Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Report from the Meido Kentei

The Japan Maid Association meido kentei -a grueling test and lecture, lasting for hours on end, forcing the most diligent apprentices to miss the highly anticipated Comiket, instead they are instilled with the virtues of... maidliness- this is the big one!

The kentei, which happened last week, saw just under 30 eager, potential maids attend the test to learn proper cleaning and serving skills (even the honorable legacy of the maid), then go out and test their knowledge.

Akibanana breaks down the two hour lecture as such:



~Service & Manner~
A Meido's Spirit
Greetings
Bowing
Six Basic Key Phrases
Speech & Language
Answering Phones
What is Expected From a Meido

~Maid History~
The Background & Era of the Birth of the Meido
Maid Milestones


As you can see, it is not all fun and games for these girls. Though some did come to the test dressed in moe maid or punk maid costumes and others may have picked up some experience working in maid cafes, the duty of the meido goes beyond these superficial considerations!

Many of the girls in attendance are already studying for careers in hospitality and maid servitude, so it only seemed fitting to them to take the level three test offered that day and achieve another level closer to being a full-fledged and endorsed meido.

Meido kentei take place frequently throughout Japan. Students who pass receive a level-specific certificate in maid proficiency.

Friday, August 21, 2009

You must thaw the tuna before you put it in the sushi!

In 1997, a team of Japanese scientists embarked on Antarctica to perform experiments in its sub-freezing temperatures.

As Antarctica is not well known for its nightlife, baseball games, and great television shows, it can get pretty boring in the great white vastness of the snow country.

Therefore, it is up to the expedition chef to keep everyone entertained at the dinner table, well-fed, and sane from going stir-crazy.




Masato Sakai stars as Chef Nishimura in this dramatic comedy released in Japan today.

Have a look, I have a feeling it will make its rounds to English film festival theaters soon!

Via Film Asia.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Japanese TV: Wacky bowling!

Check out some pretty funny, wacking bowling shots. All strikes!!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Kami's Summer Update

Dear Kami,
Everyday you leave links informing us of the going ons around the World and Japan,
unfortunately not everyone seems to catch them in time.
How about an update to sum things up?
Thank you for all your hard work.
-------------
Hey You!
What's with all your links and spam?
I'm content with limiting myself to the confines of my room!
Forget the outside world!
What are you trying to do?
Make us learn during Summer Vacation?!!
_________________

Ahh... Summer Vacation... if I wasn't so poor, I'd go somewhere... but instead I opted for a "Stay-cation".
If you had the chance, where would you go? What would you do?

Well... if you're out of ideas on how to celebrate your 50th wedding anniversary,
or your 80th anniversary of diplomatic ties...
Why not take cue from the Royal Couple and visit Canada?

On July 3rd, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko started their tour in Canada.
After some fun in the sun, The Emperor and Empress had luncheons, dinners and meetings with
Not bad for a country that some say has little to no political power *cough PC cough*.

After Ottawa, the tour continued south to Canada's Multi-Cultural, Metropolitan jewel... Toronto.
First on the list was a visit to Sick Kids Hospital...
Perhaps the Emperor and Empress were unaware of the horror stories from down south?
After a Japanese lullaby from the Empress, there were more official meetings and luncheons at Queens Park with
Ontairo Premier Dalton McGuinty.
Visits to the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre and Momiji Senior Centre ended the Toronto Tour before heading to Vancouver and Victoria.



This summer also marks the 64th Anniversary of the end of World War II.
While 61% of American's polled think Nuclear Bombings are a "Good thing",
Japan commemorated the event with prayers for peace and hopes of global nuclear disarmament.
Both Liberal Democratic Party leader Prime Minister Taro Aso and opposition leader Yukio Hatoyama of the Democratic Party of Japan had their say on Japan's Nuclear principles and future of Japan.
Elections are set for August 30th.

In less serious news, Japan won first place for the first time at Nagoya's Cosplay Championship.

Lots more cool stuff here!! Continue browsing...

Archives: (Oldest) April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 November 2009 December 2009 January 2010 December 2010 (Most Recent)