KETSUEKI-GATA

I have been more and more interested in the Japanese belief that specific blood types have specific personality traits. This is similar to the western world belief in astrology and is referred to as ketsueki-gata. In 1900, Karl Landsteiner of Austria found that there were three major blood types(A, B and O). Judging people based on at blood types was used by German Nazis in order to further ideas of supremacy over different races. It is believed that blood type is based on ethnicity or at least the likelihood of certain blood types are. For example, Japanese most commonly are Type B while Taiwanese are more likely to be O. As a political scheme at the turn of the century the government spoke about intermarrying Japanese with Tawainese to create less people with Type O blood. People with Type O blood are considered to be rebellious, open to revolt, and in general, people who behave cruelly. I guess that is why when my friend Daichi asked my blood type and I said O- he had little to say except " Oh really! (cue long awkward pause...) In Canada, I am bothered daily with phone calls asking me for my blood. Only 7% of the world's population has O- blood type and because it is a universal donor type they want it. I feel a sense of prestige and importance when at the Canadian Blue Cross society having the blood type that I do. I mean I could save anybody with any blood type. I mean I know "blood is in you to give" but I am not sure I have enough in my body to keep these people satisfied! I don't know if I should stay in Canada and deal with the daily phone calls begging me for my blood or if I should return to Japan where I will be watched carefully in case I am going to do some sort of evil deeds which will undoubtedly not be my fault as they are
genetically determined by my blood type...Think that is what my students thought??

Guess I was just born like this;) Awwwwww!

Your Birthday Predicts You're Nurturing

Ever since you were born, you've loved being a caretaker. Whether you're caring for people or animals, you love making others feel good. You don't stress or worry much in your life. You think it's important not to sweat the small stuff. You have a soft spot in your heart for children and pets. You are drawn to anyone in need.

Red River Roots

We left on Sunday Feb 8th at 10am and had a loooonnnnggg bus ride! We watched Murray's movie pick on the way there called "Carlito's Way". I wouldn't recommend it. I brought "The Office" and was able to sneak in a couple of episodes on the way up. Everyone seemed to have no trouble sleeping and I did not sleep at all so by time we made it there I was exhausted and ready for bed. Day One was a day for archival research and my roommate and I had a rocky start to the week. Marcy and I were a whole 8 minutes late and so everyone had left us except Murray who waited to walk with us. It was very slippery out and we were kind of sliding along behind him and due to some miscommunication we went to walk through the mall to get their instead of follow him. Marc fell in a puddle and had a soaking wet bum and we got lost 3 times trying to get out of the mall and make our way to the archives. Long story short, we found it and lasted a couple of hours there before returning to the hotel for an afternoon of Dr. Phil and Oprah. We had a guest speaker and dinner that night at the hotel by Dr. Frank Tough and it was short and sweet which was nice. Day Two consisted of going to the Metis Resource Center to do more geneological research. It was time consuming and we barely made it back to the hotel for a presentation by Maria Campbell(one of my role models). It was interesting as we were shown historical fashions and had to each pick an article of clothing and explain it to everyone. All of us girls went out to karaoke where we sang and danced for hours...good times! Wednesday was my favorite day as we went to see Louis Riel's grave, went to the St. Boniface Museum which was awesome, they had Riel's original coffin there and we saw two Riel statues. We also went to The Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature which was one of the largest museums I have ever been to. The museum had a little theatre in it where you could watch old movies and I don't know if it was because I was overtired or what but those old comedies are a hoot! That night we all were treated to dinner at the Olive Garden! Day Four consisted of a sleep in and a guest speaker in the afternoon. I was ready to go home and we made it back swiftly and safely on Friday.It was a wonderful opportunity and I enjoyed the trip and the company! It was eye opening to go to a place where my ancestors had been and learn about the things they lived through and how hard they fought for our people. I came back with a sense of pride and I am thankful for that...

Shenanigans in Winnipeg

Here are some pictures of my friends/ fellow Sunteppers on our Winnipeg 2009 trip...Enjoy!

Winnipeg Trip 2009

I went east of Saskatchewan for the first time ever and loved it! Honestly, Manitoba is Saskatchewan's twin sister but I still got to go see something a little bit different so I was happy. To my surprise I really liked Winnipeg and found it to be quite beautiful(even in the winter). While we were there it rained alot and was cold and so it lead to ICY streets and roads. They closed down the highway and a couple of my friends fell on the icy streets. Surprisingly I did not fall but I won't speak too soon;) The sidewalks were equivalent to skating rinks and although I can skate I sure didn't have any with me! We did some school work and had a lot of fun and the people that I went with were great! The SUNTEP program that I am in is a program for Metis students and it is absolutely wonderful. I have learned so much about myself and my culture in the last few months. The purpose of the trip was to do genealogical research at the archives in Manitoba and at the Metis resource centre. We also had time for karoake, museums, seeing The Forks and Riel's grave, long walks around town, shopping, dinners, and drinking! There was only 6 of us from my class that went and we had a great time. Marcy, Cara, Claire, Sarah, Sam and I and the rest were in 2nd year of studies. We all had a great time together though. I belted out a ditty( or five) one of the nights at the hotel and was missing Japan quite a bit.Karoake seems to do that to me;) I will write more and put up a slideshow soon with trip highlights! kawin'a ki'we'ta'n

The Samurai! Hai!

I had a real treat tonight! My boss's from Tisdale, Ronnie and Gene, took me out to a FANTASTIC Japanese dinner which was absolutely amazing! I have been there once before about 5 years ago but after having lived in Japan( and having a real taste of Japanese food )I have to say I REALLY appreciated it this time. I had bay scallops and steak along with lots of veggies, sticky rice and miso soup and quite a few spicy caesars;) We had a great waiter in the lounge that turned out to be from Archerwill area and although our chef wasn't a talkative chap he did make a steaming volcano on the grill out of onions so I was more than happy;) We sat with some girls from Regina who were my age and in Saskatoon for night on the town. I had a great visit with Ronnie and Gene accompanied by great food, great drinks and of course, a great atmosphere! Gene had a Geisha drink which was made of Triple Sec, Sake, Pineapple Juice and Grenadine...what a punch that had! WOW! Anyway, it was a wonderful experience and if anyone is ever in Saskatoon and loves Japanese food you should definitely go there. Thank you Ronnie and Gene for taking me there, it was awesome!
KOMPEI AND ARRIGATO GOZAIMUSU!
I am off to Winnipeg early in the morning so I will post when I get back from my trip....SAYONARA MINA-SAN!

Carry On...

This weekend I went to karaoke! I used to go to karaoke about 3-4 times per week when I lived in Japan and since I have been back in Canada I can count on one hand how many times I have went out for a crazy night of singing. I still very much prefer the booths of Japan with the shochu, friends and ability to sing whatever you wanted with little waiting time. In Canada, you have to go up on a stage in front of a whole bunch of people that you don't know which(unless you have had a couple) isn't so much fun for me. Anyway, the point of this ramble was a went to karaoke and got to belt out "Carry On My Wayward Son" by Kansas at a bar called " Crackers". Yes the bar is seriously called Crackers. I am not sure if they are referring to the light, flaky snack that you often eat with cheese or if they are referring to people of paler complexions...haha. Nonetheless, I decided that is my new favorite song and that Kansas is my new favorite band. I swear I should have been born in another generation :)