Congratulations!!!

"I know not with what weapons World War 3 will be fought, but World War 4 will be fought with sticks and stones."-A.E.

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.

Last trip to Nagoya (for a while), "American Diner" and Research Paper

On the left if Valeriya (Ukraine) and on the right is Felippe (Brazil)

Once again I returned to Nagoya to visit friends, but this is probably the last time for a while. My travel funds are running a little low at the moment. When I save up a little more, I will continue the travel. Anyways, this time we had a going away party for Felippe (Brazil) and Valeriya (Ukraine). The are leaving Japan on the 3rd of June. First, they will be going to Brazil for a month and then to the Ukraine for a month and then back to Brazil (forever?). I have to wish them luck and thank them for making my time in Japan better. However, I don't envy the plane ride that they will have to take. They will travel for a total of 40 hours straight. I would definitely die before I got there unless I was able to stop for a day and continue the travel the next day. But, I hope they make the trip safely and I wish y'all the best.

The next day I slept in until 10am because I didn't actually start attempting to sleep until about 2:45am. Paul (Ecuador), Fausto (Brazil), Lucas (Brazil) and myself (TEXAS) decided to go to a bar after we got back from the going away party...although none of us drank alcoholic drinks.


Above is at the "American Diner" in Nagoya. Marni is 'Enjoying' his Fish Burger.
I met with my language exchange friend from 1:00 to 2:15 and the headed to Osu Kannon. I've talked about Osu Kannon before. It has a large temple and a large shopping center...that is basically behind the temple. There are a lot of Brazillian places there. However, the reason we went there was to go to a "American Diner." The hamburgers looked normal in the pictures. Actually, there were just a little off. Of course, as expected, the size was a bit smaller than usual. I ordered the BBQ burger...Big mistake. I think they consider demiglass sauce BBQ sauce in Japan (not sure about that). Paul was running a little late (partially my fault for contacting him a little late, partially his fault for getting on the wrong train, partially Marni's fault because I need to blame someone other than myself and Paul), so I took the liberty of ordering him a plain hamburger (which is the safest choice). Marni ordered a CHEESE BURGER. I know Marni ordered a cheese burger because (1) he told me what he was going to order and because (2) I listed to him make the order and the girl repeat the order. Later, the cook came out of the back room and asked us if we wanted mayo on our hamburgers. Actually, when I say us, I only mean Marni...but he asked Marni about all 3 hamburgers. I replied and Marni replied to the cook, we don't want Mayo. The cook said okay and left. I made a comment to Marni about how nice it was that he came and asked us if we wanted Mayo. Then, about 5 minutes later, the cook returned with the same question to Marni. I was a littler perplexed because in some alternate universe I think I had already answered that question. Now, I should explain that the cook only talked to Marni (Philippines) and not myself. However, Marni's Japanese is much worste than mine (no offense Marni...your Japanese has improved a lot though). Once again, Marni said, "No Mayo." The cook explained to Marni that there were 3 hamburgers. I told the cook, we don't want Mayo an any of the hamburgers. Now, you have probably already guessed what has happened by the way I have kept writing about this. When we got the "hamburgers" Marni's hamburger had Mayo all over it. But, not only was it covered in Mayo, it was not a hamburger. It was a fish burger. Now in Japanese fish and cheese are kind of close, but I'm sure I heard the lady repeat Marni's order as a cheese burger. I would have said something if I heard it differently! Owell...things rarely go completely correct.

Anyways, I'm working on my first publishing. I'm not sure when I will have the data to finish it for publishing. I have to rely on another doctoral student at UNT to run my samples (which I don't like). Hopefully it will be accepted for publishing by the end of June. Of course, when I succeed I have to write about it here.

Not sure what comes next??? Oh yeah, the 2 researchers from the University of Noth Texas will be here on June the 10th. I think I will be showing them around. They will be here for about 2 months. At least I will have more company.
Well, thanks for reading.
Adios for now.
-Ben

Golden Week: Trip to Nagoya and LOUD Lab

(Above: Missing my room in Texas a little. It just had a nice feel to it. The dorm I'm in doesn't have such a comforting feeling.)

So, I went to visit friends in Nagoya durning Golden Week. It was pretty fun. Just hanging out with friends makes me feel a little better here. Momoko and Paul gave me a birthday party with a interesting sandwich. They also go me an interesting tea set. I'm going to set it up at my desk when I get back to Texas, in my lab. It looks similar to a chemistry set. I will probably add a few other components to it just for the look. Anyways, it was fun.
We got stopped by the police at Nagoya station. They just wanted to see our alien registration cards and write down all of our information. Luckily, inside my passport it says that I am a professor (not graduate researcher). So I think this impressed the officer a little. He turned to me and say, 'Ah, Sensei?' So, I basically said yes. He asked me what I taught. I said physics. Not exactly a lie. I do teach physics...just not in Japan. Anytime I see a police officer I just want to take off running to see what they do. Then when they ask me why I started running, I will tell them I just felt like running. In Japan I could claim that I don't understand what the officer is telling me when he yells stop.
Anyways, now it is back to the lab. Tomorrow I will take my third exam for E&M II. After that I will spin coat some samples on glass and send them to UNT for analysis. If I get the results soon enough I will apply for a conference.
Something I don't understand is why everyone is so loud in the lab. I can hear them through the music that I play on my earphones while reading research articles. They are basically yelling to each other when they are right next to each other. I also don't understand why they need to laugh when they are just talking. I listen to what they are saying sometimes. Even if it's not suppose to be funny, they laugh while they say it. Listening to the loud talking while I'm trying to do work is bad enough, but when it is in Japan my mind finds it difficult to just ignore and instead starts to translate it. It gives me a headache. I'm trying to think and read in English but the loud perpetual Japanese conversation (about nothing), combined with the pointless laughter starts to make my head hurt and drains my energy pretty fast (because of the intense concentration I must give to do what I'm doing and process all of these things). I think it makes me a little dizzy as well. Too much I think.
I kind of wonder if they know I can understand what they are saying usually if I listen. There are certain words about foreigners that I hear that just catch my ears.
Well, I don't have much to say right now. I guess I will talk to you later.
Adios for now.

New Computer

Well, it finally happend. My computer screen gave out. So, this post is being created on my new MacBook Pro. I'm still not sure if I like the layout or not. I guess if nothing else, I could always install windows on this computer (that would seem like a waist to me). This one was a little more expensive than my last computer. Okay, it was more than twice the price. I hope it lasts until I go for my postdoc.
Anyways, I've decided not to get board like I have been the past few weekends again. I have been asking people in my lab about places to go and things to do in Matsue (even though I don't know anyone her to do them with). I asked a person in the lab that is part of the Matsue wind orchesta if he knows anyone who gives violin lessons. It will give me something to do once a week if I can find someone to teach me that. This Sunday there is a get together of international students at some professors house, whom I do not know. But, Dr. Kumar invited me, so I am going to go anyways. He said that there will be about 20-30 international students there. Maybe I can talk to a few of them and become friends and we can hang out on the weekends (or even weekdays...most of the time I'm spending in the lab here is pointless). I'm going to concentrate on one aspect of the research...and that is to explain the increase in two photon emission and second harmonic generation of the nanoparticle ZnO. Also, I think I will tell that girl if she is still looking for a dance partner, I will volunteer...but she will have to teach me how to dance (because I don't know at all).
I still don't have a lot arranged for Saturday though. Dr. Funaki's concert is that day and I plan on going to that. I'm not sure where the place is. I will find it tomorrow.
I also contacted my home stay family from several years ago. They moved to Yokohama...which I think is near Tokyo? It must be a big change. They use to live in the country and now they live in one of the largest cities in Japan. I think I am going to go visit them while I am still here. This is probably the final chapters in my Japan adventures. After 5 more months this will end for good (probably).
Next chapter is going to be in Spain...The I can change the name of the blog to Spain Ewellite. At least, it will most likely be in Europe some where.
Well, I guess I'll see y'all around.
-Ben

STUFF

Welcome back for another exciting adventure with...ME!
Actually, I haven't really done anything recently. I was hoping to go back to Nagoya for a friends birthday party, but decided instead to go over Golden Week (which is in 2 weeks) and just take him out to dinner or something. This will be the second weekend that I will be in Matsue. I should probably use the free time to get caught up in my classical electromagnetic radiation class. Actually, I haven't given it much attention since I got here. I still have an A, but there are two more exams left. It's okay if I do poorly on the next one, but I have to do great on the final. I think he is saving his good questions for the final. The next exam is at the end of this month (so I will need to take it the day before Golden Week). The the final shoudl be the week after we return. I really just want to concentrate on research right now...but I also want to finish my last class (that I will ever have to take) with an A (for the sake of memories). Also, for bragging rights.
Actually, I did meet the president of Shimane University and took photos with him for the purose of a catalog for the university. I posted a picture of it above. Anyways, maybe I will find something worth doing over the weekend out side of study and worth writing about.
Adios for now.

Hanami at a Buddist Temple and a Photo of the Goodbye Party of a Couple Friends

Well, it hasn't been a long time since I wrote, but here are some photos that I want to post.
Photos are below the article.

The first one is actually from my first weekend back in Japan. My friends had a BBQ at a park in Nagoya (Tenpaku Koen). Some of them are gone now. It's not the same place without them.
The other photos are from Hanami at a Buddist temple in Matsue. We went there on a lab trip. Actually, usually one would sit under the cherry trees while drinking beer and saying great things about cherry blossoms, but at a Buddist temple I'm not sure if it is allowed. However, we were asked by the professor if we wanted to stop at the convenience store and get beer for the hanami. I, of course, turned down the offer along with everyone else. Instead, we drank traditional green tea (Maccha) and I listend to others say great things about the cherry blossoms...I don't really care for flowers to beging with.
At the end, everyone threw a 5 yen coin (and it must be a 5 yen coin) into a box, put their hands together and said a prayer (for whatever it is they wanted I guess).
Finally, we all parted to go home.
Anyways, like I said before, I may be headed back to Nagoya in a couple weeks. It should be fun.
Adios for now.

Friend's Birthdays

So, I took another trip back to Nagoya this weekend because two of my friends had birthdays (Paul from Ecuador and Fausto from Brazil).
Unfortunately, everyone is a little busy recently. I think it is common in Japan at this time of year. The fiscal year starts on April first here. So, they also are dealing with the new semester and presentations, etc...
By coincidence, on my way from Nagoya to Matsue, I ran into a couple other friends of my in the subway (on my way to the bullet train). It was kind of interesting...It's a city about the size of Chicago and I ran into a couple people that I know rathe randomly. That doesn't happen often in the US.
Anyways, I didn't take any pictures of my friends parties, but I did take a few scenic pictures from the train and from the university that I can share (below).
I also met with my language exchange friend while I was Nagoya again. She seems to be doing fine. At least I was glad to meet her. We talked for a couple hours at Starbucks.
Some of my friends have left to go back to their home countries, so it seems that my circle keeps getting smaller and smaller. Japan isn't as good without them. I think that a lot of my friends are trying to get jobs and postdocs in Germany (for some reason). I guess if they are all going maybe I will do that too. I should probably start thinking about a postdoc now as well.

Back in Japan

Okay, so I haven't written on my blog for a LONG time. Since I'm back in Japan I thought I may as well continue.
Actually, I ment to continue when I was in the US, but I just seem to have lost the time.
My first week back in Japan I visited friends in Nagoya. Several of them have just gone back to their home country. Now Japan won't be the same without them.
This weekend I'm making a trip back to Nagoya (I'm living in Shimane for the next 6 months) for a couple of my friends B-day. The only real question is what should I get them?
Well, I will write back again when I have some pictures to post...in a couple days?
Adios

Fouth of July and Hiking in the "Mountains"

It has been sometime since I wrote last. I usually don't wait more than a month to write a new articles, but I've been a little busy. I'm still doing some experiments for a group in Japan (which is putting my research a little behind), and trying to do my research. Although I don't mind doing the experiments for the group in Japan...

Anyways, I guess a lot of stuff has happend since last time (but I'm only going to talk about a few things). It was the fourth of July here the other day, and my ex-roommate/friend (Abram) came down from LSU to visit. Abram, Jake (one of his other friends), and myself all went to the Wichita mountains in Oklahoma to go camping for a couple nights. Originally we were going to Colorado, but since Jake had a wedding to go to and needed to study for the MCAT exam he couldn't go to Colorado (so we had to go to OKlahoma). I don't think I would call the Wichita Mountains actual Mountains. I thought of them like hills, but they were tall hills and had a lot of interesting features. I'm posting and explaining some pictures below:

(Above: Random scenery as we were hiking. This hike lasted about 3 or 4 hours. We had to go through several valleys to get to the place we were trying to go.)



(Above: OF COURSE, anywhere I go I always have to get in a fight with someone using the crane kick. "If done right, no defend.")


(Above: Me climbing up the side of a vertical rock wall with my bare hands and no rope...actually the wall isn't verticle, we turned the camera to make it look that way.)


(Above: This bison kept showing up at our campsite. The one's that you see alone are the older males who have been ousted from the pack by the younger males. They are kind of dangerous. You should mess with them as much as you should mess with Texas...and everyone knows you don't mess with Texas. Anyways, it scratched it's butt on this pole for about 5 minutes before it left. I'm glad I didn't touch the pole. It became the butt of a lot of jokes while we were there. At one point, Jake actually went over to the pole and smelled it...although I still don't know why...?)

Also, there was some firework showing at the university football field. It was rather nice...In other words, not too crowded. I basically just talked to Abram most of the time. (Pictures Below)
It was nice having a friend stop by again. It's a little dull around here with everyone gone.
I had a lot more pictures, but I left them on other peoples cameras...which is unfortunate because most of them were a lot funnier than mine! O well. Maybe I will get them next time.





Anyways, that's all for now.
Adios

Trip Back To Japan

I went back to Japan to visit friends in Nagoya. I can't say that I enjoyed the plane ride there, but I did enjoy spending time with friends (as always). I flew by JAL because I think they have better service. However, I was put in a middle seat between two people. First off, the space between the seats is not enough for my legs, so I was extremely uncomfortable on the 12 hour plane ride (and it's not so easy to get up when you are between two people). When I got to Japan I had to remain on the plane an extra hour and 15 minutes while they did a check of everyone on board for the swine flu (but seeing as how there was a outbreak of swine flu in Osaka when I was in Japan, I guess they couldn't help stopping it anyways). Luckily on the way back, I got an isle seat by the emergency exit where I was able to stretch my legs all I wanted (I think I even slept a little).
Well, I did too many things to actually talk about. Next article I do will be a repeat article of a trip that Marni and I took to Nagoya castle a long time ago. Basically, we did the exact same thing, the exact same way, took the exact same pictures, with the exact same results...just years later.
I went to the Toyota museum in Toyota city with Paul (from Ecuador). I thought it would be full of cars. Instead it is only art. This weeks exhibit was about an guy who was trying to bring his child's book to life by building everything in it (some pictures below).





On the last day a lot of us went bowling. There were some who couldn't go for some reason or another...but I won't mention any of them (caugh...caugh...Johney Bravo). Anyways, obviously we all had a good time. Of course I had to imbarrass everyone with my GREAT bowling skills (I did actually beat everyone...hahahaha...haha...hahahaha). Or maybe they were imbarrassed because I was wearing a shirt that translated as "You are Weird" in Japanese. I got a lot of laughs from complete strangers...but at the very least they wern't staring at me. I think everyone bowled until their arms hurt. We all started out pretty good, but got progressively worst as time went on (probably because we played too many games...I could have bowled more...but we had to catch the last train).

May Birthday Party and Time in the Lab

May 4th was my B-day (May 5th in Japan). I didn't really do much. I was originally going to spend all day in the lab fixing the Raman system, but I got close enough to finishing it to stop for the day and I went to my mothers house for dinner and a few B-day gifts. My favorite gift was a book about "Chuck Norris Facts."
I finally fixed the Raman system (AGAIN). Hopefully it stays fixed this time, because I don't enjoy fixing it (the optics really suck).
Anyways, finals are coming up in a few days. I have mine on Tuesday and am busy studying. If I make an A on the exam I think I will get an A in the class for sure.
Other than that I am busy preparing for my trip to Japan. Two of my sisters b-days are also in May, so I have to get them something...but I'm not very good at finding gifts.
I'm not really doing anything that interesting until I go to Japan over the summer. I'll have to write about my trip in another month...that should be more interesting than talking about doing nothing...and I get to spend time with my friends again.
Well, thanks for reading.
See you around.

At the Lab, Texas Sucession From the United States, and Back to Japan

Well, not much going on these days outside of school. Finals are approaching...so I guess that means I will be busy puting off reseach for a week or two when they get closer. I'm not sure how my grades will turn out this semester. Well, actually I will get an A for the research hours I am taking...however I do not know what I will get in Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics. I will either get an A or B (of course I'm hoping for an A).
My douchebag roommate moved out after another arguement about nothing (he was actually trying to kick my other roommate and myself out of the house...so I don't feel bad about anything). So, I have a new roommate and I still have my other cool roommate. Unfortunately, my cool roommate is moving out of state for graduate school (he's going to LSU). The lease is up at my house in May and I don't know what I am going to do yet. I guess I will either renew or move into an apartment (either way, no big deal).
As for what I'm doing recently, I'm just in the lab a lot. I have an experiment tomorrow where I will do TRPL of ZnO...I'm actually going to do more experiments on it soon and publish a paper on it...but the paper is a couple months away. I'm going to have to learn the femptosecond laser lab stuff really soon too (it will give me something else to do).
Anyways, I was looking at the news from the other day and saw an article where the governer of Texas was talking about Texas suceeding from the union. I guess it wouldn't be the first time that has happend, but I doubt in modern day there would be enough support for that. Besides, I remember what happend last time Texas suceeded from the union (during the civil war). When Texas joined the union, they were under the mistaken impression that they could suceed from it anytime they wanted...however, that was not in the agreement. Still, it didn't stop them from trying at one point. It's kind of amazing that the spirit that Texas is still its own country, in a way, lives on...even after more than 100 years of statehood. I've even heard people make serious jokes that Texas should suceed from the United States. Sam Houston, the first president of the Republic of Texas (when Texas was its own country) said to congress (before the civil war, but after Texas had joined the union) that Texas could survive without the United States, but the United States could not, without great difficulty, survive without Texas. Well, he may have been right...but I think that Texas probably needs the US as much as it needs us (notice the play on words). I'm pretty sure that any talk about sucession is just talk. Texas has no army of its own to stand against the US (which would definitely do everything to keep Texas a state...including force) and there is not enough support for it (even in Texas...seeing as how most people in Texas arn't actually from Texas). It would, however, be rather ironic if Texas broke away from the US, became it's own state and then was taken over by Mexico (a complete reversal of history)! It's kind of fun to think about though. Well, I obviously have too much time at the moment if I'm thinking about those things.
Anyways, I'm headed back to Japan over the summer for 9 days (May 16- May 25). Can't wait to see all my friends.
Update: I'm building a solar power car...however I will have to make the body over the summer. I pretty much have all the components outside of the frame (the engine, power source, DC engine speed controller, etc.... I originally was going to run it off of solar panels only, but I decided to use batteries and continuously have them charging with the solar panels (of course...I have a voltage regulator to prevent overcharging...but with the type of batteries that I have it doesn't really matter if you overcharge them). I'll have to post something over that when I finish building the car.

Back From Hawaii

I'm back from my trip to Hawaii. It was fun and I had a good time seeing my friends. I have posted some random photos of the trip. There are too many to explain, so I chose to explain only a few. By the time I had arrived Fausto and Vik had already been in Hawaii for the past 10 days. The flight to Hawaii took a little more than 12 hours if you count the 3 hour layover in LA. I hate long flights and I have also decided never to fly Delta again (I had decided long ago never to fly American again). When I arrived I was a little impatient since the flight landed more than 30 minutes after schedule and I was in a hurry to meet my friends. Next, the rental car place is NOT in the airport as they claimed, but rather a mile down the road. However, the shuttle bus arrived quickly. Then, getting the car took a long time because everyone had a million questions and their was a line. Finally I was on my way to the hotel (and I got a little lost even with my GPS...I really need to work on that).
First thing I had to do was take a shower once I got there. Then we all went out to eat dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. Unfortunately I could not eat that much, so most of it went to waiste.
The next day we went to Pearl Harbor to see the Arizona and Missouri (pics below). It was pretty nice. I wore my 'anata wa bukimi' shirt. After Pearl Harbor, we went to the beach. I don't remember what the name of it was, but it was a pretty nice beach. The waves were kind of big...but the water was too cold for me.
The next day we went snorkling. I don't actually have any pictures of the even because I put my camera in a locker, but I do have pictures of the cove that we went to (before I put my camera up). It was really clear and there were a lot of fish. We went snorkling (which I usually wouldn't do in the ocean because I don't trust fish) and got sun burns (or at least I got one of those on my feet). After snorkling we went to a place called "Blowhole Point" and saw some whales coming to the surface of the water for air and then making large splashes with their tales. This was probably the best day for me. And unfortunately the last day.
Early the next morning I took Fausto and Vik to the airport so that they could return to Japan. I don't really like saying goodbye, but it was great to see them again. After they left, I drove around to a couple tourest attractions, but I didn't really feel like getting out of the car and going in. At one I was getting out of the car to go in, but couldn't find much of a point in it, so I just got back in the car and drove to the car rental return place and returned the car. It seems that even Hawaii is just another place without my friends there. I think I would have had just as much fun no matter where we were.
My flight was not until 10:30pm that night, but I returned the car around 1pm and sat at the airport for a long time. I had a couple margeritas to pass the time. The flight back was a little better than the flight there, but only because it was shorter.
Now I am a little depressed that they are gone and am trying to find something to do other than go to the lab. I should probably work on my homework. I guess I will get started after this.
BUT FIRST: some history about the battle ship 'Missouri.'
The battle ship Missouri was active in World War II and the Gulf War. It is where the official surrender of the Japanese was signed. We looked in the Missouri and probably stood around the same spot that the documents were signed (pictures below). Now it stands as a museum.