Kai-Kai’s school friend’s family invited my host-family and me to another Onsen (bath house). It was so big! I’m really liking Onsens – they feel sooooo gooooood :)
Anyways, at this Onsen I saw someone with a bag that said in English “I <3 Baby Smoop.”
…come again? Yeah, I don’t get it either.
The family we went with had to daughters, one Kai-Kai’s age (Sarina, her school-mate) and one 6 years old, Rena. Rena was so adorable!!! Right after meeting me she took my hand and wouldn’t let go. She kept calling me nee-chan (big sister) all night. So cute!!!!
I finally started classes on Tuesday. Monday was respect for the elderly holiday, and tomorrow (Thursday) is another holiday so it’s a short week. Also, unlike the UW, teachers here don’t give you homework on the first day (who would of thought that teachers would be so nice!) so it hasn’t gotten busy yet. My Japanese language class is everyday, (actually it’s 4 times a week but the 5th day is a culture class that you have with the same people in your Japanese class) but all the rest of the classes are once a week. All my classes are taught in Japanese (scary!). Japanese language taught in Japanese isn’t hard (cuz that’s what my Japanese classes at UW have been), but taking other classes (like Anthropology) is super hard! Well, I’ve only had the Anthropology class so far, so I can’t say they are all hard yet, but I’m betting they will be. I think I’m going to drop the Anth class though, cuz that’s hard enough in English :P
My Japanese class is different depending on the day (Tuesday is speaking, Wednesday is reading, Friday is writing, etc.) and they are in different classrooms. Anyways, the Wednesday classroom makes a certain noise every so often (I think it’s the air conditioning). The thing about this noise though, is that is sounds just like the noise in Zelda when a wall-shadow is about to come down and grab you (those of you who don’t know Zelda, don’t worry about it). It totally freaked me out! When I heard it the first time I was worried that a huge hand was going to grab me and next thing I know I would end up at the building entrance. It’s funny how the mind associates noises that sound similar.
Speaking of air conditioning, it’s still freaking hot here. They say it’s going to rain tomorrow, and that today was the last hot day (they said, “from tomorrow, it’s autumn”), but I don’t really believe it will cool down that fast. I mean, it’s humid, right? Rain means more humidity, right? And even when they say cool, they mean like 75-80 degrees. Dude, I’m from Seattle. Japan’s hot is like, a volcano erupting in Seattle.
But in all seriousness, I think I’m adjusting to the temperature. Even though it’s the same degree, it doesn’t feel as hot, and even my hair isn’t as “LET’S HAVE A PARTY!” as before. It’s behaving better :)
BUT THE MOSQUITOES! They are eating me alive D: I got at least 10 bites from today alone. I really can’t wait for it to be too cold for them.
No pictures this time (sorry!). I really haven’t been taking any. Everything I do has “foreigner” stamped all over it, even if I do it exactly as a Japanese person would. I’m very hesitant to add “tourist” to all that. For someone who doesn't like to stand out, I picked the wrong country! :P
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
A weeks worth.
A week tomorrow since I came to Japan, and it's been great! My host-family is super close (unlike what I figure to be a "normal" Japanese family) so we do a lot of things together. I'm kinda jealous of their lifestyle actually. They are all beautiful, fashionable, live in a huge house, extremely happy and loving, and they work a minute's walk from their house. So nice!! I think I'll really enjoy living with them, and will be sad when I have to move out in January. I actually haven't spend much time with the middle daughter (Saaya, 18) because she's always at dance practice. She does hip-hop dance, and is super good. Her image can be described simply as "cool." She's pretty awesome! Once she has her dance show next weekend she'll be home more, so hopefully I'll get to know her better then.
The first day I was here (Tuesday) my host-mom (Mama) took me to a nearby outlet mall that is one station away, but also walking distance. I want to take a stroll there with the family dog once I figure out the neighborhood. The outlet mall is really big, and Mama said that on Sundays when everyone has the day off they all take their dogs there, some of them in special dog-strollers (they sell them at that mall - I saw them). I want to go on Sunday and see all the cute doggies.
Wednesday was rainy because of a typhoon, so everyone was home. Originally they had golf but because of the rain it was canceled. We drove to Yokohama (the neighboring city) and did a little shopping, then went to the China Town in Yokohama. They had pandas everywhere!! My host-family bought me a panda pillow :)
Cute!!!
The parking lot was amazing. It had and elevator that took your car to the level it's parked at (this is done by the employees). I've never seen such a thing before. There's probably some in America, but I've never seen it. They said it's normal in Japan.
That night the girls (Mama, Mariya, Kai-Kai, and me) all went to a bath house. It was soooo nice!!! It's a little unnerving cuz you go naked, but once you get over that it's amazing.
Thursday I went to see a movie with the oldest daughter, Mariya, who is the same age as me. It's a new Studio Ghibli movie called "Arietty," and it's amazing! And I was able to understand most all of it, which made me feel good about myself. The theatre was in a huge mall that is super confusing cuz it goes all over the place. This is also in Yokohama.
Friday I didn't do much, but I went to practice golf with Mariya. She reaaalllly likes golf.
Needless to say Mariya is much better at golf than me :P I got a few lucky shots, but overall I'm really bad! Mariya is amazing.
Saturday I did calligraphy with Mama and Kai-Kai (the youngest, 9). Mama teaches calligraphy in the same building Papa does Real Estate. It was fun! They said I was good at it, but I think they are just saying that :P Later that night I met up with Loren and company (they are in Japan for a little while) and had dinner with them. I had some trouble riding the train by myself, but I made it there in once piece and we finally met up.
Today, Sunday, I went to a choral concert with Mama and Kai-Kai. Mama was invited by her friends, whom I also met. It was pretty awesome! There were sooooo many people singing (over a hundred), but it sounded amazing. Mama's friends were really interesting too. They really like to talk! They are a lot of fun :)
And that is my first week in Japan. I need to take more pictures, but I hate looking so much like a tourist. I stand out enough as is!
Tomorrow is orientation day 1. Should be fun!
EDIT: I think I mixed up some of the days, because one of those days I went to Shibuya (where my school is) with Mariya and did some shopping with her friend Risa. But I can't remember what day it was... it was fun though!! There's TONS of shopping in Shibuya :D Lucky!! <3
Also that day we went to an Izakaya (Japanese style restaurant that's basically a bar) and I had my first drink in Japan. Drinking age: 20. FTW :P
The first day I was here (Tuesday) my host-mom (Mama) took me to a nearby outlet mall that is one station away, but also walking distance. I want to take a stroll there with the family dog once I figure out the neighborhood. The outlet mall is really big, and Mama said that on Sundays when everyone has the day off they all take their dogs there, some of them in special dog-strollers (they sell them at that mall - I saw them). I want to go on Sunday and see all the cute doggies.
Wednesday was rainy because of a typhoon, so everyone was home. Originally they had golf but because of the rain it was canceled. We drove to Yokohama (the neighboring city) and did a little shopping, then went to the China Town in Yokohama. They had pandas everywhere!! My host-family bought me a panda pillow :)
Cute!!!
The parking lot was amazing. It had and elevator that took your car to the level it's parked at (this is done by the employees). I've never seen such a thing before. There's probably some in America, but I've never seen it. They said it's normal in Japan.
That night the girls (Mama, Mariya, Kai-Kai, and me) all went to a bath house. It was soooo nice!!! It's a little unnerving cuz you go naked, but once you get over that it's amazing.
Thursday I went to see a movie with the oldest daughter, Mariya, who is the same age as me. It's a new Studio Ghibli movie called "Arietty," and it's amazing! And I was able to understand most all of it, which made me feel good about myself. The theatre was in a huge mall that is super confusing cuz it goes all over the place. This is also in Yokohama.
Friday I didn't do much, but I went to practice golf with Mariya. She reaaalllly likes golf.
Needless to say Mariya is much better at golf than me :P I got a few lucky shots, but overall I'm really bad! Mariya is amazing.
Saturday I did calligraphy with Mama and Kai-Kai (the youngest, 9). Mama teaches calligraphy in the same building Papa does Real Estate. It was fun! They said I was good at it, but I think they are just saying that :P Later that night I met up with Loren and company (they are in Japan for a little while) and had dinner with them. I had some trouble riding the train by myself, but I made it there in once piece and we finally met up.
Today, Sunday, I went to a choral concert with Mama and Kai-Kai. Mama was invited by her friends, whom I also met. It was pretty awesome! There were sooooo many people singing (over a hundred), but it sounded amazing. Mama's friends were really interesting too. They really like to talk! They are a lot of fun :)
And that is my first week in Japan. I need to take more pictures, but I hate looking so much like a tourist. I stand out enough as is!
Tomorrow is orientation day 1. Should be fun!
EDIT: I think I mixed up some of the days, because one of those days I went to Shibuya (where my school is) with Mariya and did some shopping with her friend Risa. But I can't remember what day it was... it was fun though!! There's TONS of shopping in Shibuya :D Lucky!! <3
Also that day we went to an Izakaya (Japanese style restaurant that's basically a bar) and I had my first drink in Japan. Drinking age: 20. FTW :P
Monday, September 6, 2010
I skipped Sunday. Hehe.
I made it to Japan!! It's so hot here. I have the air conditioning on in my room all the time (I hope that doesn't affect the energy bill!!).
Also I've lost a whole day of my life. Poof, gone. It's weird.
Here's random musings I wrote down while in transit:
Bahaha! My trip is starting off so well. I must be more tired than I realize cuz I almost went into the men's restroom at Vancouver Airport. I was starting to go through the little curvy hallway into the restroom when I saw a man coming out. I quickly turned around and briskly (but also trying to be subtle) walked straight to the women's side. Awkward!! On another note, Vancouver Airport is super nice.
It's kinda funny how I asked to change to a window seat, and I got a wall. The window is about a foot ahead, all but covered by the seat in front of me. Oh well, it's not the window I wanted anyway, but something to lean against, so it doesn't matter.
There was a couple in the row ahead of me that was interesting to listen to. The husband is American and the wife Japanese, with two young adorable daughters. The husband spoke in English and the wife replied in Japanese, and that's just how they talk to each other. It was pretty awesome to see. I kinda want something like that.
Individual touch-screen TVs!!! And there's so many of the movies I've been wanting to see, the flight isn't long enough for them all. I don't think I'll want to get off the plane! Until I get a headache that is... (And yes, I'm sure that at the end of 9 hours I will actually be happy to get off the plane).
The meal came with a mini water bottle that has totally rocked my world. I love having a little water bottle that will fit in my purse or bag, but the kind I've found are ones that you're not supposed to re-fill cuz of the toxins in the bottle. But this one is completely re-usable, and even dish-washer safe! And best of all, it's complimentary so I got it for free!!! Happy~~~
Great quote:
"It's YOUR fault. I just wanted you to know I'm sorry."
-Rhodey, Iron Man 2
You know how the attendants and pilots make announcements during flights and interrupt the movie you're watching? Well, not only you have to quickly yank out your headphones to keep their voiced from blowing out your eardrums (because for some reason the volume is set ridiculously higher than what your listening to), but the thing about Air Canada flights to Japan is that they make each announcement in three different languages: English, Japanese, and French. And can't do all of them in one go either. No, they have to make each one ten seconds apart, just enough time for your movie to start up again and put earbuds back in, when you have to suddenly pull them off again for French or Japanese. And the announcements are long. Brilliant.
------
Well, after being awake for 25 hours (expect for about 2 hours of sleep on the plane) and 12 of those in transit, I'm here in Japan at my host-family's house, well rested and severely needing to unpack. Check my facebook for pictures of the house :)
Internet is sparse here (there's no WiFi so I have to come down to the dining room if I want to use the internet) so until I get a cell phone I probably won't be online much.
I'll update more later!
Also I've lost a whole day of my life. Poof, gone. It's weird.
Here's random musings I wrote down while in transit:
Bahaha! My trip is starting off so well. I must be more tired than I realize cuz I almost went into the men's restroom at Vancouver Airport. I was starting to go through the little curvy hallway into the restroom when I saw a man coming out. I quickly turned around and briskly (but also trying to be subtle) walked straight to the women's side. Awkward!! On another note, Vancouver Airport is super nice.
It's kinda funny how I asked to change to a window seat, and I got a wall. The window is about a foot ahead, all but covered by the seat in front of me. Oh well, it's not the window I wanted anyway, but something to lean against, so it doesn't matter.
There was a couple in the row ahead of me that was interesting to listen to. The husband is American and the wife Japanese, with two young adorable daughters. The husband spoke in English and the wife replied in Japanese, and that's just how they talk to each other. It was pretty awesome to see. I kinda want something like that.
Individual touch-screen TVs!!! And there's so many of the movies I've been wanting to see, the flight isn't long enough for them all. I don't think I'll want to get off the plane! Until I get a headache that is... (And yes, I'm sure that at the end of 9 hours I will actually be happy to get off the plane).
The meal came with a mini water bottle that has totally rocked my world. I love having a little water bottle that will fit in my purse or bag, but the kind I've found are ones that you're not supposed to re-fill cuz of the toxins in the bottle. But this one is completely re-usable, and even dish-washer safe! And best of all, it's complimentary so I got it for free!!! Happy~~~
Great quote:
"It's YOUR fault. I just wanted you to know I'm sorry."
-Rhodey, Iron Man 2
You know how the attendants and pilots make announcements during flights and interrupt the movie you're watching? Well, not only you have to quickly yank out your headphones to keep their voiced from blowing out your eardrums (because for some reason the volume is set ridiculously higher than what your listening to), but the thing about Air Canada flights to Japan is that they make each announcement in three different languages: English, Japanese, and French. And can't do all of them in one go either. No, they have to make each one ten seconds apart, just enough time for your movie to start up again and put earbuds back in, when you have to suddenly pull them off again for French or Japanese. And the announcements are long. Brilliant.
------
Well, after being awake for 25 hours (expect for about 2 hours of sleep on the plane) and 12 of those in transit, I'm here in Japan at my host-family's house, well rested and severely needing to unpack. Check my facebook for pictures of the house :)
Internet is sparse here (there's no WiFi so I have to come down to the dining room if I want to use the internet) so until I get a cell phone I probably won't be online much.
I'll update more later!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Hustle and Bustle
T-minus three days until I'm stuffed in a plane and shipped off to the other side of the world. And somehow in the meantime I have to pack my life into one big suitcase. No biggie.
As long as it is enhanced with magic that is. I mean, Harry Potter can do it, right?
My suitcase is huge. It's big and gray, so I call it "The Hippo."
I'm sure I can squeeze enough of my junk into it, but the idea of fitting a year's worth of stuff into one bag is kinda overwhelming. How am i supposed to know what I'll need?
This should be enough.
As long as it is enhanced with magic that is. I mean, Harry Potter can do it, right?
My suitcase is huge. It's big and gray, so I call it "The Hippo."
I'm sure I can squeeze enough of my junk into it, but the idea of fitting a year's worth of stuff into one bag is kinda overwhelming. How am i supposed to know what I'll need?
This should be enough.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)