Captain's Log,
So I decided to go ahead and go out with Taiki anyway. I just counted on not spending much. On the way there, the guy sitting across from me on the train was sitting there, hangin' out, shamelessly looking at a porno mag. This was on a moderately occupied train at 6:00 in the evening. Dammit, Japan.
Sadly, my wallet did not fare well. Excitement and alcohol consumption lead to me spending close to $30. It was a fun evening, but a resounding "dammit" must be said about the whole ordeal, especially with how it ended. The first bar was nothing special, we just hung out a bit. The second bar was pirate themed and pretty cool. Taiki slayed us in darts, then pool was $6.00 a game, so we opted for free jenga. And by free, the loser has to do a shot of everyone else's choice, and for some reason that person also gets to pay for it. I called it that I was going to lose first, and they pick what's supposedly the grossest shot on the menu. The liquid was clear and greenish, and these 2 little slug shaped things in them. Upon asking what it was, I learn that the slugs are 2 things of tatar sauce. To shove it in everyone's face, I do the shot without wincing and laugh. The shot really wasn't bad, didn't notice the tatar sauce, and I think the liquor was Pernod, which tastes kinda like Jaeger, but different.
We eventually leave and go to a bar I really like, The Blarney Stone. Here, the bartender gave us free rounds of shots, first of tequila, then of jaeger. Taiki mentions something about leaving, I say "nah, dude, we've got time."
We leave, get on the first train, and reality kicks me in the balls as I realize I have very little time to catch my 3rd train (I have to switch trains twice on the way home). And lo and behold, I get to the 2nd station, and find that they've stopped. I start to walk towards my town, had I known it was only 5 miles, I would have kept walking, but paranoia and desperation lead me to waving for a cab, which gave me a $24 fare. Steve-O and his wallet are not happy with him.
I've told my friends that when we drink from now on for a while, we should buy booze at a convenience store and just hang out in a park or at someone's house.
Other than that, classes have started piling on the hw. My language classes are all in Japanese, and I think I'm boned in my Kanji class. I got bumped up a level, so I have a lot of trouble understanding the teacher.
My birthday's coming up soon, it's in 10 days, I've made the facebook event, but I'm not sure about which day to have it, and whether or not to do all night, all-you-can-drink karaoke or do the mountain thing again. Hopefully with some input, we'll figure this out.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Promising Weekend. Ends Poorly.
Captain's log:
Not much has happened over the past week, had classes and whatnot. I'm irked because I had to drop Japanese geography because I didn't realize it was at the same time as my Japanese cinema class, so I'm going to start taking the Business lectures on tuesday.
I'm on a quest to make more Japanese friends. I love the friends I've made in the exchange, but we just keep speaking English.
Anyway, the weekend started off pretty sweetly. A picnic was organized and nearly all of the exchange students and a bunch of Japanese folk came. We walked up a mountain by the school to a glorious overlook of Kobe. I'd post a picture, but it doesn't do it justice and Sandra has my camera - I'll get to that in a minute.
*edit* picture!
Everyone went and bought food and their own drinks, though I mooched off a lot of people, particularly our token Scottish chick, Julia. She brought a bottle of Soju, which I drank a substantial amount of. At the end of the night, I wandered down the mountain to catch the last train, and I'm AMAZED I didn't get lost. Yay for drunk luck!
Anywho, yesterday was "let's bone Steve-O monetarily" day, which involved checking out an American football game, that was my school vs Nishinomiya (I think). The stadium very much reminded me of highschool. I got a late start on the day, so I show up at the 4th quarter and still have to pay for a $12 ticket (ouch). We spent the rest of the day wandering around Ooji-Koen and Sannomiya, which was fun, and we tried to make it cheap.
Now the fun part. I was supposed to go see Polysics tonight in Sannomiya, but it was sold out, so my friends managed to talk me into going to Club Pure in Sensaibashi. Sensaibashi is a rather sketchy area, you know you're in a good area when you get off the subway and see a sign telling you your not allowed to carry a knife over 5.5cm. And this was definitely a first with being propositioned by a hooker, a she-male hooker, and a Nigerian pimp, and that was before we even got to the club. We finally get there and are some of the first people in. I wish I had known we were going to a club, cause then I wouldn't be the jackass in shorts and messed up hair, but I digress.
The cover charge was the equivalent of $40 ($25 for chicks). At the door they give you a glass, and as long as you hold onto it, it's all-you-can-drink. My friends and I immediately set off to make sure we get our money's worth. (I was rather irked about paying this, but I just recently realized that the concert would have been close to the same price, so not all is lost.) Anywho, so since no one is in the club, the 9 or 10 of us cram into this little grotto and start playing drinking games, and I develop a penchant for gin and ginger ale. The club says they'll confiscate cameras, so I give mine to Ken to put in his bag to put in a locker, that I had Sandra retrieve for me.
Eventually, we're drunk. People have arrived, the club actually played good music (shocker, I know), and we set out dancing. We purposely stay out, because the last train leaves at midnight-ish, and they don't start up again until about 6:00 am, so we're stuck for the night. We all set out dancing and eventually Rika, Cooper, and I decide we need to get out of there. We go grab some McDonalds, drink copious amounts of water, and somehow find our way to a train station. We finally find our way home, struggling not to fall asleep on each other, and I walk in at about 8 am.
By this point, I feel like I've been hit by a dumptruck carrying Sally Struthers. I made some kids laugh this morning when we stopped and asked for directions. They just kinda looked as us funny, so we explain that we had been drinking, so they all look at me (my hair was 7 kinds of messed up), and I say "Boku no tarada wa itai desu," which means "My body hurts." Which it did. I'm sore from dancing and walking so much, I feel ill, and I have a horrific ringing in my ears that I desperately want to go away.
I feel bad, cause my buddy Taiki invited me out tomorrow night, but I've spent too much money and reached my booze quota for the week, so I had to cancel. I'll see him again soon though.
Tomorrow should be good, I enjoy my classes.
Not much has happened over the past week, had classes and whatnot. I'm irked because I had to drop Japanese geography because I didn't realize it was at the same time as my Japanese cinema class, so I'm going to start taking the Business lectures on tuesday.
I'm on a quest to make more Japanese friends. I love the friends I've made in the exchange, but we just keep speaking English.
Anyway, the weekend started off pretty sweetly. A picnic was organized and nearly all of the exchange students and a bunch of Japanese folk came. We walked up a mountain by the school to a glorious overlook of Kobe. I'd post a picture, but it doesn't do it justice and Sandra has my camera - I'll get to that in a minute.
*edit* picture!
Everyone went and bought food and their own drinks, though I mooched off a lot of people, particularly our token Scottish chick, Julia. She brought a bottle of Soju, which I drank a substantial amount of. At the end of the night, I wandered down the mountain to catch the last train, and I'm AMAZED I didn't get lost. Yay for drunk luck!
Anywho, yesterday was "let's bone Steve-O monetarily" day, which involved checking out an American football game, that was my school vs Nishinomiya (I think). The stadium very much reminded me of highschool. I got a late start on the day, so I show up at the 4th quarter and still have to pay for a $12 ticket (ouch). We spent the rest of the day wandering around Ooji-Koen and Sannomiya, which was fun, and we tried to make it cheap.
Now the fun part. I was supposed to go see Polysics tonight in Sannomiya, but it was sold out, so my friends managed to talk me into going to Club Pure in Sensaibashi. Sensaibashi is a rather sketchy area, you know you're in a good area when you get off the subway and see a sign telling you your not allowed to carry a knife over 5.5cm. And this was definitely a first with being propositioned by a hooker, a she-male hooker, and a Nigerian pimp, and that was before we even got to the club. We finally get there and are some of the first people in. I wish I had known we were going to a club, cause then I wouldn't be the jackass in shorts and messed up hair, but I digress.
The cover charge was the equivalent of $40 ($25 for chicks). At the door they give you a glass, and as long as you hold onto it, it's all-you-can-drink. My friends and I immediately set off to make sure we get our money's worth. (I was rather irked about paying this, but I just recently realized that the concert would have been close to the same price, so not all is lost.) Anywho, so since no one is in the club, the 9 or 10 of us cram into this little grotto and start playing drinking games, and I develop a penchant for gin and ginger ale. The club says they'll confiscate cameras, so I give mine to Ken to put in his bag to put in a locker, that I had Sandra retrieve for me.
Eventually, we're drunk. People have arrived, the club actually played good music (shocker, I know), and we set out dancing. We purposely stay out, because the last train leaves at midnight-ish, and they don't start up again until about 6:00 am, so we're stuck for the night. We all set out dancing and eventually Rika, Cooper, and I decide we need to get out of there. We go grab some McDonalds, drink copious amounts of water, and somehow find our way to a train station. We finally find our way home, struggling not to fall asleep on each other, and I walk in at about 8 am.
By this point, I feel like I've been hit by a dumptruck carrying Sally Struthers. I made some kids laugh this morning when we stopped and asked for directions. They just kinda looked as us funny, so we explain that we had been drinking, so they all look at me (my hair was 7 kinds of messed up), and I say "Boku no tarada wa itai desu," which means "My body hurts." Which it did. I'm sore from dancing and walking so much, I feel ill, and I have a horrific ringing in my ears that I desperately want to go away.
I feel bad, cause my buddy Taiki invited me out tomorrow night, but I've spent too much money and reached my booze quota for the week, so I had to cancel. I'll see him again soon though.
Tomorrow should be good, I enjoy my classes.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Stuff!
Captain's log,
Yesterday, we went to Kobe. Apparently my family is much larger than I thought. We went to visit my host brother's brother (other host brother?)'s family in Kobe. I never caught really any names aside from their daughter, Miku. She is about 5 or 6, and the single most adorable child I have ever encountered in my almost 22 years on this planet. She was kind of afraid of me at first, "who's this strange white devil whose head is on fire?" But she warmed up to me eventually. Her older brother was pretty awesome, but her oldest brother was kind of a jerk (though I think he's reached that age where it's cool to hate everyone). It was an interesting family gathering, we went out to a grape orchard and picked and ate a ton of grapes, which apparently is a popular past time, because there were a lot of people there. While Okaasan, and Other-Oniisan and his wife went shopping, Oniisan took the kids and me to McDonalds. McDonalds is similar and different here. Namely, they have this thing called the Ebi Burger, which is basically a shrimp burger. That thing is freaking amazing. 'nuff said.
We eventually get back to the apartment and try to kill time before dinner. Miku, Oniisan, and I started playing Mario Kart on their DSs and got pretty cutthroat. And by pretty I mean we were out for each other's blood (as usual with mario kart). Every time Miku won she got super excited, which was :3. I really wish she was actually related to me.
We eventually got bored and I ended up falling asleep on the couch, later to be woken up to kill another hour before dinner. Other-Oniisan and I watched best of Ichiro (star Japanese player of the Seattle Mariners) and drank. He gave me a beer, then some cocktails, gave me a bottle of liquor, and was disappointed when I was able to out drink him. Finally dinner came around and basically what it was was we put this frying pan in the middle of the table and cooked peppers, mushrooms, eggplant, this weird jelly stuff that's apparently made from potatoes, onions, pork, and KOBE FREAKING BEEF. And yes, it is just as good as it is made out to be. Japanese hospitality is amazing. Afterwards, despite being tired out, we cleaned up, hung around for a bit longer, and then left. On the way out, Other-Oniisan gave me his card and told me if I ever need anything, give him a call, so hooray connections!
On the way home, we stopped at the mega-suspension bridge again, and I tried to take some pictures, but none of them really did it justice. Tis a shame.
And as for today, classes started. I only had two, Japanese and Japanese Culture. Japanese Culture is taught in Japanese, and I fear I may be in over my head, but I'm going to tough it out and see how it goes. So far, not bad, we just watched a movie and the teacher speaks slowly, so I think I should be fine.
Tomorrow, I only have one class, and that's Japanese. So it should be pretty lax.
Overall, a great weekend.
Yesterday, we went to Kobe. Apparently my family is much larger than I thought. We went to visit my host brother's brother (other host brother?)'s family in Kobe. I never caught really any names aside from their daughter, Miku. She is about 5 or 6, and the single most adorable child I have ever encountered in my almost 22 years on this planet. She was kind of afraid of me at first, "who's this strange white devil whose head is on fire?" But she warmed up to me eventually. Her older brother was pretty awesome, but her oldest brother was kind of a jerk (though I think he's reached that age where it's cool to hate everyone). It was an interesting family gathering, we went out to a grape orchard and picked and ate a ton of grapes, which apparently is a popular past time, because there were a lot of people there. While Okaasan, and Other-Oniisan and his wife went shopping, Oniisan took the kids and me to McDonalds. McDonalds is similar and different here. Namely, they have this thing called the Ebi Burger, which is basically a shrimp burger. That thing is freaking amazing. 'nuff said.
We eventually get back to the apartment and try to kill time before dinner. Miku, Oniisan, and I started playing Mario Kart on their DSs and got pretty cutthroat. And by pretty I mean we were out for each other's blood (as usual with mario kart). Every time Miku won she got super excited, which was :3. I really wish she was actually related to me.
We eventually got bored and I ended up falling asleep on the couch, later to be woken up to kill another hour before dinner. Other-Oniisan and I watched best of Ichiro (star Japanese player of the Seattle Mariners) and drank. He gave me a beer, then some cocktails, gave me a bottle of liquor, and was disappointed when I was able to out drink him. Finally dinner came around and basically what it was was we put this frying pan in the middle of the table and cooked peppers, mushrooms, eggplant, this weird jelly stuff that's apparently made from potatoes, onions, pork, and KOBE FREAKING BEEF. And yes, it is just as good as it is made out to be. Japanese hospitality is amazing. Afterwards, despite being tired out, we cleaned up, hung around for a bit longer, and then left. On the way out, Other-Oniisan gave me his card and told me if I ever need anything, give him a call, so hooray connections!
On the way home, we stopped at the mega-suspension bridge again, and I tried to take some pictures, but none of them really did it justice. Tis a shame.
And as for today, classes started. I only had two, Japanese and Japanese Culture. Japanese Culture is taught in Japanese, and I fear I may be in over my head, but I'm going to tough it out and see how it goes. So far, not bad, we just watched a movie and the teacher speaks slowly, so I think I should be fine.
Tomorrow, I only have one class, and that's Japanese. So it should be pretty lax.
Overall, a great weekend.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Best Day Ever
Captain's log:
Yesterday was amazing. Started off with a trip to Himeji Castle, which was epic as hell, then we went to Koko-en Gardens, which were pretty as hell. We ate lunch at a restaurant that was on the top floor of some shops, where I bought the first of the stereotypical souvenirs that I was - a set of chopsticks. After that we went to the longest suspension bridge in the world, which was epic. You couldn't see the end of it. The bus rides were fun, and had some awesome conversation with well, everyone at once.
However, the best part was afterwards. One of the Canadian exchange students, Matt, invited us to a BBQ at his host family's place. IT WAS EPIC. His host-family's loaded. So we get there, there's a cooler full of beer (Guinness too!), bottles of Grand Mariner, Cointreau, and various other liquers. Then, more importantly, MEAT. Tons and tons of sweet, delicious meat. Steak cooked to medium-rare perfectness, smaller bits of beef, yakitori, sausage, CLAM FREAKING CHOWDER, there was also garlic bread, kimchi rice, and various other delectables. They also surprised me by having Blair's After Death sauce, which isn't as powerful as my Ultra Death Sauce (which I brought here), it was still pretty hot, but really tasty. It was the best meal I've had since I've been here, knocked out my meat cravings for a while, too. It was simply amazing. We told Matt that he won. When he asked what he won, I told him "everything, just just win."
After dinner we played Mario Tennis, Mario Kart 64, and Smash Bros (classic, of course).
From the conversations on the bus and at dinner, my friends declared me the most energetic and interesting guy on the exchange :D
Last night was an amazing night, and hopefully the first in a series of goodtimes. This is going to be a great year.
Yesterday was amazing. Started off with a trip to Himeji Castle, which was epic as hell, then we went to Koko-en Gardens, which were pretty as hell. We ate lunch at a restaurant that was on the top floor of some shops, where I bought the first of the stereotypical souvenirs that I was - a set of chopsticks. After that we went to the longest suspension bridge in the world, which was epic. You couldn't see the end of it. The bus rides were fun, and had some awesome conversation with well, everyone at once.
However, the best part was afterwards. One of the Canadian exchange students, Matt, invited us to a BBQ at his host family's place. IT WAS EPIC. His host-family's loaded. So we get there, there's a cooler full of beer (Guinness too!), bottles of Grand Mariner, Cointreau, and various other liquers. Then, more importantly, MEAT. Tons and tons of sweet, delicious meat. Steak cooked to medium-rare perfectness, smaller bits of beef, yakitori, sausage, CLAM FREAKING CHOWDER, there was also garlic bread, kimchi rice, and various other delectables. They also surprised me by having Blair's After Death sauce, which isn't as powerful as my Ultra Death Sauce (which I brought here), it was still pretty hot, but really tasty. It was the best meal I've had since I've been here, knocked out my meat cravings for a while, too. It was simply amazing. We told Matt that he won. When he asked what he won, I told him "everything, just just win."
After dinner we played Mario Tennis, Mario Kart 64, and Smash Bros (classic, of course).
From the conversations on the bus and at dinner, my friends declared me the most energetic and interesting guy on the exchange :D
Last night was an amazing night, and hopefully the first in a series of goodtimes. This is going to be a great year.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Classes Galore
Captain's log,
So we registered for classes today. I was put in a low level Japanese class, like I expected, but that's ok, I need to be retaught the basics anyway. If I do well enough, I can test out of a level and skip ahead.
My other classes are
Japanese Culture
Japanese Linguistics
Japanese Cinema
Japanese Geography
I'm pretty stoked about the geography class, for I was told they take a lot of field trips. I'm excited about the others as well, I really hope the cinema class covers Kurosawa and Miyazake, cause I've never seen films by either. I would very much like to, though.
So we registered for classes today. I was put in a low level Japanese class, like I expected, but that's ok, I need to be retaught the basics anyway. If I do well enough, I can test out of a level and skip ahead.
My other classes are
Japanese Culture
Japanese Linguistics
Japanese Cinema
Japanese Geography
I'm pretty stoked about the geography class, for I was told they take a lot of field trips. I'm excited about the others as well, I really hope the cinema class covers Kurosawa and Miyazake, cause I've never seen films by either. I would very much like to, though.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
One of us! One of us!
Captain's log,
If you are a (non-Asian) foreigner in an Asian country, you will get stared at. A lot. Especially if you happen to be tall and have red hair. I don't mind, I expected it, usually from kids it's one of curiosity, and I don't blame them, I too would probably stare at the strange-looking white-devil if I grew up in a neigh-homogeneous society. Hell, I got stares in America, but here it's a different stare. It's a very unwelcoming, "you're not one of us" kind of stare. I don't get it from everyone, but it is a nearly everyday occurrence. I'll get used to it, and those who see me every day will get used to me, my neighbors already say good morning to me as I walk by, but it's still something that you have to get past.
I've noticed myself standing straighter in this country, like how I stand when I'm dressed up. I think it's a subconscious "Yea, I'm here, I'm awesome, what?" sort of thing. In relation to what I mentioned above, I'm not going to back down, and I'm not going to hide.
On another note, in typical mischievous Steve-O fashion, I've decided I have a new mission while I'm here: I'm going to teach the Japanese folk fun things to say. For science. I want to teach them how to properly use internet slang, such as "lol," "rofl," "woot," "noob," etc, and how to properly use the words "bitchin'" and "tits." Such as, "Dude, these cheese fries are bitchin'" and "That log ride was tits." I'm a bad, bad man.
On another another note, there's a drink company called Suntory, if you've heard of them, it's probably because of their whiskey, which you can find in America. But here in Japan, in addition to whiskey, they make many other drinks. My favorite brand of theirs is Boss. Mostly thanks to Lonely Island's "Like a Boss." There's are these awesome posters for Boss coffee drinks that have Tommy Lee Jones just looking off in the distance like a boss, I'll post a picture when I find one. Also, because of this brand name, I found the best name for a drink ever:
If you are a (non-Asian) foreigner in an Asian country, you will get stared at. A lot. Especially if you happen to be tall and have red hair. I don't mind, I expected it, usually from kids it's one of curiosity, and I don't blame them, I too would probably stare at the strange-looking white-devil if I grew up in a neigh-homogeneous society. Hell, I got stares in America, but here it's a different stare. It's a very unwelcoming, "you're not one of us" kind of stare. I don't get it from everyone, but it is a nearly everyday occurrence. I'll get used to it, and those who see me every day will get used to me, my neighbors already say good morning to me as I walk by, but it's still something that you have to get past.
I've noticed myself standing straighter in this country, like how I stand when I'm dressed up. I think it's a subconscious "Yea, I'm here, I'm awesome, what?" sort of thing. In relation to what I mentioned above, I'm not going to back down, and I'm not going to hide.
On another note, in typical mischievous Steve-O fashion, I've decided I have a new mission while I'm here: I'm going to teach the Japanese folk fun things to say. For science. I want to teach them how to properly use internet slang, such as "lol," "rofl," "woot," "noob," etc, and how to properly use the words "bitchin'" and "tits." Such as, "Dude, these cheese fries are bitchin'" and "That log ride was tits." I'm a bad, bad man.
On another another note, there's a drink company called Suntory, if you've heard of them, it's probably because of their whiskey, which you can find in America. But here in Japan, in addition to whiskey, they make many other drinks. My favorite brand of theirs is Boss. Mostly thanks to Lonely Island's "Like a Boss." There's are these awesome posters for Boss coffee drinks that have Tommy Lee Jones just looking off in the distance like a boss, I'll post a picture when I find one. Also, because of this brand name, I found the best name for a drink ever:
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Happiness Abound
Captain's log:
Today was a day of sitting and smiling. I say this because I was registered as an alien and got my cell phone. Registration is necessary for all foreigners who are staying for longer than 6 weeks, and if you wish to get something like a cell phone. I figured since I'm here for a year, I'll buy a phone with a contract, instead of constantly refilling my minutes. Well that involved negotiating a contract. Fun times galore!
Anywho, beyond that, I tried okonomiyaki for the first time, and it was amazing. Seriously kids, try this, it is a kick in the mouth of all 7 flavors of awesome.
I had insight and cultural comparison, but today has been a long day. When you drop yourself into a culture, and force yourself to learn the language, it exhausts you mentally, leaving you physically tired. I've gone to bed super early (by my standards) every night I've been here. I'm beginning to really like it here though.
Today was a day of sitting and smiling. I say this because I was registered as an alien and got my cell phone. Registration is necessary for all foreigners who are staying for longer than 6 weeks, and if you wish to get something like a cell phone. I figured since I'm here for a year, I'll buy a phone with a contract, instead of constantly refilling my minutes. Well that involved negotiating a contract. Fun times galore!
Anywho, beyond that, I tried okonomiyaki for the first time, and it was amazing. Seriously kids, try this, it is a kick in the mouth of all 7 flavors of awesome.
I had insight and cultural comparison, but today has been a long day. When you drop yourself into a culture, and force yourself to learn the language, it exhausts you mentally, leaving you physically tired. I've gone to bed super early (by my standards) every night I've been here. I'm beginning to really like it here though.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Today was a good day.
Captain's Log,
So, in typical Steve-O fashion, today started off poorly. I woke up extra early (6:40am) so I would be all ready for my first day of school and prepared. Well, despite stereotypes of Japanese punctuality, we end up being 40 minutes late because Okaasan took too long getting ready. So I show up 15 minutes late for the placement test that will determine what level Japanese class I will be put it. I caught up pretty quickly because I wasn't able to answer half of it.
Tony sensei, I know you're reading this, and before you facepalm, remember that there are 6 levels of classes here, the highest being able to take regular classes. So that being said, my abilities are that of a toddler, so I'd expect to be placed in level 1 or 2. Most likely level 2, but we'll see, I hope I'll be put in that level, because by the end of the year, I'll be in 4th level, and I won't have to take 4000 level when I get back to school.
I will also say this, with being here just these few days, I'm already starting to think in Japanese. When I started typing this, my brain kept wanting me to type out Japanese words. So hooray for improvement! On an even better note, which was the best part of today:
I made friends!
These are my Nihongo partners (Nihongo is Japanese for the Japanese language), they volunteered to help us while we are here, and these two - Yuki and Moe (pronounced Mo-eh) are mine. They were very nice and helped me get a 6 month commuter pass for the trains around here. Tomorrow they are going to help me register as a alien, and getting a cell phone.
On top of that, I met some more of the exchange kids. A lot of them are really cool, and they are from everywhere! I had never met a Finn or a Norwegian until today. It's funny how your perspectives change depending on your location/situation. There was this one guy from Texas A&M, who was wearing cowboy boots, the stereotypical massive belt buckle, and a large cowboy hat. In America, I would have shook my head, but here - I found myself saying "hell yeah."
My nihongo partners also invited me out tomorrow, I'm excited. I'm very happy things turned around so quickly. Today was a good day.
So, in typical Steve-O fashion, today started off poorly. I woke up extra early (6:40am) so I would be all ready for my first day of school and prepared. Well, despite stereotypes of Japanese punctuality, we end up being 40 minutes late because Okaasan took too long getting ready. So I show up 15 minutes late for the placement test that will determine what level Japanese class I will be put it. I caught up pretty quickly because I wasn't able to answer half of it.
Tony sensei, I know you're reading this, and before you facepalm, remember that there are 6 levels of classes here, the highest being able to take regular classes. So that being said, my abilities are that of a toddler, so I'd expect to be placed in level 1 or 2. Most likely level 2, but we'll see, I hope I'll be put in that level, because by the end of the year, I'll be in 4th level, and I won't have to take 4000 level when I get back to school.
I will also say this, with being here just these few days, I'm already starting to think in Japanese. When I started typing this, my brain kept wanting me to type out Japanese words. So hooray for improvement! On an even better note, which was the best part of today:
I made friends!
These are my Nihongo partners (Nihongo is Japanese for the Japanese language), they volunteered to help us while we are here, and these two - Yuki and Moe (pronounced Mo-eh) are mine. They were very nice and helped me get a 6 month commuter pass for the trains around here. Tomorrow they are going to help me register as a alien, and getting a cell phone.
On top of that, I met some more of the exchange kids. A lot of them are really cool, and they are from everywhere! I had never met a Finn or a Norwegian until today. It's funny how your perspectives change depending on your location/situation. There was this one guy from Texas A&M, who was wearing cowboy boots, the stereotypical massive belt buckle, and a large cowboy hat. In America, I would have shook my head, but here - I found myself saying "hell yeah."
My nihongo partners also invited me out tomorrow, I'm excited. I'm very happy things turned around so quickly. Today was a good day.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Something Unexpected
Captain's Log,
I'll try and make this the last of the sad posts.
Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy that I'm here, but I'm currently suffering from something that I really didn't expect - the crushing loneliness. I have a very hard time looking at pictures of/talking to my friends on facebook without tearing up. There's really no one here I can talk to.
I want to show these people that I'm a happy cauldron of energy, and that I can barely contain the excited-ness I have for being in their country, but I have no real way of conveying that. And that hurts. A lot. Instead I feel like a bit of a sideshow. I get a lot of stares, but I just smile and bow at them, usually gets a positive response.
I don't really miss home, I miss what's going on at home (Athens), and more importantly I miss my friends. New ones await, but goddammit, I wish that would hurry up. Aside from joining social circles, I'm not really sure how to make friends here, especially since I can't really talk - yet.
It'll just take time adjusting and trying new things. I knew it would be rough at first, but I vastly underestimated it.
I still feel tired, I'm trying to relax, but that's difficult. A beer and a massage would do the trick, but I currently have access to neither. Sleep does an ok job, but my mattress is rock hard, so there's another thing that'll take getting used to.
Happenings today, my host brother got my internet working, I just hope it doesn't overshadow my interactions with my family. Okaasan (what I'll be referring to my host-mother as from now on) and I went out to lunch, which was next to this Germanic building that had all of these neat plants and gardening things, along with handmade trinkets. Okaasan found it funny that I had never had umeboshi (pickled plums) and onigiri (rice balls) before, and that I can't eat natto (fermented soybeans) because it smells too bad.
Last night, Okaasan's daughter called, she's living in Holland with her boyfriend, we spoke and it was nice to be able to speak English with someone. I know, I know, I'm here to speak Japanese, but it still felt nice.
I'll try and make this the last of the sad posts.
Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy that I'm here, but I'm currently suffering from something that I really didn't expect - the crushing loneliness. I have a very hard time looking at pictures of/talking to my friends on facebook without tearing up. There's really no one here I can talk to.
I want to show these people that I'm a happy cauldron of energy, and that I can barely contain the excited-ness I have for being in their country, but I have no real way of conveying that. And that hurts. A lot. Instead I feel like a bit of a sideshow. I get a lot of stares, but I just smile and bow at them, usually gets a positive response.
I don't really miss home, I miss what's going on at home (Athens), and more importantly I miss my friends. New ones await, but goddammit, I wish that would hurry up. Aside from joining social circles, I'm not really sure how to make friends here, especially since I can't really talk - yet.
It'll just take time adjusting and trying new things. I knew it would be rough at first, but I vastly underestimated it.
I still feel tired, I'm trying to relax, but that's difficult. A beer and a massage would do the trick, but I currently have access to neither. Sleep does an ok job, but my mattress is rock hard, so there's another thing that'll take getting used to.
Happenings today, my host brother got my internet working, I just hope it doesn't overshadow my interactions with my family. Okaasan (what I'll be referring to my host-mother as from now on) and I went out to lunch, which was next to this Germanic building that had all of these neat plants and gardening things, along with handmade trinkets. Okaasan found it funny that I had never had umeboshi (pickled plums) and onigiri (rice balls) before, and that I can't eat natto (fermented soybeans) because it smells too bad.
Last night, Okaasan's daughter called, she's living in Holland with her boyfriend, we spoke and it was nice to be able to speak English with someone. I know, I know, I'm here to speak Japanese, but it still felt nice.
Entry for Today
Captain's Log:
I feel much better today, but still overwhelmed.
I could use some more sleep, and I still haven't gotten that beer....
I'm gonna explore my neighborhood today, I'll report back with pictures.
I feel much better today, but still overwhelmed.
I could use some more sleep, and I still haven't gotten that beer....
I'm gonna explore my neighborhood today, I'll report back with pictures.
Entry for yesterday
Captain's Log:
I was fine until today. I didn’t quite realize just how bad my ability to communicate in this language was. I met my host mother today, and I can barely communicate with her. She seems nice, but I feel bad and embarrassed that I can’t understand what she’s saying. I’m exhausted physically and mentally, trying to think of words is a chore. I’ve never been this unsure of myself. I’m horribly boned for the placement test.
I know fear now. I’m scared. I’ve never been this scared before. I feel utterly alone, and unable to do anything. I know this will pass, but it’s searing into me right now. Not to mention I also feel physically ill, I’ve been light-headed for most of the day, and nausea’s starting to kick in. I just want to sleep.
I lost my colloquial Kansai book on the bus from the airport to the meeting place. I’m mad about this, but I’ll just order another I guess. I met the other exchange students and I wonder how they’re doing, and if they’re in as much trouble as I am.
I want a beer, and I want to sleep.
Just so this entry isn’t all frowns, at the airport yesterday, I walked by a family that had a little girl that couldn’t have been older than 4 or 5. As I walked past, I saw her face light up – she had never seen a redhead before. That made me smile.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Travels abound
Captain's log:
Finally made it to Osaka. Now I have to get up super early so I can get on a bus to go back to the airport, then get on another bus to go to the opposite end of the city.
On the flight over, I came to the stark realization that I vastly underestimated the size of this country. Tokyo is beyond enormous, as is the rest of the country. Pictures will ensue, but I'm lazy.
Also, I've noticed that every foreigner I've seen is either an overweight white guy, or a huge black guy. Every black dude I've seen here is jacked, at least 6'5", or both. I don't understand.
I'd like to thank this entry for it's lack of insight or political correctness.
Finally made it to Osaka. Now I have to get up super early so I can get on a bus to go back to the airport, then get on another bus to go to the opposite end of the city.
On the flight over, I came to the stark realization that I vastly underestimated the size of this country. Tokyo is beyond enormous, as is the rest of the country. Pictures will ensue, but I'm lazy.
Also, I've noticed that every foreigner I've seen is either an overweight white guy, or a huge black guy. Every black dude I've seen here is jacked, at least 6'5", or both. I don't understand.
I'd like to thank this entry for it's lack of insight or political correctness.
Phase 1 - Infiltration - Complete
Captain's log,
I'm here, I'm really here. I haven't felt this giddy since the first time I moved to Athens.
My plane left Atlanta around 2:00pm. I was fortunate enough to get first class, but unfortunate enough to not sleep at all on the flight. So 15 hours later I land in Tokyo, wearing a 3-piece suit, and carrying around 70lbs of luggage.
The Japanese have these cameras that monitor your temperature as you walk past, to check if you're sick or not, and miraculously I went through with no hassle, despite that I was roasting.
I get a cart and my bags, and waltz through customs. By this point, I'm exhausted and just want to sleep, but I still have to get to my hotel. The flight crews helped me out tremendously, since we were all headed to the same hotel, I just jumped on their bus.
Finally I get here, have little hassle checking in, and finally get my shower. I went down to the lobby to see if there was a restaurant or anything, and find a sports bar. I order some fried calamari, which was delicious, and never before have I been so happy to see Guinness.
It's now about 8:00am, I've been awake for an hour, and now begins my hunt for breakfast. I'll leave you with an image that gave me goosebumps.
I'm here, I'm really here. I haven't felt this giddy since the first time I moved to Athens.
My plane left Atlanta around 2:00pm. I was fortunate enough to get first class, but unfortunate enough to not sleep at all on the flight. So 15 hours later I land in Tokyo, wearing a 3-piece suit, and carrying around 70lbs of luggage.
The Japanese have these cameras that monitor your temperature as you walk past, to check if you're sick or not, and miraculously I went through with no hassle, despite that I was roasting.
I get a cart and my bags, and waltz through customs. By this point, I'm exhausted and just want to sleep, but I still have to get to my hotel. The flight crews helped me out tremendously, since we were all headed to the same hotel, I just jumped on their bus.
Finally I get here, have little hassle checking in, and finally get my shower. I went down to the lobby to see if there was a restaurant or anything, and find a sports bar. I order some fried calamari, which was delicious, and never before have I been so happy to see Guinness.
It's now about 8:00am, I've been awake for an hour, and now begins my hunt for breakfast. I'll leave you with an image that gave me goosebumps.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
New beginnings
Captain's log:
Let me introduce myself for a bit. My name is Steve, I'm a 21 year old senior at the University of Georgia in Athens, GA. My major is Japanese, and my hobbies include music, books, movies, general geekery/nerdlery, and long walks on the beach. When I was in kindergarten or first grade, we had "culture week/month," where we learned about a new country everyday. This is not only where my interest in geography started to bud, but also I learned of a tiny island nation called Japan. I immediately became enamored with the country, and have tried to learn much about it's culture, history, people, and language. As time went on, I was always dismayed when I arrived at a new school and Japanese was not offered as a class. Finally, upon my arrival to college, I had my opportunity to take Japanese. Being the only thing that truly interested me, I not only took classes, I majored in it. Now, I finally get to achieve one of my dreams of going to this seemingly mystical, far-off land. And this blog will server as my chronicling of my adventures and journey.
I've got my visa, my bags packed, my ticket, and I leave in 11 hours.
Let me introduce myself for a bit. My name is Steve, I'm a 21 year old senior at the University of Georgia in Athens, GA. My major is Japanese, and my hobbies include music, books, movies, general geekery/nerdlery, and long walks on the beach. When I was in kindergarten or first grade, we had "culture week/month," where we learned about a new country everyday. This is not only where my interest in geography started to bud, but also I learned of a tiny island nation called Japan. I immediately became enamored with the country, and have tried to learn much about it's culture, history, people, and language. As time went on, I was always dismayed when I arrived at a new school and Japanese was not offered as a class. Finally, upon my arrival to college, I had my opportunity to take Japanese. Being the only thing that truly interested me, I not only took classes, I majored in it. Now, I finally get to achieve one of my dreams of going to this seemingly mystical, far-off land. And this blog will server as my chronicling of my adventures and journey.
I've got my visa, my bags packed, my ticket, and I leave in 11 hours.
I can’t really describe how I feel. I’m not anxious, I’m not sad, I’m not really all that excited. I’m in a state of disbelief. I felt somber after leaving Athens for the last time, but that faded. I feel like I'm letting my friends down by not being there this year. They've done so much for me, and I don't think they'll ever realize how much I'd be willing to do for them. I don't like that I have to miss out on so much, but it's a necessary evil. I'm a Japanese major, if I'm not fluent, I'm a failure. I'll have a blast, I'll make sure of that. But I can't help but feel selfish about that.
I’ve got everything in order. I’ve had to take some things out of my bags because they were too heavy. My backpack weighs 30 freaking pounds. I’m just …ready. I even ate all the food I won't get much of there, I've had fried chicken, krispy kreme, steak, cheesecake, ben & jerry's, southern comfort, my last guinness 250. Nom.
One more step towards conquering the world, I ‘spose.
I've got everything under control, but once I get there, I know I'm going to have trouble getting to the hotel, then back to the hotel, then to my plane to Osaka, then to another hotel, then to the meeting area to finally meet my host family.
My host family is a 69 year old woman and her 41 year old son. I hope and pray that he's not an Otaku, and that she won't see my purpose of being there is to do chores. I feel my host family could either be awesome or terrible. Only time will tell.
In the meantime, here's the theme song to my exit:
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