January 13

I woke up at 7:00 am to the sound of the heater starting in my room. In case I haven’t explained this yet; in Japan, since electricity is so expensive, people will only heat the rooms they are currently using (unless it’s a school, where they don’t heat it ever). Therefore, when you go to bed, you hit the おはよう button, set the hours, and the heater will turn off, then turn on only after the hours you set (which should be the number of hours you sleep). It was only later that my phone woke me up with daftpunk.

Getting up was a beast because being cold is bad, but it was worth it because I had another day of... Japan! お母さん made me another poached egg (this time with spinach), toast, juice, and tea. After, she lent me her gloves (which she won’t let me give back until March) and I went off to find my 地下鉄 by myself. I saw lots of elementary students with their uniforms and giant backpacks (very disproportional to the carriers), as well as middle and high schoolers in their uniforms. I wanted to take pictures, but I knew better than to be labeled creepy. I didn’t get as many stares as I thought I would (except later in the day when I went with some other 留学生 to 南山の図書館). I was fine until I had to decide whether to ride the めいじょ line counter-clockwise or clockwise (this is where I make my transfer), but I managed to catch the right one without delay. I found out quickly from climbing and descending the hills to class that my shoes are too big, and now my black and white striped socks have a nice brownish-red stain on one. ):

I got to school with an hour to spare (the commute takes 45 minutes in its entirety). I used the time to make copies of my passport (which was cheaper at 10円/copy than I thought). Afterward, we had a long day of orientation. We had two “sessions” that consisted completely of Japanese people reading the student handbook (in English) to us. The only interesting part was the dispersion of the placement test results. I was a bit worried for a while, but I was very happy to have been placed in the course I wanted (400-level).

I ate again at Lawson’s コンビニ for lunch. I can’t get over how cheap prepared food is in Japan. I had a giant おにぎり and a 肉まん for 220円. 本当においしかった! During lunch, I sat with a really nice Korean girl (Michelle) and other students from the IES program. Unfortunately, the other girls were just swooning over pretty boy magazines (creepy!).

After lunch, we met our academic advisors. I’m worried about meeting mine (which you have to do to register for courses, even though we filled out paper, yes, paper registration forms today) since he asked us to send e-mails in Japanese if possible. D: On the subject of courses, I found out that one of the ones I was counting on requires a higher level of Japanese, so I had to change my schedule to include Japanese History, which sounds like a fine course, but I have heard that the instructor is quite erratic with his grading methods. Either way, I hope I can get two or three liberal arts requirements out of the way (one of which I hope counts toward my art minor). I’ve heard that the coursework is very hard and everyone around me seems very smart (even if some of them are おたく or just plain weird), so I’m a bit worried.

On the commute home, I found Tealie (I want that to be her name, but it’s a little different) in one of the 駅. As it turns out, we take the same trip to class (big coincidence, since you can commute from so many different places). We decided to meet up tomorrow morning for the commute.

Once I got home, お母さん took me to get my alien registration, certificate of information, and health insurance. First though, we had to go the post office to cash my international postal money order. I tried to do it alone, but the ladies behind the counter had never cashed one before, so they made me wait for over half an hour (even after お母さん came in to help) as they decided what to do. I’m still a bit worried because they didn’t seem to know what they were doing. I’m guessing they don’t have enough information to charge me again, but I wouldn’t put it past Japan to take some money when they can.

After that big ordeal, we went to the ward’s office (where お母さん inadvertently made an 赤ちゃん cry) to take care of the paperwork. Mostly, it consisted of me writing my name over and over and over.... お母さん seems to have enrolled me in a full year plan (instead of half) but assured me that because I’m a student, I don’t have to pay. We’ll see; I’d like to believe it, but some things are too good to be true (though the certificate of information was cheaper than noted).

When we got home, I put my finances in order and had a minor melt-down as I began to think I had lost 1000円 (about $12 at this exchange rate). Luckily, I had misinterpreted a particularly large bill I have to pay and had put aside the 1000円 (extra) for the bill. It was a huge relief when I figured it out.

We had 中国料理 for dinner. お母さん made dumplings, thick (spicy) soup, rice (as always, but always appreciated), and strawberries. What Americans don’t understand is what strawberries should taste like. They are sweet and really soft (even when not completely ripe), unlike American ones. Of course, that’s probably part of why they are so expensive. At dinner, お父さん leant me a translator (やった!), but it only displays in kanji, so it won’t be that easy.

お母さん has informed me that the houses behind and beside ours are empty. As a result, there are mice in them. She and お父さん are worried about them being in our own house, so they asked me not to eat in my room or, if I do , to put down plastic. They are much too nice to me. I would be happy to adapt my schedule and life to theirs, which I must partial do anyway, but they continue to try to accommodate me. How will I repay them?

Lately, I’ve been getting temporary cravings for American food. They go away quickly, but among the ones so far are; Italian bread, acorn squash with lots of butter (which I don’t even like in the States), and baked potatoes. Also; there is reason to heated toilet seats (which Japan has). Usually, that kind of thing grosses me out (particularly the seat heaters in the Saab, which is a car, not a toilet), but honestly, when it’s 2ºC (and you don’t heat your house), you don’t want to sit on 2ºC.

Also: I saw an alpha romeo today. Though I can recognize that logo, it's weird not to be able to recognize all the emblems on the cars. I will try to take more pictures so you (probably Andrew) can try to figure them out. I'll be putting a link to my albums up soon.