SaigonNezumi.com

I love the “What religion are you?” quizzes.  They never seem to get my right religion.  See for yourself:

1.  From Quizilla:

Shintoism: Shintoism is a religion based in Japan and the Japanese culture. It’s beliefs center mainly around the kami or the spirits. They believe in many of these spirits, and they also believe in worshiping and holding rituals and festivals for these spirits which they hold with honor and respect. Followers of Shintoism hold loyalty and honor in high esteem.

Maybe I got this because I am half-Japanese with a strong Japanese influence from my mother.

Definitely not a serious religion quiz but humorous.

2.  From ProProfs.com:

Buddhism: Love and tolorance is your motto. You belief in karma, and reincarnation.

Okay, maybe my Japanese upbringing influenced me here.

3.  From QuizFarm.com:

You Scored as Paganism. Your beliefs are most closely aligned with those of paganism, Wicca, or a similar earth-based religion. You may also follow a Native American religion.  Scored a 100% for Paganism, 65% for Buddhism, 60% for Hinduism, and 55% for Islam.

That one was unexpected.  Estrella!!!  Shintoism by some would be considered an earth-based religion as well.  This is not the first time I heard this described about me…

4.  From BeliefNet.com: (Probably one of the most accurate online measures of religious choice according to online sources.)

1. Mahayana Buddhism (100%)
2. Hinduism (89%)
3. Neo-Pagan (88%)
4. Theravada Buddhism (83%)
5. Jainism (82%)
6. New Age (82%)

Again, this is probably due to the influence of Japanese culture.  Both Japanese and Vietnamese are Mahayana Buddhists.

Personally, I consider myself a Muslim with a strong Sufi influence.  Elements of Sufism are similar to elements of Buddhism and the Hesychasm in  Christianity.

Another interesting post by Japan Probe.  Biking over water on a floating flimsy bridge seems easy but…take a look yourself:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDbMN8cyZWs[/youtube]

Via the Jamaipanese blog, I learned about another Japanese anime series titled Valkyria Chronicles.  Jamaipanese gives a good review of this anime series which already completed it’s first season of 26 clips.  I am currently watching the English subtitled episodes online at: animefreak.tv.

(Image Source: Wikipedia)

Thanks to the Japan Probe blog again, I found out that there will be a live action movie titled Space Battleship Yamato, aka Star Blazers in the US, released this year.   The 30 second clip is really awesome.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBu1cZm4Gqg[/youtube]

(Space Battleship Yamato)

I was a huge fan of Star Blazers when I was a kid.  Seen most of the TV shows, minus the Bolar Wars series.  This film will definitely be popular in both Japan and the US.

More about the film in English from Wikipedia.  It looks like it will released in December, 2010.  I should be in Japan at that time.

Happy New “Western” Year 2010 everybody.  Thanks to the Japan Probe blog, I remembered that in Japan, it will be the start of the Year of the Tiger.  Most of Asia will not welcome the Year of the Tiger until February 14th, 2010.  For Nezumis (Japanese for Rat/Mouse) such as myself, the Year of the Tiger is supposed to be a good year.

Below is the changing of the guard from the Ox to the Tiger.  Enjoy!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz1RNyNIlmE&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]