I have finally uploaded the last four or so entries. I'm not sure if anyone is reading them anymore, it has been almost three months since I got back to the States.
I'm not sure what I'd like to say to finish this blog, so I'll leave it as is. I may add more pictures, I'm not sure.
I suppose I'll say that a lot has happened since January both in Japan and the States. I've learned the most about people; the Japanese people, my friends and family, and myself. I've found things I want to improve about myself and had experiences I don't want to forget. Every day is a possibility, and every picture reminds me of what I made of the ones that came to me. I'm not sure where I'm going, but I feel confident I'm getting somewhere.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
May 13
I’ve really been slacking on this diary thing, which is a shame because a lot of exciting/stressful/Japanese things have happened since the last full entry, which was on the 7th!!!!
I’ll try my best to tell you what’s up. Today, I went on a Nagoya tour of sorts. First, I went to Kojouji at Yagoto. It’s a shrine (which I went to with Cheryl when she was in town) but today, they were having a ‘street fair,’ which wasn’t much of a fair. In fact, I think I was the only one there under fifty. D: It was probably partially because it was a Wednesday morning, when most people are working/going to school. I thought it was pretty boring because all it consisted of was old people shopping for market food (vegetables, fish, dried fruit, etc.) and pretty boring flea-market quality clothes. On the way out though, I saw something I thought I wanted (which I ended up liking more and more throughout the day). Later I realized it would make a great gift for a friend, but when I went back to get it (around four) everything was gone and there was no indication that there had been a ‘fair’ at all. Anyway, when I bought it, I talked to the lady working there in Japanese and she lowered the price for me (I didn’t even ask). :D
After Yagoto, it was off to Motoyama to find Jouanji, another temple. This one was really surprising and very Japanese. I’ve walked by it before on the way to Kakuozan, but I didn’t pay much attention because the front gate isn’t very interesting, but in true Japanese style, beyond it was an elaborate shrine. Inside, there are tons of paths (and everything is surrounded by bamboo forest) and the place looks a little dilapidated, but if you go inside the shrine itself, there are individual round paintings on the ceiling and a giant bell on a giant pillow, as well as the elaborate alter. It was really amazing and very nice to be there since no one was there and you felt secluded in the forest.
I explored quite a bit and found a huge Buddha. Nearby, there were two cats, which acted really strangely. One was very friendly and followed me around until I walked out of the Buddha area. The other was hissing at the friendly one, but also followed me around. One time, it rubbed up against me, but when I pet it, it hissed again. They were really weird...
After that experience, it was off to Nagoya Dome to exchange okaasan’s orchid. After only two days, the flower had fallen off the plant and okaasan wanted me to go see if I could have something done about it. I felt pretty stupid (and a bit rude) going in and asking the cashier for an exchange, but she was really nice and even wrapped the second plant like a gift.
At the mall at Nagoya Dome, I went into the pet shop. Sorry, but OMG! Japanese pet shops are amazing, especially their fish department. They have tons of plants (unlike America) and everything is appealing. Did I mention they have tons of types of goldfish to choose from? The more amazing fish-related things were the tank of about a dozen and a half angelfish (whose fins spanned about the longer length of a dollar bill) and marimo (spherical algae growths). As for non-fish pets, the more amazing things were a kangaroo (yes, they had a baby kangaroo), a sheep, those newts with frilly gills, chinchillas, gigantic bunnies, and crickets that make weird noises (as compared to our crickets). I really wanted a marimo, but unless I can sneak it into a bottle disguised as soda or something, customs will stop me in my tracks.
After that experience, it was off to Kuramamichi to see Nunoike Cathedral. I saw pictures of it online, and I really wanted to see gothic architecture... in Japan!!! The church was huge (I had to stand across the street to get a full picture of it). Afterward, I visited the shrine (across the street) and headed off to my next destination, which was...
Italy. Yup, I decided to go to Italy today. It’s actually not that far once you get to Nagoya port. The only problem is; Italy was closed today. Yeah, so, in addition to all the maritime and aquatic attractions at Nagoya Port, there is an “Italian” village complete with gondolas, canals, the David, and what looks like theaters and restaurants. No one was allowed to enter the main area because it was ‘abunai’ (dangerous) and I think that’s because they were doing repairs. According to Okaasan, it’s not the season for it to be open. I don’t see why not though.
After that minor disappointment, I went over to the aquarium side of the port to check out what I could without paying entrance fees. There was a store selling nothing but ebi sendai (crackers made with shrimp; delicious!!!) and one selling tons of marimo (the algae balls). It was torture. Then, there was a capsule room (a room full of ‘gumball’ machines) where the most interesting figures were on display rather than in the machines.
After this, I decided to go back to Yagoto to get another of what I bought that morning (and failed, as stated earlier) and then to Osu (to check out kimono components again). Unfortunately, being a week night, Osu closed early and I didn’t really get to look at kimono much. I did, however, visit some of my regular stores, where I ended up buying things I had seen (and wanted) near the beginning of my semester that had been marked down considerably. I ended up shopping so long that I had to call okaasan (who told me to take my time) to let her know I would be late for dinner.
As for yesterday:
I spent most of the day going through papers and trying to cram everything into my suitcase. Okaasan thought I should go places since the weather was nice (clear but scorching), but I didn’t really feel like spending another day (and money) alone in the city, not to mention I had a burning desire to do away with all those papers I didn’t need any more. I was pretty sure I would have to buy another suitcase (ridiculous in my opinion) but okaasan suggested getting a packing box from a store or something since it would work just as well if I was only filling it with clothes (I think the papers can go in too) and I don’t need/want another piece of luggage when I get back to the States.
She also saved the dolls, pretty much. I just figured I would carry them through the airports, but that requires lots of bubble wrap and a bag, which I didn’t think of. Okaasan was a bit on the frustrated side since I hadn’t thought of this, but she helped me a lot. The bag she gave me is big enough to hold the two dolls, but not big enough to put them in (the opening is smaller than the volume) so I had to do some crazy maneuvering (and a bit of ripping the bag’s zipper seam) to get them in. I hope they’re alright; I had to tip the boxes a bit, which doesn’t seem good to me. Regardless, the dolls aren’t moving. They’re in glass boxes surrounded by bubble wrap, tissues (all those packages I got from people advertising outside the subway stations), and thin foam paper, then their paper boxes, and finally the carrying bag. I’m just hoping they’ve made it this far. D: By the way; according to okaasan, the post offices in Japan do not sell bubble wrap. I really couldn’t believe her when she said that.
In the evening (after okaasan had brought me a haggandas green tea ice cream) I wanted to ride a bike (I had been thinking about it for a while and it seemed wrong to live in Japan without riding a bike). Okaasan said the bike in the garage hadn’t been ridden for years and I probably couldn’t because there wouldn’t be air in the tires. Well, there was air in the tires (though maybe a bit less than premium), but the problem was the chain. After assuring her the tires were fine, I got permission from okaasan to borrow the bike and rode around the neighborhood. There is an internet cafe and a bookstore somewhere in Nisshin, but I couldn’t find them. All I found were parks, kids, and a Miata (and a MR2). I ran into the chain problem early on; about two minutes into my ride, so I took the bike home to fix the problem (and wash the black grease/dirt off my hands afterward). Okaasan asked me if I was done with my exercise so early (haha). Afterward I rode for about an hour and a half, until dinner.
I’ll try my best to tell you what’s up. Today, I went on a Nagoya tour of sorts. First, I went to Kojouji at Yagoto. It’s a shrine (which I went to with Cheryl when she was in town) but today, they were having a ‘street fair,’ which wasn’t much of a fair. In fact, I think I was the only one there under fifty. D: It was probably partially because it was a Wednesday morning, when most people are working/going to school. I thought it was pretty boring because all it consisted of was old people shopping for market food (vegetables, fish, dried fruit, etc.) and pretty boring flea-market quality clothes. On the way out though, I saw something I thought I wanted (which I ended up liking more and more throughout the day). Later I realized it would make a great gift for a friend, but when I went back to get it (around four) everything was gone and there was no indication that there had been a ‘fair’ at all. Anyway, when I bought it, I talked to the lady working there in Japanese and she lowered the price for me (I didn’t even ask). :D
After Yagoto, it was off to Motoyama to find Jouanji, another temple. This one was really surprising and very Japanese. I’ve walked by it before on the way to Kakuozan, but I didn’t pay much attention because the front gate isn’t very interesting, but in true Japanese style, beyond it was an elaborate shrine. Inside, there are tons of paths (and everything is surrounded by bamboo forest) and the place looks a little dilapidated, but if you go inside the shrine itself, there are individual round paintings on the ceiling and a giant bell on a giant pillow, as well as the elaborate alter. It was really amazing and very nice to be there since no one was there and you felt secluded in the forest.
I explored quite a bit and found a huge Buddha. Nearby, there were two cats, which acted really strangely. One was very friendly and followed me around until I walked out of the Buddha area. The other was hissing at the friendly one, but also followed me around. One time, it rubbed up against me, but when I pet it, it hissed again. They were really weird...
After that experience, it was off to Nagoya Dome to exchange okaasan’s orchid. After only two days, the flower had fallen off the plant and okaasan wanted me to go see if I could have something done about it. I felt pretty stupid (and a bit rude) going in and asking the cashier for an exchange, but she was really nice and even wrapped the second plant like a gift.
At the mall at Nagoya Dome, I went into the pet shop. Sorry, but OMG! Japanese pet shops are amazing, especially their fish department. They have tons of plants (unlike America) and everything is appealing. Did I mention they have tons of types of goldfish to choose from? The more amazing fish-related things were the tank of about a dozen and a half angelfish (whose fins spanned about the longer length of a dollar bill) and marimo (spherical algae growths). As for non-fish pets, the more amazing things were a kangaroo (yes, they had a baby kangaroo), a sheep, those newts with frilly gills, chinchillas, gigantic bunnies, and crickets that make weird noises (as compared to our crickets). I really wanted a marimo, but unless I can sneak it into a bottle disguised as soda or something, customs will stop me in my tracks.
After that experience, it was off to Kuramamichi to see Nunoike Cathedral. I saw pictures of it online, and I really wanted to see gothic architecture... in Japan!!! The church was huge (I had to stand across the street to get a full picture of it). Afterward, I visited the shrine (across the street) and headed off to my next destination, which was...
Italy. Yup, I decided to go to Italy today. It’s actually not that far once you get to Nagoya port. The only problem is; Italy was closed today. Yeah, so, in addition to all the maritime and aquatic attractions at Nagoya Port, there is an “Italian” village complete with gondolas, canals, the David, and what looks like theaters and restaurants. No one was allowed to enter the main area because it was ‘abunai’ (dangerous) and I think that’s because they were doing repairs. According to Okaasan, it’s not the season for it to be open. I don’t see why not though.
After that minor disappointment, I went over to the aquarium side of the port to check out what I could without paying entrance fees. There was a store selling nothing but ebi sendai (crackers made with shrimp; delicious!!!) and one selling tons of marimo (the algae balls). It was torture. Then, there was a capsule room (a room full of ‘gumball’ machines) where the most interesting figures were on display rather than in the machines.
After this, I decided to go back to Yagoto to get another of what I bought that morning (and failed, as stated earlier) and then to Osu (to check out kimono components again). Unfortunately, being a week night, Osu closed early and I didn’t really get to look at kimono much. I did, however, visit some of my regular stores, where I ended up buying things I had seen (and wanted) near the beginning of my semester that had been marked down considerably. I ended up shopping so long that I had to call okaasan (who told me to take my time) to let her know I would be late for dinner.
As for yesterday:
I spent most of the day going through papers and trying to cram everything into my suitcase. Okaasan thought I should go places since the weather was nice (clear but scorching), but I didn’t really feel like spending another day (and money) alone in the city, not to mention I had a burning desire to do away with all those papers I didn’t need any more. I was pretty sure I would have to buy another suitcase (ridiculous in my opinion) but okaasan suggested getting a packing box from a store or something since it would work just as well if I was only filling it with clothes (I think the papers can go in too) and I don’t need/want another piece of luggage when I get back to the States.
She also saved the dolls, pretty much. I just figured I would carry them through the airports, but that requires lots of bubble wrap and a bag, which I didn’t think of. Okaasan was a bit on the frustrated side since I hadn’t thought of this, but she helped me a lot. The bag she gave me is big enough to hold the two dolls, but not big enough to put them in (the opening is smaller than the volume) so I had to do some crazy maneuvering (and a bit of ripping the bag’s zipper seam) to get them in. I hope they’re alright; I had to tip the boxes a bit, which doesn’t seem good to me. Regardless, the dolls aren’t moving. They’re in glass boxes surrounded by bubble wrap, tissues (all those packages I got from people advertising outside the subway stations), and thin foam paper, then their paper boxes, and finally the carrying bag. I’m just hoping they’ve made it this far. D: By the way; according to okaasan, the post offices in Japan do not sell bubble wrap. I really couldn’t believe her when she said that.
In the evening (after okaasan had brought me a haggandas green tea ice cream) I wanted to ride a bike (I had been thinking about it for a while and it seemed wrong to live in Japan without riding a bike). Okaasan said the bike in the garage hadn’t been ridden for years and I probably couldn’t because there wouldn’t be air in the tires. Well, there was air in the tires (though maybe a bit less than premium), but the problem was the chain. After assuring her the tires were fine, I got permission from okaasan to borrow the bike and rode around the neighborhood. There is an internet cafe and a bookstore somewhere in Nisshin, but I couldn’t find them. All I found were parks, kids, and a Miata (and a MR2). I ran into the chain problem early on; about two minutes into my ride, so I took the bike home to fix the problem (and wash the black grease/dirt off my hands afterward). Okaasan asked me if I was done with my exercise so early (haha). Afterward I rode for about an hour and a half, until dinner.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
May 10
So, as everyone knows, today was mother’s day. Happy mother’s day mom and grandma!!! I’m sorry I couldn’t catch you today, mom, I’ll try again soon.
Okaasan was out all day and when she came home, I heard her talking about what to make for dinner. I saw my chance and went downstairs to treat her and otousan to dinner. We did the Japanese automatic refusal game and then left after getting ready. We went to Ueda to an unagi restuarant, and much like America, it was truly packed. We were 12th on the waiting list, but it was well-worth it. We had a traditional Japanese meal of grilled and marinated unagi over ginger-flavor rice with miso. Okaasan showed me how to eat (since Japanese dishes usually have about one right way and a million wrong ways to eat them). We took a family picture (the waitress seemed very appologetic that she wasn’t a professional) and looked at the interesting shadowbox containing mini replicas of the food served at the restaurant. It was a bit pricey and okaasan said otousan would pay for his dinner, but I assured her it was alright.
On the way home, okaasan and otousan said they hadn’t been to that restaurant in a long time, so it was a nice expeirence. (: When we got home, I saw a lizard on the doorway. Otousan and okaasan weren’t surprised and okaasan explained that it had lived there for years (from when it was smaller) and was an omamori (protector of the house).
After everyone had settled in, I brought the orchid I had bought for okaasan to her and explained that it was my mother’s favorite flower. She really liked it (yokatta!) and even gave me a hug. I was thoroughly surprised, but okaasan was really happy and so was I. :D I admit, I did a dance when I got back to my room before studying again...
Okaasan was out all day and when she came home, I heard her talking about what to make for dinner. I saw my chance and went downstairs to treat her and otousan to dinner. We did the Japanese automatic refusal game and then left after getting ready. We went to Ueda to an unagi restuarant, and much like America, it was truly packed. We were 12th on the waiting list, but it was well-worth it. We had a traditional Japanese meal of grilled and marinated unagi over ginger-flavor rice with miso. Okaasan showed me how to eat (since Japanese dishes usually have about one right way and a million wrong ways to eat them). We took a family picture (the waitress seemed very appologetic that she wasn’t a professional) and looked at the interesting shadowbox containing mini replicas of the food served at the restaurant. It was a bit pricey and okaasan said otousan would pay for his dinner, but I assured her it was alright.
On the way home, okaasan and otousan said they hadn’t been to that restaurant in a long time, so it was a nice expeirence. (: When we got home, I saw a lizard on the doorway. Otousan and okaasan weren’t surprised and okaasan explained that it had lived there for years (from when it was smaller) and was an omamori (protector of the house).
After everyone had settled in, I brought the orchid I had bought for okaasan to her and explained that it was my mother’s favorite flower. She really liked it (yokatta!) and even gave me a hug. I was thoroughly surprised, but okaasan was really happy and so was I. :D I admit, I did a dance when I got back to my room before studying again...
Thursday, May 7, 2009
May 7
Today wasn’t particularly exciting. I woke up around 8:00 D: because I had stayed up until about 12:30 watching anime... for the first time since coming to Japan. The sad thing is; it wasn’t even really interesting. Oh well...
On the train, I was kind of ticked off at this girl who was doing her makeup. She spent almost the entire ride from Akaike (when I noticed) to Shiogamaguchi doing her eye makeup. I can describe it too; she did it four freaking times!!! First, there was the mascara application (and subsequent brushing with a mustache comb), then another application (comb again), then she painted fake lashes on top (more comb), and finally, some substance that looked white (don’t forget the comb!). It didn’t even match her hair color!!! She had an extra purse too for her make-up bag (yes, a bag whose sole purpose was to carry another bag that didn’t leave much room for anything else). What?! I hand it to her for being able to do that on a moving train, but come on, no one is looking THAT close, and it didn’t seem to make her look any prettier. I really wanted to tell her (after 1.5 times) that she looked pretty and didn’t have to do that anymore, but meh.
In class, we reviewed for our tests... which are broken into four days, the last of which follows about a week’s worth of ‘no class.’ If I knew about this waste of time, I could have booked an earlier flight and not have to miss my summer class... but no!!!!
At least there was good news when I checked my bank account. All the money is there, so I’m closing it tomorrow. :D
At dinner, we had weird, semi-family time as usual. I think okaasan is crazy now, but she’s fun when she gets talking... and I know it’s okay to think so because otousan laughs out loud when he thinks so. First of all, I surprised okaasan again by coming in the kitchen without saying anything. It’s really hard to find something to say as an opening when ‘good evening’ is an out-group phrase. I wanted to help with dinner, but okaasan just told me to wait (and that it was okay if I slept until dinner was ready because she thought I was feeling ill). I had left over tendon (tenpura over rice). Okaasan said it was okay not to eat all the rice because we could put it away for later, but when she saw the rice left over after dinner, she planned to throw it away. Huh?!
Okaasan wanted to know what I would be doing for mother’s day, but based on what she said, I couldn’t tell if she was talking about herself or my biological mother. I’ve got plans...
Ryoushin went today to the airport for a ‘test run,’ since okaasan has to drive now and she’s never been. It took two hours!!!! With time running out, I don’t know how I’m going to treat my host parents (as thanks), especially since they haven’t told me what they want to do.
Okaasan bought brownies for dessert. :D They’re different from American ones, but still delicious. While we ate, we watched a show about the Japanese ‘problem’ of falling marriage and birth rates. They showed awkward dates where the guy didn’t know what to do. It was just funny and otousan laughed a lot about the things okaasan was saying.
On the train, I was kind of ticked off at this girl who was doing her makeup. She spent almost the entire ride from Akaike (when I noticed) to Shiogamaguchi doing her eye makeup. I can describe it too; she did it four freaking times!!! First, there was the mascara application (and subsequent brushing with a mustache comb), then another application (comb again), then she painted fake lashes on top (more comb), and finally, some substance that looked white (don’t forget the comb!). It didn’t even match her hair color!!! She had an extra purse too for her make-up bag (yes, a bag whose sole purpose was to carry another bag that didn’t leave much room for anything else). What?! I hand it to her for being able to do that on a moving train, but come on, no one is looking THAT close, and it didn’t seem to make her look any prettier. I really wanted to tell her (after 1.5 times) that she looked pretty and didn’t have to do that anymore, but meh.
In class, we reviewed for our tests... which are broken into four days, the last of which follows about a week’s worth of ‘no class.’ If I knew about this waste of time, I could have booked an earlier flight and not have to miss my summer class... but no!!!!
At least there was good news when I checked my bank account. All the money is there, so I’m closing it tomorrow. :D
At dinner, we had weird, semi-family time as usual. I think okaasan is crazy now, but she’s fun when she gets talking... and I know it’s okay to think so because otousan laughs out loud when he thinks so. First of all, I surprised okaasan again by coming in the kitchen without saying anything. It’s really hard to find something to say as an opening when ‘good evening’ is an out-group phrase. I wanted to help with dinner, but okaasan just told me to wait (and that it was okay if I slept until dinner was ready because she thought I was feeling ill). I had left over tendon (tenpura over rice). Okaasan said it was okay not to eat all the rice because we could put it away for later, but when she saw the rice left over after dinner, she planned to throw it away. Huh?!
Okaasan wanted to know what I would be doing for mother’s day, but based on what she said, I couldn’t tell if she was talking about herself or my biological mother. I’ve got plans...
Ryoushin went today to the airport for a ‘test run,’ since okaasan has to drive now and she’s never been. It took two hours!!!! With time running out, I don’t know how I’m going to treat my host parents (as thanks), especially since they haven’t told me what they want to do.
Okaasan bought brownies for dessert. :D They’re different from American ones, but still delicious. While we ate, we watched a show about the Japanese ‘problem’ of falling marriage and birth rates. They showed awkward dates where the guy didn’t know what to do. It was just funny and otousan laughed a lot about the things okaasan was saying.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
May 6
So, today it was pretty much rainy. I called JiWei to see if he had bought the tickets for today’s baseball game. We get online at different times, so we hadn’t been in direct contact until then. We agreed to talk again around 11:00, when JiWei would try to buy the tickets. Shortly after, I got up and went to breakfast. Okaasan made me a normal breakfast (I hope pancakes are coming soon) and otousan was surprised to see me up so early because today is a national holiday, but I still had to go to class.
At school, I went to CJS to ask about the letter concerning my stimulus check that I had received in the mail. Even though it was after 9:00 when I went, the door was locked with a “closed” sign on it and Japanese students were waiting outside trying to look inconspicuous by looking at posters on the walls. The closed sign also had the hours of operation on it (which begins at 9:00) so I made the move that none of the Japanese people would and knocked on the door. Shortly after, a member of the CJS staff came and opened it. I think if I wasn’t there, the students would have waited all day rather than knocking.
According to CJS, I’ve already received my check, but when I went to the ATM to make sure, I found it locked. Seriously, ATM’s are 24-hour in the US, why can’t Japan be the same? On top of that, the hours of operation for the ATM were from 9:00am, regardless of whether it’s the weekend (when they charge a service fee) or not, so that was fuben (inconvenient) too.
Today’s class, as it turned out, was the listening lab final exam, though I did not remember it being so. Additionally, finals do not officially begin until the 12th, so I was a bit angered and felt unprepared. Before the test, Hanashiro Sensei went over the information about the swine flu, which consisted mostly of “if you’ve visited these countries over Golden Week, you should go home [and get an unconditional 0 on this exam].” Most of the class started faking coughs to get him to let us go home, but he said (in English for the first time I’ve heard) “Be serious.”
On the topic of swine flu, David and Matt got calls from CJS while we were riding the world’s tallest ferris wheel in Osaka, but I didn’t. In class, the instructors checked with the “three students who couldn’t be contacted,” to make sure they hadn’t been to Mexico or something, but I wasn’t in that group. I felt a bit forgotten. ):
The test wasn’t bad, but I probably could have done a bit better if I had listened to the CD’s from our textbook one more time before going in. Anyway, afterward was practice for the oral exam and then, talking to JiWei!!! Since the tickets were for a game that was so soon, the cheapest tickets (which should have been 1500en) were 3800en. Naho might have tickets for the14th that were the cheaper price, so we opted out and went to lunch instead. JiWei was going to take me to a restaurant he and his friends go to often, but since it’s Wednesday, it was closed. Instead, we went to Mountain (マウンテン) which was known for its weird food. It was really cool!!! The building is partially wood and maybe looks like the kind of restaurant you find on a ski slope. All of the dishes sounded ridiculous, but we decided to be adventurous, so I ordered green tea spaghetti and JiWei ordered black fried rice. While we were waiting though, JiWei kept changing his mind about what he wanted to order, since the lime-green Melon spaghetti, banana spaghetti, and strawberry spaghetti kept catching his eye. When our food did come, it was amazing!!! The thought of sweet spaghetti sounds bad, but my green tea smothered spaghetti with ice cream, a peach, and a cherry on top was delicious!!! It was like eating hot ice cream... which was half-true. JiWei’s fried rice was pretty great too (though I only had a bite). It seemed to be black because of squid ink (the squid was on the side) and had pasta, eggplant, and hot pepper in it too. I ate too much and had to ask JiWei to eat some of my spaghetti, but now we both want to try other things on the menu, so I hope we can go back some time!
We didn’t know what to do with the afternoon, so we went to JiWei’s dorm and looked for thing on the internet, but all we came up with was the 2000en aquarium, which is a bit expensive, we thought. Instead, we just watched movie trailers and youtube videos. We did, however, figure out that we were in the same biochem and biotech classes for next Fall, so that was a plus!!!
At school, I went to CJS to ask about the letter concerning my stimulus check that I had received in the mail. Even though it was after 9:00 when I went, the door was locked with a “closed” sign on it and Japanese students were waiting outside trying to look inconspicuous by looking at posters on the walls. The closed sign also had the hours of operation on it (which begins at 9:00) so I made the move that none of the Japanese people would and knocked on the door. Shortly after, a member of the CJS staff came and opened it. I think if I wasn’t there, the students would have waited all day rather than knocking.
According to CJS, I’ve already received my check, but when I went to the ATM to make sure, I found it locked. Seriously, ATM’s are 24-hour in the US, why can’t Japan be the same? On top of that, the hours of operation for the ATM were from 9:00am, regardless of whether it’s the weekend (when they charge a service fee) or not, so that was fuben (inconvenient) too.
Today’s class, as it turned out, was the listening lab final exam, though I did not remember it being so. Additionally, finals do not officially begin until the 12th, so I was a bit angered and felt unprepared. Before the test, Hanashiro Sensei went over the information about the swine flu, which consisted mostly of “if you’ve visited these countries over Golden Week, you should go home [and get an unconditional 0 on this exam].” Most of the class started faking coughs to get him to let us go home, but he said (in English for the first time I’ve heard) “Be serious.”
On the topic of swine flu, David and Matt got calls from CJS while we were riding the world’s tallest ferris wheel in Osaka, but I didn’t. In class, the instructors checked with the “three students who couldn’t be contacted,” to make sure they hadn’t been to Mexico or something, but I wasn’t in that group. I felt a bit forgotten. ):
The test wasn’t bad, but I probably could have done a bit better if I had listened to the CD’s from our textbook one more time before going in. Anyway, afterward was practice for the oral exam and then, talking to JiWei!!! Since the tickets were for a game that was so soon, the cheapest tickets (which should have been 1500en) were 3800en. Naho might have tickets for the14th that were the cheaper price, so we opted out and went to lunch instead. JiWei was going to take me to a restaurant he and his friends go to often, but since it’s Wednesday, it was closed. Instead, we went to Mountain (マウンテン) which was known for its weird food. It was really cool!!! The building is partially wood and maybe looks like the kind of restaurant you find on a ski slope. All of the dishes sounded ridiculous, but we decided to be adventurous, so I ordered green tea spaghetti and JiWei ordered black fried rice. While we were waiting though, JiWei kept changing his mind about what he wanted to order, since the lime-green Melon spaghetti, banana spaghetti, and strawberry spaghetti kept catching his eye. When our food did come, it was amazing!!! The thought of sweet spaghetti sounds bad, but my green tea smothered spaghetti with ice cream, a peach, and a cherry on top was delicious!!! It was like eating hot ice cream... which was half-true. JiWei’s fried rice was pretty great too (though I only had a bite). It seemed to be black because of squid ink (the squid was on the side) and had pasta, eggplant, and hot pepper in it too. I ate too much and had to ask JiWei to eat some of my spaghetti, but now we both want to try other things on the menu, so I hope we can go back some time!
We didn’t know what to do with the afternoon, so we went to JiWei’s dorm and looked for thing on the internet, but all we came up with was the 2000en aquarium, which is a bit expensive, we thought. Instead, we just watched movie trailers and youtube videos. We did, however, figure out that we were in the same biochem and biotech classes for next Fall, so that was a plus!!!
Monday, May 4, 2009
May 4
Today was up and down. I started around 10:00, an hour after my normal alarm. At breakfast, okaasan brought the soy sauce packets I had left on the counter from my sushi to me and asked about them. She was wondering why I had left them there when she didn’t need them and why I hadn’t used them. I finally got my chance to tell her that I thought soy sauce was too strong and overcame the flavor of the food it is used on. Her reply was that my thinking was wrong (pretty much a literal translation) and that it makes the flavor better, as well as being good for your health. She said it’s fine if I don’t eat it if I don’t like it, but that it’s just like vinegar, miso, or salt in its ability to enhance flavor. In the end, the sauce was thrown away. I just can’t win...
She also pressured me to leave the house because it’s golden week. I still don’t know what my friends are up to now that I’m back in town, so I don’t really have anywhere to go. I told her I had homework to finish first and that I would probably go out after I had finished it. Okaasan herself left shortly after this. I figured I could spend the day cleaning my room, doing laundry, and other things to become orderly, but I figured it would be bad if okaasan came home and I hadn’t left, so after doing only about 10% of the cleaning work I wanted to (and making some sad-looking onigiri), I wrote a short note to let okaasan know and walked to Nisshin eki.
I had to wait for a long time for my train (it’s the weekend) so I called Mike to see when he was going to have yakiniku, because it would be ironic if I had a boring day by myself forced on me by my host mother when I could have a fun day with my friends. As it turns out, it won’t be for another week probably, so I went shopping instead.
First, I went to Hara, where I had previously found a thrift shop that sells kimonos as well as all sorts of other things. It is quite a walk from the eki, and despite having been there only once, I was able to find it again with no problem. I even got a new picture of the dealership that sells corvettes on the way. While I was shopping, I heard Hirabari on the intercom, which made me think the shop was closer to the Hirabari station than Hara. That being the case, I walked out of the store when I was finished and was going to ask directions to the Hirabari eki at the nearby convenience store, but once I got there, I saw the eki right there. The thrift shop is pretty much right outside the eki.
I decided I would check out Shiogamaguchi too (since I ride past that stop all the time but never get off there). My luck with Shiogamaguchi wasn’t so great. It didn’t seem like there was anything to see and I didn’t feel like walking as far as I had from Hara with the chance of finding nothing, so when I came to another entrance to the same station, I rode the train to Yagoto, where I knew there was a Jusco.
At Jusco, I checked out the stationary (I am going to buy a bit more before I return) first. With that exhausted, I looked around the clothing floor just to kill some more time. I went to the section that had the scarf I liked at the beginning of my stay here and to my surprise, it had been marked down significantly (since it’s no longer winter). I had to get it at that point. :D Afterward, I checked out a few jackets and dresses at the other clothing sections. Everything is fairly cheap, but I can’t bring myself to buy acrylic or polyester anymore with the quick demise of clothing made from those fabrics.
My train put me at home just before dinner and when I returned, I thought I heard Otousan talking to his granddaughter. It turned out he was talking about her or on the phone to her. I wasn’t sure what to do with myself though because last time she was around, she didn’t like me being around. Either way, it all ended with me going to the kitchen with okaasan for dinner.
We had sukiyaki and okaasan tried to get me to eat a lot because, having seen how much sushi I ate the night before, she thought I could eat a lot. She also thinks I’m not adventurous (as compared to boys) because I don’t want to eat raw eggs, but I told her I had eaten them before, which didn’t seem to reduce her opinion of me as “reserved.”
At dinner, otousan said he and okaasan would practice (“rehearsal”) going to the airport before my flight because okaasan had never driven there (and otousan can’t drive any more). There was some confusion about where I would be leaving from (Nagoya airport or Chubu airport) but I think we’re good now, having consulted NWA.com.
We had the okashi I had brought back from Nara as dessert. Otousan asked me where they came from and I told him, as well as explained that I wasn’t sure if it was Nara-esque or not. He seemed a bit amused. When I was washing the dishes later, okaasan showed me that there was pancake mix in the house. I’m excited to make them tomorrow. :D I will definitely have to make brownies for ryoushin now.
After dinner, I watched the news with okaasan where they were interviewing a Japanese astronaut at the international space station. It was really interesting to see him in the station and the earth from the window.
She also pressured me to leave the house because it’s golden week. I still don’t know what my friends are up to now that I’m back in town, so I don’t really have anywhere to go. I told her I had homework to finish first and that I would probably go out after I had finished it. Okaasan herself left shortly after this. I figured I could spend the day cleaning my room, doing laundry, and other things to become orderly, but I figured it would be bad if okaasan came home and I hadn’t left, so after doing only about 10% of the cleaning work I wanted to (and making some sad-looking onigiri), I wrote a short note to let okaasan know and walked to Nisshin eki.
I had to wait for a long time for my train (it’s the weekend) so I called Mike to see when he was going to have yakiniku, because it would be ironic if I had a boring day by myself forced on me by my host mother when I could have a fun day with my friends. As it turns out, it won’t be for another week probably, so I went shopping instead.
First, I went to Hara, where I had previously found a thrift shop that sells kimonos as well as all sorts of other things. It is quite a walk from the eki, and despite having been there only once, I was able to find it again with no problem. I even got a new picture of the dealership that sells corvettes on the way. While I was shopping, I heard Hirabari on the intercom, which made me think the shop was closer to the Hirabari station than Hara. That being the case, I walked out of the store when I was finished and was going to ask directions to the Hirabari eki at the nearby convenience store, but once I got there, I saw the eki right there. The thrift shop is pretty much right outside the eki.
I decided I would check out Shiogamaguchi too (since I ride past that stop all the time but never get off there). My luck with Shiogamaguchi wasn’t so great. It didn’t seem like there was anything to see and I didn’t feel like walking as far as I had from Hara with the chance of finding nothing, so when I came to another entrance to the same station, I rode the train to Yagoto, where I knew there was a Jusco.
At Jusco, I checked out the stationary (I am going to buy a bit more before I return) first. With that exhausted, I looked around the clothing floor just to kill some more time. I went to the section that had the scarf I liked at the beginning of my stay here and to my surprise, it had been marked down significantly (since it’s no longer winter). I had to get it at that point. :D Afterward, I checked out a few jackets and dresses at the other clothing sections. Everything is fairly cheap, but I can’t bring myself to buy acrylic or polyester anymore with the quick demise of clothing made from those fabrics.
My train put me at home just before dinner and when I returned, I thought I heard Otousan talking to his granddaughter. It turned out he was talking about her or on the phone to her. I wasn’t sure what to do with myself though because last time she was around, she didn’t like me being around. Either way, it all ended with me going to the kitchen with okaasan for dinner.
We had sukiyaki and okaasan tried to get me to eat a lot because, having seen how much sushi I ate the night before, she thought I could eat a lot. She also thinks I’m not adventurous (as compared to boys) because I don’t want to eat raw eggs, but I told her I had eaten them before, which didn’t seem to reduce her opinion of me as “reserved.”
At dinner, otousan said he and okaasan would practice (“rehearsal”) going to the airport before my flight because okaasan had never driven there (and otousan can’t drive any more). There was some confusion about where I would be leaving from (Nagoya airport or Chubu airport) but I think we’re good now, having consulted NWA.com.
We had the okashi I had brought back from Nara as dessert. Otousan asked me where they came from and I told him, as well as explained that I wasn’t sure if it was Nara-esque or not. He seemed a bit amused. When I was washing the dishes later, okaasan showed me that there was pancake mix in the house. I’m excited to make them tomorrow. :D I will definitely have to make brownies for ryoushin now.
After dinner, I watched the news with okaasan where they were interviewing a Japanese astronaut at the international space station. It was really interesting to see him in the station and the earth from the window.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
May 3
Today was Suzuka Circuit. Unfortunately, before we could go there, we got off to a late-ish start and got very lost. Going on the scale of our map, we thought we could walk to a train station to make our commute to Suzuka shorter (and cheaper) but we ended up wasting a few hours in a run-down area of Osaka instead. On the up side, we got to see an interesting shrine, but, on the down side, our time at Suzuka was severely shortened. Along the way, I met a Chinese man who wanted to give me his phone number (a customer who overheard me asking the Lawson’s clerk for directions) and walked by a dog which probably would have bitten me if not chained to a building.
We did end up riding a JR train to the Kintetsu station (instead of walking there) and the kintetsu employee wasn’t too helpful. It wasn’t his fault, but there were not express tickets left for going to Suzuka. David and I were really confused at this time and we ended up going to the clerk three times including the one at which we bought our tickets. When we asked about our train line changes, he wasn’t like the other clerks, who either wrote everything down for us or made sure we actually understood before we left. He gave us an answer and then went about his business. I had to ask two or three times to get all of the information (like IT: they give you the literal answer, not the implicit answers to your questions) but once we were on the first train, we were fine.
The trip to Suzuka took about 2.5 hours and when we got there, we had to wait another half-hour for the bus to come (it was very far from the eki to the circuit, as it turned out). When we did get there though, (and had paid almost 400en for the bus) we had to pay an entrance fee to get into the park (after which you have to pay for all the attractions). We felt a bit jipped, but we paid the money and did some racing. As it turned out, Suzuka was pretty fun, for the things we were interested in.
First of all, we rode 20cc carts. It was pretty much like RushHour (though the track is wider and outdoors). We had to show our licenses, give our blood types, and sit through a briefing (luckily Japan has four flags instead of RH’s 10). We had to suit up quite a bit and I was kicking myself for not bringing my headsock to Japan because I had to pay for a paper one at the track. In addition to that, there was the helmet, gloves, shoes, and if you didn’t wear long sleeves or pants, you had to wear issued sleeves too. On the track, I ran into the barrier (and couldn’t correct) once and had to wait for someone to pull me out (there’s no reverse!!!). Otherwise, I was fine and despite nearly spinning out many times (and still being captain slow), I didn’t get passed by anyone.
Our next stop was the parking lot in front of Suzuka Circuit itself, which was the location of the super cars. It was a bit disappointing (after being to so many auto-x’s where the cars number over 100) but the few cars we did see were pretty cool. There were a few older lotus models, a cobra, a porsche, and a couple of others.
The next attraction, which was heavily considered before being decided on, was driving karts on the actual Suzuka Circuit. Unfortunately, the karts were really slow compared to the first ones we rode (and the ride was really bumpy), but it was worth the price we paid (and the long line we waited in). It seemed so slow though that I pulled out my camera and took a bunch of shots instead of focusing on my driving. I ran over the rumble strips just to make the ride interesting.
After that, it was off to the gift shops, as the majority of the un-visited area was kiddy rides. There was a roller coaster, but it didn’t seem very special. I found an awesome shirt in one of the gift shops, but I couldn’t bring myself to pay the 14700en price for it. D:
Afterward, we rode the expensive bus back (which stopped running at 6:10, despite the circuit’s later closing hour) and tried to buy our tickets home. The station master wasn’t very accommodating. David was out of discount tickets, so I was going to use mine to pay for both of our tickets (I had two discounts). First the station master told me I couldn’t do that, so I was going to use only one. Then, (after marking my discount as one-way) he decided to tell me I couldn’t use it because I wasn’t going to Kyoto or somewhere else. Gee, you couldn’t tell me at the very beginning, when I told you I wanted to go to Nagoya? That was okay though too because the tickets were pretty cheap and we got back to Nagoya before 8:00. At yagoto, David and I went to Valor to buy discount bentou (delicous!!!) and I went home to enjoy the sushi and onigiri I bought there.
At home (around 10:00), I gave the omiyage I had bought in Nara to okaasan and ate my dinner (the only thing besides two small onigiri I had eaten all day). After my meal, I went up the stairs (where a piece of mail was waiting for me) to my room. I figured my mail was another troublesome government concern, but when I opened it, I found it was for my stimulus check!!! I showed it to okaasan and she didn’t seem too surprised, but she told me to use it to buy some good Japanese items, since that was what it was for. I’ll probably not end up spending it with all the money that should come in this month, but I can call it reimbursement. (:
We did end up riding a JR train to the Kintetsu station (instead of walking there) and the kintetsu employee wasn’t too helpful. It wasn’t his fault, but there were not express tickets left for going to Suzuka. David and I were really confused at this time and we ended up going to the clerk three times including the one at which we bought our tickets. When we asked about our train line changes, he wasn’t like the other clerks, who either wrote everything down for us or made sure we actually understood before we left. He gave us an answer and then went about his business. I had to ask two or three times to get all of the information (like IT: they give you the literal answer, not the implicit answers to your questions) but once we were on the first train, we were fine.
The trip to Suzuka took about 2.5 hours and when we got there, we had to wait another half-hour for the bus to come (it was very far from the eki to the circuit, as it turned out). When we did get there though, (and had paid almost 400en for the bus) we had to pay an entrance fee to get into the park (after which you have to pay for all the attractions). We felt a bit jipped, but we paid the money and did some racing. As it turned out, Suzuka was pretty fun, for the things we were interested in.
First of all, we rode 20cc carts. It was pretty much like RushHour (though the track is wider and outdoors). We had to show our licenses, give our blood types, and sit through a briefing (luckily Japan has four flags instead of RH’s 10). We had to suit up quite a bit and I was kicking myself for not bringing my headsock to Japan because I had to pay for a paper one at the track. In addition to that, there was the helmet, gloves, shoes, and if you didn’t wear long sleeves or pants, you had to wear issued sleeves too. On the track, I ran into the barrier (and couldn’t correct) once and had to wait for someone to pull me out (there’s no reverse!!!). Otherwise, I was fine and despite nearly spinning out many times (and still being captain slow), I didn’t get passed by anyone.
Our next stop was the parking lot in front of Suzuka Circuit itself, which was the location of the super cars. It was a bit disappointing (after being to so many auto-x’s where the cars number over 100) but the few cars we did see were pretty cool. There were a few older lotus models, a cobra, a porsche, and a couple of others.
The next attraction, which was heavily considered before being decided on, was driving karts on the actual Suzuka Circuit. Unfortunately, the karts were really slow compared to the first ones we rode (and the ride was really bumpy), but it was worth the price we paid (and the long line we waited in). It seemed so slow though that I pulled out my camera and took a bunch of shots instead of focusing on my driving. I ran over the rumble strips just to make the ride interesting.
After that, it was off to the gift shops, as the majority of the un-visited area was kiddy rides. There was a roller coaster, but it didn’t seem very special. I found an awesome shirt in one of the gift shops, but I couldn’t bring myself to pay the 14700en price for it. D:
Afterward, we rode the expensive bus back (which stopped running at 6:10, despite the circuit’s later closing hour) and tried to buy our tickets home. The station master wasn’t very accommodating. David was out of discount tickets, so I was going to use mine to pay for both of our tickets (I had two discounts). First the station master told me I couldn’t do that, so I was going to use only one. Then, (after marking my discount as one-way) he decided to tell me I couldn’t use it because I wasn’t going to Kyoto or somewhere else. Gee, you couldn’t tell me at the very beginning, when I told you I wanted to go to Nagoya? That was okay though too because the tickets were pretty cheap and we got back to Nagoya before 8:00. At yagoto, David and I went to Valor to buy discount bentou (delicous!!!) and I went home to enjoy the sushi and onigiri I bought there.
At home (around 10:00), I gave the omiyage I had bought in Nara to okaasan and ate my dinner (the only thing besides two small onigiri I had eaten all day). After my meal, I went up the stairs (where a piece of mail was waiting for me) to my room. I figured my mail was another troublesome government concern, but when I opened it, I found it was for my stimulus check!!! I showed it to okaasan and she didn’t seem too surprised, but she told me to use it to buy some good Japanese items, since that was what it was for. I’ll probably not end up spending it with all the money that should come in this month, but I can call it reimbursement. (:
Saturday, May 2, 2009
May 2
Today, Matt left early in the morning (he had been called away to compete in a boxing match by his trainer) so it was just David and me. We went to DenDen again in the morning because there was something I wanted to buy that I had seen yesterday but wasn’t sure about at the time. We ended up going in a bunch of otaku stores that we had passed the first time around. We also saw some girls dressed up as maids and handing out pamphlets for thier maid café’s. I decided I wanted a picture with one of them (none of them were skantily clad), but when I asked, the girl said I couldn’t have a picture because you had to go to the café (and pay) to do that. We decided we would take a picture of her from afar, but when she figured out what was going on, she went around the corner. That was okay though and we got pictures of other people. We also passed by a parking lot where a bunch of riced up cars were covered in vinyl anime decals (which we took pictures of). I didn’t think otaku drove fast cars. O:
After this, we headed back to ShinSekai to get to Festival Gate (where the roller coaster is) but when we got there, we heard no noise and saw no cars. The coaster wasn’t running that day either!!! None of the shops around were open either, so we decided my guide book was probably out of date and the rollercoaster was no longer in operation.
We spent the rest of the afternoon looking for takosen (tako yaki in a giant ebi cracker) and playing taiko at the arcade. I ended up getting the takosen all over my hands, much like the time I ate a crepé at Versailles. It wasn’t quite enough, so we stopped by a cafeteria-like restaurant and had rice and crokets before heading back to the hostel to drop our belongings. There, we tried to decide on something to do for the evening and somehow, while talking, we both passed out for about three hours.
When we woke up, we decided to go back to Ebisu-bashi, but this time by foot. It only took about a half-hour to get there even with getting a bit lost. This time, we saw a garage full of (about five) lambos and we were going to take pictures, but in the time it took to get our cameras out, the parking lot attendant waved us away. Zannen... We did go into a restaurant on the river though to have ika okonomiyaki. It was one of the best I’ve ever had. Unfortunately, we were running out of time because of our curfue, so we booked it to the crepé stand for a final treat and then to the subway to get home fast. We got on the wrong direction train though, so with our reverse-change, we got back to the hostel just in time.
After this, we headed back to ShinSekai to get to Festival Gate (where the roller coaster is) but when we got there, we heard no noise and saw no cars. The coaster wasn’t running that day either!!! None of the shops around were open either, so we decided my guide book was probably out of date and the rollercoaster was no longer in operation.
We spent the rest of the afternoon looking for takosen (tako yaki in a giant ebi cracker) and playing taiko at the arcade. I ended up getting the takosen all over my hands, much like the time I ate a crepé at Versailles. It wasn’t quite enough, so we stopped by a cafeteria-like restaurant and had rice and crokets before heading back to the hostel to drop our belongings. There, we tried to decide on something to do for the evening and somehow, while talking, we both passed out for about three hours.
When we woke up, we decided to go back to Ebisu-bashi, but this time by foot. It only took about a half-hour to get there even with getting a bit lost. This time, we saw a garage full of (about five) lambos and we were going to take pictures, but in the time it took to get our cameras out, the parking lot attendant waved us away. Zannen... We did go into a restaurant on the river though to have ika okonomiyaki. It was one of the best I’ve ever had. Unfortunately, we were running out of time because of our curfue, so we booked it to the crepé stand for a final treat and then to the subway to get home fast. We got on the wrong direction train though, so with our reverse-change, we got back to the hostel just in time.
Friday, May 1, 2009
May 1
Today, we got up and out of the hostle around nine, I think, but for Japan, that’s early. Nothing seemed to be open until ten and eleven, which seemed to be the normal opening hours. We got lost trying to find DenDen Town (Osaka’s version of Akihabara) because we thought the map we were given depicted a larger area. We got a lot of practice in asking directions that way though. Eventually, we made it to DenDen (which is like Akihabara both for its electronics and its otaku stores) but we were still early, so we stopped in a shop to eat udon. We were one of two groups of customers, but the other group (a Japanese couple) for some reason gave us cookies. I couldn’t understand their Japanese, unfortunately.
Afterward, we walked the streets where we went in stores selling all sorts of otaku things, advertising TV’s using Advent Children, 700en 4-gig SD cards, and so on. It was really interesting. I got bumped on the street a lot (it seems to be the way of Osakans; get where you’re going, no nonsense) and Matt said a lot of guys were looking at me, so I was glad I had him and David walking with me. I’m guessing it’s not very common for girls (especially gaijin, which are less prevalent in Osaka than Nagoya) to be on the Akihabara-esque street. Afterward, we went to festival gate to check out the roller coaster, but it was closed, we thought, because of it only running on the weekend and holidays. We spent a bit more time in Shinsekai, where we played a fighting game in an arcade for 50en which went on forever, but was fun.
We made a quick stop at the hostle to drop our belonings and then headed off to Tempozan (on the bay) where we rode the world’s largest ferris wheel. Osaka was really pretty at night. We went into the nearby mall (which resembles Crabtree, or any other American mall) where most of the stores were closing, though it was a Friday night and only 8:00pm. Matt and David did manage to get okonomiyaki and afterward, we walked around the secondary food court, which was really cool because it resembled a Meiji period street. The lighting came from red lanterns and the restaurant fronts looked like wooden buildings lining streets.
Once we ran out of things to see there (and spent a bit of money on t-shirts at the most tourist-esqe business there), we headed to Ebisu-bashi, which looked interesting from the photographs in my guidebook. It was said to be the nightlife central of Osaka, and it really was. In addition to many shops, bars, restaurants, and food stands, there were the more risqué attractions of Japan. We saw lots of callboys (more so than callgirls) on the streets with blonde (yes, they bleach their hair) maines (and spike it too) and shiny black suits that probably cost lots of money. They were chasing girls (and guys) down the streets when they weren’t standing together looking pretty (by someone else’s standard). We saw a lot of expensive cars too. I wasn’t quick enough to catch a shot of the lambo. There were, of course, love hotels too.
We weren’t there for any of that though, but it was intersting to see Japan’s nightlife from the streets. The buildings too were often covered in neon and the river that runs through the district was pretty. We went in a pet shop (I’ve never been to one in Japan) where the prices for cats and dogs were around $1000. I had takoyaki too (at which point I got to talk a bit in Japanese with the seller) which gave us time to look around a more interesting instersection in the area while I ate (in Japan, you don’t walk and eat, you eat in one place). We ended it all with delicous crepes and got back to the hostle.
There, we watched Japanese TV (I found a drama with the guy from Densha Otoko in it) which was pretty interesting. David and I watched a kids show too which was pretty funny just because of the normal things kids do (that makes sense to kids but seems funny to adults). We decided to turn it off and go to sleep when hard gay was the only thing on TV. D:
Afterward, we walked the streets where we went in stores selling all sorts of otaku things, advertising TV’s using Advent Children, 700en 4-gig SD cards, and so on. It was really interesting. I got bumped on the street a lot (it seems to be the way of Osakans; get where you’re going, no nonsense) and Matt said a lot of guys were looking at me, so I was glad I had him and David walking with me. I’m guessing it’s not very common for girls (especially gaijin, which are less prevalent in Osaka than Nagoya) to be on the Akihabara-esque street. Afterward, we went to festival gate to check out the roller coaster, but it was closed, we thought, because of it only running on the weekend and holidays. We spent a bit more time in Shinsekai, where we played a fighting game in an arcade for 50en which went on forever, but was fun.
We made a quick stop at the hostle to drop our belonings and then headed off to Tempozan (on the bay) where we rode the world’s largest ferris wheel. Osaka was really pretty at night. We went into the nearby mall (which resembles Crabtree, or any other American mall) where most of the stores were closing, though it was a Friday night and only 8:00pm. Matt and David did manage to get okonomiyaki and afterward, we walked around the secondary food court, which was really cool because it resembled a Meiji period street. The lighting came from red lanterns and the restaurant fronts looked like wooden buildings lining streets.
Once we ran out of things to see there (and spent a bit of money on t-shirts at the most tourist-esqe business there), we headed to Ebisu-bashi, which looked interesting from the photographs in my guidebook. It was said to be the nightlife central of Osaka, and it really was. In addition to many shops, bars, restaurants, and food stands, there were the more risqué attractions of Japan. We saw lots of callboys (more so than callgirls) on the streets with blonde (yes, they bleach their hair) maines (and spike it too) and shiny black suits that probably cost lots of money. They were chasing girls (and guys) down the streets when they weren’t standing together looking pretty (by someone else’s standard). We saw a lot of expensive cars too. I wasn’t quick enough to catch a shot of the lambo. There were, of course, love hotels too.
We weren’t there for any of that though, but it was intersting to see Japan’s nightlife from the streets. The buildings too were often covered in neon and the river that runs through the district was pretty. We went in a pet shop (I’ve never been to one in Japan) where the prices for cats and dogs were around $1000. I had takoyaki too (at which point I got to talk a bit in Japanese with the seller) which gave us time to look around a more interesting instersection in the area while I ate (in Japan, you don’t walk and eat, you eat in one place). We ended it all with delicous crepes and got back to the hostle.
There, we watched Japanese TV (I found a drama with the guy from Densha Otoko in it) which was pretty interesting. David and I watched a kids show too which was pretty funny just because of the normal things kids do (that makes sense to kids but seems funny to adults). We decided to turn it off and go to sleep when hard gay was the only thing on TV. D:
Thursday, April 30, 2009
April 30
What a crazy trip this vacatin was! I didn’t write anything while I was on vacation becaues I was so exhausted by the time I got back to the hostle each night that I couldn’t bring myself to do it before falling asleep. Anyway, I will try to give the most faithful account as possible.
My day started around five when I got up, got dressed, and tried to do my laundry. Everything was fine, until I realized I hadn’t opened the water valve, so my sheets wouldn’t finish until about fifteen minutes after I had to leave. I left a note for okaasan appologizing and asking her to take my laundry from the machine, and then left. I took the second train of the day to Nagoya eki, where I found not David, but Matt (who I thought would be meeting us in Osaka the next day) by way of hearing his English. As it turned out, David had set his alarm for the PM, so he was woken up by Matt calling him and we didn’t get out of Nagoya eki until about 8:30 (as opposed to our plan of 7:30). It was alright though; we caught a bus to Nara and got there around noon. As it turned out, half of a day was enough to see the sights I wanted to.
We started out from Nara eki and happened upon kofukuji within minutes. There, we took lots of pictures of the five-story pagoda and the Nara deer. Afterward, we walked in search of Kasuga Taisha, but happened upon toudaiji instead. Both Matt and David had been to the temple before, so I went in alone, and the sight was well worth the 500en entrance fee. The main attraction of Toudaiji is the gigantic buddha statue which is about three stories tall. It was pretty much impossible to get a picture that showed how big it was. Outside, the Nara deer were swarming. It was possible to purchase “deer crackers” to feed them, but the problem was; once you feed the deer, they won’t stop following you. At one point, a Japanese person gave Matt a deer cracker they had bought just so the deer would follow him instead, but we were able to lose the animal soon after.
After Toudaiji, we did find our way to sasuga taisha. The temple is really beautiful and has thousands of lanterns. It is wisteria season too, so the flowers were very beautiful. We were getting pretty tired at this point, so we went back toward the main city to find food and shopping. On our way, we passed a large pond with turtles in it and walked the streets of shopping districts that resemble osu. In one of the shops, I saw a postcard depicting the three-faced, multi-armed budda statue okaasan suggested I see while in Nara. We asked the shop clerk where it was, but as it turns out, it is on temporary exhibition in Tokyo, so we missed out. Our trip to Nara was really fun though. I was shocked at how small the city was...
Once we had finished our shopping, we took a train to Osaka station. There, we inquired about getting to the hostles (we hadn’t booked any, but there were three very cheap ones in one area). We wanted to walk there, as possible, but when we asked the station master about it, he gave us a “murida” (“impossible”) and told us to take the chikatetsu. That was our first experience with Osaka, and it was a pretty good one; no talking around the subject, just straight-forward communication and actions. We ended up taking the chikatetsu and to our surprise, there were about five cheap hostles right outside our exit. We shopped around and found the one we would settle on. It was super-cheap (1100en/night) and the clerk let us look at the rooms before we booked. The rooms were truely minimal (small), the bathroom was utilitarian, and the place smelled like cigarettes, but the shower was super-clean, and that was all that mattered to me.
Once we dropped our belongings in the room, we decided to look around for a bit before our 12:00 curfue. As it turned out, we were right in Shinsekai (one of the places I wanted to check out, though it was described as shady and run-down) and next to festival gate (which boasted a rollercoaster). Matt was extatic to be in a real (New Jersy-esque city) as opposed to Nagoya. A lot of the stores were closed on one side of the district, which we attributed to the time of day (fairly late) but the side by Shinsekai tower was literally lit up. There were tons of restaurants (especially fugu and Japanese kebabs) and pachinko parlors, but not many shops.
After exploring a bit, we headed back to the hotel where we planned the next day and passed out from exhaustion.
My day started around five when I got up, got dressed, and tried to do my laundry. Everything was fine, until I realized I hadn’t opened the water valve, so my sheets wouldn’t finish until about fifteen minutes after I had to leave. I left a note for okaasan appologizing and asking her to take my laundry from the machine, and then left. I took the second train of the day to Nagoya eki, where I found not David, but Matt (who I thought would be meeting us in Osaka the next day) by way of hearing his English. As it turned out, David had set his alarm for the PM, so he was woken up by Matt calling him and we didn’t get out of Nagoya eki until about 8:30 (as opposed to our plan of 7:30). It was alright though; we caught a bus to Nara and got there around noon. As it turned out, half of a day was enough to see the sights I wanted to.
We started out from Nara eki and happened upon kofukuji within minutes. There, we took lots of pictures of the five-story pagoda and the Nara deer. Afterward, we walked in search of Kasuga Taisha, but happened upon toudaiji instead. Both Matt and David had been to the temple before, so I went in alone, and the sight was well worth the 500en entrance fee. The main attraction of Toudaiji is the gigantic buddha statue which is about three stories tall. It was pretty much impossible to get a picture that showed how big it was. Outside, the Nara deer were swarming. It was possible to purchase “deer crackers” to feed them, but the problem was; once you feed the deer, they won’t stop following you. At one point, a Japanese person gave Matt a deer cracker they had bought just so the deer would follow him instead, but we were able to lose the animal soon after.
After Toudaiji, we did find our way to sasuga taisha. The temple is really beautiful and has thousands of lanterns. It is wisteria season too, so the flowers were very beautiful. We were getting pretty tired at this point, so we went back toward the main city to find food and shopping. On our way, we passed a large pond with turtles in it and walked the streets of shopping districts that resemble osu. In one of the shops, I saw a postcard depicting the three-faced, multi-armed budda statue okaasan suggested I see while in Nara. We asked the shop clerk where it was, but as it turns out, it is on temporary exhibition in Tokyo, so we missed out. Our trip to Nara was really fun though. I was shocked at how small the city was...
Once we had finished our shopping, we took a train to Osaka station. There, we inquired about getting to the hostles (we hadn’t booked any, but there were three very cheap ones in one area). We wanted to walk there, as possible, but when we asked the station master about it, he gave us a “murida” (“impossible”) and told us to take the chikatetsu. That was our first experience with Osaka, and it was a pretty good one; no talking around the subject, just straight-forward communication and actions. We ended up taking the chikatetsu and to our surprise, there were about five cheap hostles right outside our exit. We shopped around and found the one we would settle on. It was super-cheap (1100en/night) and the clerk let us look at the rooms before we booked. The rooms were truely minimal (small), the bathroom was utilitarian, and the place smelled like cigarettes, but the shower was super-clean, and that was all that mattered to me.
Once we dropped our belongings in the room, we decided to look around for a bit before our 12:00 curfue. As it turned out, we were right in Shinsekai (one of the places I wanted to check out, though it was described as shady and run-down) and next to festival gate (which boasted a rollercoaster). Matt was extatic to be in a real (New Jersy-esque city) as opposed to Nagoya. A lot of the stores were closed on one side of the district, which we attributed to the time of day (fairly late) but the side by Shinsekai tower was literally lit up. There were tons of restaurants (especially fugu and Japanese kebabs) and pachinko parlors, but not many shops.
After exploring a bit, we headed back to the hotel where we planned the next day and passed out from exhaustion.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
April 29
Today was kimono-wearing day!!! But first, I had to buy omiyage for Tanakasan. Before all of this though, was breakfast where okaasan gave me chocolate bread that was pretty close to the quality of the bread we used to get from the Jewish and Italian couple when we lived in Myrtle Beach. :D
As for buying a gift, I was thinking okashi (since okaasan had a big box in the hallway that seemed to have formerly held a plant), but she told me that she had bought okashi, so I should buy fruit or flowers. I figured I’d go to the specialty fruit or flower shop (side-by-side) near Nanzan, but the fruit store was closed and the flower store looked out of my price range (a lot of orchids). Instead, I went to Justco, where I found a couple of stalks of really pretty white lilies which smelled really nice. I was short on time, and when I got to the eki to go home, the Toyotashi train was just coming in (yes!!!).
I rushed the flowers home (worrying they would wilt in the sun) and brought them home to okaasan. There, I asked her for some advice on putting them in water (to keep them from wilting) and the whole thing turned sour. She asked if I was asking for a vase, but all I wanted was a wet paper towel or a cup for temporary use. When she inspected the stalks and found there was nothing given to me by the store clerk, she started asking me if I was going to give the flowers to her friend as they were (the price tag was still on the plastic wrapping). Of course, I was going to take the stickers off (and put the two stalks I had bought into one wrapping, but by Japanese standards, that is not enough, in fact; it’s unacceptable. Okaasan said I had to have ribbon and paper and why didn’t I get the clerk to do it for me? Did I think it was okay to give grocery store flowers to her friend? On top of that, the strong smell of lilies isn’t enjoyed by all people (some people get headaches from them) and Japanese people don’t even use perfume, let alone strong flowery scents. She ended up cutting and wrapping the flowers for me (letting me do it never crossed her mind) in paper and ribbon she luckily had stored away, but with all the talking down (including “I thought it was common sense for you to have it wrapped,” “In American movies, I see people bringing flowers in nice bags and paper into hotels,” “Giving flowers wasn’t originally an oriental custom, only giving money was,” and “Tanakasan won’t feel you’ve put feeling into this gift if you give it this way”) and guilt that I was making not only myself look bad, but okaasan look bad to her friend, I ended up in tears again. Lame!!! Why can’t I control my face?!
Afterward, I was sent to my room to put the flowers away, and I was going to have a catharsis in my room to get rid of my emoness, but okaasan called me down to lunch. I told her I was fine without, but she insisted she had made onigiri for me, so I came downstairs and we ate until her friend arrived (to my surprise, because I thought we were going to her friend’s house, not to mention okaasan didn’t give me any warning as to who she was answering the door to). Things really turned around though. (:
Okaasan’s friend is really nice. She’s very soft-spoken and always smiling. First, she dressed me in the kimono. Okaasan let me wear her kimono, which she wore in her twenties. I had to bend down a bit sometimes so Tanakasan could reach my shoulders because she’s much shorter than me. Once I was dressed, we took many pictures. First, in the tatami room (where the vacuum lives), then in the garden and in front of the house. At one point, Okaasan showed me off to her neighbor too. I really like wearing the kimono because it’s so pretty and it makes you keep good posture.
After pictures, we went inside to have macha in the traditional Japanese way. The tea is a green powder and you place it in a giant bowl-like cup, then whisk it with a bamboo whisk. Okaasan and Tanakasan talked about all sorts of things (including me D:) as we drank tea and ate small traditional snacks. I found it kind of hard to breathe and sit at the same time (or drink and sit) but the conversation was interesting. After a lot of talking, okaasan gave Tanakasan the okashi and signaled me to go upstairs for the flowers. I brought them to Tanakasan (who told me I looked pretty carrying them) and I tried to apologize while giving them to her, but my voice was too soft, even for her, so I did my best to give them humbly. After thanks and farewells, okaasan drove her to her eki.
The rest of the night was less eventful. When I had to change back into my clothes, I felt a bit bad undoing all of Tanakasan’s work. It did take a lot of time and effort. We had yakisoba for dinner while watching the news about the Swine Flu. I’m going to have it for breakfast too because I have to get up at 5:00 and out of the house before 6:00, yay! After dinner, I did last-minute internet checks and stayed up with okaasan (as long as I could) thinking I would make my own bento, but okaasan made it for me. It smells so good I can’t wait for lunch tomorrow.
As for buying a gift, I was thinking okashi (since okaasan had a big box in the hallway that seemed to have formerly held a plant), but she told me that she had bought okashi, so I should buy fruit or flowers. I figured I’d go to the specialty fruit or flower shop (side-by-side) near Nanzan, but the fruit store was closed and the flower store looked out of my price range (a lot of orchids). Instead, I went to Justco, where I found a couple of stalks of really pretty white lilies which smelled really nice. I was short on time, and when I got to the eki to go home, the Toyotashi train was just coming in (yes!!!).
I rushed the flowers home (worrying they would wilt in the sun) and brought them home to okaasan. There, I asked her for some advice on putting them in water (to keep them from wilting) and the whole thing turned sour. She asked if I was asking for a vase, but all I wanted was a wet paper towel or a cup for temporary use. When she inspected the stalks and found there was nothing given to me by the store clerk, she started asking me if I was going to give the flowers to her friend as they were (the price tag was still on the plastic wrapping). Of course, I was going to take the stickers off (and put the two stalks I had bought into one wrapping, but by Japanese standards, that is not enough, in fact; it’s unacceptable. Okaasan said I had to have ribbon and paper and why didn’t I get the clerk to do it for me? Did I think it was okay to give grocery store flowers to her friend? On top of that, the strong smell of lilies isn’t enjoyed by all people (some people get headaches from them) and Japanese people don’t even use perfume, let alone strong flowery scents. She ended up cutting and wrapping the flowers for me (letting me do it never crossed her mind) in paper and ribbon she luckily had stored away, but with all the talking down (including “I thought it was common sense for you to have it wrapped,” “In American movies, I see people bringing flowers in nice bags and paper into hotels,” “Giving flowers wasn’t originally an oriental custom, only giving money was,” and “Tanakasan won’t feel you’ve put feeling into this gift if you give it this way”) and guilt that I was making not only myself look bad, but okaasan look bad to her friend, I ended up in tears again. Lame!!! Why can’t I control my face?!
Afterward, I was sent to my room to put the flowers away, and I was going to have a catharsis in my room to get rid of my emoness, but okaasan called me down to lunch. I told her I was fine without, but she insisted she had made onigiri for me, so I came downstairs and we ate until her friend arrived (to my surprise, because I thought we were going to her friend’s house, not to mention okaasan didn’t give me any warning as to who she was answering the door to). Things really turned around though. (:
Okaasan’s friend is really nice. She’s very soft-spoken and always smiling. First, she dressed me in the kimono. Okaasan let me wear her kimono, which she wore in her twenties. I had to bend down a bit sometimes so Tanakasan could reach my shoulders because she’s much shorter than me. Once I was dressed, we took many pictures. First, in the tatami room (where the vacuum lives), then in the garden and in front of the house. At one point, Okaasan showed me off to her neighbor too. I really like wearing the kimono because it’s so pretty and it makes you keep good posture.
After pictures, we went inside to have macha in the traditional Japanese way. The tea is a green powder and you place it in a giant bowl-like cup, then whisk it with a bamboo whisk. Okaasan and Tanakasan talked about all sorts of things (including me D:) as we drank tea and ate small traditional snacks. I found it kind of hard to breathe and sit at the same time (or drink and sit) but the conversation was interesting. After a lot of talking, okaasan gave Tanakasan the okashi and signaled me to go upstairs for the flowers. I brought them to Tanakasan (who told me I looked pretty carrying them) and I tried to apologize while giving them to her, but my voice was too soft, even for her, so I did my best to give them humbly. After thanks and farewells, okaasan drove her to her eki.
The rest of the night was less eventful. When I had to change back into my clothes, I felt a bit bad undoing all of Tanakasan’s work. It did take a lot of time and effort. We had yakisoba for dinner while watching the news about the Swine Flu. I’m going to have it for breakfast too because I have to get up at 5:00 and out of the house before 6:00, yay! After dinner, I did last-minute internet checks and stayed up with okaasan (as long as I could) thinking I would make my own bento, but okaasan made it for me. It smells so good I can’t wait for lunch tomorrow.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
April 28
Today was pretty great. It started with pancakes (always a good thing to start with) and the new frying pan. I managed to make pretty pancakes this time. :D Okaasan ate the smallest (and rather circular) one, though I couldn’t persuade her to eat more. She told me I was jouzu because I moved the pancakes around on small plates without spilling or puncturing them.
After commuting, I went to Carl’s ryou, where the band practiced before going to the Logos Center for the party. As it happened, the party was much delayed due to the cooks taking a long time and I had a hard time singing with my band because the promised microphones were not to be had. Regardless, we were a smash hit, not to mention it was fun.
The performances started with Kelly singing a song she wrote about IJ 400 (while playing guitar!), then there was an elaborate piano performance, sparring (a bit awkward to watch), Keily doing a Hawaiian dance, and finally, our band. Everyone was impressed by the transitions between the songs (Carl really put it together well). Someone has video footage and we got band pictures afterward. :D We got a lot of compliments too throughout the day, which was really nice. (:
When the party was officially over (when we ran out of performances) some of the class hung around and talked (this was the best part). We found that Ryan is a pretty impressive guitar player and singer as well and a few of my classmates want to get together for jam sessions (for lack of better words). I want in on it too, especially with the bass. :D The other good outcome of the “after-party” was that David and Matt want to go to Osaka (and Nara since it doesn’t cost much more) with me. That means; no solo boringness in the city of entertainment. We’ll probably miss Mike when he goes (he’s planning on biking to Nara Friday, when we’ll already be in Osaka) but I guess it’s the price to pay to see super cars at Suzuka.
After this was hanga, where I turned in my prints and tried to get my professor’s signature for ISEP. Luckily, the nice lady from CJS (the one who helps me with the issues concerning government) was conducting the end-of-class survey and instructed me on the proper way to get the sheet signed. I figured it was just like the US, where it’s your own responsibility to get everything you need (in this case, ask the professors face-to-face for their signatures), but in Japan, the land of procedures and convention, you submit the paper to CJS and they request the signatures for you. It sounds like a convenient service, but I’m still skeptical of meeting deadlines when it comes to adding a middle-man. I’m really not worried though because the only use of the form I need signed is in the case that my transcript doesn’t show up from ISEP. In the worst (and improbable) case, I wouldn’t get credit for a few classes until I requested and received another copy of the transcript, but most of the classes don’t count toward my degree anyway.
I cleaned out my locker and went home around five-ish, putting me at my house around six, and soon after, I left with my family to go to kaitenzushi. I must say, I love kaitenzushi and there should definitely be a restaurant specializing in it in Raleigh. Okaasan wouldn’t eat much, but she kept telling me to pick up more plates. The thing was, all the types I wanted to try would come by at the same time, so there were lulls of no plates at my setting and at the other extreme up to three plates of yet-to-be-eaten sushi at my place. I felt kind of bad that way, so I offered some to okaasan and otousan, but they were usually uninterested. Together, we had twenty-seven plates total. I got to try all sorts of sushi like; tenpura squid, maguro (fatty), two types of mackerel, onigiri-esque ebi tenpura, some white fish that looked like a flattened centipede (because it had points that looked like legs), an egg (not sushi), maguro roll, and a couple of things okaasan gave to me. I felt kind of bad because I couldn’t usually fit an entire piece of sushi in my mouth, but of course, the nori will not tear easily, so I had to chew with an unusually full mouth or not-so-elegantly try to cut the sushi.
Otousan had a plate of nattou sushi (nattou wrapped in nori). I’m not sure how he ate it because it looked like stroganoff (greyish-brown, lumpy, cottage-cheese like substance). Okaasan taught me about snooty restaurants. I asked her if kaitenzushi was uninteresting from a Japanese person’s point of view and she said it wasn’t particularly interesting, but it was fun and enjoyable because you could relax and eat what you wanted. She said that at expensive (I’m guessing really expensive) restaurants, the chefs choose their clients (and refuse them if they don’t think they look up-to-par) and direct them how to eat their food because they are so proud of their creations. Okaasan says it’s not fun to have to worry about the price of everything or get dressed up either, which is a bigger issue at expensive places. I was shocked to hear that restaurants choose their clients, but I guess I shouldn’t because when people have a lot of money, they tend to abide by weird social rules.
After commuting, I went to Carl’s ryou, where the band practiced before going to the Logos Center for the party. As it happened, the party was much delayed due to the cooks taking a long time and I had a hard time singing with my band because the promised microphones were not to be had. Regardless, we were a smash hit, not to mention it was fun.
The performances started with Kelly singing a song she wrote about IJ 400 (while playing guitar!), then there was an elaborate piano performance, sparring (a bit awkward to watch), Keily doing a Hawaiian dance, and finally, our band. Everyone was impressed by the transitions between the songs (Carl really put it together well). Someone has video footage and we got band pictures afterward. :D We got a lot of compliments too throughout the day, which was really nice. (:
When the party was officially over (when we ran out of performances) some of the class hung around and talked (this was the best part). We found that Ryan is a pretty impressive guitar player and singer as well and a few of my classmates want to get together for jam sessions (for lack of better words). I want in on it too, especially with the bass. :D The other good outcome of the “after-party” was that David and Matt want to go to Osaka (and Nara since it doesn’t cost much more) with me. That means; no solo boringness in the city of entertainment. We’ll probably miss Mike when he goes (he’s planning on biking to Nara Friday, when we’ll already be in Osaka) but I guess it’s the price to pay to see super cars at Suzuka.
After this was hanga, where I turned in my prints and tried to get my professor’s signature for ISEP. Luckily, the nice lady from CJS (the one who helps me with the issues concerning government) was conducting the end-of-class survey and instructed me on the proper way to get the sheet signed. I figured it was just like the US, where it’s your own responsibility to get everything you need (in this case, ask the professors face-to-face for their signatures), but in Japan, the land of procedures and convention, you submit the paper to CJS and they request the signatures for you. It sounds like a convenient service, but I’m still skeptical of meeting deadlines when it comes to adding a middle-man. I’m really not worried though because the only use of the form I need signed is in the case that my transcript doesn’t show up from ISEP. In the worst (and improbable) case, I wouldn’t get credit for a few classes until I requested and received another copy of the transcript, but most of the classes don’t count toward my degree anyway.
I cleaned out my locker and went home around five-ish, putting me at my house around six, and soon after, I left with my family to go to kaitenzushi. I must say, I love kaitenzushi and there should definitely be a restaurant specializing in it in Raleigh. Okaasan wouldn’t eat much, but she kept telling me to pick up more plates. The thing was, all the types I wanted to try would come by at the same time, so there were lulls of no plates at my setting and at the other extreme up to three plates of yet-to-be-eaten sushi at my place. I felt kind of bad that way, so I offered some to okaasan and otousan, but they were usually uninterested. Together, we had twenty-seven plates total. I got to try all sorts of sushi like; tenpura squid, maguro (fatty), two types of mackerel, onigiri-esque ebi tenpura, some white fish that looked like a flattened centipede (because it had points that looked like legs), an egg (not sushi), maguro roll, and a couple of things okaasan gave to me. I felt kind of bad because I couldn’t usually fit an entire piece of sushi in my mouth, but of course, the nori will not tear easily, so I had to chew with an unusually full mouth or not-so-elegantly try to cut the sushi.
Otousan had a plate of nattou sushi (nattou wrapped in nori). I’m not sure how he ate it because it looked like stroganoff (greyish-brown, lumpy, cottage-cheese like substance). Okaasan taught me about snooty restaurants. I asked her if kaitenzushi was uninteresting from a Japanese person’s point of view and she said it wasn’t particularly interesting, but it was fun and enjoyable because you could relax and eat what you wanted. She said that at expensive (I’m guessing really expensive) restaurants, the chefs choose their clients (and refuse them if they don’t think they look up-to-par) and direct them how to eat their food because they are so proud of their creations. Okaasan says it’s not fun to have to worry about the price of everything or get dressed up either, which is a bigger issue at expensive places. I was shocked to hear that restaurants choose their clients, but I guess I shouldn’t because when people have a lot of money, they tend to abide by weird social rules.
Monday, April 27, 2009
April 27
Today, okaassan let me make pancakes!!! :D She just pulled out a bag of mix and asked if I could make it. I was making American pancakes (The kind that have brown spots) so I was embarrassed that they weren’t uniformly brown and “pretty” like restaurant ones, so okaasan brought out the shiny new frying pan half way through the process. It helped... until I almost burnt the last one. I think I OD’ed on pancakes a bit today (okaasan wouldn’t eat but one small pancake out of the whole mix, so I had to eat the rest or put the cooked pancakes in the fridge... which never taste good the second time) but I was happy.
I thought Japanese class would be long today because it’s just review for the final, but it went really fast. We played the kanji matching game and worked on practice worksheets, which made Takeda sensei really tolerable today. Class finished before I knew it and Tsuda sensei gave us chocolate at the end of class. :D
Shoudo class wasn’t bad (though disappointing). We wrote kanji on long strips of paper and finished our pieces with our inkan. History class wasn’t very bad either. I (and everyone else) gave my five-minute overview (reduced from ten minutes) of my term paper (yet to be written) and I was told I was very diplomatic based on my answer to a classmate’s question. I think it’s more an issue of being a scientist. Either way, most of my classmates went well over their five-minute limits and the professor was visibly bored.
Afterward, I saw the keizai (that’s Japanese for police d:) driving down the street. I have to say, they don’t seem very intimidating in their Suzuki Swift with “Police” written largest in English.
Okaasan made chicken katsu (Japanese fried chicken) for dinner tonight. :D She said we would go out for Italian tomorrow night because I said I wanted to eat pizza when I got back to the US. The truth is, I want to eat pizza when I get back to the US; I want American pizza... that costs $7 instead of $20 when considering low-end prices. Okaasan posed the option of kaitenzushi, but she seems set on Italian. She said it would be nice not to have to cook for once. :D
Okaasan’s friend has kimono, so she is going to let me wear one and take pictures. :D The only set-back, is that we scheduled for the 29th. I thought it would give me a better schedule for traveling, but in retrospect, the 29th would be useful. My original plan for Golden Week (my week off) was to head to Suzuka Speedway on the 30th, Nara for the 1st and 2nd, Osaka for the 3rd and maybe 4th, and then home for the 4th/5th. Now, Suzuka is going to have a super car exhibition from the 2nd to the 6th, but the weather’s crummy on the 4th and I wanted the 5th open to see JiWei, so I’m kind of in a tight spot. Osaka and Nara are very close to each other, so it wouldn’t make sense to put Suzuka between the two, but that means I only have a three-day period for both cities. D: I’m thinking Nara’s going to take the fall (and become a one-day trip) since my guide book says I can hit the three places I want to see in half of a day. The only issue now is that Osaka sounds like a fun place to go with friends, but everyone seems to have already gone there and I’m going solo so far. D:
If I play my cards perfectly though, I can pack everything I want to do into Golden Week:
29 Kimono
30 Nara
1 Nara/Osaka
2 Osaka
3 Suzuka
4 Home/Sleep
5 Baseball Game with JiWei
I thought Japanese class would be long today because it’s just review for the final, but it went really fast. We played the kanji matching game and worked on practice worksheets, which made Takeda sensei really tolerable today. Class finished before I knew it and Tsuda sensei gave us chocolate at the end of class. :D
Shoudo class wasn’t bad (though disappointing). We wrote kanji on long strips of paper and finished our pieces with our inkan. History class wasn’t very bad either. I (and everyone else) gave my five-minute overview (reduced from ten minutes) of my term paper (yet to be written) and I was told I was very diplomatic based on my answer to a classmate’s question. I think it’s more an issue of being a scientist. Either way, most of my classmates went well over their five-minute limits and the professor was visibly bored.
Afterward, I saw the keizai (that’s Japanese for police d:) driving down the street. I have to say, they don’t seem very intimidating in their Suzuki Swift with “Police” written largest in English.
Okaasan made chicken katsu (Japanese fried chicken) for dinner tonight. :D She said we would go out for Italian tomorrow night because I said I wanted to eat pizza when I got back to the US. The truth is, I want to eat pizza when I get back to the US; I want American pizza... that costs $7 instead of $20 when considering low-end prices. Okaasan posed the option of kaitenzushi, but she seems set on Italian. She said it would be nice not to have to cook for once. :D
Okaasan’s friend has kimono, so she is going to let me wear one and take pictures. :D The only set-back, is that we scheduled for the 29th. I thought it would give me a better schedule for traveling, but in retrospect, the 29th would be useful. My original plan for Golden Week (my week off) was to head to Suzuka Speedway on the 30th, Nara for the 1st and 2nd, Osaka for the 3rd and maybe 4th, and then home for the 4th/5th. Now, Suzuka is going to have a super car exhibition from the 2nd to the 6th, but the weather’s crummy on the 4th and I wanted the 5th open to see JiWei, so I’m kind of in a tight spot. Osaka and Nara are very close to each other, so it wouldn’t make sense to put Suzuka between the two, but that means I only have a three-day period for both cities. D: I’m thinking Nara’s going to take the fall (and become a one-day trip) since my guide book says I can hit the three places I want to see in half of a day. The only issue now is that Osaka sounds like a fun place to go with friends, but everyone seems to have already gone there and I’m going solo so far. D:
If I play my cards perfectly though, I can pack everything I want to do into Golden Week:
29 Kimono
30 Nara
1 Nara/Osaka
2 Osaka
3 Suzuka
4 Home/Sleep
5 Baseball Game with JiWei
Sunday, April 26, 2009
April 26
It was another interesting day today. I got up with my alarm (thank God) and had my normal breakfast, which isn’t very interesting. When it became twelve o’clock though, I left the house (in the frigid wind) and rode the train to my college. I was meeting my band members for practice. :D I was a bit early for practice, so I took pictures around Nanzan (did I mention I saw a lambo today and a purple lotus yesterday?) and then went to Carl’s (Breiman’s) dorm, but when I rang the bell twice, no one answered. I decided to wait on the steps and one of the other residents eventually came by, recognized me, and let me in. We found Carl in the room by the entrance way and the other resident gave him a bit of crap for leaving me waiting. It was all in fun though. David showed up later and we had a lot of fun. We practiced for about three hours before DonWong (our drummer) came, and shortly after that, I was introduced to my new interest. We were talking about and trying the guitars (we had to use one electric and one acoustic since the other acoustic one was being borrowed) and we decided to plug in the third guitar (bass) for a bit. Needless to say, I was hooked once I tried it. David took a couple of pictures for me because he said I looked like a rockstar, woo. I may not be able to stretch my four fingers beyond three frets, but I’m hooked. I’ve just got to find a cheap guitar now...
In all, we practiced for about four hours, and afterward, we realized we hadn’t gotten a band name, so we worked on that for a while. We ended up talking about Golden Week (our upcoming break) and I could have talked for hours, but I had to be home for dinner, which turned out to be okaasan’s delicous curry. Before that though, I had to walk through the freezing wind that doesn’t make sense during this season.
At dinner, okaasan was convinced that I was disappointed by the left-over curry (her son came to visit while I was at sushi last night) despite me eating about two full plates of it. Otousan asked me what I would eat when I get back to the States and I told him pizza, pancakes, and brownies. Okaasan was surprised and told me I could get mix for each of them, and upon her telling me another host student had made brownies for the family, I decided it was a hint that she’d like it if I did too. So, I’m going to make (fake, from the box, how unorthodox) brownies for my family.
At dinner, we watched the news (the scary pig flu) and a show about macaws. In Japan, macaws aren’t pets. The ones on TV were wild and they did things like swing upside-down and scare other species of giant birds away (mostly by getting near them and screaming). I told otousan that I was bitten by one as a child, but he didn’t seem impressed.
In all, we practiced for about four hours, and afterward, we realized we hadn’t gotten a band name, so we worked on that for a while. We ended up talking about Golden Week (our upcoming break) and I could have talked for hours, but I had to be home for dinner, which turned out to be okaasan’s delicous curry. Before that though, I had to walk through the freezing wind that doesn’t make sense during this season.
At dinner, okaasan was convinced that I was disappointed by the left-over curry (her son came to visit while I was at sushi last night) despite me eating about two full plates of it. Otousan asked me what I would eat when I get back to the States and I told him pizza, pancakes, and brownies. Okaasan was surprised and told me I could get mix for each of them, and upon her telling me another host student had made brownies for the family, I decided it was a hint that she’d like it if I did too. So, I’m going to make (fake, from the box, how unorthodox) brownies for my family.
At dinner, we watched the news (the scary pig flu) and a show about macaws. In Japan, macaws aren’t pets. The ones on TV were wild and they did things like swing upside-down and scare other species of giant birds away (mostly by getting near them and screaming). I told otousan that I was bitten by one as a child, but he didn’t seem impressed.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
April 25
Today looked like it would be a boring one, but it became a bit adventurous. I accedentally slept until about eleven. D: I spent a lot of time talking on skype and researching for my trip during Golden Week (If I do everything right, it will only be about 15000en for the train and my rooms :D). It was a bit after noon when I finished, and okaasan was carrying her purse around the house, so I asked if she was going out just to have something to say. She said she would be going shopping, and when she asked if I wanted to come with her, I took the offer. I was happy just to look around the grocery store with her, but instead she dropped me off at Uniqlo. If you don’t know what it is, you should check out uniqlock.com first. Unfortunately, the store doesn’t live up to its website. It’s pretty much Japan’s answer to Old Navy, so if you ever need a plain sweatshirt, t-shirt, or jeans in one of about 100 colors, it’s the place to go. I decided to try on a few things and I found that I’m short even for Japanese jeans. ):
It was, of course, raining hard for the first time since I can’t remeber on that day. My phone decided it wouldn’t get service despite its perfect signal, so when I was done looking around (and figured okaasan was done with her grocery shopping) I kind of worried that she would get flustered since I didn’t know where/when to meet her. Instead, she found me and when I told her I was worried becaue my phone wouldn’t work, she told me that I shouldn’t worry so much. I’m really confused by her; sometimes she’s worried about me (to the extent that she seems angry/troubled if I didn’t keep her up-to-the-minute on my whereabouts) and sometimes she’s completely passive and telling me to chill out.
I got a bit of a guilt trip too today. Okaasan asked me about sushi at my friend’s host family’s place (today is the last one) and basically, she said “Oh, they’re good people? They must be a fun host family. We (okaasan and otousan) must not be a good host family.” Of course, I contradicted her last comment strongly. Then she told me about a student who ordered a turkey online and had a party where they invited their friends over (to okaasan and otousan’s house) to cook and have fondue. I think she was trying to get me to do that kind of thing too. However, I can’t cook, and cooking doesn’t seem to be my friends’ hobby, so I don’t see it happening.
Additionally, I’m just trying to get everything in before I come back to the US. Planning is hard and we’re having a party at school, so it seems a bit futile to try. I’ve invited okaasan and outousan to whatever they choose and we’ve been on a trip (to Ise) together, so I’m wondering why okaasan still feels dejected. For a while, I thought we were getting to a pretty familial relationship, but okaasan keeps saying/doing things that make me think I may be hasty in my conclusions.
Anyway, when it came to be five-ish, I left the house for the sushiya. There were more people than usual when I got off at Rokubancho eki. In addition to the two Mikes and Annas, there were a couple of guys from class and about five Japanese girls. We had the usual fun time eating lots of sushi and singing karaoke. I wasn’t alone this time in not drinking though, as a couple of the Japanese girls drank nachan (orange juice) with me. Yukikosan though got visably (her face turned red) drunk though. As always, everyone was in good spirits and nothing came of it. Mike decided to bike to Nara for golden week, so I’ll see him on Thursday after Suzuka circuit.
It was, of course, raining hard for the first time since I can’t remeber on that day. My phone decided it wouldn’t get service despite its perfect signal, so when I was done looking around (and figured okaasan was done with her grocery shopping) I kind of worried that she would get flustered since I didn’t know where/when to meet her. Instead, she found me and when I told her I was worried becaue my phone wouldn’t work, she told me that I shouldn’t worry so much. I’m really confused by her; sometimes she’s worried about me (to the extent that she seems angry/troubled if I didn’t keep her up-to-the-minute on my whereabouts) and sometimes she’s completely passive and telling me to chill out.
I got a bit of a guilt trip too today. Okaasan asked me about sushi at my friend’s host family’s place (today is the last one) and basically, she said “Oh, they’re good people? They must be a fun host family. We (okaasan and otousan) must not be a good host family.” Of course, I contradicted her last comment strongly. Then she told me about a student who ordered a turkey online and had a party where they invited their friends over (to okaasan and otousan’s house) to cook and have fondue. I think she was trying to get me to do that kind of thing too. However, I can’t cook, and cooking doesn’t seem to be my friends’ hobby, so I don’t see it happening.
Additionally, I’m just trying to get everything in before I come back to the US. Planning is hard and we’re having a party at school, so it seems a bit futile to try. I’ve invited okaasan and outousan to whatever they choose and we’ve been on a trip (to Ise) together, so I’m wondering why okaasan still feels dejected. For a while, I thought we were getting to a pretty familial relationship, but okaasan keeps saying/doing things that make me think I may be hasty in my conclusions.
Anyway, when it came to be five-ish, I left the house for the sushiya. There were more people than usual when I got off at Rokubancho eki. In addition to the two Mikes and Annas, there were a couple of guys from class and about five Japanese girls. We had the usual fun time eating lots of sushi and singing karaoke. I wasn’t alone this time in not drinking though, as a couple of the Japanese girls drank nachan (orange juice) with me. Yukikosan though got visably (her face turned red) drunk though. As always, everyone was in good spirits and nothing came of it. Mike decided to bike to Nara for golden week, so I’ll see him on Thursday after Suzuka circuit.
Friday, April 24, 2009
April 24
Today was a day of sightings. First, there was a blue corvette driving down the street on my way to the train in the morning.
At school, Japanese was unbearably long. After the chapter ten test (which I think I bombed) we had three periods of practice for the final exam. Fukatomi sensei must have been sick because her voice sounded different. It must be a horrible thing to say, but I like her sick voice a lot better than her normal one. The sugar content seems closer to normal. In Hanashiro sensei’s class, we did weird reading practice (by trying to find the encoded message in the passages).
When class was over, David, Joe, Briemansan, and I went to Briemeansan’s ryou to practice as a band. We had practiced Linda Linda the day before, but today we got a ton done!!! I had to throw away some trash before we began though, so I went to the kitchen of the ryou and I found lots of people eating lunch there (only half-surprised). I was a bit embarrised though because it’s an all-guys’ ryou and they invited me to eat with them, but I told them (in Japanese!!!) that I had to practice with my band. Our practice went really well and we added Weezer’s Island in the Sun and Sixpence None the Richer’s Kiss Me to our set list. I’m really excited to sing on Tuesday!!! We had lunch at the Ryou and okaasan, the Vietnamese landlord, made us Pho and rice. :D
Afterward, David and I went to art and culture class. It was kind of interesting this time because everyone was presenting their term papers (I finished mine the night before at about 11:00pm). When class finally finished, we walked back toward my eki and on the way I saw a giant black poodle (that I really wanted to pet) and a schnauzer (which was the most annoying of the three barking).
Afterward, I made my normal trip to Yagoto Nisseki and on the way, there was a Japanese business man running from behind me, so I gave him room on the sidewalk, but when he ran by, I realized he wasn’t a business man at all. It was Ryouhei all spiffed up. We exchanged greetings before he dashed into the Lawson’s.
On the walk home through my neighborhood, I saw the friendly cat and gave him/her some attention before continuing on my way. Okaasan was not home when I got there, but otousan had set three place settings, so we decided to wait for okaasan to get home. I accidentally took a nap (and I think I drempt in Japanese) until otousan called me to dinner. We had his spicy kimchi nabe (I almost coughed because it was so spicy, and okaasan actually did when she tasted it) and pepper cabbage. Okaasan got home at 8:00 and was very surprised to find us still eating.
At school, Japanese was unbearably long. After the chapter ten test (which I think I bombed) we had three periods of practice for the final exam. Fukatomi sensei must have been sick because her voice sounded different. It must be a horrible thing to say, but I like her sick voice a lot better than her normal one. The sugar content seems closer to normal. In Hanashiro sensei’s class, we did weird reading practice (by trying to find the encoded message in the passages).
When class was over, David, Joe, Briemansan, and I went to Briemeansan’s ryou to practice as a band. We had practiced Linda Linda the day before, but today we got a ton done!!! I had to throw away some trash before we began though, so I went to the kitchen of the ryou and I found lots of people eating lunch there (only half-surprised). I was a bit embarrised though because it’s an all-guys’ ryou and they invited me to eat with them, but I told them (in Japanese!!!) that I had to practice with my band. Our practice went really well and we added Weezer’s Island in the Sun and Sixpence None the Richer’s Kiss Me to our set list. I’m really excited to sing on Tuesday!!! We had lunch at the Ryou and okaasan, the Vietnamese landlord, made us Pho and rice. :D
Afterward, David and I went to art and culture class. It was kind of interesting this time because everyone was presenting their term papers (I finished mine the night before at about 11:00pm). When class finally finished, we walked back toward my eki and on the way I saw a giant black poodle (that I really wanted to pet) and a schnauzer (which was the most annoying of the three barking).
Afterward, I made my normal trip to Yagoto Nisseki and on the way, there was a Japanese business man running from behind me, so I gave him room on the sidewalk, but when he ran by, I realized he wasn’t a business man at all. It was Ryouhei all spiffed up. We exchanged greetings before he dashed into the Lawson’s.
On the walk home through my neighborhood, I saw the friendly cat and gave him/her some attention before continuing on my way. Okaasan was not home when I got there, but otousan had set three place settings, so we decided to wait for okaasan to get home. I accidentally took a nap (and I think I drempt in Japanese) until otousan called me to dinner. We had his spicy kimchi nabe (I almost coughed because it was so spicy, and okaasan actually did when she tasted it) and pepper cabbage. Okaasan got home at 8:00 and was very surprised to find us still eating.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
April 22
It seemed like a normal day today until about half of the way through Japanese class. We are going to watch Water Boys, a Japanese film about high school boys that join a synchronized swimming club and do crazy things like drain the pool. We had to read the synopsis and answer questions about it today, so it was pretty entertaining, partially because the synopsis is off the wall and partially because Tsuda sensei likes the movie and showed us her booklet from when she saw the movie in theatres. It has Japanese boys in speedos on it. D: Ewww!!! Class was also entertaining because Tsuda sensei asked where an absent student was and I told her I ate him. Her reply was “Was he tasty? I also wanted to eat him because he looked tasty.” You’re awesome, Tsuda sensei. :D
After class was coffee hour (the going away party). It was pretty fun. I got nice letters/notes written by Coffee Hour members on a sheet of paper with a picture of Nanzan on it. We played Japanese Simon Says too. The best part though was making a new friend, Hou En, who is from China, but grew up in Japan and get this, she lives in Toyota!!! That means we can ride the train together and visit sometimes. :D She likes Osu and fashion a lot, like me. Too bad I’m leaving in a month. She has skype though and she said she would teach me Chinese if I like. She seems like a really nice person.
I got home a bit early, but I spent most of the afternoon I had left playing around with garage band (mostly figuring out how bad I sound when I sing, no one told me I sound like a little girl!!!) and reading Japanese ghost stories (for my final paper).
On the way home, I got to talk to kodomo!!! They were talking with the crossing guard at the small park in my neighborhood and I guess they were talking about me. I think they called to me, but I didn’t realize it, so eventually they just started saying “sumimasen!!,” and when I turned around, two elementary school girls asked if I knew Kirikochan’s mom, which I replied I didn’t. They seemed not to believe it, but they asked me if I was from a foreign country and I told them I was from America and staying with the Okutsu family. They seemed a bit disappointed that I wasn’t Kiriko’s exchange sister, and then they ran off to play again. I’m glad I’m not too scary to talk to. :D
When I went down to help with dinner, okaasan wondered if I had just gotten home or had been sleeping the afternoon away (I’ve done that too many times). Nope! d: We had delicious food as always. Okaasan bought two giant takenoko (bamboo before it’s broken the surface of the ground) so we’ve had all sorts of takenoko dishes for the last few days. It’s the season for it, and last night, we had three different dishes of it. I’m amazed by the number of dishes Japanese food has. I’m still used to three items, (vegetable, starch, meat) one of each from America. Japan has; rice, soup, two or three vegetables, two or three meats/fish, tofu, etc. It’s always a pleasant surprise.
At dinner, I had a lot to talk about, but it didn’t seem to amount to much. We watched the news for a bit, but all of us thought it was boring (though okaasan had turned it to English audio for me). I brought up the children and the movie we’ll be watching in Japanese. Okaasan has seen it and she was telling otousan about the crazy things the students do. At the end of dinner, I brought up treating my host parents to something, and I think they want to go to Nara.
After dinner, I went to my room to work on my paper and okaasan came up with papers from Otousan about Nara. We situated the ward office visit too then. Later, I told okaasan I would help her install Skype on Friday (she’s been convinced by her friend from South Africa to use the software, but the PC is giving us problems). I think this family thing is finally working out, but it’s sad to think there’s only a month of it left, one week being golden week, when I will probably be away vacationing...
After class was coffee hour (the going away party). It was pretty fun. I got nice letters/notes written by Coffee Hour members on a sheet of paper with a picture of Nanzan on it. We played Japanese Simon Says too. The best part though was making a new friend, Hou En, who is from China, but grew up in Japan and get this, she lives in Toyota!!! That means we can ride the train together and visit sometimes. :D She likes Osu and fashion a lot, like me. Too bad I’m leaving in a month. She has skype though and she said she would teach me Chinese if I like. She seems like a really nice person.
I got home a bit early, but I spent most of the afternoon I had left playing around with garage band (mostly figuring out how bad I sound when I sing, no one told me I sound like a little girl!!!) and reading Japanese ghost stories (for my final paper).
On the way home, I got to talk to kodomo!!! They were talking with the crossing guard at the small park in my neighborhood and I guess they were talking about me. I think they called to me, but I didn’t realize it, so eventually they just started saying “sumimasen!!,” and when I turned around, two elementary school girls asked if I knew Kirikochan’s mom, which I replied I didn’t. They seemed not to believe it, but they asked me if I was from a foreign country and I told them I was from America and staying with the Okutsu family. They seemed a bit disappointed that I wasn’t Kiriko’s exchange sister, and then they ran off to play again. I’m glad I’m not too scary to talk to. :D
When I went down to help with dinner, okaasan wondered if I had just gotten home or had been sleeping the afternoon away (I’ve done that too many times). Nope! d: We had delicious food as always. Okaasan bought two giant takenoko (bamboo before it’s broken the surface of the ground) so we’ve had all sorts of takenoko dishes for the last few days. It’s the season for it, and last night, we had three different dishes of it. I’m amazed by the number of dishes Japanese food has. I’m still used to three items, (vegetable, starch, meat) one of each from America. Japan has; rice, soup, two or three vegetables, two or three meats/fish, tofu, etc. It’s always a pleasant surprise.
At dinner, I had a lot to talk about, but it didn’t seem to amount to much. We watched the news for a bit, but all of us thought it was boring (though okaasan had turned it to English audio for me). I brought up the children and the movie we’ll be watching in Japanese. Okaasan has seen it and she was telling otousan about the crazy things the students do. At the end of dinner, I brought up treating my host parents to something, and I think they want to go to Nara.
After dinner, I went to my room to work on my paper and okaasan came up with papers from Otousan about Nara. We situated the ward office visit too then. Later, I told okaasan I would help her install Skype on Friday (she’s been convinced by her friend from South Africa to use the software, but the PC is giving us problems). I think this family thing is finally working out, but it’s sad to think there’s only a month of it left, one week being golden week, when I will probably be away vacationing...
Sunday, April 19, 2009
April 19
Okaasan’s son did not come today either, so we (okaasan, otusan, and I) went to Ise for the day. It was amazing!!! We took my daily Tsurumai from Irinaka to Nagoya, then an express train from Nagoya to Ise. Unfortunately, my host parents bought the tickets so fast I couldn’t offer my student discount. We rode on what wasn’t the shinkansen, but a pretty fast train that took us around the seaside from Nagoya. When we finally got to Ise an hour and a half later, we were going to take a bus, but we got snagged by a taxi driver promising a discount. Ryoushin fell for it and when we got to the shrine the driver gave us a higher quote because he had driven us further than originally planned. Otousan laughed it off (I wonder if anything can bother him) while okaasan gave a bit of an opposition.
Once we were out of the taxi, okaasan began leading us (fast) down what looked like a traditional Japanese street. We had to get a number to have lunch at a traditional Japanese restaurant. After putting our names in and browsing the nearby pottery shop, we removed our shoes and sat at a low (even for me when sitting in sezan) table where we ordered very fast. We had maguro sashimi with soy sauce over rice, azuki-flavored miso soup, and some kind of seaweed. I had a hard time eating daintily, and I ended up taking longer than both my host parents (of course). I wonder how they eat so fast!!! The restaurant was beautiful though, totally traditional with open windows that looked out on the canal and a traditional bridge.
Afterward, we visited the shrine and main bridge (which was under construction), which is rebuilt every 20 years, for a reason I can’t quite understand based on Okaasan’s Japanese. On the way to the shrine, we walked through a forest with trees that are clearly hundreds if not thousands of years old. It was beautiful. Okaasan and I washed our hands before we went in the shrine, and inside, she showed me how to pray (throw the coin, bow twice, clap twice, pray, bow), and we did. On the way back, I saw a koi pond, and I had to take pictures. :D Too bad my camera was too slow to catch the one of the little girl pointing her finger at a fish who subsequently popped its mouth out of the water to eat it. Okaasan bought an amazing omiyage for me. It’s a paperweight (that’s not the amazing part) made out of the wood of the shrine from the previous 20 years. Every time they rebuild it, they take the old wood and sell it as souvenirs. It’s definitely an “only from Japan” gift.
After the shrine, we hit the town (where we had lunch) for shopping. Okaasan is quite the shopper!!! We started out with ice cream (I had macha flavor, but maybe I should have tried sesame flavor...) and then okaasan bought new macha. The area seems famous for pearls and there was a Mikimoto store, so Okaasan and I went there to look around. I saw a $17850 necklace!!! I must say though, most of the jewelry was very (appropriate for the price range) pretty design-wise. There were all sorts of pieces such as black and white strands, earrings with tear-drop shaped pearls (okaasan even tried them on!), elegant pins, etc. It was an experience. I also found a shop that sells nothing but manekineko.
On our way back to the main gate, we passed a shop famous for its mochi and azuki omochi. I almost turned down the offer to try it, but okaasan went with me to see the people making them, and we decided to buy some. It was the highlight of the trip!!! We had to join the long queue of people to get our treats, but it was totally worth it (and fun). You buy a ticket at the register, then sit on the tatami and when the ladies in aprons come by with trays, give your ticket in return for three purple sweets. There’s free macha too from the other apron-wearing clerks. It was amazingly crowded inside and you had to yell to the ladies to get your food, but it was very fun (and fast-paced). The sweets were wonderful too; the azuki is the consistency of soft-serve (though not cold) and the mochi inside is equally light (not tough like oshougatsu mochi). It would be really easy to overdose on them. The store itself was interesting too with a covered wood fire and a room where three people make the azuki mochi. :D
We took a taxi again on the way back to the eki and okaasan talked with the driver about the area and its colleges. At the eki, I was quick to draw my (out-of-date but accepted) waribiki and we boarded the double-decker (yes) train to Nagoya. I’ve never seen one before, but it was pretty cool. The guy next to me ended up sleeping so well he was snoring, but it wasn’t bad. Oh, did I mention I saw an advertisement for Asuka speedway on the way to Ise?
At Nagoya eki, okaasan said I was free to do my own thing, but I had spent the whole day walking Sakae the day before and I was in the family mode (you know, when you actually want to be in your family’s company) so we went to the panya and rode the chikatetsu back to Hirabari. On the way, okaasan asked me what I thought about a girl’s wild fashion, and I answered yes to whether I thought her appearance was cute or not. We agreed that it was weird and definitely not kakkoi, but long story short, we had an interesting conversation.
Okaasan made a detour to the grocery store while otousan and I went back to the car. Since it’s a prius, we watched TV on the navigator and I got extremely homesick. Two Japanese girls were interviewing a Japanese race car driver and one of them got to ride in the GTR and get racing tips from him. When okaasan got back, we couldn’t watch anymore (because of the way the car works when it’s in drive) but we listened, and I understood when they were talking about hitting the top speed and the revs bouncing. I got a super-flash back to auto-x and I’m dying to get behind the wheel (even on the passenger’s side) of a speeding car again. D: Did I mention I passed by the Maserati/Ferrari/Something Else store yesterday? They’ve got a café in there!
Everyone was tired after the long day, so okaasan made curry and nan (amazingly delicious) and we watched a program about hawks catching prey.
Once we were out of the taxi, okaasan began leading us (fast) down what looked like a traditional Japanese street. We had to get a number to have lunch at a traditional Japanese restaurant. After putting our names in and browsing the nearby pottery shop, we removed our shoes and sat at a low (even for me when sitting in sezan) table where we ordered very fast. We had maguro sashimi with soy sauce over rice, azuki-flavored miso soup, and some kind of seaweed. I had a hard time eating daintily, and I ended up taking longer than both my host parents (of course). I wonder how they eat so fast!!! The restaurant was beautiful though, totally traditional with open windows that looked out on the canal and a traditional bridge.
Afterward, we visited the shrine and main bridge (which was under construction), which is rebuilt every 20 years, for a reason I can’t quite understand based on Okaasan’s Japanese. On the way to the shrine, we walked through a forest with trees that are clearly hundreds if not thousands of years old. It was beautiful. Okaasan and I washed our hands before we went in the shrine, and inside, she showed me how to pray (throw the coin, bow twice, clap twice, pray, bow), and we did. On the way back, I saw a koi pond, and I had to take pictures. :D Too bad my camera was too slow to catch the one of the little girl pointing her finger at a fish who subsequently popped its mouth out of the water to eat it. Okaasan bought an amazing omiyage for me. It’s a paperweight (that’s not the amazing part) made out of the wood of the shrine from the previous 20 years. Every time they rebuild it, they take the old wood and sell it as souvenirs. It’s definitely an “only from Japan” gift.
After the shrine, we hit the town (where we had lunch) for shopping. Okaasan is quite the shopper!!! We started out with ice cream (I had macha flavor, but maybe I should have tried sesame flavor...) and then okaasan bought new macha. The area seems famous for pearls and there was a Mikimoto store, so Okaasan and I went there to look around. I saw a $17850 necklace!!! I must say though, most of the jewelry was very (appropriate for the price range) pretty design-wise. There were all sorts of pieces such as black and white strands, earrings with tear-drop shaped pearls (okaasan even tried them on!), elegant pins, etc. It was an experience. I also found a shop that sells nothing but manekineko.
On our way back to the main gate, we passed a shop famous for its mochi and azuki omochi. I almost turned down the offer to try it, but okaasan went with me to see the people making them, and we decided to buy some. It was the highlight of the trip!!! We had to join the long queue of people to get our treats, but it was totally worth it (and fun). You buy a ticket at the register, then sit on the tatami and when the ladies in aprons come by with trays, give your ticket in return for three purple sweets. There’s free macha too from the other apron-wearing clerks. It was amazingly crowded inside and you had to yell to the ladies to get your food, but it was very fun (and fast-paced). The sweets were wonderful too; the azuki is the consistency of soft-serve (though not cold) and the mochi inside is equally light (not tough like oshougatsu mochi). It would be really easy to overdose on them. The store itself was interesting too with a covered wood fire and a room where three people make the azuki mochi. :D
We took a taxi again on the way back to the eki and okaasan talked with the driver about the area and its colleges. At the eki, I was quick to draw my (out-of-date but accepted) waribiki and we boarded the double-decker (yes) train to Nagoya. I’ve never seen one before, but it was pretty cool. The guy next to me ended up sleeping so well he was snoring, but it wasn’t bad. Oh, did I mention I saw an advertisement for Asuka speedway on the way to Ise?
At Nagoya eki, okaasan said I was free to do my own thing, but I had spent the whole day walking Sakae the day before and I was in the family mode (you know, when you actually want to be in your family’s company) so we went to the panya and rode the chikatetsu back to Hirabari. On the way, okaasan asked me what I thought about a girl’s wild fashion, and I answered yes to whether I thought her appearance was cute or not. We agreed that it was weird and definitely not kakkoi, but long story short, we had an interesting conversation.
Okaasan made a detour to the grocery store while otousan and I went back to the car. Since it’s a prius, we watched TV on the navigator and I got extremely homesick. Two Japanese girls were interviewing a Japanese race car driver and one of them got to ride in the GTR and get racing tips from him. When okaasan got back, we couldn’t watch anymore (because of the way the car works when it’s in drive) but we listened, and I understood when they were talking about hitting the top speed and the revs bouncing. I got a super-flash back to auto-x and I’m dying to get behind the wheel (even on the passenger’s side) of a speeding car again. D: Did I mention I passed by the Maserati/Ferrari/Something Else store yesterday? They’ve got a café in there!
Everyone was tired after the long day, so okaasan made curry and nan (amazingly delicious) and we watched a program about hawks catching prey.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
April 18
So, I went to Osu and Sakae today with about five sub-missions in addition to the two main ones; going to the robot museum and the osu flea market. First was osu, and as I found out by walking around (fortunate for me) all of the venders seem to have their own spots and come back every month. That made it easy to find the stall where I had decided not to buy a kimono last month, but changed my mind in the mean time. Luckily, the kimono was still there, and I was able to talk the price down a bit. :D I helped sell a jacket at another stall later by considering it so long that another gaijin snatched it the second I put it down. While I was looking at another stall’s wears, a Japanese guy (who seemed to be around the same age as me) came up to me and started talking to me. He said he wanted to practice English and make language exchange friends and was quick to offer to buy me lunch. I wasn’t really comfortable with it, so we talked a bit, and when he asked if we should look at the flea market together, I gave him another red flag (because I was on a mission of my own!!!). I offered him facebook, but he said he had recently moved from the region containing Fujisan (I forgot the name of the prefecture) and wouldn’t have internet until early May. He was really persistent and tried to plan what seemed like a date for the weekend, but in the end, all I gave him was my e-mail, though he avidly gave me his and his phone number too. Woo, nice try Japanese guy.
Afterward, I set off into the bowels of osu to find three stores; the used kimono store okaasan had suggested, the yen=g store (where price = grams of clothing), and another kimono store listed in my guide book. I succeeded in finding one; the one okaasan suggested, and only by chance. I had passed it every time I’ve been to osu because it looks so much like the (tourist) duty-free store. I’m not sure how many times I walked through Osu looking for the other two, but in the end, I decided the guidebook must have just been wrong or lacking.
After this, I attempted to find the robot museum. That was a big part of the day (from about 2:00 to 4:00). I ended up getting literally lost (I was using photographs of my guide book’s maps) and reading the district numbers wrong around nisshiki by Sakae. I had to ask about five people (a girl on a bike, one convenience store clerk, two watchmen; one of which was the Tiffany’s guard, and a SoftBank clerk). Did I mention that the road-name approach to labeling cities is a great idea? Pretty much, the closer you get to your destination, the more detailed the people’s directions get. First I got, “if you go over there, you get to nisshiki,” then I got “if you go over there, you get to block 25,” then “Tiffany’s is on 25, ask about #20 there,” and so on. In the end, the robot museum didn’t exist!!! The SoftBank clerk (and her iPhone) told me that the robot museum had ceased to be. She didn’t know why though.
While I was lost, I found a McDonald’s and decided it was time to try the ebi-fureo. After accidentally dumping all my coins on the floor, I ordered a combo with melon soda. I’ve got to say, the meal itself wasn’t impressive, but on second thought, when you compare it to what you’d get in the US, it was pretty amazing. First of all, the fries (despite having no flavor) were abundant and crunchy. The ebi burger actually looked like the picture with an un-squished bun, non-wilted lettuce, and actual shrimp in the burger. If it was the US, the bun would be flat, the lettuce would be brown, the tartar sauce would either drench the thing or be 99% mayo, and the shrimp would resemble shrimp as much as cheap cold-cuts resemble turkeys and pigs. It was pretty cool too to sit on the second floor and look out over Princess Street (yes, it’s really called that) from a bowed window-wall.
Having failed to find the robot museum, I decided to look for Otsu dori, what my guide book calls the Akihabara of Nagoya/Sakae. After about two “what’s that, do you mean osu?” reactions, I gave up and ended up going to the design building instead. There wasn’t much to do there (and they don’t let you get near the edge of the floor to look from the 11th story, so I decided to go back to Osu to see if the peddlers were having their end-of-the-day super sales. I had missed them (It’s so weird how Osu closes around five even on Saturdays) but that was okay because I was exhausted.
When I got home, I talked with okaasan a bit and showed her my furisode (kimono) upon her surprise at the low price I quoted. I suspected it was a slightly unusual kimono by the fabric, and when okaasan saw it, she called it mezurashii and fushigi (rare and mysterious). I asked if it was weird, but she said “I wouldn’t say so,” so I hope I can pull it off. I’ve never seen a kimono with bunnies (I like the Japanese ones a lot) on it before, so I think it’s a catch.
At dinner, okaasan talked about her friend and talked with otousan about tomorrow’s plans, so I didn’t get much time to say much about my day. The TV was on too, so it didn’t help with talking. I guess it’s okay though. I was pretty tired from walking for about six hours straight and I actually felt like I could fall asleep at the table while okaasan was cooking fried rice and later when we were drinking tea after dinner.
After tea, okaasan and I watched TV, which became more interesting the closer it came to a wise hour for sleeping. Particularly, there was a show called “Wonder Wonder,” which was a talk show that had a surprisingly high percentage of actual documentary footage. This one was on a cave in Mexico where spelunkers have found huge caverns of multi-meter clear crystals (I’m not sure if it’s quartz). It was amazing and beautiful and I was literally in awe. (look it up, you won’t regret it!!!) There was a part where one of the guests got to try on the suits (with inserts for ice sticks all over it) they wear to go in the cavern (because it’s over 30ºc) and it was entertaining. Earlier, we watched a drama about a Japanese girl whose grandmother was Chinese. She went to China to study and recalls her father’s childhood. In the morning, we watched a talk show where the host (a pretty girl) goes to an aquarium where she gets a tour of the sleeping fish tanks and a craw fish has gotten loose and is on the floor (she thinks it’s a piece of trash). When the guide asks her to pick it up and return it, she literally screams as she barely touches it multiple times and gives up. I was laughing out loud.
Afterward, I set off into the bowels of osu to find three stores; the used kimono store okaasan had suggested, the yen=g store (where price = grams of clothing), and another kimono store listed in my guide book. I succeeded in finding one; the one okaasan suggested, and only by chance. I had passed it every time I’ve been to osu because it looks so much like the (tourist) duty-free store. I’m not sure how many times I walked through Osu looking for the other two, but in the end, I decided the guidebook must have just been wrong or lacking.
After this, I attempted to find the robot museum. That was a big part of the day (from about 2:00 to 4:00). I ended up getting literally lost (I was using photographs of my guide book’s maps) and reading the district numbers wrong around nisshiki by Sakae. I had to ask about five people (a girl on a bike, one convenience store clerk, two watchmen; one of which was the Tiffany’s guard, and a SoftBank clerk). Did I mention that the road-name approach to labeling cities is a great idea? Pretty much, the closer you get to your destination, the more detailed the people’s directions get. First I got, “if you go over there, you get to nisshiki,” then I got “if you go over there, you get to block 25,” then “Tiffany’s is on 25, ask about #20 there,” and so on. In the end, the robot museum didn’t exist!!! The SoftBank clerk (and her iPhone) told me that the robot museum had ceased to be. She didn’t know why though.
While I was lost, I found a McDonald’s and decided it was time to try the ebi-fureo. After accidentally dumping all my coins on the floor, I ordered a combo with melon soda. I’ve got to say, the meal itself wasn’t impressive, but on second thought, when you compare it to what you’d get in the US, it was pretty amazing. First of all, the fries (despite having no flavor) were abundant and crunchy. The ebi burger actually looked like the picture with an un-squished bun, non-wilted lettuce, and actual shrimp in the burger. If it was the US, the bun would be flat, the lettuce would be brown, the tartar sauce would either drench the thing or be 99% mayo, and the shrimp would resemble shrimp as much as cheap cold-cuts resemble turkeys and pigs. It was pretty cool too to sit on the second floor and look out over Princess Street (yes, it’s really called that) from a bowed window-wall.
Having failed to find the robot museum, I decided to look for Otsu dori, what my guide book calls the Akihabara of Nagoya/Sakae. After about two “what’s that, do you mean osu?” reactions, I gave up and ended up going to the design building instead. There wasn’t much to do there (and they don’t let you get near the edge of the floor to look from the 11th story, so I decided to go back to Osu to see if the peddlers were having their end-of-the-day super sales. I had missed them (It’s so weird how Osu closes around five even on Saturdays) but that was okay because I was exhausted.
When I got home, I talked with okaasan a bit and showed her my furisode (kimono) upon her surprise at the low price I quoted. I suspected it was a slightly unusual kimono by the fabric, and when okaasan saw it, she called it mezurashii and fushigi (rare and mysterious). I asked if it was weird, but she said “I wouldn’t say so,” so I hope I can pull it off. I’ve never seen a kimono with bunnies (I like the Japanese ones a lot) on it before, so I think it’s a catch.
At dinner, okaasan talked about her friend and talked with otousan about tomorrow’s plans, so I didn’t get much time to say much about my day. The TV was on too, so it didn’t help with talking. I guess it’s okay though. I was pretty tired from walking for about six hours straight and I actually felt like I could fall asleep at the table while okaasan was cooking fried rice and later when we were drinking tea after dinner.
After tea, okaasan and I watched TV, which became more interesting the closer it came to a wise hour for sleeping. Particularly, there was a show called “Wonder Wonder,” which was a talk show that had a surprisingly high percentage of actual documentary footage. This one was on a cave in Mexico where spelunkers have found huge caverns of multi-meter clear crystals (I’m not sure if it’s quartz). It was amazing and beautiful and I was literally in awe. (look it up, you won’t regret it!!!) There was a part where one of the guests got to try on the suits (with inserts for ice sticks all over it) they wear to go in the cavern (because it’s over 30ºc) and it was entertaining. Earlier, we watched a drama about a Japanese girl whose grandmother was Chinese. She went to China to study and recalls her father’s childhood. In the morning, we watched a talk show where the host (a pretty girl) goes to an aquarium where she gets a tour of the sleeping fish tanks and a craw fish has gotten loose and is on the floor (she thinks it’s a piece of trash). When the guide asks her to pick it up and return it, she literally screams as she barely touches it multiple times and gives up. I was laughing out loud.
Friday, April 17, 2009
April 17
Lately, life has entered a kind of repetitive point, so I don’t have much to report on a daily basis. I’ll give some highlights from the days you’ve missed, but mostly it’s a today post.
Okaasan has been gone for the past two days. That has resulted in a very quite house. On the up side, that has also resulted in curry, which I have had a craving for as of late. (: We have curry when okaasan goes away because it is easy to make (for otousan’s sake). The first night though, we had a type of nabe with “hamburger” in it (pot roast, but more soup-like). Japanese hamburger is delicious, though it looks like it would have the disgusting taste of a salisbury steak.
I screwed up my breakfast today by scorching the egg (I think okaasan’s technique of adding water to the hot egg might be to blame) and undercooking my toast, but it all worked out fine. P.S. Toast tastes best when you cook it half-way, add the butter, and then pop it in the toaster oven to finish.
Japanese class started out pretty well. I think I aced my kanji quiz (we’ll see). Afterward, we talked to Japanese people and it was a lot of fun. The ryuugakusei brought in photos taken in Japan and we had a lot to talk about. It was going so well that Takeda sensei (morbidly addicted to rule/schedule following) had to tell us multiple times that class was over and we needed to leave.
After class, I went to the C cafeteria to have mega chicken!!!!! But, I got jumbo chicken instead because it’s cheaper. This time around, I understood tons more Japanese from the cafeteria ladies. :D Somehow though, I think I overate. D: The rest of the day was rather mild. We watched excerpts from Seven Samurai and another old black and white film in Art and Culture class. Old movies move really slowly; the fight scenes aren’t slow par say, but the story itself and the scene-changes are.
After class, I walked toward my eki with my classmates and by chance, JiWei was at the corner when we were!!! I was really surprised to see him, hisashiburi. Apparently, he’s been really busy with school and baito (That seems like a hard combination, especially in Japan). I hope we can meet up and do something during golden week. When we parted, I met back up with my friends at the subway car. I told Keili about JiWei and she made the (seemingly obvious) suggestion of going to the restaurant where JiWei works some time while he’s there. What’s wrong with me that I don’t think about these things myself?
At home, I was surprised to see the Prius in the driveway; okaasan was already home. I gave her an “okaerinasai” and tried to help with dinner, but all that was left to do was serve the rice. We had a nice dinner and I got in on the conversation more than usual. (: We talked a bit about baseball, the olympic location applications, and okaasan’s trip to see her friend. Okaasan brought omamori (charms you buy at shrines) for me. (: It’s a general one (you can get all sorts, especially for children’s safety, driving safety, good grades, etc.) and it’s yellow and pretty. I’ve been thinking about getting one, but I never know which to get (except the school ones, which I wouldn’t carry in a few years probably).
Culture Notes
Japanese apple juice is delicious, as I’ve established strongly. I’m trying to figure out why. First of all, when you pour it, you’ll probably think “What!? This isn’t apple juice, it’s white grapefruit juice,” because instead of the American norm of golden-colored translucent juice, it is slightly opaque and off-white. Second, it’s super-sweet, despite being labelled as 100% juice. I’m guessing the difference is in processing and/or juice blending. I’m not sure if they blend the Japanese juice (I will investigate) but it seems like everything you buy in the US is about 60% grape juice, regardless of the fruit on the label.
If I had to describe Japan in one word, it would have to be “anal.” By no means take that to mean I do not like Japan. I am constantly amazed by the country. However, this aspect of the country is undeniable. Yes, it does manifest itself positively and even productively in many cases, but it also appears in very inconvenient forms. The most frustrating forms are in bureaucracies, where meticulous and redundant procedures must be followed. In some cases, convention must be followed until the last moment possible despite the existence of easier alternatives for the sake of convention. In other cases, it is simply a cultural tendency, such as; waiting to cross empty roads until the light changes, scheduling class lessons down to the minute, and including examples/diagrams for practically everything.
Okaasan has been gone for the past two days. That has resulted in a very quite house. On the up side, that has also resulted in curry, which I have had a craving for as of late. (: We have curry when okaasan goes away because it is easy to make (for otousan’s sake). The first night though, we had a type of nabe with “hamburger” in it (pot roast, but more soup-like). Japanese hamburger is delicious, though it looks like it would have the disgusting taste of a salisbury steak.
I screwed up my breakfast today by scorching the egg (I think okaasan’s technique of adding water to the hot egg might be to blame) and undercooking my toast, but it all worked out fine. P.S. Toast tastes best when you cook it half-way, add the butter, and then pop it in the toaster oven to finish.
Japanese class started out pretty well. I think I aced my kanji quiz (we’ll see). Afterward, we talked to Japanese people and it was a lot of fun. The ryuugakusei brought in photos taken in Japan and we had a lot to talk about. It was going so well that Takeda sensei (morbidly addicted to rule/schedule following) had to tell us multiple times that class was over and we needed to leave.
After class, I went to the C cafeteria to have mega chicken!!!!! But, I got jumbo chicken instead because it’s cheaper. This time around, I understood tons more Japanese from the cafeteria ladies. :D Somehow though, I think I overate. D: The rest of the day was rather mild. We watched excerpts from Seven Samurai and another old black and white film in Art and Culture class. Old movies move really slowly; the fight scenes aren’t slow par say, but the story itself and the scene-changes are.
After class, I walked toward my eki with my classmates and by chance, JiWei was at the corner when we were!!! I was really surprised to see him, hisashiburi. Apparently, he’s been really busy with school and baito (That seems like a hard combination, especially in Japan). I hope we can meet up and do something during golden week. When we parted, I met back up with my friends at the subway car. I told Keili about JiWei and she made the (seemingly obvious) suggestion of going to the restaurant where JiWei works some time while he’s there. What’s wrong with me that I don’t think about these things myself?
At home, I was surprised to see the Prius in the driveway; okaasan was already home. I gave her an “okaerinasai” and tried to help with dinner, but all that was left to do was serve the rice. We had a nice dinner and I got in on the conversation more than usual. (: We talked a bit about baseball, the olympic location applications, and okaasan’s trip to see her friend. Okaasan brought omamori (charms you buy at shrines) for me. (: It’s a general one (you can get all sorts, especially for children’s safety, driving safety, good grades, etc.) and it’s yellow and pretty. I’ve been thinking about getting one, but I never know which to get (except the school ones, which I wouldn’t carry in a few years probably).
Culture Notes
Japanese apple juice is delicious, as I’ve established strongly. I’m trying to figure out why. First of all, when you pour it, you’ll probably think “What!? This isn’t apple juice, it’s white grapefruit juice,” because instead of the American norm of golden-colored translucent juice, it is slightly opaque and off-white. Second, it’s super-sweet, despite being labelled as 100% juice. I’m guessing the difference is in processing and/or juice blending. I’m not sure if they blend the Japanese juice (I will investigate) but it seems like everything you buy in the US is about 60% grape juice, regardless of the fruit on the label.
If I had to describe Japan in one word, it would have to be “anal.” By no means take that to mean I do not like Japan. I am constantly amazed by the country. However, this aspect of the country is undeniable. Yes, it does manifest itself positively and even productively in many cases, but it also appears in very inconvenient forms. The most frustrating forms are in bureaucracies, where meticulous and redundant procedures must be followed. In some cases, convention must be followed until the last moment possible despite the existence of easier alternatives for the sake of convention. In other cases, it is simply a cultural tendency, such as; waiting to cross empty roads until the light changes, scheduling class lessons down to the minute, and including examples/diagrams for practically everything.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
April 14
Today was the second (and final) day of presentations. We got faked out at the end when Tsuda sensei said Hanashiro sensei had a present for us, but it turned out to be homework. Everyone voiced their disappointment. Anna gave me some of her Easter chocolate (I only realized at dinner Sunday that it was Easter) and I wished I was home to get a basket full of candy. When otousan asked about Easter traditions a few weeks earler, I couldn’t think of any, but now the ‘no, duh’ reaction is setting in, and it seems obvious that I should have told him about the scary Easter bunny at the mall and easter baskets. Oh well...
After our presentations, I had hanga, but I forgot my key at home this morning, so I couldn’t get into my locker to get my supplies. I had to start a third print (as a result of circumstances that are keeping me from making the DaftPunk print) and borrow Nee’s knives (which I cut myself with, woo).
It was, of course, raining crazily today. I had some time (and determination) though, so I went to do some shopping in the Yagoto area, since I may be tied up a lot soon. I did get what I set out to get at Jusco (and so cheap!). I also went to ToysRUs to search out cool Japanese toys (there weren’t any). They did have one type of haro’s, but they seemed a bit on the not cool side...
I decided not to go to BookOff (today) because of the rain (and needing to get home at a reasonable hour to help okaasan with dinner). It was a good idea because when I got to the Yagoto station, it was perfect timing to (not rush or wait) board the Toyotashiyuki densha. Woot!
At home, there was a bit of strangeness when okaasan asked me if I helped my mom at home (with dinner), because she thought she couldn’t ask me to help if it wasn’t something I usually did. The weird thing was, she didn’t ask me to do anything out of the ordinary, so I don’t know why she asked me at that point. o_O Okaasan ran out of ocha, so she pulled out (about five) other teas (that she seemed to think inferior) and picked one that was supposed to be macha. It was really good, and at the end, the powder tastes like green tea ice cream without the texture. :D Otousan wanted to make a second cup for himself, so he asked for the cleanest of the used spoons, but when okaasan saw the clean one by his plate, she told him to use it. He didn’t want to because that meant one more thing to wash. It was a kind of funny exchange (in Japanese, of course) and I had to laugh out loud. I wonder if otousan does that kind of thing sometimes on purpose just to get a rile out of okaasan because she gets worked up over everything, it seems.
Okaasan has bought these baklava-like desserts for the last few nights that remind me of Christmas. It’s probably because they’ve got either chestnuts or almonds in them, which my deadly (made in December) cookies have in them too. I told okaasan, and she told me about Japanes Thanksgiving (at the Mariott) that they went to for a host student’s sake. I didn’t think about it, but it’s not really surprising that Japanese people don’t eat turkey normally.
After our presentations, I had hanga, but I forgot my key at home this morning, so I couldn’t get into my locker to get my supplies. I had to start a third print (as a result of circumstances that are keeping me from making the DaftPunk print) and borrow Nee’s knives (which I cut myself with, woo).
It was, of course, raining crazily today. I had some time (and determination) though, so I went to do some shopping in the Yagoto area, since I may be tied up a lot soon. I did get what I set out to get at Jusco (and so cheap!). I also went to ToysRUs to search out cool Japanese toys (there weren’t any). They did have one type of haro’s, but they seemed a bit on the not cool side...
I decided not to go to BookOff (today) because of the rain (and needing to get home at a reasonable hour to help okaasan with dinner). It was a good idea because when I got to the Yagoto station, it was perfect timing to (not rush or wait) board the Toyotashiyuki densha. Woot!
At home, there was a bit of strangeness when okaasan asked me if I helped my mom at home (with dinner), because she thought she couldn’t ask me to help if it wasn’t something I usually did. The weird thing was, she didn’t ask me to do anything out of the ordinary, so I don’t know why she asked me at that point. o_O Okaasan ran out of ocha, so she pulled out (about five) other teas (that she seemed to think inferior) and picked one that was supposed to be macha. It was really good, and at the end, the powder tastes like green tea ice cream without the texture. :D Otousan wanted to make a second cup for himself, so he asked for the cleanest of the used spoons, but when okaasan saw the clean one by his plate, she told him to use it. He didn’t want to because that meant one more thing to wash. It was a kind of funny exchange (in Japanese, of course) and I had to laugh out loud. I wonder if otousan does that kind of thing sometimes on purpose just to get a rile out of okaasan because she gets worked up over everything, it seems.
Okaasan has bought these baklava-like desserts for the last few nights that remind me of Christmas. It’s probably because they’ve got either chestnuts or almonds in them, which my deadly (made in December) cookies have in them too. I told okaasan, and she told me about Japanes Thanksgiving (at the Mariott) that they went to for a host student’s sake. I didn’t think about it, but it’s not really surprising that Japanese people don’t eat turkey normally.
Monday, April 13, 2009
April 13
I spent a lot (most) of yesterday practicing my speech for my group’s presentation today. At one point though, it became so boring (despite me not being finished with the memorization) that I literally fell asleep. I decided to take a nap which lasted a few hours, I think. Long story short, I couldn’t sleep past seven today. I ended up getting up so much earlier than my host family that I was able to empty the dishwasher, set the table, and make my breakfast all before okaasan came downstairs. She was surprised (of course) and by the time otousan came down for breakfast (which has become the middle of my breakfast time since he came back from the hospital) I was finished eating.
The presentation went pretty well, I think. We were the fourth group and I had the most memorized of my group members. I kind of wish they had put a bit more effort into the memorization, but as I said, it went pretty well. The group before us was very unfortunate though. The photographers came in (for the CJS brochure-making) and, with obnoxious flash, photographed the already nervous girl (who went with us to Kakuozan last Saturday) as she spoke for her group. She looked like she was going to cry and the camera man was either oblivious or a complete jerk, because he just kept snapping. We already felt a bit strange because of the posters that were put up weeks earlier to encourage Japanes students to come see our speeches (the advertisement made us sound like exotic zoo animals rather than fellow students). Other than that though, it was nice not to have Japanese class or get homework. :D
At the end, we were given sheets of paper to sign up for the IJ400 party the week after next. I can’t cook, but DonWong and another guy from class can (and want to) play guitar, so I’m going to sing and we are going to perform as a band (minus the drummer). We may not be Japanese, but we are going to play Japanese music, so that’s half of the dream realized...
Afterward, we had shoudo, where we are designing our name seals. The hardest part is deciding on kanji. D: After shoudo, of course, was history. The photographer came again, and the whole time he was there, I couldn’t focus.
The presentation went pretty well, I think. We were the fourth group and I had the most memorized of my group members. I kind of wish they had put a bit more effort into the memorization, but as I said, it went pretty well. The group before us was very unfortunate though. The photographers came in (for the CJS brochure-making) and, with obnoxious flash, photographed the already nervous girl (who went with us to Kakuozan last Saturday) as she spoke for her group. She looked like she was going to cry and the camera man was either oblivious or a complete jerk, because he just kept snapping. We already felt a bit strange because of the posters that were put up weeks earlier to encourage Japanes students to come see our speeches (the advertisement made us sound like exotic zoo animals rather than fellow students). Other than that though, it was nice not to have Japanese class or get homework. :D
At the end, we were given sheets of paper to sign up for the IJ400 party the week after next. I can’t cook, but DonWong and another guy from class can (and want to) play guitar, so I’m going to sing and we are going to perform as a band (minus the drummer). We may not be Japanese, but we are going to play Japanese music, so that’s half of the dream realized...
Afterward, we had shoudo, where we are designing our name seals. The hardest part is deciding on kanji. D: After shoudo, of course, was history. The photographer came again, and the whole time he was there, I couldn’t focus.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
April 11
I haven’t been posting for a while because things seem so busy! I will try to make some sense of the last few days.
I went to Kakuozan with Nee and DonWong because it was Kakuozan matsuri. I wanted to go back to the bookstore that we had done the interview at because I thought I wanted to buy some of the Russian Lenin pins. It was really hot!!! It seems that the day it turned to June was the day the cold weather ended and the Summer heat began. At one point, I was worried about getting sunburn. D: I walked from Nagoya Daigaku eki (past Nagoya Daigaku, which I probably should have chosen over Nanzan judging by its campus’s resemblence to State).
After walking around the Kakuozan street to the jinja (which was filled with non-Japan-teki peddlers for the matsuri) I met up with Nee and we subsequently found DonWong and one of our other classmates. We walked around the booths (the peddlers recoginzed me as a foreinger and the girl who came by earlier) and up to the jinja. It was really pretty because the cherry blossoms were falling (like snow). On the way back down to the main street, I tried to make a final decision on a used furisoda (kimono with really long sleeves) I wasn’t sure about buying. It resulted in a kimono-clad Japanese girl getting the stall owner to put it on me. They kept telling me it looked good, but I was worried about the spots on it, so I told them, and they told me no one would notice and that was why it was cheap. I wasn’t sold. d: When it became three-thirty, I headed to the bookstore to check out the pins (the owner didn’t recognize me and I wasn’t sold on the pins either) and headed home.
I had to be home by five because ryoushin were taking me to a traditional Japanese restaurant and hanami. I didn’t know that that meant a fancy restaurant, (and okaasan didn’t suggest I change) so I felt a bit underdressed when I got there. We had delicous bento-style dentoutekinatabemono. There were about a billion small dishes, most of which I didn’t really know the contents of. What I could figure out was; a small scrambled egg, nigiri sushi, sashimi, greens, green mochi-like something, a slice of sweet potato, a fish, rice, water-like soup with a shrimp cake in it, dango, the egg-chicken thing, and some kind of seafood salad. I wanted to eat it all really slowly, but ryoushin eat fast and I thought it would be really awkward in public to eat by myself for much time afterward. I had a bit of trouble figuring out what to do with the soy sauce for the sashimi because the dish has what looks like a spout, so I figured you pour the soy sauce. Luckily, I gave okaasan an inquiring look and she told me to do it the opposite way. I guess the ‘spout’ is so you can put your hashi in the dish horizantal to the table. The sashimi dish was triangular and tall too, so it was really hard to get the food out. Okaasan decided that it was also the time to tell me that I was holding my chopsticks wrong, so I had 3x the difficulty trying to eat the sashimi (not to mention she told me not to pull it apart, which happened as an unfortunate coincidence of the meat under its own weight) as both of my parents tried to teach me on the spot. We had green tea ice cream with sakura mochi and strawberries on top for dessert, which melted too fast for the flat ‘spoons’ we were given. The dinner was delicious, but unbearably awkward.
Afterward, we went to the nearby river bank to look at the (unfortunately partially-spent and unlit) sakura. Okaasan was sad about it (I felt very bad too). She had to be at the hospital with Otousan or other engagements so much lately, that she hasn’t gotten to see the sakura this year. We did encounter a really friendly corgey which loved my host father and me (the first living thing in the pets/kids category since I got here that hasn’t been frightened by me). I think it made him really happy since he seemed to love his former corgey.
I went to Kakuozan with Nee and DonWong because it was Kakuozan matsuri. I wanted to go back to the bookstore that we had done the interview at because I thought I wanted to buy some of the Russian Lenin pins. It was really hot!!! It seems that the day it turned to June was the day the cold weather ended and the Summer heat began. At one point, I was worried about getting sunburn. D: I walked from Nagoya Daigaku eki (past Nagoya Daigaku, which I probably should have chosen over Nanzan judging by its campus’s resemblence to State).
After walking around the Kakuozan street to the jinja (which was filled with non-Japan-teki peddlers for the matsuri) I met up with Nee and we subsequently found DonWong and one of our other classmates. We walked around the booths (the peddlers recoginzed me as a foreinger and the girl who came by earlier) and up to the jinja. It was really pretty because the cherry blossoms were falling (like snow). On the way back down to the main street, I tried to make a final decision on a used furisoda (kimono with really long sleeves) I wasn’t sure about buying. It resulted in a kimono-clad Japanese girl getting the stall owner to put it on me. They kept telling me it looked good, but I was worried about the spots on it, so I told them, and they told me no one would notice and that was why it was cheap. I wasn’t sold. d: When it became three-thirty, I headed to the bookstore to check out the pins (the owner didn’t recognize me and I wasn’t sold on the pins either) and headed home.
I had to be home by five because ryoushin were taking me to a traditional Japanese restaurant and hanami. I didn’t know that that meant a fancy restaurant, (and okaasan didn’t suggest I change) so I felt a bit underdressed when I got there. We had delicous bento-style dentoutekinatabemono. There were about a billion small dishes, most of which I didn’t really know the contents of. What I could figure out was; a small scrambled egg, nigiri sushi, sashimi, greens, green mochi-like something, a slice of sweet potato, a fish, rice, water-like soup with a shrimp cake in it, dango, the egg-chicken thing, and some kind of seafood salad. I wanted to eat it all really slowly, but ryoushin eat fast and I thought it would be really awkward in public to eat by myself for much time afterward. I had a bit of trouble figuring out what to do with the soy sauce for the sashimi because the dish has what looks like a spout, so I figured you pour the soy sauce. Luckily, I gave okaasan an inquiring look and she told me to do it the opposite way. I guess the ‘spout’ is so you can put your hashi in the dish horizantal to the table. The sashimi dish was triangular and tall too, so it was really hard to get the food out. Okaasan decided that it was also the time to tell me that I was holding my chopsticks wrong, so I had 3x the difficulty trying to eat the sashimi (not to mention she told me not to pull it apart, which happened as an unfortunate coincidence of the meat under its own weight) as both of my parents tried to teach me on the spot. We had green tea ice cream with sakura mochi and strawberries on top for dessert, which melted too fast for the flat ‘spoons’ we were given. The dinner was delicious, but unbearably awkward.
Afterward, we went to the nearby river bank to look at the (unfortunately partially-spent and unlit) sakura. Okaasan was sad about it (I felt very bad too). She had to be at the hospital with Otousan or other engagements so much lately, that she hasn’t gotten to see the sakura this year. We did encounter a really friendly corgey which loved my host father and me (the first living thing in the pets/kids category since I got here that hasn’t been frightened by me). I think it made him really happy since he seemed to love his former corgey.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
April 9
Class was a little long today. We got to practice our speeches (more like a tech check) and I got a little carried away with the extendo-pointer disguised as a pen. Afterward, I had to waste time (and use e-mail to overcome the limits of my circumstances) because I could not use the fully functioning computers in the J building (all classrooms were full until 3 due to classes). I had to use the CJS computers (which only allow internet explorer use and no other programs), then wait in a crowded room for a computer to free up so I could format and print my paper for tomorrow.
Hanami was awesome today after a long day of school (and an unexpectedly long nap). I was debating whether to go at all because of a few reasons, the biggest of which being the cost, but in the end, I decided to go. I was a little confused about the directions my friend gave me, so I asked my host father about getting to Tsurumai Koen, and whether it even existed. However, it all worked out and I was only late (despite a 40-minute miscalculation) by about two minutes. At the park, Mike’s host father had brought dango, sushi (sashimi and Setsubun types), onigiri, oranges, strawberries, tomatoes, and lots of beer, all set on mats in picnic style. I didn’t drink, so I compensated (upon suggestion) by eating lost of delicious food.
After a lot of eating (and drinking) some of us (there were about 14 in all) went to the nearby dirt field (grass is too expensive to maintain) to play frisbee. After that, we raided the nearby playground, which was fun for us though we’re about twice the demographics' age. In particular, there was a slide made up of cylinders that spin as you go down (like a factory ramp), which makes it more fun (and reduces the friction considerably).
We were going to look at the koi afterward (Grey told me all about his immortal goldfish), but Mike’s dad called us back and we hung around the picnic area. We didn’t really do much hanami, but we ended up meeting a lot of interesting Japanese people. There were a few college-age Japanese musicians who played American songs (and asked for tips in the American way). Mike’s otousan also seemed good at getting Japanese ladies to introduce themselves to (and take pictures with) us. When some of the people were really drunk, Mike and I smashed beer cans with our shoes. The most fun part though was when we were invited to sit and talk with a bunch of 24-ish Japanese people. They tried to teach us Japanese slang, gave us pocky, and invited us to see their band on May 4 at the Tightrope venue. Everyone was really drunk and when the Japanese people and the exchange students found things (usually obscure bands and movies) that they both liked, they got really loud. It was a lot of fun though, and I really do think I’d like to see their band and talk with them more, whether they’re sober or not. Perhaps this kind of thing could happen in the US, but it seems more safe in Japan, and there’s a certain celebrity-esque heightened interest in foreigners that seems to make Japanese people easier to mingle with (in a few situations including this one).
When it was time to go, I found that the entrance to the subway was closed, and got a bit nervous. I told Mike and his dad, and they agreed to wait for me while I checked another entrance. I thought I might have to ride the train back (not a problem, unless I ran out of time) so I checked the train schedule, but while I was doing that, a Japanese man (without me telling him anything) pointed me in the right direction to the other subway entrance, which was just beyond the train station. I had to go downstairs to check (far into the earth), so I called Mike when I found out I had not missed my last train. I was very grateful to his dad for offering to wait (and drive me in the case of me missing my train) and I found myself speaking surprisingly more quickly and clearly in Japanese on the phone (when I told them) than usual. When I called my host mother though, I started messing up again. d:
Hanami was awesome today after a long day of school (and an unexpectedly long nap). I was debating whether to go at all because of a few reasons, the biggest of which being the cost, but in the end, I decided to go. I was a little confused about the directions my friend gave me, so I asked my host father about getting to Tsurumai Koen, and whether it even existed. However, it all worked out and I was only late (despite a 40-minute miscalculation) by about two minutes. At the park, Mike’s host father had brought dango, sushi (sashimi and Setsubun types), onigiri, oranges, strawberries, tomatoes, and lots of beer, all set on mats in picnic style. I didn’t drink, so I compensated (upon suggestion) by eating lost of delicious food.
After a lot of eating (and drinking) some of us (there were about 14 in all) went to the nearby dirt field (grass is too expensive to maintain) to play frisbee. After that, we raided the nearby playground, which was fun for us though we’re about twice the demographics' age. In particular, there was a slide made up of cylinders that spin as you go down (like a factory ramp), which makes it more fun (and reduces the friction considerably).
We were going to look at the koi afterward (Grey told me all about his immortal goldfish), but Mike’s dad called us back and we hung around the picnic area. We didn’t really do much hanami, but we ended up meeting a lot of interesting Japanese people. There were a few college-age Japanese musicians who played American songs (and asked for tips in the American way). Mike’s otousan also seemed good at getting Japanese ladies to introduce themselves to (and take pictures with) us. When some of the people were really drunk, Mike and I smashed beer cans with our shoes. The most fun part though was when we were invited to sit and talk with a bunch of 24-ish Japanese people. They tried to teach us Japanese slang, gave us pocky, and invited us to see their band on May 4 at the Tightrope venue. Everyone was really drunk and when the Japanese people and the exchange students found things (usually obscure bands and movies) that they both liked, they got really loud. It was a lot of fun though, and I really do think I’d like to see their band and talk with them more, whether they’re sober or not. Perhaps this kind of thing could happen in the US, but it seems more safe in Japan, and there’s a certain celebrity-esque heightened interest in foreigners that seems to make Japanese people easier to mingle with (in a few situations including this one).
When it was time to go, I found that the entrance to the subway was closed, and got a bit nervous. I told Mike and his dad, and they agreed to wait for me while I checked another entrance. I thought I might have to ride the train back (not a problem, unless I ran out of time) so I checked the train schedule, but while I was doing that, a Japanese man (without me telling him anything) pointed me in the right direction to the other subway entrance, which was just beyond the train station. I had to go downstairs to check (far into the earth), so I called Mike when I found out I had not missed my last train. I was very grateful to his dad for offering to wait (and drive me in the case of me missing my train) and I found myself speaking surprisingly more quickly and clearly in Japanese on the phone (when I told them) than usual. When I called my host mother though, I started messing up again. d:
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
April 8
No post for yesterday, just some highlights. On the way to school, an imparred Japanese man (slightly shorter than me with my boots) got on, saw the curry pan (bread) from okaasan that I was holding, and decided that he would talk to me until his stop. I couldn’t understand him well because he seemed to have a speech impediment, but I think he was explaining his commuter pass to me. All of the other people on the train seemed to be acting like their normal unseeing selves in fear of also being talked to. I honestly tried to listen to the guy, though I had to stare off into space a few times to make sure he didn’t think I was too interested, but I repeated the things he said that I understood (a few eki names) and I think he was just happy not to be ignored. I had to laugh it off (literally) afterward though because it was truly an “only in Japan” experience.
At dinner, everyone made a small mistake; I dropped my hashi on the floor, otousan spilled my macha, and okaasan also dropped something. The interesting part of dinner though was when okaasan got her revenge on otousan. Last night, otousan had apparently asked for the total remaining amount of macha, but okaasan wanted part. Today, she decided to give all of it to him, despite the fact that it didn’t really fit in his cup. She filled it literally to the brim so he would have to spill it when he picked it up. Otousan seemed genuinely amused though, so it’s all good. I felt a bit bad about wasting macha, but really, it’s just water with (delicious) leaves in it, so it’s not too bad...
As for today...
I thought it would be a boring day today, but it turned out pretty good. I did have a lull in productivity for a while that wasn’t helped by the overheated computer room, but other than that...
I woke up a half-hour early today for unknown reasons. I really don’t have anything to do with myself if I work outside my host parents’ schedule, so I went back to sleep. When I did wake up and went down to breakfast, otousan had breakfast with okaasan and I, which is mezurashii because he usually eats later. That, of course, meant I got to be sent to school by both of my parents. (:
Today was the day to get my Lawson’s plate because, on the way to class, Dan gave me the last point I needed. I was ecstatic throughout our class. Before I could get my plate though, we took a practice Level 3 Japanese proficiency test (Level 1 is the hardest). I screwed up, I think, because I didn’t pay as much attention as I should have, but if the real test is that easy, I might as well take it one time (you only need 70% anyway) to put on my resumé. Our second class was with Fukatomi Sensei (I’ve gotten over her ne’s and I really like her as an instructor now) and we discussed holidays in Japan and America.
After class though, it was straight to Lawson’s, where the clerk (surprisingly slowly) counted my points and handed me the plate. I went to put it in my locker, and on the way, a Japanese guy with flippy hair came running after me to give me a handball club flyer. That was pretty awesome because none of the other club representatives (except the one I met at coffee hour) would give me flyers when I walked by, let alone chase me for it. When I got to the locker room, I found the 50en I thought I had lost (my coat pocket emptied itself yesterday), yatta!
Many hours later, I went to represent my school at the study abroad fair. I thought it would be lame because I hadn’t brought any memorabilia, and yappari, the materials I was provided with (a false saving grace) were for UNC. What!? (If you don’t know, that’s our rival school). It was okay though, because the girls who came to hear about my (and Eric’s Canadian) school were more interested in American (continent) customs and sight-seeing. It was fun to just talk (in a mix of Japanese and English) about dialects, food, scary movies, etc. I must hand it to Eric though for being pretty smooth because he succeeded in giving his e-mail address (and almost his phone number) to the girls, as well as inviting them to ‘just hang out some time’ without them running away. Stay away from Canadian guys.... D:
After that fun, I rode the chikatetsu home with Daun and her roommate, who are far better at Japanese than me. They’re really nice and I like hanging with them, but I wish I didn’t seem so inadequate by comparison.
When I got home, there was a little confusion about the donuts I had bought for my host family (I felt bad for eating okaasan’s curry pan and the last donut, though they were offered to me) because my host mom asked me if she had to pay me. It was okay though. She seemed a bit confused too though when I came in just to show her the plate I had gotten.
When I came to help with dinner, I ran out of things to do, so I tried cleaning the dishes, and okaasan explained her scorched pan to me. She had her once-per-year mistake of burning the cabbage into the pot. She thought the damage was irreversible, but I saved her pot for her. (:
At dinner, we talked about the previous host students (I’m about number 10). Okaasan and otousan have hosted a lot of types of people. Okaasan thinks guys are too much trouble to host (especially French ones). She made cheeseless quiche again (: and pulled out a book from a previous student which was of Outer Banks recipes. I had a slightly hard time explaining to otousan what the outer banks were. We talked so much (and I ate so slowly) that I think okaasan excused herself from the table before otousan (and definitely I) were bored of talking. I’m glad though that we’re talking more. (:
At dinner, everyone made a small mistake; I dropped my hashi on the floor, otousan spilled my macha, and okaasan also dropped something. The interesting part of dinner though was when okaasan got her revenge on otousan. Last night, otousan had apparently asked for the total remaining amount of macha, but okaasan wanted part. Today, she decided to give all of it to him, despite the fact that it didn’t really fit in his cup. She filled it literally to the brim so he would have to spill it when he picked it up. Otousan seemed genuinely amused though, so it’s all good. I felt a bit bad about wasting macha, but really, it’s just water with (delicious) leaves in it, so it’s not too bad...
As for today...
I thought it would be a boring day today, but it turned out pretty good. I did have a lull in productivity for a while that wasn’t helped by the overheated computer room, but other than that...
I woke up a half-hour early today for unknown reasons. I really don’t have anything to do with myself if I work outside my host parents’ schedule, so I went back to sleep. When I did wake up and went down to breakfast, otousan had breakfast with okaasan and I, which is mezurashii because he usually eats later. That, of course, meant I got to be sent to school by both of my parents. (:
Today was the day to get my Lawson’s plate because, on the way to class, Dan gave me the last point I needed. I was ecstatic throughout our class. Before I could get my plate though, we took a practice Level 3 Japanese proficiency test (Level 1 is the hardest). I screwed up, I think, because I didn’t pay as much attention as I should have, but if the real test is that easy, I might as well take it one time (you only need 70% anyway) to put on my resumé. Our second class was with Fukatomi Sensei (I’ve gotten over her ne’s and I really like her as an instructor now) and we discussed holidays in Japan and America.
After class though, it was straight to Lawson’s, where the clerk (surprisingly slowly) counted my points and handed me the plate. I went to put it in my locker, and on the way, a Japanese guy with flippy hair came running after me to give me a handball club flyer. That was pretty awesome because none of the other club representatives (except the one I met at coffee hour) would give me flyers when I walked by, let alone chase me for it. When I got to the locker room, I found the 50en I thought I had lost (my coat pocket emptied itself yesterday), yatta!
Many hours later, I went to represent my school at the study abroad fair. I thought it would be lame because I hadn’t brought any memorabilia, and yappari, the materials I was provided with (a false saving grace) were for UNC. What!? (If you don’t know, that’s our rival school). It was okay though, because the girls who came to hear about my (and Eric’s Canadian) school were more interested in American (continent) customs and sight-seeing. It was fun to just talk (in a mix of Japanese and English) about dialects, food, scary movies, etc. I must hand it to Eric though for being pretty smooth because he succeeded in giving his e-mail address (and almost his phone number) to the girls, as well as inviting them to ‘just hang out some time’ without them running away. Stay away from Canadian guys.... D:
After that fun, I rode the chikatetsu home with Daun and her roommate, who are far better at Japanese than me. They’re really nice and I like hanging with them, but I wish I didn’t seem so inadequate by comparison.
When I got home, there was a little confusion about the donuts I had bought for my host family (I felt bad for eating okaasan’s curry pan and the last donut, though they were offered to me) because my host mom asked me if she had to pay me. It was okay though. She seemed a bit confused too though when I came in just to show her the plate I had gotten.
When I came to help with dinner, I ran out of things to do, so I tried cleaning the dishes, and okaasan explained her scorched pan to me. She had her once-per-year mistake of burning the cabbage into the pot. She thought the damage was irreversible, but I saved her pot for her. (:
At dinner, we talked about the previous host students (I’m about number 10). Okaasan and otousan have hosted a lot of types of people. Okaasan thinks guys are too much trouble to host (especially French ones). She made cheeseless quiche again (: and pulled out a book from a previous student which was of Outer Banks recipes. I had a slightly hard time explaining to otousan what the outer banks were. We talked so much (and I ate so slowly) that I think okaasan excused herself from the table before otousan (and definitely I) were bored of talking. I’m glad though that we’re talking more. (:
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