It Has Been Too Long

Well, I must admit that it has been a long time since I posted anything. I had given up writing this blog and resigned myself you archiving it in my mind and using it to remember my Japan experiences. But, I will be dammed if my professor did not make me come here several times since I gave up writing in it. Since I am in Japan once again, I will keep with the tradition and post another article.

I, against my will, was sent back to Japan by my professor to do more 'research.' I do not consider what I do here research. I am just making samples. I can characterize them in only a few different ways. They do not have the ability to do nonlinear studies, so my purpose is just making new samples...which also doesn't make sense because I still have lots of other samples.

Since I am using this more like a journal about than a blog, let me update myself on what has happened in the past year. I have finally presented my topic before the board and filed for graduation. If everything holds, I should graduate in May. I am still having trouble getting Dr. Neogi to publish my papers (I have only 2 to give him). Once I get back, I will write another about Au-ZnO lifetimes and about the TPE-SHG switching processes in ZnO. If I can get those, I will feel okay about getting a postdoc. But it must start rather soon. I only have a year left. I will have to write my thesis (which I don't think will be very difficult) and publish papers. I have not found a postdoc yet, but I will start trying a few months before I graduate.

I arrived in Japan on the 7th of June and I will leave on the 11th of July. Once again I am in Matsue, Japan. It is a nice place in Japan. I prefer it to any city that I have lived in here. Last weekend I went to Izumo Taisha (Big Shrine) with the lab members (again). However, almost all of the lab members have changed since I was here last. Izumo Taisha is the oldest shrine in Japan I am told. It is the second most important (after Isejingu). After the shrine, we went to the museum about the shrine. It was more interesting to me. I learned a little bit more about Japanese history. Finally, we went to a winery. At the winery I bought lots of gifts for other people in Texas.

On Saturday I am going to see friends in Tokyo (or rather, some friends and I are going to meet in Tokyo). It has been some time since I have seen them. I don't know what we will do there yet. I am leaving all plans to another friend. Well, I don't have to feeling to write about Japan anymore. I don't find it an great place. But, I think you should decide for yourself. Your opinions and experiences could (and will be) different than my own. Maybe you can see it in a bette way. If I did not have as many friends here, I am sure I never would have made it through.