Saturday I jogged (in the rain, one of my favorite things to do :D), did pilates, and did sentaku and souji (laundry and cleaning). I proceeded to mostly goof off the rest of the day. Yeah, not proud of that.
Sunday I went to Aikido practice and afterwards I walked around Meijo Park which is right next to the dojo.
It is a really nice park. It was lightly raining and I had my umbrella and Sai (my camera). I saw an abandoned bouquet of flowers standing up on a park bench. I was rather curious so I took a picture of it. [If I ever figure out how to put my own pictures on this blog instead of just internet pictures I will post stuff like that.] I wish I knew that bouquet's story. I made up one for it. The jist of it is that some well-intentioned person tried to give someone else bouquet of flowers not realizing that the someone else was allergic to flowers. When they leave the bench that well-intentioned someone leaves the bouquet there or forgets to take it. It is a pretty lame story but my brain's been tired lately so it will have to do.
I also saw a cat in the park. I heard from a classmate that there are cats all over Meijo Park. ^_^
Now if you remember a few post ago I said I was going to a Cat Cafe on Sunday with a friend. Unfortunately we both had things come up. My thing was that my host mom's daughters and their kids were coming over and I wanted to be around. My friend and I are trying again next week.
We had a ton of sweets when I got home and found the daughters, grandkids, and a dog all in my host mom's house. The dog's name is Joe. I told them that that is my dad's name and they thought that was really cool. One of the daughters (forgot her name but it was the one that isn't Megumi san) pretended to be the dog and said in a puppy like voice, "Boku mo Joe desu!" {I am Joe too!} I was tickled by that. =D I was also happy about the sweets we had.
My host mom got out the atlas, which she loves to do, and we all talked about the different places we live in and had been.
Then they all wanted me to put on their family kimono and stand in front of the hina matsuri dolls so they could take pictures. I agreed because I figure this woman is putting me up, the least I can do is let them play dress up with the exotic gaijin for a little while. And they had a ball too. I was really uncomfortable with the whole thing but eventually the four of them (my hot mom, her two daughters, and her granddaughter) got the kimono completely assembled around me. And it was a project I tell you.
It is a beautiful kimono. It was just inconvenient to walk, stand, sit, breath, or otherwise move in. They took their pictures and then released me from the silky prison. Then I had much more fun sitting on the floor with them as we folded and packed the kimono away and just talked.
At one point, tabi, traditional Japanese socks came up. My host mom had a pair that went with the kimono and brought them out. She wanted me to see if they fit me. So I took off one sock. They didn't fit (too small) but the four of them were really surprised when they saw my foot.
So far almost every part of me has been scrutinized / admired for being foreign. Now it was my feet's turn, or more specifically my toes. They taper. Big toe is longest and each one after is slightly shorter than the last. My host mom said, "They're different from Japanese teoes!!!" They showed me how their toes were shaped. And indeed they were slightly different. The big toe and next toe were the same height or the next toe was a little longer. Then the three remaining toes formed more like stair steps across. I had to admit this was really interesting. I have seen Caucasians with their second toe longer than the first but even then the shape is a little different. I want to research this really badly but I don't know when I'll have the time.
That night I wahed my hair and talked to my parents online.
Today was nice; Kai san and I took a slightly different path from the subway station to the university. I liked it; it was a nice change of scenery. :3
Te kanji test was annoying. Every time I forget ONE STINKING KANJI. >:( It's unjust I tell you.
After lunch was my tea ceremony class; always enjoyable. I headed straight home after and had a snack and a quick chat with my host mom and then did homework. until dinner. I did homework after dinner until shower time. And now I will check email and go to sleep. Happy Monday!
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