the links for the youtube page were I uploaded them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYZ6WoaZM0k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quk01_j9lvc

Enjoy!! ^^

Now I'm waiting for the result of my entrance exam at the University, as well for the Autumn... I think it will be a really beautiful season! =D

気をつけて！

Di

日本 (Japan)

Hi everyone!!

How long have it been since my last post here, right?! I'm soooo sorry about it! Since I've got here in Japan (about a month already!!), everything it's being like CRAZY! hauahauhaus... so, I have a lot of updates to do with you... I'll try to accomplish this here!



This were one of the first sights that I had of Japan, yet in the plane! The trip was REALLY too long! About 24 hours!!! When I arrived here, I was really tired... and I needed to do a LOT of things, like getting to my dormitory, going to the prefecture to get a registration in Japan, etc...

About the first impressions: Japan REALLY is a beautiful end peaceful place! Everywere you go is very quiet and safe! It's incredible!

My dormitory is in a district of Tokyo called Setagaya... it's a very nice place to live! And I managed already to get some friends in here, from different countries! Everyday I learn new things with them, and the experience as a whole is turning into something very good! =D

The people is very nice, also... everyone treats me very well, don't matter were I go! But, in the other hand, japanese people is very shy and introspective... I didn't get a single chance yet of getting friend to a japanese! It's very hard... maybe I can get that with someone in my laboratory!

My laboratory is in the Komaba Campus of the University of Tokyo, which is really a huge and beautiful university. It have kind of a "Harvard's look", but I think it is very unique! The symbol of the university are the Ginkgo biloba's trees, which can be seen everywere in the different campi, including in this main street of the Komaba Campus, represented in the photograph! Acctualy, by the time that I took that photo, the trees were without most of their leaves... by now they're so much beautiful! Just wait for more photos in a specially dedicated "University of Tokyo" post! ;D

I have already visited some touristic spots of Japan! I'll make a breaf comment about them, ok?!

SHIBUYA (渋谷) is one of the most incredible places of Tokyo! It's like the Paulista Avenue of Sao Paulo, but japanese! xD

Here you can find, possibly, anything... games, vídeos, cellphones, cafés, restaurants, supermarkets, fancy dessert stores, clothe stores, karokes, bingos, etc!

The photograph is of the most famous street cross of Japan, which is in Shibuya... it gets really crowdy the most party of the day!

Basically, everytime we want to have fun, we go to Shibuya!

MEIJIJINGU (明治神宮) is a big shinto shrine that exists near Shibuya and Harajuku! It's a peaceful place, which receives a lot of visitors during all days of the week... usually at the entrance of the temples there are this big portals, called TORII (鳥居), which represents the limit between the physical world and the spiritual world!

OMOTESANDOU (表参道) is the fashion street of Tokyo! Here you can find all that is more fancy (and expensive) available... it's really cool! The clothes here in Japan are very different... and the people don't worry about being weirdly dressed! They dare with they clothes! And THIS is much fun! I think I'll try to use some of this different clothing soon...

SHINJUKU (新宿) seemed to me like "Downtown" xD

It doesn't have the shine and glamour of Shibuya, but is a really pratical place! There are a lot of important stores and restaurants there!

KAMAKURA (鎌倉) is a coast district of Tokyo, which is famous due to it's shinto shrines... we went to three of them and it was an amazing experience! The photograph posted here is of the Great Budah's shrine, which is one of the most famous of the region!

JINDAI BOTANICAL GARDEN (神代植物園) is a big botanical garden in the Choufu district of Tokyo... the greenhouse there is amazing!! they have a lot of intereting gardens to visit: the Magnolia's garden, the Rose's garden, the Bamboo's garden, the aquatic plant's garden, etc.! It was a great experience to visit there!

So... for now, I think that is enough... another day, I'll try to post more photographs of this places in particular, commenting about my experiences there!

Until there...

気をつけて！

Di

準備 (Preparação)

AHHHH!

Último post do Brasil!!! ç.Ç

Nem deu tempo de postar mais coisas essa semana que passou... foi tudo, TUDO, muito corrido!! Mas a semana passou e amanhã, a esta hora, estarei sobrevoando o Atlântico, ou, até talvez eu já esteja sobre a Europa!

Pessoal com quem eu consegui me encontrar e pessoal com quem eu não consegui me encontrar: MUITO OBRIGADO POR TUDO! Sentirei muito a falta de todos vocês!! Mas prometo me esforçar 1000% por lá!

Estou muito ansioso, estressado, com medo, feliz, tudo nesse momento!! hauhauahus... quero só ver amanhã! XD

To muito cansado... olha a mega arrumação que fiz com o meu avô aí na foto acima! E ainda trabalhei na escola essa semana! hehehe... quando eu chegar no Japão eu posto mais coisas, ok?! Hoje nem vai ter post bilingüe! Muita preguiça! Vai em português mesmo!!

Love you all!
Di

さようなら (Sayounara)

Olás!!!

Ontem (dia 26 de março) sai com meus amigos como uma forma de despedida antes da minha viagem!
Como muitos já sabem, inicialmente estava previsto que eu embarcasse para o Japão no próximo sábado... no entanto, devido aos últimos acontecimentos referentes aos terremotos e tsunamis que abalaram o país, optei por adiar a minha viagem em algumas semanas, sendo que a nova data de embarque está prevista para dia 16 de abril!

De qualquer forma, ontem me reuni com o pessoal e fomos a um rodízio de pizza no Páteo da Luz, lá na Paulista! Pude rever várias pessoas: o Luiz, sempre muito carinhoso e especial (sentirei demais sua falta por lá!); as minhas queridíssimas e favoritas veteranas de sempre, Aline, Simone, Patrícia e Janaina; os meus amigos mais bitches do coração, Ivan e Dani (com o namorado, o Alê); o sem-noção, mas querido, Carlos; meus amigos super cultos, Vickie e Juliano; os "moleculóides" Marcelo e Laís; a minha grande e estimada amiga Dayane; e minha bixete favorita, Satie! A todos que foram ontem, MUITO OBRIGADO.

Bom... como atrasei a minha viagem e não sei exatamante quando embarco, vou deixar a "contagem regressiva" de lado, por enquanto!

気をつけて！
Di

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Hi!!!

Yesterday (March's 26) I went out with my friends as a farewell party, before my trip!
As many of you know, initially was foreseen that I'd embark to Japan in the next saturday... however, due to the last happenings at Japan (like earthquakes and tsunamis), I choose to postpone my trip in a few weeks, so my new embark date is foreseen to be in April's 16.

Anyway, yesterday I reunited with some fellas and we've gone to a pizzeria called "Páteo da Luz", which is located at Paulista Avenue. I could re-see many people: Luiz, who always is loving and special (I'll miss so much you!); my beloved and favorite veterans, Aline, Simone, Patrícia and Janaina; my most "bitch" friends, Ivan and Dani (with her boyfriend, Alê); the non-sense, but beloved, Carlos; my most cultured friends, Vickie and Juliano; the molecular-workaholics Marcelo e Laís; my big and beloved friend Dayane; and my favorite freshman, Satie! To all that came yesterday, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Well... as I postponed my trip and I don't know exactly when I embark, I'll stop the "countdown" for now!

気をつけて！
Di

Concern

Oi pessoal! Tudo bem?!!

Hmmm... muitas coisas para falar nessa postagem!
Primeiramente, queria dizer que eu descobri que o meu blog é visto, eventualmente, por pessoas de vários países!! Sei lá como eles me encontram... devem ser blogueiros viciados!! Hauhahauahsu... enfim... por causa disso (e porque daqui há alguns dias estarei do outro lado do mundo), vou começar a postar mensagens bilíngües: em português e em inglês!

Em segundo lugar, muita gente está preocupada com a minha ida ao Japão... então, vou dedicar este post aos eventos sísmicos que ocorreram no Japão nos últimos dias, explicando um pouquinho sobre eles e como está a situação por lá (o que vou enfrentar!!)...

Por fim, vou continuar comentando como estão esses meus últimos dias no Brasil! Na verdade, eu não estou me sentindo muito bem esta semana... mas já explico o porquê!Então, vamos lá!

Bom... então em relação ao Japão, o que vem ocorrendo é o seguinte:

Na sexta-feira passada, dia 11 de março, por volta das 14h40 da tarde (no Japão), um terremoto forte, de cerca de 9 pontos de magnitude atingiu a costa do Japão, causando uma Tsunami de até 10 metros, a qual, por sua vez, atingiu cidades litorâneas localizadas na região de Touhoku (nordeste do Japão).

No sábado, dia 12, devido aos fortes tremores, ocorreu uma explosão em um dos reatores de uma usina nuclear em Fukushima, na própria região de Touhoku! A explosão teria sido resultado de uma falha no sistema de resfriamento do reator.

No domingo, dia 13, o governo começou a retirar os residentes das proximidades da usina nuclear de Fukushima. Ocorreu uma nova falha no resfriamento do reator nº 2. No dia 14, segunda, ocorreu uma nova explosão na usina, deixando algumas pessoas feridas.

Uma nova explosão ocorreu na terça-feira, dia 15 de março, também no reator 2. Parece que essa nova explosão danificou um sistema que impedia o vazamento de radioatividade. Logo em seguida, incêndios começaram no reator de nº 4.

Na quarta, dia 16, um novo incêndio começa no reator 4, ocorre um elevado aumento na radioatividade local e a ONU reconhece danos sérios nos reatores devido às seguidas explosões.

No dia 17, engenheiros começam a tentar instalar cabos de energia no reator 2, afim de fornecer energia necessária para a reativação do sistema de resfriamento dos geradores, impedindo novas explosões. Todos os 6 reatores da usina apresentam dano nesse momento e os níveis de radiação na região são bastante altos!

Hoje (manhã do dia 18 de março no Japão) foram realizadas novas medidas de radioatividade no local da usina e foram indicadas quedas nos níveis de radioatividade na região, talvez graças aos esforços para o resfriamento dos reatores. Notícias de brasileiros retornando ao Brasil são constantes e a preocupação ainda é uma característica dos moradores do Japão.

Eu e meus colegas bolsistas também estamos apreensivos! Nossa ida ao Japão não pode ser simplesmente cancelada! Há muitas coisas em jogo! No meu caso, não acredito que eu seja capaz de conquistar esta oportunidade de ir estudar como bolsista MEXT outra vez em minha vida! Também, a minha imagem como pesquisador está em jogo! Além disso, todo o meu esforço, dedicação e, até mesmo, dinheiro gastos com esta bolsa seriam jogados no lixo caso eu desistisse da viagem!

Por hora, o que nos resta como possibilidade é conversar com as universidades e nossos orientadores sobre um atraso de algumas semanas em nosso embarque. Não sei ainda se este será o meu caso!

Isso tudo tem me deixado muito aflito... tenho sentido muita vontade de chorar esses dias e, sinceramente, não sei se isso deve-se apenas a essa história do Japão... esta semana me trouxe muitas informações novas em relação às pessoas à minha volta... algumas dessas pessoas de minha família, outras não... e tenho me decepcionado repetidas vezes... é muito duro p/ mim decepcionar-me, já que sempre parto do princípio de que toda pessoa merece meu completa confiança inicial! Esta decepção torna-se maior ainda quando a pessoa é mais próxima...

Mas, no meio de tanta aflição, quem sempre me ajuda são as pessoas que se preocupam comigo! Esta semana vi o Juliano (que não via há muito tempo), o André, a Le, o Ivan e o Vickie! Revi também o pessoal do consulado (sempre muito prestativos) e os meus colegas monbusheiros, por quem tenho muito respeito e admiração! As coisas na escola têm ido bem! Gosto de meus alunos e da experiência como professor. Ontem até rolou um "show" de capoeira! Foi demais! Minha avó e minha mãe já estão sentindo a minha falta... choram de vez em quando... é bem difícil! Mas, tudo bem... eu também choro xD

Sinto muito a falta de algumas pessoas... espero poder vê-las logo!

気をつけて！
たぶん、１３日後で。。。
Di

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Hi everyone! How are you?!

Hmmm... a LOT of new things to tell you in this post!

First of all, I'd like to tell that I found out that my blog is read, eventually, by people from all over the world!! I don't know how they find me... must be blog addicted people!! Hauhahauahsu... wathever... due to this (and because I'll be in the OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD in a few days), I'll begin to post in two languages: portuguese and english!

Second, a lot of people is concerned with my trip to Japan... so, I'll dedicate this post to the sismic events that occurred in Japan in the last days, explaining how is the situation there (what I'll face there!!!)...

At last, I'll continue to coment how are being these "last days" of my life in Brazil! Acctualy, I'm not feeling so well this week... I'll just explain why! So, let's go!!

So... what's happening in Japan is:

In the past friday, March's 11, around 2:40 PM (Japan's hour),a strong earthquake, that reached about 9 points of degree, hit Japan's coast, causing a Tsunami of 10 meters, which hit coast cities of Touhoku (Japan's NE).

Saturday, March's 12, due to the strong tremors, occurred an explosion in one of the Fukushima's nuclear reactors, in Touhoku! The explosion would have ocurred as a result of a failure in the cooling system of the reactor.

Sunday, March's 13, the government starts to evacuate the citizens that lived near Fukushima's nuclear facility. Occurred a new failure in the cooling device of reactor nº2. At March's 14, a new explosion happened at the facility, injuring some workers.

Another explosion occurred Tuesday, day 15, also at reactor nº2.Seems that this new explosion damaged the radioactivity lack control system. After that, fires began at reactor nº 4.

Wednesday, March's 16, a new fire begins at reactor nº 4, leveling up the local radioactivity. UN recognizes serious damage to the reactors due to the sequel of explosions.

At March's 17, engineers start to ry to install energy cables at reactor 2, in order to supply the facility with the energy required to reactivate the reactor's cooling system, preventing explosions. All of the 6 reactors of the facility presented damages and the radiation levels arose at the local!

Today were realizes new measures of radioactivity at the local of the nuclear facility and were indicated lower levels of radioactivity, maybe thanks to the efforts to cool the reactors. News of brazilian people returning to Brazil are constant and the concern still caracteristic of habitants of Japan.

Me and my colleagues also are concerned! Our trip to Japan can't be simply cancealed! There's a lot in game! In my case, I don't believe that I'll be able to conquer this opportunity of studying in Japan as a MEXT student again in my life! also, my iamge as a researcher is in the table! Plus, all of my effort, dedication and money expent with this scholarship would be thrown away in case I give up teh trip!

For now, we must talk to the universities and our leader professor about teh possibility of a couple of weeks delay in our departure. I still don't know if that will be my case!

All of this is leting me a little nervous! I feel like I'm gonna cry at various moments of teh day, and, sincerely, I don't if it is due only to this Japan's case... this week brought me a lot of new informations about the people around me... some of this people are from my family, and other not! and I have been desapointed repeatedly... it's too harsh for me to be disapointed, because I always think that every person, at the begining, deserves my complete trust! This deception turns to be stronger when the person is more close to me...

But, in the middle of all this distress, who always helps me are the people taht truly are concerned with me! This week, I saw Juliano (who I didn't see in a long time), André, Le, Ivan and Vickie! Also, resaw the Consulate staff people (always very helpful) and my Monbukagakushou friends, for whom I have a lot of respect and admiration! The things at the school are going well! I like my students and the experience as a teacher. Yesterday occurred a Capoeira "show" at school! It was awesome! My grandmother and my mother already miss me... they cry occasionally... it's pretty tough! But it's ok... I also cry! xD

I really miss some people... I hope to see then soon!

気をつけて！
たぶん、１３日後で。。。
Di

MEXT

Olá pessoal! Tudo bem?!!

Que susto essa semana, com as notícias de terremotos e tsunamis no Japão, né?! Bom... para "acalmar" vocês um pouquinho, eu entrei em contato com o meu orientador lá do Japão e ele me informou de que está tudo bem lá por Tóquio... não houveram grandes danos ao campus da universidade, sendo que o maior transtorno pelo qual eles passaram foi ter que passarem a noite dentro do laboratório (já que as linhas de trem estavam paradas). Terremotos são bastante comuns por lá (assim como tufões), e as construções da cidade são bem resistentes contra esses fenômenos naturais!

Bom... antes de ontem eu recebi um pacote da univesidade contendo diversos documentos e informativos! Um deles é o meu certificado de admissão na universidade, o qual é capa deste post! =D

Eu ainda não dediquei um espaço aqui no blog para explicar, em detalhes, as etapas de admissão neste programa de bolsas de estudo que estudou participando... então este será o tema deste post!

O consulado geral do Japão em SP oferece, todos os anos, vários tipos de bolsas de estudos no Japão! Essas bolsas vão desde auxílios para alunos de graduação, até para pessoas que queiram aprimorar o seu japonês até um nível avançado! A bolsa com a qual eu vou p/ o Japão é de pesquisa (KENKYUU), oferecida pelo Ministério da Educação, Cultura, Esporte, Ciências e Tecnologia do Japão, o MONBUKAGAKUSHOU (ou MEXT).

O processo seletivo consistiu em 3 etapas e durou cerca de 1 ano! Primeiramente foi analisado se eu tinha os pré-requisitos para a bolsa que eu estava pleiteando (cada tipo de bolsa tem pré-requisitos diferentes) e eu fui submetido a exames de proficiência em japonês e em inglês. Era necessário que eu atingisse uma nota mínima em alguma das duas provas. Além disso, era necessário apresentar um projeto de pesquisa a ser realizado no Japão no ato da inscrição.

Em seguida, eram convocados para a segunda etapa os alunos que tivessem atingido uma nota mínima em um dos dois exames de proficiência e que tivessem apresentado um projeto de pesquisa adequado. A segunda etapa consistiu em uma entrevista no consulado, com uma banca de professores da USP ou de outras universidades(de diversas áreas), mais o pessoal do próprio consulado. A entrevista é bem rápida, sendo que a banca explora a capacidade do candidato defender o seu projeto de pesquisa.

Por fim, é selecionado um certo número de candidatos na segunda etapa, de acordo com a disponibilidade de bolsas de estudo. Os documentos dos aprovados são então encaminhados, numa terceira etapa, para o MEXT, no Japão, para análise. É nesta etapa que os próprios alunos devem entrar em contato com universidades japonesas, bem como laboratórios e possíveis professores orientadores, a fim de conseguir cartas de aceitação para essas universidades.

Depois de cerca 1 ano, o MEXT dá a resposta final, atribuindo nomes de candidatos às bolsas de estudo disponibilizadas. Este ano, para pesquisa, foram concedidas 14 bolsas de estudo!

Agora, eu chegando ao Japão, será uma nova etapa do processo! Precisarei me instalar no meu laboratório, elaborar um novo projeto de pesquisa (mais compelto), e prestar uma prova de mestrado ou doutorado! Será um novo desafio! Vou me esforçar =D

Por fim... mudando de assunto, ontem saí com um pessoal... vi os queridíssimos André, She e Lê (ahhh Dri! Faltou vc!!!), além do Vickie (do qual NUNCA me canso ;D) e do Paulo... o Ivan deveria ter aparecido tbm, mas estava incomunicável!!! Já sinto a falta de todo mundo! Falta tão pouco agora!!!

気をつけて！
１８日後で。。。
Di

自己紹介 (Jikoshoukai)

Ei ei, pessoal! Tudo bem?!

Semana de Carnaval! Foi DE-MAIS! Aproveitei muitooo! Não pulei carnaval, mas vi muitas pessoas queridas e me diverti bastante! Certamente foram momentos marcantes que levarei como lembrança p/ Japão!

E por falar em Japão... recebi uma confirmação da Universidade de Tóquio em relação aos alojamentos em que morarei... vou ficar no alojamento de Soshigaya (http://www.jasso.go.jp/s_kanto/soshigaya_ihouse.html).

Além disso, esta semana estou me preparando para o encontro com o resto do pessoal que vai comigo ao Japão, mais o pessoal do Consulado Geral do Japão em SP (incluindo o próprio Cônsul!!!)... teremos que realizar um JIKOSHOUKAI, ou seja, uma breve apresentação pessoal em japonês nesse dia! Muito medooo! Vou tentar muito caprichar nos KEIGO (linguagem formal)!

O meu Jikoshoukai está (por enquanto) assim:

「はじめまして！Diego Tavares Vasquesと申します！２４さいで、生物学者でございます。
(Muito prazer! Me chamo Diego Tavares Vasques! Tenho 24 anos e sou biólogo!)

去年、USPの生物大学で卒業しました。今、私の町で高校の生物の先生として働いています。
(Ano passado me formei pela faculdade de biologia da USP. Agora trabalho como professor de biologia do ensino médio em minha cidade.)

大学の時、植物を勉強した、シダの専門家になりました。シダは、ポルトガル語で、Samambaiaと言う意味です。
(Na época da faculdade, eu estudei botânica, e tornei-me especialista em samambaias. SHIDA em japonês significa SAMAMBAIA.)

日本へ勉強しに行く時、東京大学のもとみいと先生と一生に、シダの分子生物学を勉強します！
(Quando eu estiver estudando na Universidade de Tóquio, estudarei biologia molecular de plantas juntamente com o prof. Motomi Ito.)

どうぞ、よろしくお願い致します！」
(Muito prazer!)

Ai... já to com saudades de tudo aqui... esta semana vi o Rafael (PO)... fomos (tentar) ver Cisne Negro no shopping Eldorado... além disso fui a um karaokê com a Simone, a Aline e a Janaína (antes comemos um delicioso Lámen no restaurante Kazu, na Liba), vi algumas amigas de minha prima que são muito legais (Raíza, Jéssica e Carol), o Ivan (por acaso) e o Guilherme (^^)! Foi muito booom!

Agora, chega de escrever aqui e "bóra" planejar as minhas próximas aulas na escola!

気をつけて！
２３日後で。。。
Di

Last Month

Olá pessoal!!!

Post já um pouco cheio de saudades hj... amanhã começa o meu último mês aqui no Brasil =/

Isso mesmo! Na primeira semana de abril estarei embarcando para o Japão... ai que medooooo!

E neste mês só tenho milhares de coisas para fazer!! Hauhauahausus

Vou REALMENTE sentir muita falta de várias coisas daqui do Brasil... e a principal delas, com certeza, são os meus amigos e familiares! Esta semana comecei a visitar alguns lugares, para me "despedir" de pessoas especiais... fui até a minha escola de japonês e vi as queridíssimas Sachiko-sensei e Cena-sensei!

Também almocei com as minhas queridas amigas Aline e Simone! Ainda vamos nos ver algumas vezes até a viagem, mas já sinto muito a falta de vocês duas, viu?!! =D

A noite sai com o Victor, o Paulo e o Luiz! Queridos amigos... alguns mais "antigos" que outros (né, Lu?! ^^)... mas, com certeza, cada um único e especial!

Ganhei um presente do Lu! Um anuário do Glee!!! Tem noção do problema que você me causou com isso, Lu?! Agora tenho que levar mais um livro p/ Japão!!! Hauhauahauahsu! Muito obrigado, viu?! Por tudo! Espero que você também tenha gostado do meu presente!!

Vickie!! Obrigado por tudo também! Você realmente é um amigo companheiro para todas as horas! Espero que eu também seja um bom amigo p/ você!! =]

E Paulo... fazia tempo que não nos víamos, né?! Fiquei contente de passar mais um tempinho em sua companhia ^^

Hoje fui rever o pessoal da livraria Leitura de Jundiaí! Saudades imensas de algumas pessoas de lá! Como a nossa amiga Bianca!! Ótima pessoa, ótima amiga, ótima companheira de trabalho! E a Juliane... que em pouco tempo conquistou meu carinho e minha confiança! E, sem esquecer, dos meus chefes, Fernando e Cíntia, sempre muito queridos e respeitados! Só faltou a Clau, né?! Tava em viagem, devido ao seu aniversário ^^

Ainda falta visitar muita gente... a medida que eu for falando com essas pessoas, irei postar novas coisas por aqui!

Esse mês promete muitas coisas! Tenho, inclusive, pessoas novas que estão entrando em minha vida agora!! Vou aproveitar bastante! =D

気をつけて！３１日後で。。。

Di