Category Archives: Personal/Site Updates

Obligatory Life Update…

November 1, 2015 Jennifer Leave a comment

Life as a graduate student, graduate assistant, and teaching assistant is grueling and not glamorous.

I have successfully moved into my studio apartment. It’s nice, spacious, newly renovated and on the top floor of a four-story building with no elevator so you can imagine how much trouble my former roommate and I had getting my furniture up there.

It gets pretty lonely in my apartment, but honestly I pretty much use the space to crash/pass out, so I’m hardly there these days.

I’m behind on my hours as a GA constantly, largely because one member of the faculty doesn’t really need me yet, and my hours as a TA don’t count. Overall though I think they are happy with how I’m doing… I hope. Most of my work is just running errands like copies, etc. I will start cataloging and digitizing video materials soon, but I’m hoping my work will expand to some research work… Continue reading Obligatory Life Update… →

Personal/Site Updates

My Panel Schedule with Guidebook Descriptions for Otakon 2015

July 18, 2015 Jennifer Leave a comment

Otakon 2015 is less than a week away. The schedule is online, so is the Guidebook application version.

This year I will be presenting 4 panels and 1 workshop, and I have included the schedule and descriptions below. Hope to see some people there!

FRIDAY, JULY 24

11:30-12:30 in PANEL 7 Blood and Honor: The Story of the Samurai in Japanese Cinema

From Kurosawa Akira to Yamada Yoji, Japanese directors have been telling the story of the samurai for decades. From the classics to the latest groundbreaking films and trends in cinema, find out all you need to know about this truly unique and essential genre of Japanese film!

13:00-15:30 in WORKSHOP 1 Fans, Tricks and Hands: An Introduction to Japanese Dance Styles

From the true dance style of the geisha to the lively dances of Japan’s most popular festivals, come for a one-of-a-kind opportunity to see demonstrations of various Japanese dances and learn a variety of techniques, including fan tricks as well as how to perform AT LEAST ONE entire festival dance. All ages and genders welcome! Though not required, wearing of kimono, yukata, happi coat. etc. and bringing your own Japanese fan is highly encouraged.

19:00-20:00 in PANEL 6 How to Become a Samurai in 1 Hour

Samurai – “One who serves.” Thanks to movies like the Last Samurai and anime like Rurouni Kenshin, almost everyone knows a little about these warriors. But what about the true samurai? Back by popular demand as well as new and improved! Come learn the code of Bushido and how to think, live, and even die like a samurai.

SATURDAY, JULY 26

09:00-10:00 in PANEL 2 Japanese Folklore: Kitsune, Oni and Yuurei, Oh My!

Ever wondered what a tanuki really is or what the difference is between a youkai and a yuurei? Find out the answers here! Join us as we explore Japanese folklore and superstitions.

17:45-18:45 in PANEL 2 Thy Name is Woman: Exploring the Horrors of Female Ghosts in Japan

No Japanese horror film is complete without its haunting woman spectre like Sadako from Ringu (The Ring) or Kayako from Ju-On (The Grudge). To the Japanese, however, these ghosts represent far more than just a means to frighten audiences and there is a reason behind every action and trait. Join us and learn them all! Find out the significance of Sadako being thrown down a well, why the female ghosts’ hair is always left unbound, and why the Japanese cannot let go of their dead.

Personal/Site Updates

Otakon is in less than 2 weeks…

July 11, 2015 Jennifer Leave a comment

Am I ready? Yup. Absolutely. I am completely on top of everything. No procrastination going on here. Nope. None whatsoever.

*Screams internally*

When did June become so short? What happened to the first week of July? In recent news, not only has my waitlisted panel been pulled into the official programming, but I am also honored to be considered a featured presenter at this year’s Otakon (no pressure right?)

So here is my final list of programming confirmed for Otakon:

Japanese Folklore: Kitsune, Oni and Yuurei, Oh My!
Blood and Honor: The Story of the Samurai in Japanese Cinema
How to Become a Samurai in 1 Hour
Thy Name is Woman: Exploring the Horrors of Female Ghosts in Japan (NEW PANEL!!!) Fans, Tricks and Hands: An
Introduction to Japanese Dance Styles (NEW WORKSHOP!!!)

Keep an eye out for them, and hope to see some people there!

Personal/Site Updates

Confirmed Presentations for Otakon…

June 13, 2015 Jennifer Leave a comment

Responses from Otakon Programming are all in. FINAL COUNT: 1 workshop approved, 3 panels approved, 1 panel waitlisted, 1 rejected.

Look forward to…
– Japanese Folklore: Kitsune, Oni and Yuurei, Oh My!
– Blood and Honor: The Story of the Samurai in Japanese Cinema
– Thy Name is Woman: Exploring the Horrors of Female Ghosts in Japan (NEW PANEL!!!)
– Fans, Tricks and Hands: An Introduction to Japanese Dance Styles (NEW WORKSHOP!!!)

…at this year’s Otakon!

Personal/Site Updates

Camp NaNoWriMo Week 1: Well… it’s going.

April 7, 2015 Jennifer Leave a comment

Progress is ongoing, albeit a bit slower than I would like. I broke 30k this week, but that was largely because I spent much of the time editing existing material (yay rebels!).

As my schedule starts to free up more, I’m hoping to dedicate more of my time to making some serious progress in my work. As the goal is to finish the first draft of my novel, “When Honor Burns”, I need to start cranking out those words.

Personal/Site Updates

Here we go again.

March 31, 2015 Jennifer Leave a comment

Wasn’t extremely successful last year, but, as some of my friends have called me, I’m “hella stubborn.”

Thus in less than 24 hours I will once again take on the challenge of Camp NaNoWriMo. For the next 30 days I will be writing towards the goal of completing the first draft of my historical novel, currently titled “When Honor Burns”.

Unlike past years, I will be successful because I will not allow myself to squirm out of it by using self-denigrating “waffle words” like “try” or “hopefully” or “might”.