Summertime...

I always find it fascinating; how temperature is perceived all over the world. For instance, when I first came to America, the summers were soooooooo hot to me. In Ireland the summer temp is usually around 25 to 28 Celsius, so about 79 to maybe 83. Here in Colorado, the summer temp can easily be around 104, to highs reaching 110!!! Now that I've lived here 15 years it doesn't seem as hot, but I remember times when I really thought I was going to die of heat stroke.

So now that I'm looking into go to Japan, everywhere I here that Japan's summers are super hot. I looked into it. Here is what I found, "Summers will range from 20 to 28 Celsius (that's 68 to 84 Fahrenheit). In the south, the range will swing from 21 to 29 Celsius (69 to 84 Fahrenheit)" Honestly, I don't consider that hot, but I do suppose you have to factor in humidity. But I really think that Japan's climate, while warmer than Ireland's, will be perfect for me. The summers are cooler than they are in Colorado, and the winters are much warmer.

But I definitely suggest that anyone who intends to move to a different country check out the climate and weather first. You should know if you have a tendency to get heat sick, or elevation sick, or if you just don't like the heat or cold. You should know and prepare for these situations before you go.

Ketsueki-gata

Otherwise known as prediction of character through blood types. Like the Astrological signs in the West AND like the Chinese Zodiac.

From what I've seen in America, people really don't pay much attention to their blood type, which I think is unfortunate because if you ever need a blood transfusion it takes time to test you for your blood type. In an emergency seconds can be really important.

I know I'm an O-... I know sucks right?!! But here are the blood types for humans(lets not worry about the + and - for right now); O, A, B, and AB.

  Chart from Google.
Okay, as you can see, the blood types are caused by the absence or presence of antigens on the surface of the red blood cell. You can only have one blood type present in your blood stream, if you are given the wrong blood type your body will reject it and that can potentially make you sick. This is why knowing your blood type and having a record of it in your medical records is essential.

Blood types are inherited from the parents, but a mother can often carry a child that has a different blood type.

The + and - signifies the RH system. The Rh system tells people that you either carry or do not carry an antigen, most commonly the D antigen. So RH+ means your blood DOES contain the D antigen and if your RH- it means you DON'T carry the D antigen. + types can receive both + and - blood types and - can only receive negative types.

O+ blood type's can only receive O+ and O- blood. O-'s can only receive O- blood(hence why is sucks to be an O-). A+'s can receive A+, A-, O+, and O- blood. A-'s can receive O- and A- blood. B+'s can receive B+, B-, O+, and O- blood. B-'s may receive O- and B- blood. AB+ can receive any blood type... so if your AB+ your super lucky! AB-'s can receive AB-, A-, B-, and O- blood. So because I'm an O- I'm a universal donor, but I can only receive type O- blood.

I will now note that Japan, as far as I know, doesn't recognize the RH factor in Ketsueki-gata. 

But on to the topic at hand: Ketsueki-gata...Like in Western Psychology, there are various personality types in Japan. There are differing variations on this such as Myers-Briggs personality types, in which there are 16 personality types. In the West, There are types A, B, C, and functional A personalities. A is aggressive, and they have a predisposition to get heart disease. B people are laid back and tend to be calm, most people tend to be considered B's. C's are introverted and have a predisposition to cancer. Functional A's can work through their aggression. (A/B Meyer Freidman and Ray Rosenman) (C Temoshok and Dreher) (Functional A (Hardy Personality) Suzanne Kobasa)

In Ketsueki-gata:

Type A: Positive traits: Creative, reasonable, responsible, reserved, patient, helpful.
Negative traits: tense, easily stressed, stubborn, meticulous, demanding.

Type B: Positive traits: Wild, adventurous, active, creative, passionate, strong, daring.
Negative traits: Irresponsible, unpredictable, careless, reckless, undependable, immature.

Type AB: Positive traits: Controlled, rational, social, 'split personality', spontaneous, collected.
Negative traits: Critical, 'split personality', indecisive, forgetful, hesitant, belittling.

Type O: Positive traits: Agreeable, sociable, optimistic, mild, compatible, calm, amendable,
Negative traits: Vain, rude, jealous, arrogant, abrupt, insensitive, awkward, aggressive.

Praying for Japan

I'm praying for everyone in Japan, especially my loved ones in Tokyo. Please everyone keep safe. I'm hoping to hear from my Uncle and cousin. Know that the people of Japan are in my prayers!

Quote of the Day 2/9

"That I am vain, reserved, unsociable, wanting always to keep people at a distance - that I am wrapped up in the study of ancient stories, conceited, living all the time in a poetical world of my own and scarcely realizing the existence of other people, save occasionally to make spiteful and depreciatory comments upon them - such is the opinion of me that strangers hold, that they are prepared to dislike me accordingly. But when they get to know me, they find to their extreme surprise that I am kind and gentle - in fact, quite a different person from the monster they had imagined."

~ Lady Murasaki, The Tale of Genji

Japanese Wisdom 1

"If the cup is cool enough to touch, the tea is cool enough to drink."

Did you know...

That Sakura, Japanese cherry blossom trees, is actually just a flowering Cherry. Meaning, the tree doesn't bare fruit! I've always thought that Sakura were actually cherry trees. I must admit, it is a bit disappointing... I had this romantic vision of Hanami, flower viewing in spring; then in summer, returning to that tree to collect the fruit; and in autumn, watching the leaves change. So I'm a little sad to find out that they don't bare fruit. They're still beautiful though!

My interest in Japan

Here's why I'm interested in Japan(so you know the reason why and don't think I'm a creeper!)

1. (Most important reason) My grandfather was Japanese, so I want to discover my roots.
2. I want to go to College there.
3. I love the language; it just sounds beautiful to me.
   

Yeah, those are my three top reasons for wanting to A) Learn about Japan and Japanese Culture and B) Someday go to Japan.