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!