January 19

It rained like craziness last night. I slept so well I didn’t want to get out of bed (again). This morning, お母さん made me runny eggs again (which is starting to creep me out) but she had rye pumpernickel bread, so it made up for it. (:

I beat my friend to the 駅 for a change. We decided to go do something interesting on Wednesday or Thursday afternoon since we have no classes after about 10 or 11. We’ll probably go to the 100円 shop or BookOff. I tried to buy my books before class, but the store doesn’t open until 10:30 (what’s up with that?!), so I spent my morning checking my mailbox (which had my badly completed homework covered in red circles in it) and getting to class (with no time to review for the quiz). The quiz was really easy, but since I had forgotten to study, I bombed it. I’m beating myself up for it a bit and I’m not looking forward to my meeting with sensei on Friday, as I haven’t made any reassuring marks in class yet. The meeting is being held (each student has one) to discuss the results of the second placement exam we took and sensei said in advance that a lot of people did poorly. D:

Class itself was fun today. I understood all of the lessons and it was almost like being back in high school. The first day really was overwhelming by comparison. Even the reading instructor was considerably easier to understand. We talked about jet-lag and culture shock, daily routines, etc. Class did not drag on at all.

Today was also the information session on opening a bank account. It was expectedly unhelpful; the paperwork was handed out, mildly explained, and the ultimatum given. We could either do the paperwork then and there, have the CJS officials do the rest, and use the branch nearest the university (estimated 20 minutes by foot) as our branch. The alternative (which I chose because I don’t like doing financial work without all the facts) was to “do it by yourself,” and determine if there is a branch near my residence. Did the CJS have a list of branches besides ‘the one nearest Nanzan?’ No. Did they warn us in advance so we could be prepared at the information session? No. Can we open an account with just any bank? No. Will CJS do a raincheck on doing the work for us while we research our other options for branch locations? Of course not. So, I have to ask お母さん to help me find a Nagoya Bank Branch (if it exists) in Nisshin, determine if I should go there or near Nanzan, and do all the paperwork myself. I expected I would have to do a lot of work myself, but when CJS offers help, I at least expect it to be actual help.

Afterward, I went to the コパン to pick up my art supplies and textbook. For the record; paperback books are expensive in Japan. My “textbook” which highly resembles a small paperback is listed at 1500円 and the novels at the bookstore お母さん took me to were even more expensive. I bought calligraphy brushes (which I already have in the States) grossly overpriced and I still have to buy a case to keep them in so they don’t get ruined because sensei said putting the plastic covers back on will ruin them. I also purchased knives (for はんが) so that should be fun when I start tomorrow.

Once I spent that money, I went to the first floor of コパン to get lunch. I was thinking about getting one of the cafeteria lunches (which are restaurant quality), but I couldn’t find anything really appealing, so I went to the パン屋 to see what they had and I was hooked. I got a Japanese-style fried chicken sandwich and a giant twisty pastry which I was happy to find was comparable to the epitome of fried dough (I couldn’t turn them down for a total of 400円). I have to stay away from the パン屋 or I will not come back thin at all.

After lunch, I had calligraphy class (which is supposed to be broken into two sections, but everyone (except three people) signed up for the first section (since no one wants a long break in their schedule or to have to be at school until five if they can avoid it). The class was really fun actually. It’s kind of frustrating to do the work on tiny desks, but there is a lot of posture and technique to the art, so I am enjoying it thus far. The instructor kept repeating herself (I think she felt like she was teaching a lot of middle school students) in saying (entirely in Japanese) “It’s better to go slowly than to rush,” “use the smooth side of the paper,” and “turn in your best print with your student number and name on it.” Poor 先生...

After calligraphy, was the infamous history class. Everyone I have spoken to (only a few people though) about the class has said that it is not a good one and has recommended I not take it. Unfortunately, I have to. Our class is only about ten people (surprise!), four of which are from Notre Dame, two from the Congo, and so on. The professor doesn’t seem bad yet and hopefully I can keep up. I’ll look on the bright side as long as I can... which is probably out the window, or at least for today it was. We were on the fifth floor of one of the buildings for class and you can see all of downtown Nagoya from there. It really is pretty.

Today’s history class started late (sensei was late) and ended early (since we ran out of things to say). It was only an orientation. We have three grades; attendance, mid term, and a final (5-page) paper. I’m only worried about the midterm for now. Sensei is kind of strange. He keeps trying to make jokes, and he almost makes it, but he just misses being funny.

After class, I went home as usual and spent a lot of time just doing homework. I wish there was more time before Japanese class to study. However, my schedule resembles commuting (hard to study during since I’m changing trains, usually standing, and then walking near cars), Japanese class (which is the one I need to study for), nothingness time, other class (that doesn’t need studying so far), and more commuting. It’s hard to study at night too since it’s so freaking frigid and that’s when I do other important things, not to mention dinner cuts through the middle. I guess the only solution is not to sleep.