Excuse to parents???

[sid]

guys ,

i wanted to know from u people what excuse would u give ur parents if they were against u goin to japan for kendo. my parents think i am wasting my time if i go... ok not everybody has tough parents....but maybe we can have some really crazy excuses that work out ,right here in this thread..

ur replies are appreciated.......

[D'Artagnan]

How about,

"Mum, Dad, I am a grown adult and I make my own choices, I will only be spending my money to get there and comitting no illegal acts in the process"



If you are not a responsible adult then this does not apply, and you should do as your parents say

[Shazzanzzz]

learn japanese.... japanese, asian culture. expand horizon. etc. any educational stuff is good.

[D'Artagnan]

or you could just 'Disappear'

no, even better, fake your own death!

[lucy]

How about,

"Mum, Dad, I am a grown adult and I make my own choices, I will only be spending my money to get there and comitting no illegal acts in the process"

There might be a problem, though, concerning the money to get there... I suppose sid is still at school and wants to go after finishing (correct me if I'm wrong), so he won't have the money to pay for it. In case he wants to study after school he will most certainly also need his parents to support him, at least a bit.

[sid]

" I will only be spending my money to get there "



what bout those who cant say that.....
i need them to support me for that too....n responsible adults think bout their parents too :-) right?

[D'Artagnan]

There might be a problem, though, concerning the money to get there... I suppose sid is still at school and wants to go after finishing (correct me if I'm wrong), so he won't have the money to pay for it. In case he wants to study after school he will most certainly also need his parents to support him, at least a bit.


Well, then I guess he's buggered!

[D'Artagnan]

what bout those who cant say that.....
i need them to support me for that too....n responsible adults think bout their parents too :-) right?


Well if your family really don't want you to go, then you can't expect them to pay for it.

Perhaps, if you saved your pennies very hard and paid for yourself to go then they would realise how important it is too you.

I know my parents wouldn't fork out the cash for me to go off playing silly games with sticks on the other side of the globe...

[Bennosuke]

If you haven't been going practicing Kendo for a good period of time, going to Japan won't be all that helpful. If your parents won't let you go, its because they either don't think you have a good reason for going, or that you are not responsible enough to go. Getting a job to earn money to go could show them that this is something you are commited to. I worked out a deal with my parents that if I raised half of the $5000 dollars for a trip, they would help pay for it. I ended up getting a scholarship there through the exchange program YFU (Youth for Understanding), and I only had to pay for the flight there and back. If money is an issue, the YFU program might be somethign to look into. Regardless, you have to show your parents that this is something that you want, and that you will be willing to work for it.

[ahmed61086]

what bout those who cant say that.....
i need them to support me for that too....n responsible adults think bout their parents too :-) right?


Maybe you should just be patient and wait a few years before you go.

Think about it, if you go now, you wont appreciate it as much as would, lets say, when you are more advanced in you kendo.

For example, when i was kinda new in bogu, I got a chance to get to practice with some masters from Korea, and then I got to practice with them again a year later, and I was able to appreciate it much much much more. And if I got to practice with them now, or a year from now, i would appreciate even more than the last time.

Patience is a virtue my friend. Let it happen.

[sid]

Well if your family really don't want you to go, then you can't expect them to pay for it.

Perhaps, if you saved your pennies very hard and paid for yourself to go then they would realise how important it is too you.

I know my parents wouldn't fork out the cash for me to go off playing silly games with sticks on the other side of the globe...


ya thats exactly true...thanks anyways....
my parents dream of me as a mba from a good uni and earn in thousands walking arround in tie n suit with a leather bag making bussiness n good profits.....

guess thats what all of em want from us.... but when we ask ourselves.....do u really need that???

shit its tough to explain all this to em....

when i say to them its just a year so the next question is what next?? waht after 1 year of all that ? what do u do then........??

i think i really need a longer excuse than that one!!!!

[lucy]

I know my parents wouldn't fork out the cash for me to go off playing silly games with sticks on the other side of the globe...

Neither would my parents...

My mom already told me how stupid she thinks I am for planning to take my Iai+Kendo stuff to Australia for 4 weeks! :down:
But I'll be staying in Melbourne and they have lots of dojos, why should I let such an opportunity pass me by??

I'm currently saving up for the plane ticket (and for my own bogu, which she doesn't know) by tutoring lots of "stupid dunderheads" so I can tell that it's hard. But worth it! After seeing how serious I am about going to Australia she has even offered me some kind of credit in case I won't be able to earn enough. :)

[Hisham]

when i say to them its just a year so the next question is what next?? waht after 1 year of all that ? what do u do then........??



I guess you'll have to find a way to reassure them about what's next and show what kind of benefits you're going to get from that journey.
You have to argue your own case, and your "credentials" (how well you're doing at school.....etc) will also play on there final decision.

Good luck and don't get frustrated if they say no, if you trully want to go there, you'll have other opportunities in the futur, just keep up the kendo training.

[nikozamo]

mi dad think like the same he prefers to leave in europe studying medicine or whatever. was a bid big discussion, but he (and my mother too) at last just leave me go. because they understand how important is kendo for me. like at the begginings... (my parents are not togheter) dad, i need to go to a tournament, but its our weekend togheter... mom you can leave in the dojo???... i want a carbon shinai for xmas... and that stuff... 1001 fights because the school... ``if you dont get good mark, no kendo`` and i respond: ``no kendo... no study``.

so you can imagine the rest.

im in katsuura right now.

[Mowvran]

Try telling your parents that kendo involves a high degree of discipline and that discipline will transfer to other parts of your life so when you return and go to uni you will be a model student due to your high level of self discipline. Adding this to cultural and language benifits.

If that fails keep the dream and go when you are self sufficient

Good Luck

[xvikingx]

Coming to Japan just for kendo seems like a waste to me too. I imagine your parents like I just think it is just expensive play time.
Like young master Fisher said, save your copper and pay your own way. There is no rush.

[cesarekim]

There used to be exchange programs to Japan and Korea. A friend of mine went to Korea on an exchange program in 87 or so right after high school. He ended up staying till 2006... He did get a Masters in Korean Lit and should finish his PhD sometime next year. He's also married with 2 children. His family is ga ga about the kids and wife so things worked out very well.

If you go to Japan, you're going to need a better excuse than I want to do Kendo. At the very least, try to talk to them about going to Budo Uni.... Come up with a well defined list of objectives in your life and the reason you need to go to Japan to achieve them. If you can't do that, you're better off staying in Germany, going to uni and getting a good job. THEN, you can go to Japan to play with your own money...

Guess Viking said it better in a much more concise manner: save your copper and pay your own way. There is no rush.... :emb:

BTW, I have one of those MBA thingies, I got it after engineering and it was actually very interesting/challenging. I go to Korea to train and I pay my own way. My wife REALLY hates the waste of time. If it's not your parents, it will be someone else who gives you shit about putting on smelly stuff and hitting people with a stick even if you are paying your own way. Suck it up....

[sid]

BTW, I have one of those MBA thingies, I got it after engineering and it was actually very interesting/challenging. I go to Korea to train and I pay my own way. .


that sounds really inspiring!! that would make parents happy that son is MBA n u earn enough to get urself places ur own kind-a training...wow...

could u tell more bout getting an MBA in english from some uni in japan that would mean uni kendo when u study n continue practice n see if u get a ok ok job....that really sounds kendo as long as i can manage....wow!!!:grin:

[cesarekim]

Sid,
I think you missed the point of my post... What level are you in school and in Kendo? I'm only kendo 3dan but I've practiced since I was 12 and I'm 37 in a couple of days... I played judo and tkd on a competitive level (I sucked) most of my life up to 31 or so and I started those before I was 5... What I'm trying to tell you is that I spent an average of 3 hours a day practicing ma since I was 5 till I was 17. I continued on a limited pace throughout college and my initial career. Even with this background, I NEVER considered going to Budo uni. Are you that good and committed? The odds of making a living off of kendo in Germany are about the same as here in Italy. People on this forum have managed to live off of ma, notably the people who created kendo-world. They are the exception NOT the rule... Unless you want to leach off your parents for the rest of their lives, forget about it. Get a decent job and take kendo for what it is for most of us: a great discipline which lets you get away from the REAL world...

Getting an MBA is a pain in the ass. I got mine at a night program while I was running localization programs all over the world. I literally slept an average of 4 hours a day for 2 years. If you go that route, the objective is not to get an ok ok job to keep doing kendo. You need to get a high 40K net job to pay back loans and stuff. If you have time to do kendo while working and doing an MBA, you are God...

Best of luck,

PM me if you want to talk about this...

[sid]

Thanks a lot for the valuable advice Cesarekim...
i shall remember every word of it....

[Anonymous]

I suggest following the advice of your parents, considering that they'll probably have far more experience than you'll ever have.

[Cool Cat]

Hi Sid,

I always wanted to come to Japan when I was younger and not just for kendo. So I worked hard and studied Japanese at Uni and continued working part-time and then I was offered a position in Japan. I was then able to work and earn good money and do my kendo at the same time. I lived in Tokyo for four years and I've been back again now for 1 year.

What I'm saying is that you need to focus on your future and not just your kendo. Japanese love German cars and other products so start looking to get into one of these companies and then get a transfer to Japan. You can do it.... This will make you and your parents happy and you'll have money to buy all your new bogu and shinai.

CC

[Super Kodachi]

If it's not your parents, it will be someone else who gives you shit about putting on smelly stuff and hitting people with a stick even if you are paying your own way. Suck it up....

Man that is so true! My Girlfriend hates my bougu! Its always "why do you have to to kendo... why does the armour smell..." :happy:

Back to topic however. I think Cid you really need to provide some more information, how old are you? What level of school are you currently? How long would you plan to stay in Japan?

If your interested in Japan and Japanese Culture/Budo why not apply for a Japanese language degree? You can normally get a one year placement in Japan as part of language degrees. That way you can pursue your own interests live in japan and at the same time be pursuing a practical university education that will get you a job.

As others have said there are very few professional kendoka outside of Japan. Kendo will not pay the bills. A degree will. one of my girlfriends friends from work has a boyfriend who is just finishing a Japanese degree in Germany. His name is Steffan. He used to do a lot of Judo in the past and often goes to japan for 3 - 4 months as part of his studies.

If you go to japan for education that can really help you. You can do so many things with a degree in japanese. Work in buisness/industry, education, media and publishing. Whatever you want. And if you go to a Japanese Uni chances are they will have a very strong kendo club as most daigaku do.

You can do kendo in Europe, keep training at home, show your parents over time that you are dedicated and commited to this art whilst you study in Germany. Explain to them that you really want to pursie a degree in language etc and do your part in Germany then you will get your year in japan as part of your studies. They are happy and you are happy.

After your degree you can go and live in Japan if you really want and you will be in a really strong position tyo get yourself a good job.

If you do this I think they will be able to understand your interest and you will be able to reassure them that it isn't a "phase" or fad.

Good luck!

[Super Kodachi]

Also I think the term excuse is the wrong way to look at it. Rather it should be an explaination. A demonstration of what is important to you in your life and why. No parent can be angry or upset if their child has dreams and ambitions as long as they can be backed up by practical goals and outcomes at the end.

Show them that you are good at kendo, that you enjoy kendo, and that kendo is a big part of who you are, but at the same time you can think of the future and your prospects and I am sure that they will be very proud.

[sid]

I think Cid you really need to provide some more information, how old are you? What level of school are you currently? How long would you plan to stay in Japan?

If your interested in Japan and Japanese Culture/Budo why not apply for a Japanese language degree?

!

Sorry for no info bout me....am 24 n have done engineering (IE) in 2005..yes i know am too old...yes i know its too late to start kendo or to think seroiusly bout making it a profession....yes and its also true that i still depend on my parents for their decisions (i suck!!)....

maybe the reason for al that is i still don know what to do....i wan to get to japan n do kendo like everybody on this forum....but don have any idea wht to do bout it...

but thanks a lot super kodachi for that cool idea...i guess mba n stuff is too much to ask for as a mere mortal...maybe u can suggest a good japanese language uni where i can do the language degree n which has a good kendo club?? know any ??? maybe put the links here n tell more bout it....

hope thats not too much to ask......

[Alexandrinus]

Maybe you start working and get so the money to travel there, or finance your studies.
OMG you 24 and all depends on your family?Grow up get a man.

Tut mir leid das ist meine Meinung.

[lucy]

Maybe you start working and get so the money to travel there, or finance your studies.
OMG you 24 and all depends on your family?Grow up get a man.

Tut mir leid das ist meine Meinung.


Yep, my opinion as well.

But, even though I'm definitely not homophobic I wouldn't advise him to get a man to solve his problems... :D

(Sorry, couldn't resist...)

Oh, and sid, I think the others meant you should study in Germany, earn your own money and then, maybe, get a job in Japan so that you can practise there as well. But as you already studied, I also think you should get a job first. Then you will be free from your parents and can decide on your own.

[Anonymous]

I'm guessing the op doesn't even have a degree?

[Hisham]

What thaaa !, you're 24 :confused:. Man hope the guys merry xmas mood is still on :D

[cesarekim]

Easy guys....

He's in Germany working for Airbus but is of Asian extraction. I have children of my own and don't depend on my parents for financial support but I still have to answer to them... Let's give him a break and offer something constructive. No reason to flame the lad. If nothing else, just flame the fat Korean guy not him...

Let's share in the Season's "goody good atmosphere" and have a Happy New Year.

PS: What does "Tut mir leid das ist meine Meinung" mean? Sorry, the only German I learned was from the SAP help menu....

[sid]

PS: What does "Tut mir leid das ist meine Meinung" mean? Sorry, the only German I learned was from the SAP help menu....

''i am sorry but that's my opinion''

thanks all u fellas !! i respect each opinion and wan to thank each for trying to help me....:happy:

enjoy ur selvester party !!
good wishes for the new year!!!


PS:
i have enough advices now...its time to call off this thread now!!!

[Super Kodachi]

Sorry for no info bout me....am 24 n have done engineering (IE) in 2005..yes i know am too old...yes i know its too late to start kendo or to think seroiusly bout making it a profession....yes and its also true that i still depend on my parents for their decisions (i suck!!)....

maybe the reason for al that is i still don know what to do....i wan to get to japan n do kendo like everybody on this forum....but don have any idea wht to do bout it...

but thanks a lot super kodachi for that cool idea...i guess mba n stuff is too much to ask for as a mere mortal...maybe u can suggest a good japanese language uni where i can do the language degree n which has a good kendo club?? know any ??? maybe put the links here n tell more bout it....

hope thats not too much to ask......

Well lets not all jump on the "he's 24 and doesn't have a job" bandwagon. I know people male and female in similar situations (German, English, Japanese) who have studied later in life without having a job first, some 25, some in their 30's.

I don't think that at 24 it's too old to start Kendo. Infact I think thats avergae for most European Kendoka. So don't be put off by that. I'm slightly concerned though about the comment "too late to start kendo". Are you saying that you have no experience at all in Kendo? If you haven't even been to a class I think its a bit sudden to be making such rash and life changing decisions.

It had been my assumption that you had been studying kendo for a little while. If this isn't the case I can more than see why your parents would be concerned.

I think you really need to take a step back and think about your life and the choices you've made up to now. For me personally I never really did a degree in what i wanted just what I was good at and what was expected of me. After that I worked in University Research and Development (till the present). Its only now that I'm applying for a masters in what really interests me (Japanese Culture and language). I'm starting night classes this month and hope to commence my MA in September (with the possibility of conducting research in Japan).

The point is I too took sometime to get to the path I really wanted (didn't finally sort this till now and Iam 23 so I can sympathise with your situation).

Don't try to study Japanese in Japan. If you're serious about this do a degree in Japanese language in your home country, or another European country (SOAS in London in particular has a very good Japanese Language degree that gives a one year placement in japan as part of the course). Most Japanese Degrees will offer a year in Japan however and Iam sure that you could find a course in Germany that provided this.

Start Uni, do kendo whilst studying, build a level of skill before you go, and then during your one year placement enjoy it. Also after this you have the option of joining schemes such as JET where you can live in Japan Teaching English (there are also schemes where you can teach German). You will also be in a much better position to get a normal job after the degree.

If you go to Japan and want to start kendo from scratch... I seriously wouldn't advise it. You will most likely not be able to join the Daigaku kendo bu, and would have to go to junior high school clubs or prehaps find a private dojo (which can be very hard). If you go to Japan with at least Ikkyu or Shodan (which is more than possible if you study in Germany or Europe for 3 / 4 years) then you will have a much better chance of getting more from the keiko and finding a club who will take you on i.e you can join the regular diagakusei keiko.

[Alexandrinus]

Sorry i thought you are german...because of the flag.

I dont think 24 is to old to start with Kendo (i for myself started with 33 last year).
Why not use your experiance in other sports for Kendo.
You will not get a top Kendoka, but in every sport its possibbel to get so good that the sport makes big fun.
But i think to learn proper ice hockey should be much harder then to learn Kendo.

For your life planning.....
Maybe make a plan what do i want to archieve in lets say 5....10....20 years and then do it....Life is to short to hide (i always did good with this taktik).

[sid]

(SOAS in London in particular has a very good Japanese Language degree that gives a one year placement in japan as part of the course). Most Japanese Degrees will offer a year in Japan however and Iam sure that you could find a course in Germany that provided this.

.

i checked out the SOAS site...its a good offer, the diploma in jap language n culture is for a year n then followed by some work exp in japan (optional). sounds good cause they are going to make u JLPT level 2 in just a year...its a bit expensive though, 8400 pounds for the course,am sure that would turn most people arround.

[QUOTE=Alexandrinus;]

Why not use your experiance in other sports for Kendo.
.[/QOUTE]


i do muay thai n taekwondo when am not doin kendo so i guess am fit for sports,but just wanted to tell u that my job got me here (germany) by luck, n here i could finally begin my childhood dream...kendo...although staying here n doing kendo is not a problem at all...but my concern was how would i reach japan oneday...(fool or lie to anybody but finally get there to do kendo) yes i have already started to save money for it from my salary...but without good reason n good future planning i wouldnt last long enough in japan....so thats the reason i started this thread in order to know 'the ways u can reach japan with different reasons'----but finally end up off course doing kendo...

its also true that kendo is about patience so i have to wait for the time am good at it so that i am able to appreciate the japan experience better.am measuring all the odds right now n trying to think of a good plan thanks to the replies i got from u guys. this discussion has been really helpful to me n people like me(hopefully) till now... thanks a lot...:-)

[Super Kodachi]

Fees for the 2006-2007 session are £8400.

£2520 for Term 1, £2520 for Term 2 and £3360 for Term 3, payable in advance, including course materials.

There is a discount of £500 for applicants who pay the fee for the whole year 4 weeks prior to the start of the course. For those those who pay termly 4 weeks prior to the start of the term, there is a discount of £100 per term.

I think the important thing here is you can save yourself up to 500 pounds if you pay a month before your course. Yes its a lot but theres always the option of taking out a loan to cover it, or perhaps discussing these fees with your family (perhaps they can be a guarantor? Or help lend you the money).

This would be 2 years with a placement, but for the cost and the time/ outcomes why not just study this at degree level? Tuition fees will probably be a lot cheaper.

For example from the SOAS website

Fees and Bursaries for UK/EU Undergraduate Students at SOAS, 2006-2007*

Undergraduate tuition fee: £3,000 per year*

This covers EU member states so you are applicable for the cost even if your non British.

Also why not study in Germany? I'm sure you can find a course there that might be cheaper. Are you a German citizen or are you from somewhere else? Also are you working now?