Ironman 28

A couple of months ago, I mentioned about the 1:1 scale Gundam statue in Tokyo. Well, guess Japan might be preparing itself to be invaded by Godzilla or something equivalent, because now here comes a new challenger to the Gundam!
(Note: the Gundam statue was actually disassembled some time ago)

Tetsujin 28-go!


This statue was built by the city of Kobe as a memento of the city's revival after the Hanshin Earthquake. Technically it has the same height of the Gundam in Odaiba, although since his position is not straight up, the relative height is a little smaller. And in this case, people are allowed to get close to the statue, with kids using its foot as a playground slide. Also its position calls for funnier pictures with people imitating Tetsujin's pose.

The statue is actually at a location not so easy to access. It is at Wakamatsu Park in Nagata Ward, since the area was the one who suffered most from the quake. I went there with my host family by car, so I don't really know the directions.

The choice for Tetsujin 28-go was influenced by the popularity of its creator, Mitsuteru Yokoyama, a Kobe-born manga-ka.


Another curiosity is that Tetsujin (鉄人) translates as "Ironman". And, when I hear this word, I can't help but remember Marvel's Iron Man. Fortunately (or not), that Iron Man was translated to Japanese as Aian-man (アイアンマン). That sets a clear difference between the two characters in Japanese. Note that it's "aian", not "airon" (アイロン) as many would expect. I don't know the exact difference between the two, but "airon" is used more when we talk about ironing clothes.

Master of the Universe

Or should I rather say M.Eng.?

Yes, I finally presented my thesis. This was way crazier than years ago during my bachelor's years. Maybe it's supposed to be like this. Having problems with simulations and systems; becoming desperate that results are not exactly as expected; being pressured by deadlines...

But now it's over. Or almost. I still have to submit another version with some corrections, and I still have one congress to go. Nevertheless, the worst is gone now... Probably.

And, as it couldn't have been different, Murphy decided to make its show during my presentation again. Although this time it wasn't as bad.

All M2 (2nd year Master students) had their presentations on the same day in sequence. So it made sense that we use a single computer with all presentation files in it. The guy who presented just before me was a Mac user and he decided to present using his Mac instead of the common computer with Windows.

Well, his presentation lasted long enough for the common computer to enter sleep mode. And after turning it on again...

... I face a password screen with no idea of what is the password.

Also, for some mysterious reason, the other M2 weren't in the room.

Niiiice.

Well, we found someone and the password went well (after getting it wrong and having to ask it again). There was also a problem to send the data to the projector, but at least this time there were no problems with the presentation file itself.

And, of course, considering that I had to listen to questions in Japanese made things a bit confusing so I couldn't really understand some questions.

Still, all went fine and in the end I passed. Or so it seems. (It also means I'll have to change my description in this blog soon...)

Ironically, after being DM for some years, now I am really a "Master"... hehe!

Now I start to really think about after graduation. With the dust settling, I realize I have no concrete plan. This is not good. I'll probably have to start looking after my connections and for some opportunities. I should have done it earlier.

Well, after one battle, there is always the next one... The cycle of life.

Triple Special Day

February 14th, 2010.

Three days until I defend my Master's Thesis.

I shouldn't be writing here now...

But this day deserves some comment..

Why?

Because it is a "special day" in many points of view.

It is carnival in Brazil. Arguably the most celebrated holiday in the country (although I'd place Christmas first) and one of the main images people abroad have from Brazil. From Japanese to other foreigners, most people make a reference to either carnaval/samba or soccer when I say I'm Brazilian.

While initially a Christian party, Brazilian carnival created a file of its own and nowadays is considered pretty much an unrelated thing. Especially since the Church is against some of the libidinous behavior common there.

I wouldn't even dare to call myself an especialst in carnival. I actually don't like it much myself (it is a nice holiday, though) . Still, my years in Japan allowed me to give at least a brief introduction about the subject. Ironic. I became more acquainted with carnival in Brazil after I left the country. It was in Japan where I saw my very first carnival parade and professional dancers.

On the other side of the planet, China and other countries that use the lunar calendar are celebrating New Year. Another irony, considering my previous post was also celebrating new year - this time according to the Gregorian calendar.

So many of my friends from China, Taiwan, Malaysia and around are celebrating new year now. Like in Japan, New Year is the most important holiday, the season when families gather, trains and flights in those countries get crowded and expensive...

... during a one month celebration.

Yes, I had the same disbelief look when I've heard that first. It is not all days I guess, but there are traditional festivities during more a less that time span. During the days before, among other things, there's a general cleaning up (similar to Japanese oosouji tradition, I believe) and a "small new year celebration" one week before the real one. And after the new years there are still certain festivities concentrated on the first week, but they go as far as the 15th day. More details can be found on websites around the net.

So whoever said Brazilian carnival is too long should check Chinese New Year...

And it seems there is a traditional TV show in China that people watch on the 31st. Quite like Japan's NHK Kohaku Utagassen I've mentioned before. The English name would be CCTV New Year's Gala or something like it. But it has even more variety than its Japanese counterpart, with comedy scenes, some magic and other stuff. Personally, I think it's better without so many variety, but it may be just because I don't understand Chinese anyway.

Still, two points about the broadcasting of the show surprised me. One was how I actually got to watch it: live through online broadcast (fair trade: I invited Fang for a Christmas party; she introduced me to Chinese New Year). And even now, while I was looking for links, I managed to find a website in English... but not only. Four other languages, including Spanish are also available (even though it is separated from the Chinese version for some reason... the 2009 page has all of them linked).

Now on to the third celebration of the day: Valentine's day.

This one I think has European origin. THE classic day for lovers to exchange cards and presents, go out for a date under a perfect romantic atmosphere.

Not in Brazil. Not (so much) in Japan.

How come? Well, for some reason, Brazil celebrates Valentine's in June 12th. Guess there wasn't any need of another celebration with carnival around... heh! So, although what people do on that day is still essentially the same, the day they do in Brazil is different.

Japan is different in the other sense. The day is kept, but not the way couples usually celebrate it.

Guess some chocolate company had the idea (and influential power) enough to change the basic rule of Japanese Valentine's to "girls give chocolate to men".

Originally, women didn't declare their love for men. It was the other way around. Giving a chocolate on Valentine's day would be a girl's chance to express her love.

Although unnecessary nowadays (yes, girls in Japan are able to take the initiative already), the idea was somewhat cute and with good intentions. What happened later messed things up (in my opinion): instead of only giving a chocolate to a girl's love, she "can" also give to other "relevant" men in her life.

Allow me to elaborate on the two words between quotations: by "relevant" I mean friends, relevant senpais (seniors. For example, in labs or clubs) and some superiors and other people who helped her during the year. Not a bad thing anyway if she wants to, but then comes the second word: the "can" actually means that in some cases it is expected that she gives chocolate to certain people. The so-called "giri-choco".

I am not a Japanese girl, so I am just giving an opinion of an observer. I may be taking too harsh of a posture on something they actually don't mind, anyway.

Men shouldn't get too cocky either. They are expected to give a present in return on White Day.

Either way, this year I am home preparing for my Master's thesis defense. So I am most likely not getting chocolates.

Back to study... on a triple celebration day...

Enjoy carnival, happy new year, happy valentine's.