departure imminent

Narita airport terminal gate 46. It was overcast but then sunny in Tokyo today. The sun was down by 4:50 pm which was so cool. I got up today at 5:30, got dressed, brushed my teeth, and went and had breakfast. My host mom took me to the train station. I caught the train to Nagoya station and got on my shinkansen. The bullet trains are really cool. The ride is so smooth and quiet. I arrived in Tokyo in about an hour and 45 minutes. I met with my friend and he showed me around the Ginza area near the station. Tokyo is huge and sprawling. The buildings are really tall. We ate lunch and he treated me! At 2:30 pm I caught the Narita Express train direct to Narita airport. I got here at 3:30 pm and sat down at my gate at around 4:30. All the airport personal are wearing Santa hats which is pretty festive. Now I am killing time until my flight starts boarding at around 6 pm.

Departure day

host mom's house my room 6:20 am. Yesterday I finished all preparations and got to bed at 8 o'clock. I got up at 5:15 this morning. In about 10 minutes my host mom will take me to the train station. The long trek home begins. Is it weird that I'm nervous?

one more day

host mom's house, my room - Rainy and cool weather. On thursday I prepared for my Friday final and began packing. On Friday I had my final and then canceled my insurance at the ward office. Then I went to my politics class where we had a party. All the study abroad students got nice cards with signatures from everyone on them. Then we all went together to the goodbye party held by Nanzan for the study abroad students. I ate a lot of free food and said bye to a lot of friends. I also got some email addresses. Unfortunately I couldn't go to my dorm's goodbye party b/c I had to go to work that evening and make lasagna.

MER (My English Room's) Christmas party was really fun. I got up early on Saturday and went in to help with the preparations. After a long day of preparing and talking to customers the party was about to begin at 7pm. My friend and coworker is a kimono fanatic and knows a lot about them. She lent me a graduation kimono ensemble and helped me put it on for the party. Since I completed my time at Nanzan University it was fitting for me to wear a graduation kimono we thought. Then the party began. All the food was great. My lasagna turned out pretty good I think. The turkey (made by the friend who lent me the kimono) was amazing. Everyone complimented me on my outfit and was saying goodbye to me. Many customers attended. There were probably about 45 people there. We sang a few songs and then one staff member put on a santa suit and passed out presents. I got some chocolates which I gave to a friend later. I didn't need them since I would be leaving soon and already had too much stuff to pack.

However at one pint during the party, I was called up in front and my boss and coworkers presented me with several gifts including a bullet train ticket to Tokyo. Now I wouldn't have to buy it myself!! The ticket was the most thoughtful gift I thought. They also gave me a bouquet of flowers which I gave to a friend later as well. (What could I do with them? I was leaving in three days!) I took many pictures and said goodbye to a lot of customers during the party. Some customers gave me presents too!! The party ended at 9pm. My friend released me from the kimono and we started the clean-up. At around 10 some of us went to an end-of-the-year karaoke party. I could only stay for a half hour b/c I had to get back to my dorm to finish packing. However everyone told me not to pay my share b/c they would cover it for me. I really like THOSE kinds of presents! :D Once I got back to my dorm I stayed up until 2am packing.

The next day (Sunday) I checked out of the dorm and took my luggage with me to MER. I got there at 9:30am. The staff and I cleaned (it was our end-of-the-year cleaning day) and then ate lunch together. After that I worked my usual shift. Another customer came by who wasn't able to come to the party and gave me some gifts as going away presents! I was touched that so many people were giving me things and I understand that it is a part of Japanese culture BUT I was really starting to get worried (HOW WAS I GETTING ALL THIS STUFF IN MY SUITCASE???) I thanked the customer though and smiled. After our shift ended our boss drove a coworker and myself to another coworker's dinner party at her house. Dinner was very nice. This was the same coworker who lent me the kimono. I stayed the night at her house. I was able to reorganize my bags and get everything in but everything was starting to get really, really heavy. I hadn't planned on receiving so many presents!

Early Monday morning my friend and her husband took me to the train station. My friend's husband and I were taking the train and my friend would drive their car back home. He was very kind and helped me carry my stuff to the train. We rode together to one station and then we had to switch trains. He walked with me all the way to my train and passed me my suitcase and bags. I waved goodbye to him as he went to catch his own train. Off I went to my host mom's house. She picked me up at the station. We ate breakfast and then went back to her house. We watched figure skating on TV. That night she took me to look at x-mas lights on some houses.

That night she showed me some fruit. I think they are called "citron" in English. They are common in Japan at this time of year and they are used to season food. One other special thing you can do with them is put them in the bath water and it makes the water (and you) smell really nice. For my bath that night my host mom put some in the water for me. It was like spa treatment! It was quite a nice bath indeed. I went to bed early; I was beat.

Today I went with my host mom to her English lesson. They were all having a party at one of their houses. We played games and talked and... I received many more presents. When we said goodbye and got home I told my host mom I was really worried about getting all my stuff to the airport. I asked if I could go to the post office and send a box of stuff back home. She gave me a large box, tape, string, and a ride to the post office!!!! :D She helped me pack. My box was stuffed full of presents I had received in the past week alone! On the way to the post office we discussed the best way to send it: air or sea. By boat is cheaper (way cheaper) but it takes way longer. When we got to the post office counter I asked how long sending by boat would take. I was told about 3 months. Well that wouldn't do so I had to send the box by plane and pay the extra money. After we sent the box we went and got a drink at a cafe. Once we got back to her house I packed and took stock. I now will have a much easier time getting to the airport. As long as I can avoid being given more presents between now and the time I take off. Tonight I will get to bed as early as possible and tomorrow is an early, early start. Tomorrow it's off to Tokyo.

6 more days

Weather is getting cooler. On Monday I got many things done such as mailing some boxes home, skyping with my parents, and printing some stuff out on campus and then faxing it to the UR. I also went to Kakuozan with two of my coworkers and then we went to dinner.

Tuesday I took my translation final which went well. Then I went shopping with a coworker to get lasagna ingredients for the party Saturday. My boss wants me to make lasagna.

Today I took my kanji writing final which went pretty well. I talked to my parents on skype again. I also talked to my sister this time who has arrived back home for her winter break from the academy. Now I have many more errands to run today.

8 more days

So yesterday on Sunday I went to work and helped train the new employee we hired. He is from New Zealand and is very nice. After work I went to dinner with two coworkers and one of them's husband. It was supposed to be a going away party for me but only 4 of us were able to show up. Oh well it was still good food and afterwards we went and got ice cream at Baskin Robbins. Today I am trying to get a bunch of things done. Tomorrow I have my first final.

9 days left

cool days Friday was the last day of classes and I had a tough exam in language class. In the afternoon I went to politics class and then went to work. After work my coworker and I went to eat dinner.

Saturday I went to an IES re-entry session. It was to help us prepare for going back home. After the session we all had lunch at a really great restaurant. At the session I got my fan back that I designed in Kyoto and a CD on which the program director's assistant had put all the pictures she had taken on all our IES trips.

After the lunch was over I went to the international center library and returned my membership card. Then I returned to campus and worked out at the gym.

Today I will go to work and my coworkers are having a going away party for me.

12 days left

chilly days - On Tuesday night I went with the IES group to see Kodo. It was a stellar performance. We all really enjoyed it. Wednesday I went to a party hosted by one of Nanzan's student groups. We made takoyaki and talked. It was fun and delicious. Then I cleaned when I got back to my dorm. This morning (Thursday) I had a oral final for class and now I have the rest of the morning free. I will be doing work for my linguistics class.

countdown begins, 16 days left

dorm room (freshly cleaned and organized!) crisp and chilly day

Last week was business as usual with my classes. The weekend went well at work and so far this week is going well also. I have been spending time with friends and working like a fiend to get as much out of these last days in Japan as possible!! Finals are next week and then I will work a couple more days at MER (My English Room). Then I will visit my host mom and finally I will visit friends in Tokyo before catching my plane out of Narita airport on the 22nd. It feels like a mad sprint to the finish line but I will wring every last bit out of this experience that I can!!

sleep over and 100 yen store

dorm room chilly day

Over the weekend I worked and slept over at a co-worker's and friend's apartment. We watched a movie and made food and talked. It was really nice having a sleepover. This week has been business as usual so far. Weather is getting colder but I did find a hat at the 100 yen store. A 100 yen store is the same thing as a dollar store in the US. I also found some snacks and some packaging tape at the store. I have been looking for cheap snacks and tape. I need the tape to send stuff back home before I leave Japan. Anyway not much other excitement going on around here.

thanksgiving in Japan??? and not feeling well

dorm room - post lunch. Weather has been cool and sunny. Yesterday I had language, linguistics, and flower arranging. Then in the evening I went to our dorm's potluck thanksgiving dinner. Since there are several Americans living in the dorm and since the Japanese students like any opportunity to have a party they decided to have a thanksgiving event even though it is strictly an American holiday I think. The food was really good for being made by a bunch of students. I didn't make anything b/c I haven't been feeling well. Hopefully though I can lick my cold really soon.

Today I went to language class and I will have politics at around 3 o'clock. I called my boss and said I wouldn't be coming in this evening b/c I don't feel well and I don't think I should cough all over the customers... I will go to bed early tonight instead.

don't wanna think about leaving permanently...

dorm room post dinner - Yesterday was uneventful and today I went to class and a re-entry session for study abroad students. The session was mostly telling us what we had to do between now and when we return to our home countries. I was kind of bummed listening to it b/c as much as a I miss my family and friends I don't want to leave Japan forever. :( I comfort myself and others with the notion that I'll return one day. But when or how I'm not yet sure.

today's highlight: rain :)

dorm room post dinner - rainy day. I enjoyed the rain today. Had language class and talked to my parents via skype. Otherwise fairly uneventful day.

weekend trip so far

dorm room post dinner - have been chilly lately. Friday night I went to work. Today I had a day off from work. I mainly organized my room and tried to study/goofed off. This evening I went to a party at a friend's host family's house. Their house is part sushi restaurant so we ate good food and did karaoke for four hours. Now I'm back in my dorm room and looking forward to some sleep.

life isn't worth writing about...

dorm room late night - cool but sunny day. I had language and writing class today. Other than homework and general cleaning not much news to report. Hope my life gets more interesting soon... 'o'

day in and day out, same old routine

dorm room late night - weather has been getting cooler.

I have been going through my days without much new stuff to report. I worked over the weekend and had dinner with a coworker Sunday night. She and I both really like a restaurant called Pastel. I wish I had more exciting news to report but for now that's about it.

autumn in full swing, interview, and pre kanji test jitters (this title is longer than my entry...)

dorm room late night - cooler and cooler weather.

Today I had language and translation class and also met with a Japanese student to get interviewed for a project of hers. It was a fun interview b/c we talked about anime! :D I have been goofing off/trying to do work since then. Kanji test tomorrow... always fun.

KYOTO IES trip and the Monday after

dorm room post lunch - It has been cloudy and cool.

Saturday - The Kyoto trip started well with our group leaving only 5 minutes behind schedule!! The bus ride was long; I mostly daydreamed and stared out the window. We eventually arrived at Kodaiji, an area that has the Kiyomizudera (famous temple). We had three hours of free time. I had already been to this area last semester with a group of Nanzan students for a day trip. I knew the place well and so felt confident to walk around and not get lost! I looked at the temple and grounds again and walked along the streets lined with shops. I tried a lot of free samples! I ate lunch with a group of fellow IES students and had beef udon. :d I walked around a little more and then headed back to the bus at the appointed time.

Then we all went to a place called Marumasu Nishimuraya which an AWESOME shop that allows customers to paint designs on paper fans. The whole process was really fun and I can't wait to get the fan back that I painted. Then after that we went to our Japanese traditional inn for the night. The dinner was amazing as always but this time we had dinner and a show. A maiko and a geiko performed a dance for us and afterwards we got to take pictures with them, talk with them, and play a fun game with them. A geiko is basically a geisha but in the west of Japan and particularly in Kyoto that is the name the performers prefer to be called. A maiko is an apprentice geiko. After dinner I went and relaxed in the public baths with some IES buddies. Then did some homework with some other IES girls and then went to bed.

The next morning I ate breakfast which was yummy and then we all checked out and got on the bus. We went to Nijo Castle which was really nice. Our tour guide was named Mie and she was so funny and told us so many cool things about the castle. Then our tour guides went with us to Kinkakuji and showed us that temple as well. Then we said goodbye to our two guides and went to another area of the city called Arashiyama. I had been to Kinkakuji before with the Nanzan group last semester and I had also been to Arashiyama before with my host mom. Still it was a lovely place. I looked around a temple and got to ride a rickshaw !! The rickshaw driver was really good and took us (another student and me) through the bamboo forest and all over town. Practicing your Japanese with a rickshaw driver while he is flying you through a bamboo forest is something you simply never forget. I honestly felt like I had been transported back to some past historical era of Japan.

Eventually we all met up at the appointed time in the bus and started home. The bus driver put on a movie for us this time. The movie was Ponyo, a Miyazaki movie. I had already seen it but this time it was in Japanese with no subtitles so it was good listening practice. Then we watched a couple of episodes of a show called Shin chan. Unfortunately I really could have done without watching those... I don't care for that show but again at least I could practice understanding the Japanese. When we arrived back at Nagoya station we all headed in our different directions. I took the subway back to my dorm and showered and went to bed. This morning I got up early, finished homework, studied, and went to language class. After class I talked with my parents via skype. Now I want to get as much done as possible before Aikido practice.

3 days worth

dorm room late night - cool weather.

The last day I stayed with my host mom we made rolls together and went to eat at a soba restaurant. At around 4:30 in the afternoon she drove me all the way back to my dorm.

Yesterday I had language, linguistics, and flower arranging. Today I had language and politics and went to work in the evening. Today for politics class I watched the US Ambassador to Japan speak and answer questions from Nanzan students.

Tomorrow is the IES trip to Kyoto. This will be my third time in Kyoto and I'm really excited.

day two at host mom's house: a lesson, a park, and more

room post dinner, cool day - Today I got up at 8 and went down to breakfast. After eating I went jogging/skipping/walking in the rice fields, something I've missed doing. At 10 my host mom and I went to her English lesson. Her sensei and all her classmates were thrilled to see me again and we had a really fun lesson. The sensei gave me lots of snacks and I gave each lady a business card from my part time job.

After saying goodbye to everyone and promising to come again before I left Japan my host mom and I went to a restaurant where you make okonomiyaki on a stove in front and you. okonomiyaki is delicious and making it yourself is really fun.

Then we went to a large park and drank herb tea at a shop inside the park. When we got home we watched some TV and talked. This evening we ate at a kaiten zushi which is a restaurant that serves the sushi on a conveyer belt. We ate with my host mom's daughter Megumi and her two kids Tomo and Ko. It was very tasty. I will probably hit the hay after my bath b/c I sure am beat once again.

host mom's house; returning to where it all began

host mom's house, my room, post dinner pre bath - Pleasantly cool day. It was day one of visiting my host mom from last semester and I have fallen in love with her all over again. I swear if she didn't live so far away from campus there is no way I would have chosen to stay in the dorms this semester. If only, if only.

I got up early and arrived at Kouzouji train station in Kasugai city (outskirts of Nagoya). My host mom met me there and we had a nice little reunion. Then we went and had a brunch at a cafe/restaurant. Then we drove to Seto city which was about an hour and a half away. It is far into the mountains and we went to a small village and walked around for a while. I saw a performing monkey, many beautiful craft shops, gorgeous scenery, and much more. We ate at the village and my host mom bought a few snacks for later. We then headed back to her house. We had tea and snacks when we arrived home and started settling me back into my old room. I forgot how much I missed this room (much better than my dorm one). The last time I stayed in this room I was in such a completely different emotional state that it feels as though it was another me that stayed here and this newer me is simply remembering it from a faint dream. Outside of the noise and bustle of the inner city I feel a whole lot calmer here and I find myself wishing against all possibility that I can live here again.

While my host mom and I were still talking in my room she pulled out a chest full of clothes that belonged to her late husband. He died about three years ago from cancer. She asked me if I needed any clothes. Of course most of them were too big or too... old-man-ish. But I did decide to keep two pairs of sweat pants, a sweater, a slicker, and a scarf. I love receiving clothes b/c it means I don't have to buy them. I loathe spending money on anything except food and transportation. :P I thought it was really nice of my host mom to give them to me. We then looked at each other's photos. She had lots from her Italy trip this past June and I had lots period.

We eventually started making dinner together. We made tempura and lots of other dishes to go with it. Everything was delicious. We watched TV after dinner and after doing the dishes. Then I came up here to crank out a blog entry, make my bed, plug in to charge my cell and camera batteries, and otherwise get ready for bath time. I think I will stretch a bit too. After bath time I am going straight to bed b/c today was as exhausting as it was wonderful and refreshing. I really needed this break. I didn't realize how much I needed it until now. Tomorrow we have lots of fun things planned as well.

break continues

dorm room late night - Cool day. Friday was the first day of my 6 day break from classes. I organized a lot and went to work in the evening. On Saturday I went to work and today I went to work as well. Tomorrow I will go visit my host mom from last semester.

break begins

dorm room post dinner - Chilly. Today I had language, linguistics, and flower arranging class. I also met with my linguistics class and ate at a restaurant with them and our professor. It was great food and really fun. Today is the start of a 6 day break from classes. I think I need a break too; I'm tired.

chill in the air and encouragement from an unexpected place

dorm room post lunch - chilly. :D Yesterday I went to language and translation class. Today I went to language and kanji class. Last night I went to Pastel, a near-by place that serves pasta. I was studying a bit after my meal at the table. All of a sudden a Japanese older woman came up to me and wished me good luck with my studies!! I was surprised but managed to stammer a response. It's nice to get encouraged! It has been chilly so I now have a blanket on my bed at night and have made the transition to long sleeves. I also had to wear my jacket today. Nagoya is windy during this time of year. I have work tonight.

weekend trip and Monday to follow

dorm room - cool days

Over the weekend was the IES trip to Shirakawa and Takayama. It was a super fun trip filled with exploring scenic villages and spending the night at a traditional Japanese inn. I had a delicious dinner and part took of the public baths they had. We also helped make wax food displays (a huge industry in Japan). When we arrived back at our dorm on Sunday night our dorm was having a sushi party and I ate a lot of yummy sushi. Today I went to class and skyped with my parents. I have been studying as well.

party and trip tomorrow

dorm room late night - cool weather. I had language and politics class today. Then in the evening my dorm had a halloween party. I took a shift at bartender since for my job I have experience with that. People were surprised when I told them I don't drink. I talked with some people I knew but "left" ie went up to my room early. Our IES trip is tomorrow. We are going to Shirakawa village and Takayama. I have already been to Takayama but I'm still excited for the trip.

classes, office hours, job (I feel as though I am in a game of tug of war, and I'm the rope)

dorm room post lunch - Yesterday and today were cloudy and cool. Yesterday I had language and translation class. I worked on stuff the rest of the night. Today I had language and writing class and visited office hours. I have my job tonight so I want to get some things done before I go.

Sunday and Monday

dorm room pre lunch - Yesterday and today have been nice and cool. Yesterday I went to work and after work went with my co-worker to a department store. We looked around for a bit and found a French foods event on one floor. Then we each went our separate ways. I got back to my dorm and did homework. This morning I went to language class and now I am back in my room. I plan to do a lot of homework and organization today.

summer dissipates, some Hokkaido cuisine followed by Philippines cuisine

dorm room post dinner - Today was cool and somewhat cloudy so nice for me. :D I went to a department store which was having a special event featuring Hokkaido foods. It was yummy. After that I went to work. After work I went with a couple of co workers and some regular customers to a restaurant. It was a Philippines restaurant and it was the first time I'd ever had that kind of food before. It was really delicious. Now I am tired but of course, I have work tomorrow as well. At least it isn't as hot here anymore.

this post brought to you by the word "wicked"

dorm room post dinner - Today was a bit cooler. Fall is crawling towards Nagoya. I had language class today and after a wicked midterm we all straggled into our next section's classroom. I was eating my snacks and talking to my good friend. When class started a new project was announced. We are going to form groups of 2 or 3 and go to Kakuozan. Kakuozan is an area of the city near Nanzan that is famous for tons of quaint little shops and fun touristy things like that. Each group will go to a specific shop and interview the owners. There are 17 or 18 shops participating and we have to come up with good interview questions and then present our findings in class. This will all take place over the course of a few weeks but it sounds like wicked fun to me! :D My group is my good friend and a girl I know pretty well from my dorm. We are interviewing a shop that sells cheese and honey. We chose it from its picture because it has a really cool red spiral staircase in front of it. :o Wicked staircases are always good! We brainstormed our topics and questions before class ended and then I had to get back to my dorm to finish up some homework. I am really looking forward to the project though. I had been to Kakuozan once before just out of curiosity and I had explored for a little while before getting back on the subway and heading to work. It is a cool neighborhood.

After class I finished up some homework (a presentation for politics class). Then I went to politics class and gave said presentation! :P It went well b/c the class had a good long discussion about my article that I summarized. So I was pleased. I then went to work. Actually yesterday I worked it out with a fellow employee that she will take some of my shifts. You see she had been away for a month visiting home in America. Now she is back and will be taking my Thursday and Friday shifts. I am so relieved b/c working 22 hours a week was killing me. :P Anyway I wanted to go into work anyway just to visit with her b/c we grew pretty close over the summer and I wanted to catch up. Before going to MER (My English Room) I visited Kakuozan for the second time ever and actually found the shop my group and I will interview!! The neighborhood is fairly small and I was also going off what I remembered from the maps we were given in class today. The wicked cool red spiral staircase was what helped me find it so quickly. I could see it a ways off! The shop is adorable really. And true to its description it sells cheese and honey almost exclusively. I have never before thought of that combination but hey, it works for me! I explored a little more and took note of a pretty nice pink sunset before getting back on the subway. Two department stores and a café later I finally arrived at work and talked with my friend and customers until closing. I also shared some of the food I had bought at one of the department stores. (I had bought and eaten a chocolate cake thingy, bought some cheese and olives, went to a cafe and ordered ice tea and toast, read material for politics class in the cafe, and then finally went to MER.) I took my time getting to MER but I was having a pretty good time. I mean hey, it IS Friday.

Now I have been back in my dorm room for a while and will probably crash soon. It was a great day and hopefully I can have a great and productive weekend.

an oral test followed by a busy day

dorm room post dinner - Today was cooler than yesterday! I had my oral exam today which meant after my 5 minute testing slot was finished I got the rest of the morning off. I spent it in the library. I helped pass out flyers for my dorm's halloween party and then had linguistics and flower arrangement class. I went to work. Tomorrow I have a midterm in Japanese class.

warm weather persists

dorm room post dinner - today was warm. I had language and writing class. I spent time at the library and went to work.

still warm and clocking library time

dorm room post dinner - today was sunny and warm. I am still waiting for autumn to really get here. I had language and translation class and spent more time in the library.

no skype but I try to catch up

dorm room pre dinner - Today was sunny and warm. Yucky. Anyway I had language class. I couldn't talk with my parents on skype b/c something came up at home. Hopefully we can reschedule. I studied at the library for a while and then came back to my room and have been trying to get things done.

a fun packed weekend :D

dorm room post dinner - Yesterday was super cold and rainy all day long!!! XD I loved it!!! I went to see Phantom of the Opera with all the IES students. It was a really good performance. I know the story so even though the words were hard to follow in Japanese I still basically knew what was going on. After the musical I went to a department store in search of a gift for a friend. While there I stubbled upon a fashion show going on there in the store. I had never seen a fashion show in real life before so I stopped and watched and took some pictures. Then I looked around the store but didn't really find what I was looking for. I had to get to work by that point. I spent the rest of the evening at work and on the way home went to the grocery store.

Today I went to Yatomi which is another city in Aichi prefecture (Nagoya is the capitol of Aichi). It was the first time I had been there and the first time riding the kintetsu rail line. I also bought a drink out of a Japanese vending machine for the first time! I went with three other people from my job and we helped out with an English school halloween party. Our boss has connections to the school and was there too helping out. We helped judge a costume contest and helped give out treats and prizes. It was fun but a bit tiring. The pay was worth it though. I got 15,000 yen for about four hours work. :D When I got back to my dorm room I napped. Then I messed around online. Then I did homework and now I think I will go to sleep. It was a really fun weekend. I just wish I could have gotten more work done for classes... Can't have everything I guess.

a good friday and a busy weekend begins

dorm room cool and sprinkly today. (I think I made up the word "sprinkly". :P I had language and politics class today. I went to work with my friend from politics class and we practiced speaking in Japanese. She gave me a present! They were sweets from the shop she works at. She is so nice! I have a busy weekend ahead... I am going to a concert and work on Saturday. I am helping with an event on Sunday. And I have much class work to do as well. I hope I have time to study AND sleep...

skits

dorm room late night - Yesterday was cool and so was today. Yesterday I had language and writing class. Today I had language, linguistics, and flower arrangement. I worked yesterday night and tonight.

Today in language class we performed our skits with our groups. My partner and I did well. She was really nervous on stage and omitted one of her lines but otherwise we did well. Watching all the skits was really fun too. Some were super funny.

Tuesday :D

dorm room post dinner - Today was cool and pleasant. I had language and translation class. I did studying the rest of the day with breaks for eating and other goofing off activities. :D

busy day Monday

dorm room post dinner - Today was rainy! I had language class, talked with my parents on skype, gave my friend her birthday cake, went to the gym and went to Aikido practice. At practice there was someone there whom I know from my home dojo in Rochester. He came to Japan on business and trained a few nights at the dojo. It was good to see someone from my college city! Now I will go to sleep.

training and birthday cake

dorm room - It was cloudy and rainy today!! I explored a bit this morning and then went to work and trained a new employee. I made a birthday cake for a friend of mine to give to her tomorrow. Now I must study.

work and play

dorm room - fairly sunny but not overly hot today.

I slept in and went to work. I had a fun day and afterwards some of us went out to eat at a restaurant. It was delish.

conversations

dorm room post dinner - It was sunny today... but not unpleasantly hot.

I had language and politics class today. In language class we practiced our dialogs and made up our own conversations with a partner. Then we practiced our skit projects so more conversation. In politics class we debated whale hunting, cigarettes, and affirmative action. I also went to work and had some fun conversations with the customers! I rode the subway with a girl from my politics glass. She is Japanese and we have a ritual to ride to our respective part time jobs (until our paths split) together and alternate practicing English and Japanese. ^_^ Last week we spoke in Japanese so I got practice. Today we spoke in English so she got practice! I am so happy to be making Japanese friends and to be having so many great conversations!! I'm happy it's Friday too; this week was exhausting.

an entry for yesterday

dorm room early morning - It was cloudy and chilly yesterday. But it felt really good to me. :) I was tired last night so I am writing the entry this morning.

I had language, linguistics, and flower arrangement class. I am loving linguistics more and more and of course ikebana is a pleasure. I went to work last night too.

the humanity

dorm room - nice and cool today

Had language and writing class today. Went to work. Saw a cockroach in my room. O_O WHY ME???? One of the dorm manangers and I sprayed and searched like crazy but we didn't fine the sucker. So now I'm convinced I'm going to catch a horrible disease from it or something. Hopefully it dies from the spray though. But my room wasn't even dirty!!!! ;....( the humanity.

not much to report yet again

dorm room post dinner - today was delightfully cool and cloudy.

I had language and translation class. I had aikido practice. Not much else to report.

rainy day!!!

dorm room post dinner - It was a beautiful cloudy and rainy day!!!! :D

I went to language class, talked to my parents on skype, worked on a project with my classmate and friend, went to Aikido practice. I am tired, but happy!

too much work

dorm room - cool and rainy today. I went to work and came back and studied. Test tomorrow. I didn't get half done with weekend that I wanted to... I am beginning to wonder if working all weekend is going to be possible for me.

time

dorm room - fairly sunny today but cooler in the evenings. I went to work today and we were pretty busy the whole day. I am so tired and no studying is getting done for the test I have Monday... :( Money... Grades... Sleep... Is it impossible to balance these three necessities? Well, technically grades aren't a necessity but as a student they are supposed to be a priority. I wish I didn't need to sleep.

at last! summer ends!

dorm room - cool and rainy! XD

Today I went to language and politics class and then I went to work. It was my kind of weather today!! I think it is safe to say summer is officially over!!

break spent working :P but finally a cool day!!

dorm room - post dinner - cool and rainy today!!! :D It's finally starting to feel like fall.

Today was a day off from classes because it is autumnal equinox day. I went to work and had a good and fairly busy day.

fire practice and goya champuru

dorm room post dinner - It's been pretty hot... again...

Tuesday I went to language class and translation class. Today I went to language class and writing class. We had emergency drill practice at my dorm in the afternoon. We all got a turn at using a fire extinguisher!! They were filled with water for practice and we shot at a target painted like fire. :) I then went to work. I made goya champuru which is the newest Japanese dish I have learned how to make. It is really good for you and if you treat the goya properly it isn't too bitter. It was my third time making and all the customers that had some said it was delicious. :D I really like goya champuru; I don't mind the bitterness and it tastes so good stir fried with pork, egg, and tofu. :D I don't have classes tomorrow b/c it is the autumnal equinox and a national holiday in Japan. I will go to work instead.

the writing of a skit

dorm room post dinner - Today was not too hot. I went to language class and felt the kanji test went ok. I talked to my parents and sister via skype. I worked with my partner for language class. We had to write the rough draft of our skit. I have done skits for Japanese class before and they always felt so hard and daunting back in America. Now as we were writing it felt so so easy to come up with things to say. :D It makes me feel I have become much more comfortable with Japanese!

I also ate at my favorite pasta place b/c I hadn't been in a while. Now I will study and go to bed.

Kanazawa trip

dorm room - post dinner - It has been not too hot the past two days.

The trip was really fun. I met at the appointed time and soon we were off in our chartered bus. We made a couple of rest stops before finally arriving at a huge fish market. It was a five story structure selling anything you could imagine with an emphasis on fish. I bought two goya and some matcha ice cream with a friend.

Then we went to this gold leaf museum place. Kanazawa is famous for gold leaf and produces like 99% of the gold leaf in Japan. The name 'Kanazawa' literally means gold marsh or marsh of gold. Everyone decorated their own box at the gold leaf place with the gold and silver leaf. My box has my Japanese name on it!

Then we went to the Japanese inn. It was huge and had three different kinds of public bathing areas. Two of the areas were outdoors and the scenery was awesome. The other bath was indoor with a sauna! It was my first sauna experience! After all the bathing fun I took a turn in one of the massage beds. It was a pretty good night. :D Dinner had been amazing too.

The next day we had another awesome meal at breakfast served by the inn staff. Then we went to a large garden and then to a teahouse and old district of the city. Then we headed back to Nagoya. I'm pretty exhausted from all the festivities and the long bus ride but it was such a fun trip and I got to spend a lot of time with my fellow IES students.

Tomorrow is Monday and I have a kanji quiz. DX I have already done my homework and studied so I am looking forward to going to bed tonight! Back to reality.

just a bit of luck

dorm room post dinner - This entry is for the second day of classes that I am just now getting around to writing. >_> It is about linguistics class.

So I arrived at the classroom for the first day of linguistics. I sat down in the room and the professor came along soon after. He explained that the class was an "open" class meaning both Japanese and foreign students could take it. He also said that the Japanese students would return from their break the following week. And then he dropped a bombshell on us. Unfortunately, he explained, this class has a limit of only 10 students (foreign students). All of us looked around at each other. There are currently 16 of you, he went on to say. (I'm paraphrasing.) So I'm very sorry but 6 of you will have to drop the class. After class an office worker is going to come and decide which of you will drop he said. We couldn't believe it!! Japan is usually better run than this! I couldn't believe this was being addressed NOW on the first day of class as opposed to, oh I don't know, BEFORE the class started?? I wasn't able to dwell of the unfairness and sloppiness of this for long b/c the professor immediately started class. The lecture was FASCINATING. I discovered that day how much of an interest I have in linguistics!

At the end of the lecture there was a knock on the door and one of the office worker came in. She was holding a round canister in her hands. My heart sank as I remembered that somehow 6 of us were going to be forced to drop the class. How would it be done? Number of credits? Japanese level? The office worker explained that she had written on ten slips of paper the word "lucky" and on 6 slips nothing was written. She didn't need to explain further. But she did anyway. We are going to draw to see who stays in the class. WHAT??? I thought. This was being decided by dumb luck?? I felt that I never win anything based on luck. What if I wasn't allowed to take the class? What if I got booted out? I REALLY wanted to take the class now!! It was so MEAN of them to let us hear the first lecture and then tell us 6 of us had to leave!!

Suddenly a few students raised their hands and said they needed this course in order to graduate from their home universities. (I thought that that was a convenient thing to SAY and if it was true than they sure were irresponsible to leave it up to one class when they went abroad!) I realize now my thoughts were a bit harsh at the time b/c I was so worried I would get kicked out. I watched in horror as four (yeah FOUR) students each got to be GIVEN a slip with 'lucky' on it!!!! My odds had just decreased significantly (so had everyone else's of course). And then it was do or die. Time to draw. Who wants to draw first the office worker asked. My hand shot up in the air. I figured I might as well draw when I knew for certain the highest possible number of "lucky" slips were still in the canister. It was the only thing I could do to seize the best odds I figured. With six "lucky"s and six nothings it was a 50/50 shot. I braced myself and reached into the canister. I pulled out the first slip I felt. The office worker immediately moved on to the girl behind me. I looked down at the folded slip in my hand. I opened it quickly. Behind me I heard a disappointed sign. I turned and looked at a girl whom I know from my dorm. She looked at me and smiled ruefully and held up a blank piece of paper flipping it over to show it had nothing on it. I automatically held up mine to show her. She congratulated me. Yep, there written in orange colored pencil was:

Lucky!

friends!!! :O (of the foreign variety)

dorm room post dinner - It wasn't so hot today!!!! XD I went to language class (took a test) and politics class. I also went to work in the evening. But the best part of my day was having lunch with a classmate of mine. She is from China and we have been talking a lot in and out of class. We even exchanged emails. I really like her and I hope we can become good friends. ^_^ I also exchanged email with my whole politics class b/c we are working on a debate together and have to meet outside of class. I also met some Japanese students in the elevator and one of them asked me where I was from and turns out she lived for a while in St. Louis so of course we had to exchange emails! I before thought I didn't have that many foreign friends but now I don't know what to do with them all! XD

I hope the weather stays cool for the trip tomorrow. IES students are going to Kanazawa. I have to meet the group near Nagoya station at 8:45 tomorrow morning so I got to get some sleep. Hopefully there will be internet access at the hotel but if not I'll write again in a couple days!

typical Thursday

dorm room morning post breakfast - It was rainy again yesterday! I went to language, linguistics, and flower arranging class. I am still really enjoying my classes especially linguistics. After class I came back to the dorm and cleaned/did homework for a while. Today I have a quiz and I hope I do well. This weekend is an IES group trip to Kanazawa. I'm looking forward to it.

rain! victory!

dorm room night - RAINY!!!! XD

I am so happy it was rainy and COOL today! I went to language class and then writing class. Then there was a social hour with Japanese students that I attended and we played a quiz game. All the students were grouped up according to their birth month. I was with the Decembers and we won the game!! We actually destroyed all the other teams! I answered a question about anime!!! XD Then I had to go to work. Now I am going to try to get to bed early.

quick catch-up

dorm room midday - sunny :(

Last Friday I went to my second day of classes. I had language in the morning and then linguistics and flower arranging in the afternoon. Then I went to work. I worked all weekend too. On Sunday I read to little kids which was fun. We read Harold and the Purple Crayon. Monday I went to class in the morning and it finished at 11:50 and I was done with classes for the day! I went to a Nanzan gym orientation later that evening. The guy explains the equipment and makes sure you are healthy enough to use it. Apparently the high score for heart strength was a 6 and I got a 5! When I was stretching the guy was super impressed b/c since I do yoga I am pretty flexible! :D Today I went to language class and then France and Japan class and translation class in the afternoon. I plan to go to aikido tonight. That is my very quick account of the last few days.

so tired...

dorm room - Hot, but not as hot as has been.

Today was the second day of classes and I also went to work. So once again I am too exhausted to write a proper post. Tomorrow is Saturday so I will try to get Thursday and Friday written up tomorrow.

so much to tell! so little energy...

dorm room late / early (depending on the point of view...) Hot today.

Today was the first day of classes!!!! xD It was an awesome day and I plan to describe it in detail... but not right now. It is past midnight and I just finished homework. Yep school year starting off with a bang to say the least. Full report soon! (I hope...)

busy days, classes begin tomorrow

dorm room late night - Today was rainy!!! xD

Yesterday evening I went to Aikido practice and got a great workout! Today I got my locker key, my textbook, and the kit I need for flower arrangement class. My classes are:

Language

writing II

History of Cultural exchange between France and Japan

American and Japanese Politics

Intermediate translation

Flower arranging

Japanese linguistics

^w^ I'm excited to take them! After I got all that stuff I went on a field trip with other students to the Tokugawa Museam and Nagoya castle. It was my second time to go to the museum b/c my host mom took me once during a miniature doll set special display. At that time my host mom and I ate at the restaurant inside the museum. So this time around a couple of my classmates and I ate there as well. I had the matcha set which was a cup of matcha tea and a rice cake sweet. It was yummy!

My host mom also took me to Nagoya castle but we didn't go inside. This time I got to go inside and it was really cool. The inside has been converted into a museum type set up.

Then after the field trip was officially over the group disbanded at the castle. I went straight to work. I made molasses cookies.

When I got back to my dorm everyone was setting off fireworks in one of the courtyards. I stayed and watched for a bit but then headed up to my room. Tomorrow is the first day of classes so I should review a bit and then get to bed early.

A combination of Aikido and walking around like crazy today (not to mention climbing up a 6 story castle) has left me sore and exhausted. A bit of yoga stretches before bed will feel wonderful!

orientations galore

dorm room - It has been hot.

I haven't had a lot of free time so I got behind again on the entries.

The rest of IES orientation was really fun.

We went to Japanese classes in the morning. We saw Inuyama Castle, a marionette museum, a tea ceremony, and some traditional Japanese fishing. I ate a lot of delicious food and visited the awesome baths the inn had.

Then when we got back to Nanzan we started Nanzan orientation. I took a placement test. But I am not satisfied with the results so I am going to take another test to try to get into a higher Japanese level. Orientation events continue and I have met a ton of new people, signed up for classes, and went to a cool welcome party. I also have been working at my job. I plan to go to Aikido practice tonight. With any luck at all I won't die of heat...

Anyway I am going to really try to squeeze in a daily entry from now on... We'll see how that goes...

first two days of fall semester orientation

Inuyama inn pre dinner - What a past couple of days! Yesterday I met our program director at the Chubu international airport and helped bring new arriving students to the hotel in Nagoya. We took the Meitestu train and then walked from Nagoya station to the hotel.

The first person I took to the hotel arrived at 11:15. She and I dropped her stuff off at the hotel and then explored for a while. We watched a summer dance festival going on in the streets. We talked a lot and then I had to get back to the airport.

The next group of students was two boys and two girls. My director said that I didn't have to come to the airport again after this group. I brought them to the hotel and then we found a couple more students already there. A group of 6 of us went to get dinner which was delicious!

I wound up staying up later than I should have but I did get up this morning and get down to breakfast early. I ate a lot and everything was delicious. I drank about 5 glasses of milk. ^_^ Then we all went on a tour of the Nagoya station led by our director. Our group is about 30 students or so and I have met and talked with most of them. We walked around to the different facets of the station and all the different trains it offers. Then we headed back to the hotel. We got on our charter bus and set out to Inuyama. On the bus the director and his assistant introduced themselves and explained a bit about the next few days.

When we arrived we had a bit of free time. Some of us stayed in the lobby and talked and played cards. Then we had our first orientation session. Then we immediately started our Japanese lessons. I got the same teacher as last semester and she remember me!! :D I was glad to see her again b/c I think she is a really good teacher. The class was a great review and a great practice session for speaking. Since the lesson I have been hanging out in my gorgeous room with my roomies. We had our complimentary tea and treats. Then two of them laid down to take a quick nap. One went to look for some other people and I came down to the internet room to write an entry for the last two days which have been exhausting but a blast. I've made friends with several of the students already. :) Dinner is in 25 minutes and I can't wait!!! I had some snacks for lunch but now I am so hungry!!! Then after dinner I plan to visit the awesome baths this place has. But I do want to get to bed early tonight. Another full day tomorrow!

epic fail but no use crying over spilled milk

DORM ROOM post dinner - Today was hot with a slight breeze.

SOOOOOOO, I am not on the orientation trip. I am sitting in my dorm room. There was a bit of a mix-up today. I got up early, all psyched and ready to go. I got all the way to the hotel in Nagoya with my large bag and asked the front desk if I can leave my bag there before leaving to go to the airport. I was supposed to meet the program director at the airport and help welcome the newly arriving students. Imagine my surprise when the guy at the desk tells tells me that the IES students are not scheduled to start arriving until TOMORROW!!!! I was like :O "WHAT???" So not knowing what else to do I called my program director. I told him that today is the Friday the 27th and was I not supposed to meet him today at the airport? The poor man was horrified to discover that he had in fact emailed me the wrong date for the orientation. Indeed, it is to start on the 28th, not the 27th.

I told him it was no big deal and that I would see him tomorrow. Of course on the inside I was ticked off. By the time I got all the way back to my dorm I wasn't mad anymore and was laughing it off. I spent today napping, watching health videos, and the like. I went to have dinner at Pastel, a pasta restaurant I am addicted to near my dorm. Then I went to the super market to purchase snacks for tomorrow. All in all I am not upset about the mix up. One day early is certainly better than one day late. Things like this happen and the director is only human. So my orientation will in fact be starting tomorrow, this time for sure. :P

orientation tomorrow

dorm room post dinner - Today was hot but with a brave little breeze!

I went to work and made a spice cake for the party Saturday. I also made scones. I had Japanese lessons. I have already packed for orientation tomorrow. Can't wait!

a past few days

dorm room post dinner - It has been hot the past few days with weird brief showers here and there.

I cleaned like crazy on Monday b/c there was a room inspection on Tuesday. I'm currently the only one in this apartment so I was on my own. However before my Japanese suite-mate left for a family visit she did clean her fair share so it wasn't so bad.

Tuesday I relaxed/studied. Today I did the same. I also went to a near-by restaurant for a salad, shellfish pizza slice, a pot of darjeeling tea, and a matcha pudding cup. DELICIOUS!!! Japanese style western food is usually amazing. ^_^ I then went to a supermarket and bought a loaf of bread bread from the bakery and some cheese.

Tomorrow I will go to work and bake a two layer cake. It's for a party the cafe is having on Saturday. It will be the 7th anniversary of the cafe. I will be on study abroad orientation so I can't attend the party unfortunately but at least I can contribute to it. I am thinking a nice spice cake... I can't do chocolate b/c we have an employee who is allergic to chocolate and I don't wanna poison / exclude him. :P I can't wait for the orientation trip!! Can't wait to start this semester either. I have been dying to get back to classes all summer. :D I checked online and the city where we are going for orientation (Inuyama) is slightly cooler than Nagoya is right now! FTW! \(^o^)/

not much to report again

dorm room post dinner - Today was cloudy but hot. I went to work and we were pretty busy. Not much else happened.

study fail, work, free dinner

dorm room post dinner - Today was hot.... :(

I got up and had every intention of studying but... I IMed with a friend instead... Then I left for work. We were busy today and towards the end of the night a regular came in. He had gone on a trip to Malaysia for a few days and brought back some sweets. Since it was Japanese lessons night we passed them around to everyone. I had several! They were delicious!!

After we closed I, a coworker, an instructor, and the regular customer went out to dinner. It was a delicious meal at a beautiful Japanese restaurant. At the end of the dinner the two guys insisted on paying for my coworker and me!!! I couldn't believe it! An awesome free meal!!

Now I am back at my dorm and I REALLY intend to study tomorrow morning!!

blogger acting weird... so three day catch-up!

dorm room post dinner - The past couple days blogger wouldn't let me log in. >:(

Anyway it's been hot but a little rain has fallen.

On Wednesday I met my friend in Sakae at 10am. We both had a small present for each other b/c we hadn't seen each other in a long time. She gave me Japanese jellos and sticky sweets. We walked around different places underground and in various department stores. We ate and caught up. Around 3 she had to go to a piano lesson so we said bye. Today I had the sweets and they were quite good. :)

Yesterday I went to work and had a nice day. After work my friend and her husband and I went to Denny's. The Denny's restaurants in Japan are nothing like the ones in America but the food was still very good.

Today I studied in the library on campus most of the day. I'm nervous about the upcoming placement test for the fall semester. :( I have work tomorrow but I want to study in the morning before I leave.

day in

dorm room post dinner - Not much happened today. I haven't left the dorm. I organized a bit. Tomorrow I am meeting a friend in Sakae though.

a day at the dorm and a dinner of pasta

dorm room post dinner - Today was bright and hot so I waited until 6:30pm before venturing outside... Hey, somedays I don't leave my room at all; except to step out on my balcony. But today, after staying up until 4am finishing Howl's Moving Castle (my sleep schedule is outta whack) I got up and talked to my parents and sister via skype. I studied, looked up news online, watched the Supersize Me documentary online, did yoga, and did some shopping. I also went to eat at a near-by restaurant called Pastel. I really like this place b/c it serves pasta and I am a sucker for pasta. It is one of my food weaknesses. But Japanese spaghetti dishes are delicious! I had a seafood salad and a mushroom and fish egg pasta dish. So delicious and nutritious. :D The only thing is I am not sure about is whether the pasta is 100% wheat. It is unlikely it was whole wheat actually so I need to limit how much I eat of it.

I have been doing yoga and watching online videos on healthy foods... I love health and nutrition. If I decide to go to med school I will probably make either that or bones my focus... BUT! that is all up in the air still so I won't say too much about that now.

cookies, beans, candles, books

dorm room post dinner - Today was overcast and sweltering... :..(

I went to work and made cookies. They were orange marmalade and walnut cookies. After work I visited the department store, Mitsukoshi, and was charmed into buying some soft beans by a Japanese sales person... She was a sweet grandma type and actually looked at and spoke to me. Usually a Japanese person will try to avoid talking to me assuming I speak no Japanese. This woman assumed I could understand and so I was grateful enough to purchase some red beans that turned out to be quite delicious. :D

I then went to a bakery/bread shop. Those are quite common here. I bought a sweet bean bun (yeah I was in a bean mood...) and an ice cold glass of milk. I sat in the shop after I had finished eating and read my latest book until closing at 8:30pm. My latest book is Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. I love the Miyazaki movie adaptation of this story so I decided to read the book it was based off of. I borrowed it from my boss (I have also borrowed Animal Farm from her...). So far I quite like Howl's Moving Castle. It is a story about a young girl who is turned into an old woman by a witch. When she is turned old she is finally able to speak her mind and act as she wants. The girl's body is trapped in an old crone but only when she is cursed is her true personality and bravery set free... I quite like the idea.

I got back to my dorm and spent an hour melting down three candles out on my balcony. I got them on the day we cleaned out the storage room at the place where I work. My boss found three random candles that she didn't need nor wanted and I volunteered to take them. Back in the last few days of May when I moved into the dorm I had found a lot of stuff already in the room. There were hangers in the closet. There was a flashlight. A mirror on the inside of the closet door. And also a box of matches in a drawer. I used that box of matches I had found for the candles. Also on the day I moved in I cleaned the room like crazy before unpacking (it had been somewhat dusty). The rag I had used was very dirty afterwards so I simply threw it out on my balcony. My balcony has a close-line and some close-pins strung up on it. At first I threw the rag over the clothes-wire but it kept falling down unless I pinned it. Recently it rained and the rag was still lying on the balcony sopping wet. I spread it out and put the candles on it to burn so they couldn't get out of control. I sat on the balcony for about an hour watching them burn down and melting the candle wax. I also burned a few of the dry dead leaves that were on my balcony. It was great fun for me. It has been a while since I have gotten to burn things. I am a bit of a pyro really. But I am always safe!

It was a good day. I just wish the heat would ease up...

not much to report

dorm room pre dinner - Today was overcast but hot. I went to work and not much of interest occurred otherwise....

children's books

dorm room post dinner - Today was overcast and muggy. I went to work and before leaving my boss lent me several of her books. I do a storybook class for kids at my job every month. The books are in English so it is for parents who want to expose their children to the language. I got Harold and the Purple Crayon and The Very Hungary Caterpillar in both English and Japanese. I will practice reading both.

rain, anime, dinner

dorm room post dinner - Today was rainy!!! XD I walked around Sakae underground network again this morning and visited three anime stores. Didn't buy anything but had a hoot looking around! Then went to work. Had dinner with a coworker, her friend, and her husband. It was yummy and I may have eaten a tad too much! I'm tired now... as always.

Harrod's

dorm room night - It was overcast today but none too cool. I got up early and went to Sakae. I walked around the underground network until I came upon a department store. This store is called Mitsukoshi. My boss had recommended to me a tea cafe inside this department store called Harrod's. The cafe specializes in British tea and Akiko, my boss, told me I should try the scones. So since I found myself standing in front of the entrance of Mitsukoshi I decided to be spontaneous for once and I went inside.

Japanese department stores are lovely by the way. All the workers stand by their stations and call out 'welcome' to you as you pass by or just pass any where near them. They bow to you constantly and smile widely (almost psychotically, almost). Everything is arranged in an aesthetically pleasing almost artist way. Great pains are taken to be helpful and if you buy something they wrap it beautifully and present it to you with ceremony. It is oh so deliciously Japanese. Japan is big on hospitality and to see this demonstrated at its fullest, walk into a department store.

I walked past several stands and displays with employees calling out 'welcome' cheerfully. I spotted Harrod's right away. I was welcomed and bowed in and took a seat. The server brought me a menu. I chose the 'tea set'. Sets are huge here. A set is just a certain combination of something on a menu that will get you a good value for the price. For example this tea set came with two scones and hot black tea for 1155 yen (around 12 dollars). If you had bought the items individually it would have been more expensive. So that kind of 'set' option is really popular and I have seen it on almost every menu I have laid eyes on in Japan.

When the tea came I was really surprised though! I had been expecting the usual, a warmed cup and my own little pot of piping hot tea. The pot would normally contain two, maybe two and a half cups in it. But the server also placed an additional larger pot on the table that was full of steaming water. Which meant I had two pots worth of tea!! :D The server also put a small sandglass on the table. When all the sand had reached the bottom the tea would be ready to pour. I also got a small pitcher of milk, a bowl of sugar cubes, and a little device to strain the tea leaves as I poured the tea into the cup. It was an amazing set up and I kicked myself for not bringing my camera.

The scones came before all the green sand particles fell. I got a raisin scone and a plain scone. I also got butter and jam. The scones, while tasty, were probably sweeter than traditional British scones but they weren't too sweet. I enjoyed my gorgeous and scrumptious meal. It was my second breakfast but I didn't care and I took my sweet time. I was feeling content and not frantic for the first time in a long while. I ate every morsel and drained every drop of my 'tea set' and leisurely warmed my hands on the cup and tea pots all the while. I inhaled the smell of the tea and felt like I was in some kind of dream-like meditation. Every now and again Japan will cast this kind of spell on me. Even though I was in an English style tea cafe enjoying tea and scones, I hadn't felt a deeper Japanese cultural experience in quite some time. I reluctantly left my peaceful reverie of thought and decided I had to get to work. I paid and thanked the waitress.

I walked calmly despite being outside (I usually try to get that over with as soon as possible). I had my large umbrella (to help block the sun) and my arm covers (recently invested in them). I got to MER (My English Room) and spent the next few hours helping clean out and reorganize the storage nook. I told my boss about visiting Harrod's and she once again told me the scones are sweeter than British scones.

I am back now in my dorm room and hope to get several things done before I go to sleep. I am tired as always but I feel so grateful for today. I hope I can return to Harrod's soon, perhaps with a coworker or with my host mom. For now I will revisit it in my mind and wrap myself in the memory. Such experiences really re-invigorate the body and soul.

good day

dorm room post dinner - Today was a nice day. It was raining. But I just stayed in my dorm the whole day. I studied and did yoga. I also finished the Lord of the Rings which I have been trying to finish for a few weeks now. I also talked with my parents via skype and washed my hair. Tomorrow I go to work.

a lame attempt at catching up

So I basically stopped giving accounts of my daily life on the night of the Tanabata party at My English Room, where I work.

The party was really fun. I made a birthday cake for Sebastian, the Swedish staff member at the cafe. I decorated it like the Swedish Flag. I also made birthday cupcakes for Akiko. I also made brownies for the ice cream sundae bar we had. A lot of regular customers and friends came to the party and everyone had a good time I think. Tanabata is like a summer festival that has to do with stars and an old legend about two lovers and the milky way. Read here for more info. After the pary ended a bunch of us went and did karaoke. I had a lot more fun this time doing karaoke. It was a different place and I knew the people I was with a lot better.

Work is still really fun and I have been baking new things to sell almost every week. I learned how to make scones! I helped with a children's class in a neighboring town and got paid nicely for that. Otherwise I have been trying to study...

I have been working a lot in July. I have also been hanging out with my co-workers. I went and saw the newest Miyazaki movie called Karigurashi no Arrietty or The Borrower Arrietty. I really liked it. I also went to a baseball game and the Nagoya dragons won! I have been trying to be patient with the heat but it really is wearing me down. Nagoya is the hottest place in Japan right now. It is hotter here than in Okinawa! :( Which sucks for me.

Hopefully I can be better with the blog from now on. July was a bad month for it.

more rain and updates coming soon (hopefully)

dorm room late night - It was rainy again today!!!!!! I worked all day and I wish I weren't so exhausted. But I will get this blog updated soon... I think.

RAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

dorm room late night - it was rainy today!!!!!!!!!!!! XD It was so much cooler today because of that! I haven't written an entry in a while but it has been blazing hot here so I have been going out of my mind with heat fatigue. Anyway I intend to catch up on my entries in the near future. Until then... it rained today!!!!!! XD

Party favors ala the Swedish flag!

dorm room post lunch - It has been rainy!! :D

Over the past few days I have been trying to get stuff done and study. I trimmed my hair today and planned for the party we are having at My English Room on Sunday. I am making brownies and a sheet cake for the event. :D The sheet cake is for one of the workers there who has a birthday coming up. The party is partially for him and partially for another worker who is leaving Japan soon and we are giving her a proper send off! I decided not to go to Japanese lessons tonight but go on Saturday night instead. OH! And the cake I'm making, it's for a Swedish guy so I am decorating it like the Swedish flag! Should be fun! :P I HAVE to remember to bring my camera and take a picture of it! Also my friend Judi is letting me borrow a yukata for the party. Hopefully it will be more comfortable than the kimono I tried on at my host mom's house!

Speaking of my host mom though... She invited me to a fun lecture at the Nagoya Center library on the same day as the party! :..( I was so sad to turn her down! But I hope I can have dinner at her house soon.

Now I must plan for a good icing recipe and blue and yellow food coloring! (the Swedish flag's colors)

a full weekend

dorm room post dinner - It has been rainy. :D

Saturday I worked all day filling in for a co-worker in the evening. I made chocolate chip cookies and we were offering them plain or a la mode. Everyone had positive things to say about them so that made me happy! Then after work a group of us went to do karaoke. It was my first time going to karaoke which is a huge Japanese past time. I knew I had to experience it at least once.

I went with a large group of Japanese and foreigners. The place was only a block from My English Cafe where I work. You go in and you are assigned to a room where your party goes and you can order food and drinks to be brought to you. There was a large screen and two tables with booths facing the screen in the room. There were consuls and mics. With the consuls you could search the available directory of songs. They had foreign and Japanese songs. When you chose a song the words would be on the screen and the music would play. Some of the people were really into it. I didn't know most of the songs and I don't like singing in front of people so much. I did stay an hour though and it wasn't wholly unpleasant. I think under different circumstances it might have been more fun for me. I am not against trying it again but at least I can say I tried it once.

On Sunday I did story book class at My English Room. I read "Where the Wild Things Are" to some kids and we did an activity. We gave them chocolate chip cookies which they seemed to enjoy. I had a nice time doing it and I had been nervous beforehand b/c what if the kids had been rowdy? Their moms were there too which made it way easier. Japanese parents love to expose their children to English. It works in my favor b/c native speakers are highly coveted and it presents opportunities for me to make money! An ideal situation would have me practicing Japanese at my job but we can't have it all can we?

After the story book class I worked until the cafe closed at 18:00 or 6pm. Then my co worker and I went to a Mexican restaurant. It was the first time I had had Mexican food in a long time! It was quite good but pretty different from American style Mexican! I got back to the dorm and looked forward to going to bed b/c I was pretty exhausted.

The next morning (today) I got up and had my usual weekly IM session with my parents and sister. I have been writing emails and watching the news since then. I am also looking at recipes online. I need to read Lord of the Rings though!! And not to mention study! I'm always running around and working on something but I always have more to do! It beats being bored though. And I just hope the rain lasts. It has been a welcome relief from the blaring summer sun!

my posts are so boring these days!!!!

dorm room post lunch - It has been rainy!! I went to Japanese lessons yesterday. Did some cleaning and reading. Wish I had more exciting news to report...

two days at Judi's

dorm room post dinner - Yesterday and the day before I visited my friend Judi. We rode bikes, ate meals, browsed for videos to rent, looked at books, played with her kitten, played on her Wii, and watched TV to name a few! It was a really fun couple of days for me!

Today I slept in but then have been reading Lord of the Rings ever since. Hopefully I can finish it soon (I need to be studying more).

busy day at work

dorm room pre dinner - Today I went to work and we were very busy! Almost all the chairs were taken almost all the time! I had many good conversations! I don't have much else to report accept that it was sunny today.

RAIN!

dorm room post dinner - Today was rainy!!! XD It was cool and refreshing!

I went to work from 11 until 9pm. And not much happened... But at least it was a nice rainy day!

new roommate

dorm room pre dinner -Yesterday - Hot. Today - Hotter. :...(

Yesterday I went to The place I work at (My English Room) for lessons. Afterwards Judi, her husband and I went and ate at a restaurant.

Today I went to pay my dorm rent for July and on the way back ran into my new roommate. Finally got to talk to her and found out she is only here for a few weeks for a study abroad program. She is from North Kentucky University and seems nice. I'm glad I got to talk to her a bit before she leaves on the 6th.

HOT! the humanity

dorm room circa lunch time - Yesterday - hot. I stayed in. Today - HOT. I went to pay the ATM a visit and have been working on stuff since then. I will read until this evening and then wash my hair. Not much happening except that it's hot! It is supposed to be 35 degrees celcius within the week. DX

hot... new suite mate... visiting

dorm room late night - HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DX

I forgot to mention that there is a new person in my dorm suite. She and I have only exchanged a few words so far but she seem nice.

Today I went to a flee market with my friend. We then went to her house and tried to escape the heat. She arranged with her husband to have two bikes waiting at the train station for us and I got to ride a bike to her house! It was so fun! I haven't been on a bike for a year! We made and had a stupendous dinner. And I played on her Wii!! We also had fun playing with her kitten. Now I am back at the dorm and wondering if I will ever not feel hot again. So tired because of the high temperatures. Oh well, all I can do is wish for rain.

rain! and work

dorm room post dinner - It was rainy again today!!! =D I went to work and that was about it. But tomorrow I will meet my friend Judi again and we will do fun things!

rain, work, praise

dorm room late night - RAIN!!!! I am so happy it rained today. I went to work and we were busy all day. The oatmeal cookies are still a hit. My boss praised me for them and for working so hard. Shucks. =P

day out with my host mom

dorm room late night - Hot and slightly overcast today. I met my host mom in Sakae underneath the TV tower. We had lunch and went to a sale. She brought me a bag of presents and a photo album of pictures from Italy. She also bought me a shirt at the sale and a pack of senbei (Japanese crackers) at a local stand. We went and got a drink and sat down in Oasis 21 and talked for a while. She had to get going after that. We said bye and I was really happy I got to see her. I couldn't believe all she gave me! She paid for everything too! She is truly the most generous person on the face of the Earth. =D

I went to work at 5pm and had another slow day. Then I went with Judi (coworker) and her husband to a curry restaurant. Now I am back at the dorm and quite exhausted. Hot, but a really good day none the less!

SAFE!! and human vs machine

dorm room post dinner - slightly overcast today. I forgot to mention a funny episode that happened yesterday! When I was coming back to the dorm after work I was hurrying to catch the subway train. It was just about to leave when I was rushing down the stairs to the platform. I leapt down the last few steps and made a mad dash for the nearest door. I jumped onto the train and the doors closed behind me a second later. Before I could even feel relieved, a group of four middle aged women all started clapping around me!! They had watched my crazy run and jump and were impressed and amused by it! One woman made the baseball umpire signal and said "SAFE!" in English!! It was so funny! Then they complimented my hair!! I didn't know how to react at all! I started to respond in Japanese but the English speaking woman confused me and it came out an unintelligible garble of English and Japanese. Finally with my wits collected I managed a passable response and rode on to my stop with no further excitement. But it certainly was a rush getting into that train car!!

Today I read my library book (The Hobbit). I went to Japanese lessons at my part time job and found out my cookies had been selling well the whole day with glowing reviews. I felt relieved at that b/c I had been worried about the second batch. Yesterday while making them the electric mixer completely died on me! I had to mix the second batch of batter by hand. At first I didn't know if I would be able to do it. But though it took much longer and though my right arm was quite tired I managed to blend everything together using nothing but elbow grease! I was kind of proud of myself but was unsure of how they would turn out. But the reviews say they are tasty. Goes to show that you don't need fancy equipment to make something edible! (It is just way easier if you have the fancy equipment.)

I will now continue to read my book! :3

oatmeal cookies

dorm room post dinner - It was rainy then overcast today so I was happy! :D Yesterday I told Judi that I would take her work shift today so I got up early and helped open at 10:30. I made oatmeal cookies most of the day and we had 5 or 6 customers. It was a slow day. Now I am back in my dorm room. Not much of a day but everyone said my oatmeal cookies were good.

a day out with Judi (and a lot of parenthesis)

dorm room post dinner - today was overcast but hot...

Today I met with my coworker (Judi) and we went to an international grocery store(I bought oats!) and then to an international library and I checked out three books!! =3 Then we went back to her house watched the 6th Harry Potter movie (Half-Blood Prince). We played with her new kitten (a Russian blue) and the three of us (her husband, her, and myself) ate dinner together. Then I headed back here to the dorm. Tomorrow I am taking Judi's shift at work so I will be up early and will make oatmeal cookies! Hope it's raining tomorrow...

World Cup, noodles, and too hot for comfort

dorm room post lunch - sunny.... X( I went to work Saturday and since Japan was having a match with Holland in the World Cup my boss let everyone go down to the sports bar one floor below us and watch the game. Japan lost but it was a really good effort. Sunday I ate at a soba and kishimen restaurant with a co worker after work. It was quite delicious. Today not doing much but it is hot and I don't like it... :(

chocolate chip cookies

dorm room post breakfast - Yesterday when I left it was raining!!! XD And it rained the rest of the day! I found chocolate chips but not oats. So I made cc cookies at work and my coworkers said they were good. Walked back to the subway station with Judi (my coworker) and her husband (came to pick her up).

Today appears sunny. :(

mission!!!

dorm room post breakfast - The last couple days have been sunny. :( I haven't done all that much. I did go to Japanese lesson at My English Room yesterday.

Today I work and I will be making cookies. I am making chocolate chip and oatmeal. I have to find chocolate chips and oats. I hope I find them at the first store I go to. If not, then I'm on a mission!! If I can't find them at the store near my dorm then I'll go to a larger store I know of near my bank. Then I will try an international store I've been to in Sakae near where I work. I WILL find the ingredients. Wish me luck.

a day out with a friend in Nagoya

dorm room late night - Cloudy and rainy!!! XD

I had a fun time today with my friend from work. We went to a restaurant and a store called Book Off. Then we went to Sakae and went to the Oasis 21. We got ice cream at Baskin Robbins and went to a department store called Loft and I found some hair scissors I have been searching for. We went to a foreign foods grocery store and I looked for lasagna ingredients (b/c I want to see if I can make it here). Then we parted ways. It was a full fun day, that wasn't hot and sunny!!!

RAIN!!!! halelujah

dorm room late night - RAIN!!!! XD XD XD I am so happy it is raining!

Today was nice, went to work, it was cool and overcast. By the time I came back to the dorm it was raining lightly and not hot at all! ^_^ It was just what I needed!

heat headache and a nice talk with Sayumi

dorm room late night - HOT !!! DX

I went to work today and had a good day at work. My muffins are almost gone. It was a good day but unfortunately with the heat I was fighting a headache most of the day. :( But when it was time to go home my co-worker Sayumi and I walked to the subway station together and got to have a nice chat. :) We talked about part time jobs, commutes, school, and life in general. She is really nice and it was a significant conversation for me because it was one of the first conversations I've had where I didn't stumble or not know how to say something! :D It happened after hours of speaking English to customers too!! Sayumi said my Japanese was good! XD Although I know I still have a long way to go it was so nice to get that little confidence boost.

Tomorrow it is supposed to rain. I hope, I hope, I hope!

blueberry muffins!

dorm room late night - It was hot and sunny today. :( I went with one of my roommates to a nearby grocery store and I bought blueberries, muffin liners, and vanilla extract (which is called vanilla essence here). When I got to work, I got to work making the blueberry muffins. My boss told me she would reimburse me the cost of the ingredients I bought at the store. I think the muffins turned out well. All the customers and my co-workers said that they were good. I tasted them and thought I could have done better but I always think I can do better. :P At the end of the day Akiko my boss tried one and said they were delicious and thanked me profusely for making them. I was embarrassed but I was so relieved everyone liked them. She is selling them for 200 yen a piece (about 2 dollars).

After the shift ended I went to a restaurant with my co-workers Tasha and Judi. Judi's husband came with us and he paid for everyone!!! He did it so sneakily I didn't even realize he had done it until later! He is a really generous guy. I finally got back to the dorm and now I am looking forward to sleep. :)

dorm group event, bank, blueberries, and my aversion to the sun grows deeper

dorm room late night - The restaurant was pretty tasty but there wasn't enough food to go around with so many of us. Did get to talk to a lot of people in the dorm though. Apparently there is a large group of American students from Dickinson University here for a month program. One didn't get placed in our room so that is why I didn't know about them before last night.

Today I opened a bank account with UFJ bank. It only took 20 minutes. Then later I went to MER (My English Room) for the Thursday night Japanese lesson. I helped close up and Judi (another staff member) walked with me to the subway station. She was going a little farther but I went into the station and came back here to the dorm. Tomorrow when I go into work Judi and I are making blueberry muffins to sell to the customers!! I really miss cooking and baking; I haven't done it in so long. So I am looking forward to that. ^_^

It is still so hot and miserable during the day. I hate it. I try so hard to not let it get to me but it makes me exhausted all day long and I am always on the verge of a headache. Only when the sun goes down does it cool off. When the sun goes down I feel like I am waking up to a new day for the first time. It is so cool and breezy and it is dark so my eyes don't hurt and my almost headache goes away. I want the rainy season to arrive so badly. It may get even hotter but at the very least it won't be bright. I wish I could work and study at night and sleep all day... but alas I cannot.

new job and summer

dorm room post lunch - It has been bright and sticky.

It has been a while since my last entry. Basically I have been adjusting to dorm life. I have a job now! I work in a cafe called My English Room and it is a place where people can go to practice English conversation with the staff. I serve beverages and light food and must simply talk with the customers. The job is really fun and pays well for part time. The cafe also offers Japanese lessons on Thursday and Saturdays. I will be doing those as well. My boss is really nice and is fluent in English.

Other than that little excitement, it is summer around here which puts me in a crabby mood most of the time. I only get mad when I have to be out in the bright sun for long periods of time. But I am trying to not let it get to me. The rainy season will be here soon (I can't wait ^_^). It is actually really cool once the sun sets so I tend to take walks along the streets with the shops in the evenings. The breeze feels so good at those times.

There is a dorm trip to a restaurant tonight. I will go b/c I am trying to be social. :P Hope there is good food!

cake

dorm room pre lunch - It has been hot and sunny. I have been studying and goofing off but I did apply for a job and one of my suite mates had a birthday and the three of us split the chocolate cake. :d mmmm, cake.

aftermath of move

dorm room post breakfast - Sunny. Last Friday my host mom drove me to the Nanzan dorms. A bunch of people helped me carry my stuff up the 3 flights of steps to my room. And all these people were standing around us when my host mom said goodbye to me. I didn't like that I had to say goodbye to her with a crowd of people standing around us watching. It was just a short 'thank you for everything' and then she left. I later found out she sent me an email that day once she got home but I didn't get internet until yesterday (Tuesday). I tried to use the campus computers in the library but they wouldn't let me log in. I asked about this and the CJS office said I should be able to use the computers. I tried the ones in the CJS office and the ones in the computer building and I was able to log onto those. So it is just the library computers that hate me.

My suite mates seem nice. The apartment is a nice set up. I was bored out of my mind most of the weekend without internet. I studied and did whatever I could to keep busy. My room is cool, has a balcony with a clothes line for drying laundry.

Monday I paid for some stuff at the CJS office on campus. Tuesday I finally got my internet modem delivered. It works really well. Well, hopefully my life will become more interesting soon. =P

moving day part 1

room post breakfast - Sunny. Today is moving day. Yesterday I didn't do too much except catch up on world news online. I also watched a TV special of Susan Boyle with my host mom. I also washed my hair and got everything packed up for today. Huh, guess I did more than I thought.

Today my host mom will drive me to the dorms and help me get moved in. My friend Moeko is going to come visit sometime today I think. I hope the move in goes well and I hope my suite mates are nice. I don't know whether the internet will be automatically hooked up yet or if it will take a few days. I will write again as soon as I can though.

guest, goodbyes, and welcome to Meme!

room post breakfast - Sunny and windy. Yesterday one of my host mom's friends from her English lessons came over and brought her daughter with her. The daughter goes to Nanzan University too and is studying Spanish. We exchanged email and she is going to help me move into the dorms tomorrow along with my host mom. She seems really nice so I hope we can be friends. I have accumulated a few Japanese friends which is good since all the other study abroad students I know have left to return home. Kai leaves today. I will miss everyone but I have their email addresses.

When they came over they brought a present for me. They gave me a plant called Cat's Tail. It looks like this. I love it and I hope I can take care of it right. I already looked up how to care for it online. On its card it said its name is Meme. I usually name my stuff but this time I don't have to! So Meme is the newest addition to all my stuff. Apparently they said they chose it for me b/c they heard I love cats. Well I am most pleased!

English lesson, roses, sushi

room post lunch - Sunny. Today I went with my host mom to her English lesson. Again I had fun talking with all the ladies. Then afterwards a few of us went and looked at a rose garden in the area and then went to a sushi restaurant. It was really fun.

graduation but not for me, Kai, kitten

room pre dinner - Yesterday sunny, today rainy.

Yesterday was the graduation ceremony for the Nanzan study abroad students. I didn't participate b/c I won't graduate until the end of next semester. But I was in the class pictures and watched the ceremony and went to the after party. A friend of mine had a bunch of food left over that she couldn't take back home with her so he gave it to me in a big bag! My stash just grew a whole lot! :d

Afterwards my host mom, me, Kai, and her host mom all went to my host mom's house. We talked and showed pictures and I showed Kai san my room. I saw hers months ago when we visited their house and now I got to show her mine. She is leaving for Burma next week but we intend to keep in touch. After eating dinner they left.

Today I went to Aikido practice. I walked around Meijo park beforehand like always. I loved the rain today. I got home and soon my host mom's son and daughter arrived with their kids. The daughter (Megumi san) and her two boys (Tomo and Ko) brought their new kitten. It is really cute, I took pictures of it. Meow!!

summer, heat and change

room post hair washing - Yesterday was sunny, today was sunny. It's starting... summer. DX

I cleaned and organized yesterday. Today I went to Nanzan University to get my summer arrangements all sorted out. Tomorrow is the graduation ceremony and party. I won't graduate but I can still come. I definitely want to see all my classmates again one more time before most of them leave.

finals over, a new name, walking in the rain

room post lunch - Raining. I have finally finished with finals and papers.

Yesterday was fun b/c my host mom's English class came over and we had a party. I was the main attraction. It was all middle aged ladies who were learning English along with my host mom. We went back and forth talking in English and Japanese. The English teacher gave me a stuffed cat as a present. Everyone was really nice. But the best part was when the English teacher asked me if I had a way to write my name in Kanji. I said I had heard of people doing that but that I didn't have one yet. She decided to create my kanji name using the meaning of my name. It came out to be, Mizutori Jun. Mizutori corresponds to my family name and Jun, to my given name. She wrote it down for me and I LOVE it!!! I was so happy and grateful she did that for me!

水鳥純　That is my new Japanese name in Kanji!!

Today I slept in and went for a walk in the rain!! I love walking in the rain. I took an umbrella this time and strolled around the rice fields for a while. It was nice.

lecture

room pre dinner - Clear and windy. I talked with my sister online today. I have been working on my research paper but at 12:15 I left to go to a lecture being given by my tea ceremony history sensei. I got to talk to him afterwards and he is leaving to return to Shanghai on Tuesday. Again he told me to email him if I needed too.

I am back now and will probably be up late writing. As such won't be able to make it to Aikido again tomorrow. :( I miss Aikido!!

Shanghai, and the UR's worldwide reputation!!

room, pre dinner - Yesterday was clear. My host mom took me to lunch and I studied in a library while she was in her painting class in another part of the building.

Today was clear and windy. I met with my professor from China. He is returning to Shanghai in a few days. We talked for a while and he said again to let him know when I am going to Shanghai so he can arrange my stay in the dorms at the university he works at. He also asked me if I had an interest in Chinese and I had to confess that I did. He said he thinks it is so important to study languages because we are all one human race and all one world. I like that professor more and more each time I talk with him! ^_^

Another professor came by his office and said it was time to go to lunch. Apparently a bunch of teachers were taking my professor to lunch before he has to leave. The professor that came to the door introduced himself and I did likewise. He saw that I was wearing a Rochester shirt and asked if I am from there. I said I go to school at the UR and he said he really loves teaching students from the University of Rochester! He said they are eager to learn and do their work and are always respectful! He must have encountered them before b/c lots UR students study abroad. I think a couple go to Nagoya each year. He said that Rochester is such a great school. I was beaming. I am so happy that other people know about the UR even in other countries!! I love the U of R and I love being a part of the legacy. I definitely want to represent my school in a positive way while I am here as well. I told this professor that next semester I would like to take his class (foreign policy). He said that would be great!

I arrived back at my host mom's house and ate lunch. This weekend I must finish a research paper.

excitement

room post shower - Clear today. I took my kanji final. I think I did alright. My last final is Monday. Tonight I washed my hair. Yeah the excitement never ends around here! :P

finals

room pre breakfast - Yesterday was rainy. Yesterday I only went to school for one final and then came back home. I studied the rest of the day for my final today. I will leave for it in about 45 minutes. It is my kanji final. DX

Today, I also got up early, jogged/skipped, studied more, and am about to eat breakfast. :P

going home orientation for one not going home, rare method of extension

room pre dinner - Today cloudy and light rain. Yesterday hot and sunny. Yesterday I went to a going away party for the IES students in the heart of Nagoya. I was at a restaurant and I was so stuffed afterwards!

Before the party was our going home orientation where we were briefed about stuff like reverse culture shock and the like. I am not going home though so I just politely listened. Listening to people talk about going home and how they felt about their Japan experience was sort of strange b/c my experience is far from over.

I talked to our program director about this summer and next semester and he said that only one other student had ever extended from the spring to fall semester (most do fall to spring). He said that it had been ten years ago and it had been another University of Rochester student like me!! I thought that was really cool.

Today went fine. It was the last day of official classes. Now it's finals time. Joy.