As I'm writing this, it's 5:20pm and the sun is going down. There are three school girls in uniform chatting it up and laughing on the street under my window. I no longer have to worry as much about getting home before dark because I just bought a used bike today for 5000yen ($61USD). You can outride the crazies so it's well worth the money.
Saturday
I prepared myself the night before to study hard on saturday in order to change to a harder class, but I slept in until noon and even missed the mochi pounding event/farmer's market. Oh well! The farmer's market is held every 2 weeks so I'll check it out next time. I studied 3-4 chapters successfully but then gave in to the great entertainment that is Japanese television. I watched a zoo show, where they show cute animal videos sent in by viewers ala America's Funniest Home Videos, but there's also a segment about a chimpanzee named Pan-kun. He wears overalls that match the host's, and he's visited by celebrities in his treehouse. Also, a special on Kyoto winter pickles which was fantastic. My friend KM drove in from Nagoya which isn't too far away. We went out to an izakaya which is a bar type place where you usually sit on the floor at low tables and eat the Japanese equivalent of tapas.
Snow was falling outside so it was a very good environment.
As we were leaving one of the waitresses came up and started talking to me. I didn't understand much of what she was saying, but apparently she wanted to shake my hand and talk to me. She didn't usually see foreign girls and Japanese guys together. At least that's what I think she said... I looked at KM and he didn't really know how to translate.
Got a movie rental card at Tsutaya. "I Love You, Phillip Morris" was already on the rental shelves even though it's still in theaters in America... Don't know why.
Watched Cellular again and a DVD of my favorite Japanese show: The World of Golden Eggs.
Sunday
Okonomiyaki restaurant. I could hardly eat half, my stomach is still getting used to Japan again.
The snow was falling heavily. Met some of my neighbors.
Attempted studying. Decided (with some prompting from the creators) that I should just chill in this class and review for a while. Whole-heartedly agree.
Monday
Had second day of classes. Snow was falling on and off all day. Bought a chicken with tartar sauce bentou. MMMMM so good.
Made pasta with a friend. Was delicious.
Also feel cool knowing that Jazz is from my country.
Tuesday
Almost passed out in class due to being sick/exhausted. Spent most of the day sleeping in the infirmary. Missed lunch so I bought a half-priced! bentou. After that, studied in a vacant classroom with some new friends. I love all the books in the little library they have, but we're not allowed to take them out? WHAT. I want to read for once and you want to deny me that. You cruel bastards! So I read a little bit in there everyday.
I also was able to semi-successfully remake the pasta my friend made last night with the left over half ingredients.
Wednesday (Today)
Felt a lot better today and had a pretty good time in class.
Did some reading, and like I said at the beginning of the post, bought a bike. I told the lady I'd pay her 4000, and she nodded and agreed "Sure, sure, absolutely. Oh, this one should be fine. It runs really smoothly. It's easy to ride right?"
I tried it out and it was fine. A blue bike with a front basket and a back rack. I handed her my 5000 and she gave me the registration certificate. I asked about the change. Apparently I get my 1000 back once I sell the bike back. All right. She scraped off the previous owner's name, oiled the attached bike lock, and I was good to go.
Looked for the Art Museum but no luck today. Came upon a craft shop and a book off (Book Off is a chain used book/cd/games store). They were having a 105yen comic book sale. Thankfully my lack of money helped me out. And also the fact that if I spent it I might not be able to eat tomorrow.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Thursday and Friday: to the grocer's then the mall
Thursday
I woke up late at noon with my brain in a sick vice grip. After some online prompting from the older sister, I suited up and trudged up to the supermarket, which is past the cemetery, past the boys school, a right at the hair salon and UP UP UP the hill. I needed fruit. FRUIT. Such a wonderful thing. And expensive thing, but worth every yen.
On my way I was getting super tired and had to take a break and lean on the fence that divided the sidewalk and the street. I think I must've been breathing heavy, because the boys in their red track suits passing by were looking back at me funny and saying "Is she okay?..." hahaha
I was considering buying some chirimenjako, which are boiled/dried baby sardines (not at all as gross as they sound!) which my host mother prepared for me last summer after I told her I was lactose intolerant (these little guys are chock full of calcium!). I was wary about how to cook them, and whether or not I had to cook them at all... so I left that for another day. The bentou (premade lunches) were the best option, with chicken and rolled egg and potato salad... and always a little bit of spaghetti. I'm still trying to figure out why spaghetti is so damn popular, especially in breakfast sets.
After I had paid for my things, I went to the bagging counter (in most supermarkets/100 yen type stores, they put all of your things in a basket, then you go and bag them yourself, probably for efficiency's sake. It makes sense), and all they had were scrappy little plastic nothings. Not anywhere big enough for me to carry my groceries home in (note to everyone: always bring an eco bag). I scanned the area with the classic "I'm a foreigner I have no clue what to do" panic face, and a nice lady said she had bought an extra plastic bag by accident (apparently you buy your bags for 5 yen/10 cents while you buy everything else) and gave it to me. I'm always impressed by the insane amount of kindness that the Japanese dole out to foreigners. I couldn't be more grateful for it. Also! they are a very ecological society. The buying your plastic bags ecotrend (and hopefully a permanent one) has taken off in parts of Europe and in Japan as far as I know... I don't think it has in America, at least not in St. Louis. If you know otherwise, leave a comment!
The Japanese are very specific when it comes to recycling... at our new student orientation we got a 10 page packet in English all about how to sort your recycling/burnable trash. I'm still afraid to put out my trash in case I do something wrong. Apparently if you sort your recycling wrong, you ruin everything! And you will cause the city a lot of trouble.... at least that's what they say. So naturally I'm a little hesitant.
I returned home to eat and study (the bentou was amaaazzinggg). Napped for a few hours then did my homework. So exciting, I know.
Friday
Woke up at 8:15, was meeting K at 8:20 outside my apartment. Made a record dash- getting dressed while making toast on the gas stove. It was actually pretty rewarding. Slap some peanut butter on that and you're done.
We walked and talked. K is great about talking only in Japanese. A lot of the other students aren't so much. They're all fine people, but the truth is I need to become fluent... The worry in the back of my mind is falling into a gaijin (foreigner) bubble, where my Japanese will remain so-so, which a few friends already warned me of. So I have to make mostly Japanese friends. All right.
We got to the lobby of the school and we looked for our listing. I got into 102, K into 201. We said goodbye, but not a sad one at all. It's a really small school.
My class consisted of 4 Americans, 1 Australian, 2 Taiwanese, 3 Chinese Mainlanders and 1 Mexican.
Not bad diversity at all.
The teacher SC told us of all the events going on... the saturday farmer's market, the children events, and the English/foreign language buddies event which I'll sign up for.
We went through some language drills...etc etc Kanji quiz, etc etc
H sensei then came in and we did some more.
The Mexican artist and I were the only new students in the class.
The class as a whole had a good feeling around it.
We had lunch, met some new peeps- ladies from England, an Australian and a guy from Belgium.
After buying books, half the school was chilling in the lobby. I met a guy from Norway named L, and he invited me to chill with his crew at his host family's bakery. Per his instruction I found them there in a back table, already chilling with tea, cakes and little glasses of plum wine. Needless to say I was impressed. A lot of them were Taiwanese, so the table conversations consisted of mixed mandarin, English and Japanese. They told me to go up and order, so I picked out the chocolate cake with cream and strawberries. All the cakes looked delicious, though. There was chestnut flavored, chocolate with a gold leaf garnish... the Japanese are serious about their confections. His host mom had made them all.
They made room for me at the little table- there were already six of them there. We all talked for a good 3 hours or so. The walls were lined with crafts- the bakery doubled as a goods store. We then headed over to Aeon mall for dinner (since I don't have a bike yet, I rode on the back of Kid's bike). Kid (her nickname here) is from Taiwan and roughly 3 inches shorter than I am. I held on tight and was a little freaked, but it was exciting! The back seat is a small metal frame, so when we crossed over anything, I felt it. It was lovely to watch the moon!
We got there without a hitch. We ate at an omelette rice place and met up with some more students (Hong Kong, Canada/Mainlander). We did some shopping. Pillow, stationary, etc.
Got to listen to one of Ayumi Hamasaki's new songs (Love Song). It's really lovely (check it out, Shelly).
In the make up aisles at Jusco, after I saw some schoolgirls laughing at it, I discovered fake facial hair. For 30USD, you too, can be as cool as Ken Watanabe.
My new friends dropped me off at my apartment. Watched a special about how not sleeping has some appeal to the Japanese, because it shows you "are doing your best". A sleep specialist explained the amount of sleep you actually need. He put it in the 6-7 hour range.
The host asked the specialist "How much do YOU sleep?"
Specialist: "Four hours."
I woke up late at noon with my brain in a sick vice grip. After some online prompting from the older sister, I suited up and trudged up to the supermarket, which is past the cemetery, past the boys school, a right at the hair salon and UP UP UP the hill. I needed fruit. FRUIT. Such a wonderful thing. And expensive thing, but worth every yen.
On my way I was getting super tired and had to take a break and lean on the fence that divided the sidewalk and the street. I think I must've been breathing heavy, because the boys in their red track suits passing by were looking back at me funny and saying "Is she okay?..." hahaha
I was considering buying some chirimenjako, which are boiled/dried baby sardines (not at all as gross as they sound!) which my host mother prepared for me last summer after I told her I was lactose intolerant (these little guys are chock full of calcium!). I was wary about how to cook them, and whether or not I had to cook them at all... so I left that for another day. The bentou (premade lunches) were the best option, with chicken and rolled egg and potato salad... and always a little bit of spaghetti. I'm still trying to figure out why spaghetti is so damn popular, especially in breakfast sets.
After I had paid for my things, I went to the bagging counter (in most supermarkets/100 yen type stores, they put all of your things in a basket, then you go and bag them yourself, probably for efficiency's sake. It makes sense), and all they had were scrappy little plastic nothings. Not anywhere big enough for me to carry my groceries home in (note to everyone: always bring an eco bag). I scanned the area with the classic "I'm a foreigner I have no clue what to do" panic face, and a nice lady said she had bought an extra plastic bag by accident (apparently you buy your bags for 5 yen/10 cents while you buy everything else) and gave it to me. I'm always impressed by the insane amount of kindness that the Japanese dole out to foreigners. I couldn't be more grateful for it. Also! they are a very ecological society. The buying your plastic bags ecotrend (and hopefully a permanent one) has taken off in parts of Europe and in Japan as far as I know... I don't think it has in America, at least not in St. Louis. If you know otherwise, leave a comment!
The Japanese are very specific when it comes to recycling... at our new student orientation we got a 10 page packet in English all about how to sort your recycling/burnable trash. I'm still afraid to put out my trash in case I do something wrong. Apparently if you sort your recycling wrong, you ruin everything! And you will cause the city a lot of trouble.... at least that's what they say. So naturally I'm a little hesitant.
I returned home to eat and study (the bentou was amaaazzinggg). Napped for a few hours then did my homework. So exciting, I know.
Friday
Woke up at 8:15, was meeting K at 8:20 outside my apartment. Made a record dash- getting dressed while making toast on the gas stove. It was actually pretty rewarding. Slap some peanut butter on that and you're done.
We walked and talked. K is great about talking only in Japanese. A lot of the other students aren't so much. They're all fine people, but the truth is I need to become fluent... The worry in the back of my mind is falling into a gaijin (foreigner) bubble, where my Japanese will remain so-so, which a few friends already warned me of. So I have to make mostly Japanese friends. All right.
We got to the lobby of the school and we looked for our listing. I got into 102, K into 201. We said goodbye, but not a sad one at all. It's a really small school.
My class consisted of 4 Americans, 1 Australian, 2 Taiwanese, 3 Chinese Mainlanders and 1 Mexican.
Not bad diversity at all.
The teacher SC told us of all the events going on... the saturday farmer's market, the children events, and the English/foreign language buddies event which I'll sign up for.
We went through some language drills...etc etc Kanji quiz, etc etc
H sensei then came in and we did some more.
The Mexican artist and I were the only new students in the class.
The class as a whole had a good feeling around it.
We had lunch, met some new peeps- ladies from England, an Australian and a guy from Belgium.
After buying books, half the school was chilling in the lobby. I met a guy from Norway named L, and he invited me to chill with his crew at his host family's bakery. Per his instruction I found them there in a back table, already chilling with tea, cakes and little glasses of plum wine. Needless to say I was impressed. A lot of them were Taiwanese, so the table conversations consisted of mixed mandarin, English and Japanese. They told me to go up and order, so I picked out the chocolate cake with cream and strawberries. All the cakes looked delicious, though. There was chestnut flavored, chocolate with a gold leaf garnish... the Japanese are serious about their confections. His host mom had made them all.
They made room for me at the little table- there were already six of them there. We all talked for a good 3 hours or so. The walls were lined with crafts- the bakery doubled as a goods store. We then headed over to Aeon mall for dinner (since I don't have a bike yet, I rode on the back of Kid's bike). Kid (her nickname here) is from Taiwan and roughly 3 inches shorter than I am. I held on tight and was a little freaked, but it was exciting! The back seat is a small metal frame, so when we crossed over anything, I felt it. It was lovely to watch the moon!
We got there without a hitch. We ate at an omelette rice place and met up with some more students (Hong Kong, Canada/Mainlander). We did some shopping. Pillow, stationary, etc.
Got to listen to one of Ayumi Hamasaki's new songs (Love Song). It's really lovely (check it out, Shelly).
In the make up aisles at Jusco, after I saw some schoolgirls laughing at it, I discovered fake facial hair. For 30USD, you too, can be as cool as Ken Watanabe.
My new friends dropped me off at my apartment. Watched a special about how not sleeping has some appeal to the Japanese, because it shows you "are doing your best". A sleep specialist explained the amount of sleep you actually need. He put it in the 6-7 hour range.
The host asked the specialist "How much do YOU sleep?"
Specialist: "Four hours."
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Tiger Mask: Anonymous Do-Gooder Strikes Japan
This is also probably a rough draft. I'll be honest with everyone, I want to write here as much as possible, but am usually a slug about these things.
Let's see how it goes.
Today to the sound of 7 alarms (within 10 minutes courtesy of American phone and Japanese phone) I woke up early again (yes, again! to my friends and acquaintances, truly this is a shock! My new early-morning lifestyle is, dare I say it, growing on me). Ramen was the breakfast of choice because there was no choice. Watched some Japanese news. A murder happened in Tokyo the other night and it has been plastered all over the news... hopefully they find the guy! (No worries, I am no where near Tokyo).
Walked to Yamasa, we had a small entrance ceremony (names, introductions, a small speech). The woman in charge talked to us (in Japanese) and told us how winter is a great time to study all the time because no one wants to go outside, "so study hard and don't party!". A lot of the people (especially the older women) I've met in Japan have a good humor about them, know how to joke and make light of things. It's really comforting to have that surrounding me!
After the tiny ceremony we all took the placement test. It wasn't so bad but near the end I pretty much left the more advanced half blank. Accompanied with drawings, the teacher wrote "Give up, okay!" for students that couldn't understand the test.
From there I went directly to the interview test, and had a few successes and a lot of shippai (failure). Again, they're not sure where to place me because my vocabulary and communication skills are fairly good, but they more or less told me that I sucked at grammar, which I agree with. They gave me some homework so I can try and reach 201 level before friday so I can be in that class.
Had some time before the English orientation, so I went to the on campus cafe Kitsutsuki (woodpecker).
There I met another new Yamasa student (first one!). She let me sit down with her and we talked in Japanglish. She's from Thailand (let's call her K), and 31 years old, but doesn't look it. Her accent made it a little difficult to understand her Japanese, but she's very kind. I ordered some Omaraisu (rice cooked with ketchup inside of a rolled egg) yummm. We went and checked out the library which is small but not bad at all. K explained to me the news that was on the cafe tv. Someone under the guise of Tiger Mask (a 1960s Japanese comic book character) anonymously left big boxes full of school supplies and envelopes full of money outside of school offices in one city. That has received just as much coverage as the bad news.
English orientation, took a tour blah blah blha
ran into K after daiso went to conbini blah blah blah
i need to sleep i'm done with this entry.
P.S. I don't know, if anybody has any questions about life in Japan, Japanese things in general, what your mom eats for breakfast, just ask!
Let's see how it goes.
Today to the sound of 7 alarms (within 10 minutes courtesy of American phone and Japanese phone) I woke up early again (yes, again! to my friends and acquaintances, truly this is a shock! My new early-morning lifestyle is, dare I say it, growing on me). Ramen was the breakfast of choice because there was no choice. Watched some Japanese news. A murder happened in Tokyo the other night and it has been plastered all over the news... hopefully they find the guy! (No worries, I am no where near Tokyo).
Walked to Yamasa, we had a small entrance ceremony (names, introductions, a small speech). The woman in charge talked to us (in Japanese) and told us how winter is a great time to study all the time because no one wants to go outside, "so study hard and don't party!". A lot of the people (especially the older women) I've met in Japan have a good humor about them, know how to joke and make light of things. It's really comforting to have that surrounding me!
After the tiny ceremony we all took the placement test. It wasn't so bad but near the end I pretty much left the more advanced half blank. Accompanied with drawings, the teacher wrote "Give up, okay!" for students that couldn't understand the test.
From there I went directly to the interview test, and had a few successes and a lot of shippai (failure). Again, they're not sure where to place me because my vocabulary and communication skills are fairly good, but they more or less told me that I sucked at grammar, which I agree with. They gave me some homework so I can try and reach 201 level before friday so I can be in that class.
Had some time before the English orientation, so I went to the on campus cafe Kitsutsuki (woodpecker).
There I met another new Yamasa student (first one!). She let me sit down with her and we talked in Japanglish. She's from Thailand (let's call her K), and 31 years old, but doesn't look it. Her accent made it a little difficult to understand her Japanese, but she's very kind. I ordered some Omaraisu (rice cooked with ketchup inside of a rolled egg) yummm. We went and checked out the library which is small but not bad at all. K explained to me the news that was on the cafe tv. Someone under the guise of Tiger Mask (a 1960s Japanese comic book character) anonymously left big boxes full of school supplies and envelopes full of money outside of school offices in one city. That has received just as much coverage as the bad news.
English orientation, took a tour blah blah blha
ran into K after daiso went to conbini blah blah blah
i need to sleep i'm done with this entry.
P.S. I don't know, if anybody has any questions about life in Japan, Japanese things in general, what your mom eats for breakfast, just ask!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
days 2-4
Jan. 9th
Went to Nagoya and did some sightseeing with my penpal.
Went to a pizza place, was pretty yum. They had a legit pizza oven.
Unfortunately I got sick during that, so I had a nice sightseeing tour of Nagoya's cafe bathrooms as well (Jetlag, you jerk).
Since I wasn't feeling so hot, we rode in an ecoCab which was fun (and free, surprisingly) back to the parking place.
I guess it's a new thing, because everyone on the sidewalk was staring as we passed by in it.
I asked my friend why it was free, and he looked at me and said "Because it's eco, of course."
danngg
Jan. 10th
But besides that,
I have been walking around town and getting my apartment set up.
Saw No Country for Old Men, finally. Was amazed. Also my friend showed me the game Monster Hunter, which is made by the same people who did Animal Crossing (fav rpg game of all time), I believe. If you can, check it out. I don't know if it's out in America or anywhere else yet. Let me know!
Also, bought a Casio EX-word electric dictionary. Mecha benri. It even has whole books in it! Like Pride and Prejudice, and Japanese books as well. :O
Jan. 11th
Today visited Yamasa's info office, which is seriously the chillest place. Incense, soft-spoken secretary, nature/relaxation music. ~love it~ I went there to rent a cell phone. It was all good but found that I couldn't use a credit card, so I had a nice adventure around in the chilly sunny-skied winter weather. Discovered that they have atms at post offices too. Wayyyy benri (convenient).
Here in Japan, customer service is key. They treat you so well and always are willing to help you out.
They'll come out from behind the counter, bring you to the atm themselves and show you what's up.
Considering that Japanese is not my first language, this is a huge help.
Returned and got my Japanese cellphone at last. It's a cute, slim, white thing.
When I returned to the info office, there was a little Japanese boy and his mom who had just arrived. They were a host family waiting for their student. The little boy was running around saying in english "shitshitshitshitshit shittt ahaha"
His mom laughed and apologized that he had learned a new bad word from a foreign movie. I told her it was probably American and asked the little boy from which movie he had learned that bad word. He just threw his head up and "ahahahahaha"'d. As he should've.
Poor Japanese elementary school boys. They wear shorts with their uniform even in winter. I don't know how they stand it!
Speaking of, I got the ol' "I don't trust you" stink eye from one at a crosswalk. He shifted away in the opposite direction and stared ahead.
Tomorrow is the placement test and entrance ceremony. Time to study!
Went to Nagoya and did some sightseeing with my penpal.
Went to a pizza place, was pretty yum. They had a legit pizza oven.
Unfortunately I got sick during that, so I had a nice sightseeing tour of Nagoya's cafe bathrooms as well (Jetlag, you jerk).
Since I wasn't feeling so hot, we rode in an ecoCab which was fun (and free, surprisingly) back to the parking place.
I guess it's a new thing, because everyone on the sidewalk was staring as we passed by in it.
I asked my friend why it was free, and he looked at me and said "Because it's eco, of course."
danngg
Jan. 10th
But besides that,
I have been walking around town and getting my apartment set up.
Saw No Country for Old Men, finally. Was amazed. Also my friend showed me the game Monster Hunter, which is made by the same people who did Animal Crossing (fav rpg game of all time), I believe. If you can, check it out. I don't know if it's out in America or anywhere else yet. Let me know!
Also, bought a Casio EX-word electric dictionary. Mecha benri. It even has whole books in it! Like Pride and Prejudice, and Japanese books as well. :O
Jan. 11th
Today visited Yamasa's info office, which is seriously the chillest place. Incense, soft-spoken secretary, nature/relaxation music. ~love it~ I went there to rent a cell phone. It was all good but found that I couldn't use a credit card, so I had a nice adventure around in the chilly sunny-skied winter weather. Discovered that they have atms at post offices too. Wayyyy benri (convenient).
Here in Japan, customer service is key. They treat you so well and always are willing to help you out.
They'll come out from behind the counter, bring you to the atm themselves and show you what's up.
Considering that Japanese is not my first language, this is a huge help.
Returned and got my Japanese cellphone at last. It's a cute, slim, white thing.
When I returned to the info office, there was a little Japanese boy and his mom who had just arrived. They were a host family waiting for their student. The little boy was running around saying in english "shitshitshitshitshit shittt ahaha"
His mom laughed and apologized that he had learned a new bad word from a foreign movie. I told her it was probably American and asked the little boy from which movie he had learned that bad word. He just threw his head up and "ahahahahaha"'d. As he should've.
Poor Japanese elementary school boys. They wear shorts with their uniform even in winter. I don't know how they stand it!
Speaking of, I got the ol' "I don't trust you" stink eye from one at a crosswalk. He shifted away in the opposite direction and stared ahead.
Tomorrow is the placement test and entrance ceremony. Time to study!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
First day
A rough, rough, roughhh draft. Too tired to flesh it out just yet. A lot happened today.
I'll fix it up soon!
Last night I arrived in Okazaki to start my new life. This sense of freedom is... it's really nice. I've already attempted to cook (convenient store onigiri for breakfast... it froze during the night because my heater didn't work). Cooking as in... trying to heat it up sans microwave. A mild success.
Now that I'm on my own for the first time in my own place, it's feels easier to take charge of things.
frozen night
stars outside window
7:30 wake up
walk around okazaki, wanted to go to daiso hyaku en shop, nothing open yet
got to swing in the park early in the morning
went to a cafe named machimi, got to touch/play an otomatone talked with mama-san, master-san, and pu-san, lady thought i was fifteen.
despite it being winter, most of the foliage is still green
in each little lake (there are quite few) there is a pair of swans. I looked at them for a while,
and as I walked along the sidewalk next to the lake, the swan would swim along side me. glide glide glide booosh, glide glide glide
if I stopped the swan would do a 360
there were two folks fishing, one of which was wearing high-heeled rain boots.
I then went to the now-open book store, which consisted mostly of magazines and manga from what I could tell. Porn was openly displayed in some aisles, it was kind of shocking to see... especially since it's all drawn
then went to daiso hyaku en shop.
bought most of my apartment essentials there for under 5000 yen.
Things are really reasonably priced here... not expensive at all.
very cold here
walked through cemetary near apartment, saw some little birds
saw kamen cider in vending machine
nakane-san, the man who looks like a kind, cartoon mouse, drove me to the yamasa II building this afternoon after I finally managed to take a shower. I met one of the office workers/staff. After that, we walked back down the stairs, and there were half a dozen men in suits. I got super nervous and thought I was going to meet all of them, but they were just waiting for the president of the school, thankfully. PHEWW
they were nice though, and asked if I was a new student.
Afterwards, when Nakane-san dropped me off back at my apartment, I went right back out. I was so excited to see everything! (Also I was super hungry).
I went to the Woodpecker (kitsutsuki) cafe where all the Yamasa students hang out. I went in order to grab a bite and to hopefully meet some other students- but there were only the two ladies behind the counter, a portly man in a suit and a chainsmoking short-haired older lady sitting at the counter. I decided to sit with them in order to have a conversation with these folks. The old lady spoke in a deep gravelly voice, she clearly didn't give a shit what you thought, she was in charge. Of course as soon as I sat down she lit one up. The smell reminded me of being at Knox back in the U.S. All the philosophy majors would discuss ideas on the cafe patio while chain smoking. They were always more than welcome to let me put in my two cents and offer me a cigarette. It was comforting to smell that smell again, although as soon as I remembered that I had to do my own laundry, I quietly blew the lofty, curling streams of smoke away from me out of the side of my mouth while she wasn't looking.
I was given a menu, chose curry rice.
The cafe itself was comfortable and intimate for a student gathering place- behind the counter it was cluttered but the lived-in looks of it... and the fact that she took everything out of the fridge right in front of me... there was a kind of "yeah, I'm your mom I'll cook you some food" vibe. How can anyone not like that?
Girls' volleyball was on tv.
I told the ladies about my first night, that I slept in my coat. They were really nice, told me if I had any problems or questions, to just come to them.
Then, from the back door, a Japanese man with a tan pleather jacket and a grey Henrick-esque trimmed bush of hair came in and talked familiarly with the ladies. They told me he was Yamasa staff and trustworthy. They told him about my problem with the air conditioner and he told me he would come over at 5:30 after I finished my grocery shopping.
My stomach is still weak/sick from the long flight, so I was able to shop reasonably without buying every delicious thing I saw.
I bought a small bag of clean rice, an assorted furikake packet set, onigiri seaweed, darjeeling loose tea, Koara no Machi, 3 instant ramens, face wash (fuwa fuwa!), lotion, soy sauce and some salt flavoring. I wanted to buy fish, but that can wait for when I can actually cook it. Gotta cook rice before you can run, sport.
Got home safely.
Note: don't walk by yourself at night, be safe!
The man with the bushy hair and tan pleather coat was at his car when I got there, he fixed the heater, explained to me how to use the aircon remote with some words I don't know yet, called my drawing cute, and left.
Feeling comfortable now that I don't have to wear 3 pairs of socks.
Already feel at home here, considering I'm already calling it my home.
I'll fix it up soon!
Last night I arrived in Okazaki to start my new life. This sense of freedom is... it's really nice. I've already attempted to cook (convenient store onigiri for breakfast... it froze during the night because my heater didn't work). Cooking as in... trying to heat it up sans microwave. A mild success.
Now that I'm on my own for the first time in my own place, it's feels easier to take charge of things.
frozen night
stars outside window
7:30 wake up
walk around okazaki, wanted to go to daiso hyaku en shop, nothing open yet
got to swing in the park early in the morning
went to a cafe named machimi, got to touch/play an otomatone talked with mama-san, master-san, and pu-san, lady thought i was fifteen.
despite it being winter, most of the foliage is still green
in each little lake (there are quite few) there is a pair of swans. I looked at them for a while,
and as I walked along the sidewalk next to the lake, the swan would swim along side me. glide glide glide booosh, glide glide glide
if I stopped the swan would do a 360
there were two folks fishing, one of which was wearing high-heeled rain boots.
I then went to the now-open book store, which consisted mostly of magazines and manga from what I could tell. Porn was openly displayed in some aisles, it was kind of shocking to see... especially since it's all drawn
then went to daiso hyaku en shop.
bought most of my apartment essentials there for under 5000 yen.
Things are really reasonably priced here... not expensive at all.
very cold here
walked through cemetary near apartment, saw some little birds
saw kamen cider in vending machine
nakane-san, the man who looks like a kind, cartoon mouse, drove me to the yamasa II building this afternoon after I finally managed to take a shower. I met one of the office workers/staff. After that, we walked back down the stairs, and there were half a dozen men in suits. I got super nervous and thought I was going to meet all of them, but they were just waiting for the president of the school, thankfully. PHEWW
they were nice though, and asked if I was a new student.
Afterwards, when Nakane-san dropped me off back at my apartment, I went right back out. I was so excited to see everything! (Also I was super hungry).
I went to the Woodpecker (kitsutsuki) cafe where all the Yamasa students hang out. I went in order to grab a bite and to hopefully meet some other students- but there were only the two ladies behind the counter, a portly man in a suit and a chainsmoking short-haired older lady sitting at the counter. I decided to sit with them in order to have a conversation with these folks. The old lady spoke in a deep gravelly voice, she clearly didn't give a shit what you thought, she was in charge. Of course as soon as I sat down she lit one up. The smell reminded me of being at Knox back in the U.S. All the philosophy majors would discuss ideas on the cafe patio while chain smoking. They were always more than welcome to let me put in my two cents and offer me a cigarette. It was comforting to smell that smell again, although as soon as I remembered that I had to do my own laundry, I quietly blew the lofty, curling streams of smoke away from me out of the side of my mouth while she wasn't looking.
I was given a menu, chose curry rice.
The cafe itself was comfortable and intimate for a student gathering place- behind the counter it was cluttered but the lived-in looks of it... and the fact that she took everything out of the fridge right in front of me... there was a kind of "yeah, I'm your mom I'll cook you some food" vibe. How can anyone not like that?
Girls' volleyball was on tv.
I told the ladies about my first night, that I slept in my coat. They were really nice, told me if I had any problems or questions, to just come to them.
Then, from the back door, a Japanese man with a tan pleather jacket and a grey Henrick-esque trimmed bush of hair came in and talked familiarly with the ladies. They told me he was Yamasa staff and trustworthy. They told him about my problem with the air conditioner and he told me he would come over at 5:30 after I finished my grocery shopping.
My stomach is still weak/sick from the long flight, so I was able to shop reasonably without buying every delicious thing I saw.
I bought a small bag of clean rice, an assorted furikake packet set, onigiri seaweed, darjeeling loose tea, Koara no Machi, 3 instant ramens, face wash (fuwa fuwa!), lotion, soy sauce and some salt flavoring. I wanted to buy fish, but that can wait for when I can actually cook it. Gotta cook rice before you can run, sport.
Got home safely.
Note: don't walk by yourself at night, be safe!
The man with the bushy hair and tan pleather coat was at his car when I got there, he fixed the heater, explained to me how to use the aircon remote with some words I don't know yet, called my drawing cute, and left.
Feeling comfortable now that I don't have to wear 3 pairs of socks.
Already feel at home here, considering I'm already calling it my home.
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