私の家族 My family!

Okay, well! After a razzled morning of incoherent announcements due to the echoes in the hallway, I packed my bags and drank half a carton of apple juice. Bad choice. I then proceeded to walk to campus between rains and sit in a room watching something on this projector they set up to relax us. I met my host family. I understand why I can't call them okaa-san and otou-san because frankly they look only a little older than me. My imouto is totally Kawaii and so is my otouto but he's not feeling well right now. They trust me with a key to the house, internet, no curfew, and a lot of other things. They're very nice and are lending me a real towel. I sleep on a futon so that's exciting. Sorry, I'm currently a fan of it. I showed Chihiro-imouto, my toys- rubix cube, 360, and Gene. She was entertained by all of them, although she thinks Gene is a girl? It's okay because she's kawaii. I kind of wish I had my drawers in my suitcase because all I have are hangers in the closet. Oh well... We went grocery shopping and went out to eat for dinner. It was really a long drive but nice. Chihiro is my buddy now. By the way, the pictures are getting uploaded as we speak/type! Get excited! We watched some tv in the car, a kiddie cartoon that I could barely understand of course... Chihiro liked it though. Japanese cars are soo cool! They have built in tv with reception and the tv can double with gps and a parking guide with diagrams and everything! It's way cool! Very boxy, but still cool. The house is very small but very tall. I fell going up the stairs... they're dangerous! Did I mention Miwa-san is opening a nail salon in one of the spare rooms and wants to practice on me. It makes me laugh since the last time my nails were painted was for ... ... Dining out? or the Bicentennial ball at Miami? That paint is almost all off now!
Well, I've got class in the morning and should start getting things all set up since I have to catch a bus at 8:07. MOU!

Quickie!

Okay, Brief update for today since it's sooo late for me! Got to talk to Jon and Kimmy a bit this morning, which was nice. Went to find out what japanese class I got into... sad day, I always did test poorly... not the one I wanted/needed but I can still try to test higher this next week. Then went to Osaka with the girls to meet some people Lindsey and Cassie new. They were in the Jet program and other things, i.e. Gaidai recently/still. So we wandered around a huge department store- 8 floors and went to a kareoke place, a mangamania place with toys and goodies, got an all you can eat Chinese buffet and a beautiful and delicious cake store... too expensive for anything else... I have lots more pictures but I found out facebook cannot find the server so I can't upload them yet. Sorry everyone!

I meet my host family tomorrow and they take me home. I'm scared! I don't want to leave my Lindsey, Cassie, Lauren, and Danielle! No, I'll be fine but man, nerves are aflame! 1:30 tomorrow!
Night

Crazy Food and Kyoto

Okay! Today!
I woke up before my alarm by sunlight again, pleasant but I was tired since I went to bed at 1am. I went to campus to find out I got into my 2 necessary classes. I didn't get the sumie but my Insurance was good, so I was happy. I hung out for a while on campus and was soo hungry, I tried getting a snack. Well, let me just say... I do not like any mayonnaise from any country! So that onigiri was given to a friend to finish since I couldn't allow myself to throw it away... then by the time, noon rolled around I was famished and got something new... bad idea. I didn't really like it all that much and it definitely didn't fill me up. It also cost way more than my daily curry. I was regretting not getting it, I know. Poetic justice... Oh, I got my student ID card today too.

Well, after roaming around campus for 2 hours and finding the fishless, fish pond- we met in front of the CIE building for our Kyoto trip. We were supposed to be in a group of 3 or 4 but we had 8... so we got 4 Japanese students as our guides and they were all nice but only 2 of them really tried to talk to us. I had fun playing with my phone all day and taking tons of pictures as we walked 40 mins to a train station and then rode that to Kyoto. Once we got there we walked up a huge hill to this gigantic temple that's famous for people jumping off the side and if they survive, their wish is granted. I forget its name. There were lots of cute things around a Love Stone and a fountain granting studies, love, or health. Lots of photo ops and many were taken but again will be posted later... like when I get a chance to sit down with my computer for more than 10 minutes. It was tons of fun and we went to another shinto temple and wandered until we found SWEETS PARADISE! It was wonderful for 1,400 yen all you can eat pasta and sweets... Oishii yo! If we hadn't done all that walking, I might have felt bad for the amount I ate. It was delicious though!!! Again, pictures later.
After that we got on the train and returned to our station where we ran around this gaming plaza and took a purikura (sp?). Kawaii overload! We fit 12 people in one of those booths and put fun pictures on us and I got blue hair!!! It was fun but a little overwhelming, although I definitely want to do it again with anyone who comes to visit me! We split the pictures up and I'll be putting them on my phone soon along with other cute things when I get them... but we rode the bus back from the station since it was so far away and so late for us to be walking on the street the way we had earlier. That was a fun experience and I got to meet some more people who were header our way. So I now kind of understand how this train and bus system works but not enough for me to go it alone yet...
At least, Lindsey, Cassie, and I are going to Osaka city tomorrow to meet some of their friends so I'd better get a good nights rest! Night!

Headaches and White Phones

So today was Thursday and will be for some people...

I had another early morning today, well sort of. I meant to wake up at 9 am but I rolled over until 9:55 when I realized it. My friend came to the door because we were leaving at 10. After a bit of hurried cleaning and dressing, we left at 10:07. I never got breakfast though so I was rather sad and grumpy after a while.

I had found out that I didn't get into my sumie class but Dad did get some useful paperwork. I haven't gotten a chance to print them off just yet but I'll handle that tomorrow when I'm there. Today was a day for meetings. We had 4 meetings today and some were interesting and others were terrifying and others were just plain weird. I had curry again for lunch, which saved the day until my 3rd meeting and I realize curry on an empty stomach= bad day. So No Fourth day of curry in a row...

I found out about my host family today: Oshita is their last name. I have a mom and dad and a little sister who is 9 and a little brother who is 8. They don't have any pets, don't smoke, don't drink, and don't speak any English apparently. They want me to teach Chihiro and Gakuta some so this will be interesting. They all like golf, not my cup of tea but that's okay. I know a little about it. I've been getting kind of nervous after the homestay meeting because I am afraid they're going to expect me to teach them lots of high pressure English or make me feel unwelcome but I'm certain that's just the jitters. I'll get to meet them on Sunday at 1:30pm. Pressure's on!

I FINALLY GOT MY PHONE! It took myself and Lindsey hanging out in the Softbank building for about 2 hours but I got it! I also got to see into the persona of some of the other students in the program here... some good, others don't want to touch with a 39 and a half foot pole, probably more. The Grinch was just mean but this guy... *shudders* I'm grateful Lindsey was there to keep me company, VERY grateful. I've been adding pictures and trying to figure out sounds on my phone-have to be in mp4 to play, weird... It's super expensive to call on these phones so everyone just texts but it's more like email through your phone so if you want to try that sometime with me just ask. I got the cheapest one with a free charger and it's white so I can put stickers on it. It's cute so I'm excited.

After realizing everyone waited for us by hanging around campus, we all walked home together being silly and talking quietly as not to upset the neighbors. We bought dinner and ate it together, I realized what I got had some form of pork on it and I think it was bacon. It made me happy, although I felt a little unhealthy. You can't be too choosy when you go off of looks.

I'm getting a little confused with this time difference now but I've at least figured out what day it is now! Tomorrow I find out what classes I'm in and pick up my ID card, then at 2pm I'm going to Kyoto! Woohoo!

I might meet my second speaking partner Ayano there and that'll be cool. She doesn't speak English very well or very much so this'll be a challenge. I still haven't met Mai but I'm hoping to on Monday or Tuesday. I feel bad. Oh well, we'll see.

I know I promised pictures but I didn't realize how many I need to put up on facebook still so I'll need to go through them first and I can't very well do that while I'm updating this. I also cannot do it well when I'm half asleep. I definitely don't want to repeat what happened this morning so I'm going to bed now! Good Night all! or... Good Morning!

Yay Curry!

So, Wednesday was interesting.
We went to our first official orientation meeting this morning and from there we wandered off to take care of more business affairs, I remembered that I hadn't checked my school email in a while and found out my speaking partner had emailed me twice (ps: I have two now, I just got an email from her). So I apologized to her and then went to meet the faculty. My advisor seems awkward since we have little in common but our graduating school at Miami but he's nice. I had a fun chat with my (hopefully) Psychology professor. After that I found out my insurance paperwork wasn't good enough and I freaked out because I might not get into my art class. Art I know, but I was looking forward to it. I'll find out tomorrow morning when I check my mailbox. I have a prepaid phone card but no phone, charger, or sim card. My phone didn't work... stupid weird phone system here. Oh well.

I got curry for lunch again and it made me happier. We were late to the next meeting because of it but I would have had nothing to do with it if I didn't get something to eat. The intro to Faculty and safety issues were entertaining and we wandered a bit more afterwards waiting for the others to finish up things. We bought small note card packets to make our own apples 2 apples game in Japanese but we haven't started that yet. When we got back, I doddled around the internet on my laptop and chatted with some people before going to a Sushi restaurant that only cost my 630 yen for whatever I wanted. It was on a conveyor belt. Pictures are getting downloaded onto the computer now. Uploaded tomorrow. That was a ton of fun and I tried some interesting things including flan (sp?). It was weird!! But I suffered through wasabi so I could enjoy the sushi I wanted. Afterwards, I returned to my room and began to check emails and such until Lindsey came to the door looking to find someone to hang with while her roomie skyped with her parents. *cough cough*
We watched a couple things about sailor moon before Cassie came to the door looking for us and since my new roommate was napping, we took the stuff into her room. There Lindsey proceeded to unmat Cassie's hair while I played dress up doll games online and waited for another Sailor moon video to load. We did that until I went to shower(which I successfully did not soak anything that wasn't supposed to be) and when I returned our RA had done her best understanding what had happened to Cassie's hair and left, and Lindsey was almost finished. Our RA is Haruka. She has straight hair and didn't understand how Cassie's curly hair could get that bad or like that at all. Very amusing experience. After some videos and sailor moon SNES, Lindsey was out and the rest of us were on our way.
So, this is me afterwards. I finally updated and downloaded pictures. I chatted with some more people for the first time on fb chat, i.e. Travis and Jon and now I'm beyond exhausted. All updated and downloaded. Wonderful.

Oh forgot, my goal by the time I return is to have picked up Cassie's Australian accent... we'll see.

The Mind Dump! Purge! Some other word that I'm looking for and cannot find!

Okay Everyone! Time for what you all have been waiting for! My first post from the Land of the Rising Sun!
Well, the plane ride over on Friday/Saturday was really long but not too bad except I didn't sleep enough. I did manage to have an open seat next to me the entire way to Japan- all three trips. In the Japanese airport, I freaked out a little because I could not find where I needed to go and was almost positive that I was going to miss my next flight and then not make it to the Dorm and get my luggage and everything else that could possibly go wrong. On my last flight I took off my shoes because the Japanese man next to me did. It was nice. Those planes are really nice!!! I definitely recommend ANA. I was grateful to find people who were like me: exhausted, confused, and terrified that they would not find the Kansai Man to directus to the bus. I met a lot of cool people on the bus and we laughed a bunch in our extreme exhaustion. I don't remember much of that day- it blended together but I will upload this small blog I wrote in Narita about my flight that I cannot upload yet.

So Sunday:
My second day, I realize that I needed to bring a towel. I knew I would but no, I forgot to pack one so I planned to get one with my roommate because she knew where to go. I slept till 2 in the afternoon that day and my roomie was still asleep so I didn't want to bother her to get a towel so I walked outside the room and found some people from my crazy bus ride and they took me with them to Sanco, the 100 yen shop. It was nice and I got slippers, a towel (that's not big enough to cover my head), a pair of chopsticks (that didn't make it out of the store before getting lost), some black bowls that were adorable and useful, and some food. We didn't have anything scheduled that day so myself and the other explorers hung out and bonded over our unusual assortment of cheap food- mostly consisting of rice. Later that evening, we took a tour to the local Midori - which means green and the logo are green trees (it makes me laugh). It's like a target but there's a separate grocery on the 1st floor and it's more vertical than horizontal. That was fun and I managed to make the register girl happy and I got a pair of throw-away chopsticks for my meal that I bought so I didn't have to buy any yet.

Monday:
I had a meeting at 10 on campus so we (Lindsey (will sing songs with me from musicals and other fun things), Lauren (is the fun one who is getting lost with me a lot and trying to learn a lot since she came over with only a semester under her belt -BRAVE!), Danielle (has studied a long time and been here before and is a little crazy but fun too), Cassie (she's Australian and most likely the one who has silly comments or jokes or actions associated with her- she also is generally the translator for us)) went to the meeting -actually just Lauren & I- because it was our scheduled time. We ended up going to the wrong building thanks to wonderful directions from the lovely Lindsey but we were still on time! Then we did some important paper work and wandering and I ran into Keck-san from Miami! He showed us around and got us lunch and helped us get to places and do things. Exciting and yet mundane at the same time. When we got back to the dorms/seminar houses, I took a nap because I was sooo tired. After that I went to find Keck-san to borrow his books to review for my placement test and we chatted, made Origami cranes and met new people. That was fun until I demanded we get food since I was the only one starving! Duncan and Keck-san and I then proceeded to the conbeni (100 yen/convenience store) only to run into the girls who had just left there and said it was closed. No chopsticks (by the way, I've still managed to get meals without silverware so far).
Everyone wanted okinomiyaki (sp?) so we stopped by this cute place right next to the dorms and it was delicious. I'm not really a fan usually but I asked for no mayo (even though I tried it with the Japanese mayo but ew!) and I really liked it. The lady there was soo cute and nice and gave us 50 yen discount cards for the next time. We're so going back! I have some pictures but they'll be added later. From then, the girls went our way and the boys back to their house. We hung out more later and went to bed early because we again, we exhausted.

Tuesday!
We had a meeting this morning at 9:30 ugh! Right before our placement tests which I feel like I BOMBED but I hate big tests like that anyway- too high pressure. So the worst part about that is because I have 2-3 years of background I had to take all four sections of the test. A. B. C. and D... BAH! I hate long tests! Oh, that was besides us taking a listening section, a hiragana/katakana/basic kanji/translation section (10 mins only), and a bigger kanji section after everything else. Needless to say, I was brainfried! I went and got Curry with Danielle afterwards and wandered a bit registering my laptop (although, that was being difficult for the guy helping me), paying my bills, and going through the ever hated banking session. Ever try writing your signature 4 times the EXACT SAME WAY? Cannot have it be the slightest bit different! Japanese people cheat! They have the stamps! They always turn out the same way! I redid it about 3-4 times all four papers. Rather obnoxious and once we finished that we went to check on phones- all out, went to get Cassie after her orientation at the LL- ironically at this point we have everyone again and we go to Softbank- well we ask where it is, get something at a 7-eleven. It was really good for a 7-eleven. Maybe they're better in Japan? Well, at Softbank they run out off the prepaid cards and phones by one for me. So, everyone else gets a phone but me- they ran out of chargers for Lindsey since she got a different phone but all the cards were out. Just my luck. I've been getting the rough end of the stick lately but sooner or later, it'll get better. One pen has already made it back to me after being lost for two days! I did forget my passport in the copy machine half way across campus and sprinted the whole way there to get it. Success! No worries! Later we had dinner when I was ravenous and afterwards, my new roommate from Argentina came and we all played cards in Danielle's room. Long games of Cheat (aka BS and little different rules like in Australia since today was Australia Day). It was lots of fun and we were all a little crazy. They all want me to teach the how to solve the rubix cube now too... what have I done? I was bored and frustrated so of course I used it during the banking session. Well, tomorrow is less busy and hopefully, with any luck I'll either get a pair of chopsticks or a phone with a card or my computer with working internet. Yay!

Until then, I miss you all and love you too and I'm sooo tired, I'm going to bed!

Oh wait, the shower story!
So the showers here are really cool, they have their own doors and a handheld showerhead and you push on this lever and it only stays on for like 10 seconds but I didn't know what that was at first and I pushed it and well, the door behind me wasn't closed yet... I got my clothes that I wore to the shower wet... and since I have no robe and no towel big enough to cover even a third of my body- I had to put those wet things on and try to dry them along with my hair before going to Midori- which I held everyone up along with my RA. I also bought a liter of milk but it's really, really rich so I think it's whole milk. I'm going low fat next time. I also realized there are a lot of Australian students here.

When I met Cassie it took all of 3 seconds for me to unintentionally copy her accent (poorly) and I realized mid-phrase... she laughed and thought I sounded funny- *sigh* I didn't offend! Yay! I've been good ever since!

But yeah, not that I'm all over the place, we've got an early morning tomorrow so I'm going to bed now! Oyasumi! <3 (-_-)zzz

A side-trip to Denver

My bags are packed I'm ready to go, I'm standin' here outside your door. I hate to wake you up to say goodbye. But the dawn is breaking it's early morn, the taxi's waitin'--he's blowin' his horn. Already I'm so lonesome I could die.
So kiss me and smile for me, tell me that you'll wait for me. Hold me like you'll never let me go. Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again. Oh babe, I hate to go.

... Okay, it's a little more extreme than my current mental state. It's more of "I'm so lonesome I could cry" and have and missed people already. I also do know when I'll be back! And! My dad's nicer than the stereotypical taxi driver-- he'll hurry you up but still wait and not be too grumpy---it's also free.

Yep, that's right. I'm at the airport been here since a little after 6 am. I've already been crying a river and now I've got the headache that accompanies little sleep and crying. You know what I mean--that sometimes dull, sometimes pounding dunk dunk on your skull up around you hairline. Deep breaths seem to help but I know if I could just sleep, then I'll feel better.
I can't believe I'm here, I almost feel like they had to force me out of the house. I was getting all sentimental. I still am but I'm just so exhausted now that I can't really feel too much anymore. Give me a little time on the 15 hour trip to Tokyo and I'll be able to feel again. I go from Dayton to Atlanta to Tokyo to Osaka-Itami. It'll be a long ride. I'm sure that I'll be fine and sleep. I haven't gone to bed before 3 for the last week-longer now but last night I managed some time before 2 probably since I had to be up at 5 at the latest. Everything appears to be going well so far. *crosses fingers* Thanks everyone for all the lovely sendoff messages and hugs. I'm going to miss everyone but don't worry, I know I'll have fun and be safe!

<3 you all!

Numb Thoughts

So I'm feeling pretty mellow compared to yesterday but that might be left over from the anesthetics they used on me at the dentist today. I've finally fixed my music collection. It's loaded in and I've begun listening again. It's truly wonderful to have it back. Switchfoot and Beethoven have been my buddies lately and it's helping me keep a level head. I will have to re-star and name songs again. >.< Oh well... I just purchased some cool stuff from the store at Carillon Park for my host family and anyone else. I don't know how they expect us to know who we'll need gifts for. I'm also a little grumpy but that happens when you go to the dentist twice in two weeks and can't sleep at night.
I called in about my prescription and I got some yen (円), the only things left are odds and ends and maybe a little more paperwork. I guess I'm going to a movie tonight but I don't what we're going to see. It's supposed to be a low-key night since I'm going Swing Dancing tomorrow. It might be the last time for a long time... sad face. :(
My speaking partner, Mai sounds really fun and super excited about everything so that'll make things easy for random fun times. I should grab some dinner now- my appetite's been a little meh... lately too...
My favorite though! Rigatoni Casserole!

A Moment to Blog

Well, I guess I'm committed. I've got the flight, the paperwork, the packing started, and the official blog. Not that I would turn back anyway but it seems so strange. Me? Leaving the country? Going to Japan? For 4 months?
That doesn't feel like me at all... I can barely be away from home for a month in a semester without missing everyone terribly. I am getting excited as well, don't get me wrong. I'm just getting a little sick to my stomach or else that's the Marion's I gorged myself on or perhaps the Reese's pieces I ate since I won't get those for a while either.
I just saw the majority of my family for the last time before I leave and man, I was getting emotional. I've had that happen a couple times all ready and I think it's better that I don't see everyone before I go or else I'll cry my eyes out and be blind by the time I get there.
I have so much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to that I just need to bite my cheek and grit my way through it. I never was much of a person for blogging or journaling but since I now have one of each I better keep up. I regret not doing it in Spain and frankly that was only two weeks- imagine what I could forget from 4 months!

I apologize now, I might get rather emotional in here but I'll attempt to keep that only in the written journal and keep this one full of wonderful pictures, smiles, and exciting news! I hope you stay tuned to the blog and enjoy the show!