April 19, 2005

Well, I have been in Japan since Thursday, so 6 days. When I first arrived, I,m and the other SCTI students, stayted at the Kyotot Traveler's Inn. I met my host family, the Fukae family, Saturday. My room is a great size. There is a bed, desk, dresser, and bordou (I don't know how to spell it...bourdoise...) Friday I bought a bike and Vodafone, but had to pick up the Vodafone Saturday b/c I was running late to have dinner w/ Japanese students. Some of the Doshisha students were in SJEC, Miki, Maki, Mutumi, and Yuko. I felt a little embarrassed b/c I wasn't sure of their names. I noticed that as my brain has had to adjust to almost constantly trying to speak Japanese, its kind of weird to speak in Enlgish. My host mother speaks some English. There are two boys, I thought there was a boy and a girl. The older one is at school most of the time, but the younger one isusually following me around. The day I unpacked, him and his brother were watching me. He took a few too many pictures of his brother w/ my camera. Friday at dinner Mutumi invited me to a BBQ Sunday afternoon. I took the bus to Demachiyaga Sta. I met lots of other Doshisha students. One of which was in a hip hop dance club. I will ask Lisa-san about that Thursday.

Me, Hazella, Jerry, Darwin, Brian, and Dimitris were there. (We went karaokoe Friday after dinner. The students asked if I sang gospel. Afterwards, me, Chelsey and Nathan went to McDs. He bought me a filet-o-fish meal. It was seperated into a drink bag, fries bag, and burger bag. The trash can also had a funnel to pour drinks into before throwing them away. So thoughtful! Also, the toilets have a handle that flushes two ways, tisai and ooki. Very thoughtful) Me and Hazella decided to go shopping then pick up our bikes. Mine was at the Inn and hers was at the center. Since I recognized the street, I suggested we go to the Hyaku en store above the Vodafone at the Holiday Inn., Friday, Me, Nathan, Darwin, Dimitrtis, and Brian all went to get bikes and phones so I assumed I knew the way. The guys didn't want to last few phones because they were pink! Anyway, as me and Hazella were walking, I thought we hd gone too far down the street, so I suggested we turn down a road and walk a little until we see the hotel parking lot. I didn't realize the way seemed shorter on a bike. We finally figured that out and made it to the hyaku en store. I got souvenirs and Hazella bought things for her apartment. It was around 5 pm. I was supposed to meet Miki at 9 pm at Snano Sta. for a Salsa party, but it didn't happen.

Me and Hazella looked for a large store in Takano. We stopped into a grocery place. She picked up a few things and I got some chicken on a stick. I knew dinner was at 8 pm and I didn't want to spoil my appetite. So, we left that store and continued walking. I commented that the store had escalators so it must have lots of food. We went to a gas station where I struggled to ask about a big store with clothes and things for the home. Turns out we had just left from there. We went back, but everything was a little too pricey. We noticed that the hotel's gifts weren't that expensive. So we finally began walking back to the center. Hazella had lots of bags, so we stopped at her apartment so she could drop them off. She lives across and down the hall from Dimitris. Anyway, by the time we got to Kyoto Traveller's Inn, I had already called my host family and told them I would be late to dinner. I also called Miki (around 8 pm) to say I couldn't make it to the salsa party. My feet were throbbing and Hazella was complaining of a pain in her hip. We rode our bikes up Niomon street and parted ways at Higashioji-dori (dori means street). Alone, I made my way back to my host family's on biek for the first time. Shijo street was really crowded.

Today, I took Karasuma to Oike to Higashioji-dori. Yesterday, me, Hazella, and Nathan went to a fleamarket down past Shijo and Gojo street to the right. It was nice, but there wasn't much I wanted to buy. AFter we parted ways, I stopped into one of the side streets on Shijo-dori that has lots of shops. I saw a few places w/ kimonos in the front, but I thought they were only for display. I was actually looking for a Baskin Robins. Anyway, before I decided to go back, I stopped into a place that had a kimono in the front. Upstairs, they had kimonos and obis and shoes, but the ones (kimonos) I tried on were too small. A saleswoman helped me. She also showed me how to tie an obi. I went to a small store Sunday morning to get school supplies. I should go back for folders.

Today Hazella and I went to Kamadoya for lunch. It waas cheap and good. I have been keeping track of everything I buy and how m uch money I have. I have dipped into my meal allowance and I 'm waiting for my Stanford check to go through and my tax refund. Once it does, I can replinish my meal allowance and finish paying off my credit cared. I have put myself in the draw for center jobs. I don't think many ppl want to help the professors so maybe I can do more than one job. There is also library and office assistant jobs and the lock up job. Yesterday morning, after my body recupperated from all the walking, I re-started the Slim in 6 workouts. Ken and Shunya (I think, he's the older one) were watching me. At first, I felt a little embarrassed, but this morning I realized it could be a source of encouragement. Right now, I get up and work out from 7am - 8:20am. I make and eat 1 piced of toast w/ honey, 2 eggs (w/ a little milk) scrambled and a can of juice, and so far Ei'ichi san has cut up apples for me. Then, I can brush my teeth, shower, and head off to the center. If I wasn't suffereing form cramps, I would have explored Shijo street. I will try to go somehwere besides just to and from the center as much as I can for the exercise and to take advantage of my surroundings. I will look up stuff in the easy living book. I need to find a sword for Stephen and i will check out more kimono places. Friday is the first field trip, for the immigration class, then Saturday me and Chelsey are going to some shops on Shijo-dori. It's getting late, 9:30pm, and i haven't checked to see if I have nihon-go no skudai. As things progress, I'll update.

April 21, 2005

So yesterday during lunch, me and Chelsey were supposed to go to Kamadoya, but Nathan convinced a large group of ppl that a place called "Eggs" was a cheap place w/ large portions for 500 yen. So, Chelsey and I decided to follow them on foot. Nathan, and two guys ran ahead, but no one knew where the restuaruant was, so we walked around for a little bit then finally ate from 7/11. It was (Yue)'s b-day so he bought us ice cream, but Mike at mine. It was cool, I didn't need it. Me and Chelsey and Nathan are going to the imperial palace tomorrow morning. htere is a welcome party hosted by tht eDoshisha Desa club at 5 pm tomorrow. The immigration class was supposed to go to Osaka b/ Professor MacDougal fell ill and the trip was canceled. Today, me and Hazella went to Eggs. It was alright. No toothpick w/ the chopsticks though. I went to 7/11 for a yougurt and Yaosen for an orange b4 I ate my lunch. I helped a guy who seemed American to find the Kyoto Handicraft store.

Today was the first religion class. We learned about Shinto. The stoyr of how the world started was very interesting. The prof (Ludvik) gave us a list of paper topics that also had great places to visit. I like the class b/ I will check out the books. I got my Nihon-go no hon today and yesterday I piked up the heavy Immigration class readings. That class will have a lot. Yesterday, pat and I rode home together. We are in the same Nihon-go class. Last night, I really wanted to talk to Stephen, but I knew I only had a little yen on my phone. I called and asked why he hadn't called and if he could. Id idn't get a chance to say, "I love you" b4 it cut me off. I felt so distraught I climbed n2 bed and cried a little b/c I miss him so much. Around 2 am I got up, used the bathroom, did some nihon-go homework and read Esther. I really liked the book. I read theh end 2 days ago and last night I read the beginning. This morning, I knew I had to put money on my card, so I went to Family Mart to withdraw money. My card was rejected so I used my meal allowance money. B/c it took so long, and I tried once more to find an accepting ATM, I was 5 min. late to Nihon-go class. I didn't get to check my email or use my card. During break, I called my Mom and Mike. Stephen didn't pick up. I called him 2 more times and finally, when I got back home I talked to him. He is still job hunting b/ he is in the process of registering for classes. I want to buy him a sword. He also suggested nihon transformers.

Today, Chelsey and I discussed Golden Week. She already had a list. She suggested Himejijo, Tokyo (Disneyland), Osaka, Nara, and Kobe. Shyuuku sounded cool, but its a little far for my budget. Eiko drew names for jobs and I think I have lock-up. Depending on how much money I will make, I think I will just go to Tokyo and Himejijo. Mt. Koba sounded cool, but again a little far and maybe expensive (I would have to live in a hostel). Deac gave me $50 and I am waiting on my tax return . Mike also said to ask if I needed anything. For our 8 month anniverswary, I told Stephen I wanted some sunflower seeds. I will try to send him something nice. I need to wash my clothes this weekend. I also need to twist my hair. Anyway, about Japan:

There are temples (Buddhist) and shrines (Shinto) everywhere. The center is next to the mountains. Its so beautiful. Kyoto is surrounded by mountains on 3 sides. There are lots of ppl, especially on Shijo street. Lots of people ride bikes, young and old. The cars are kind of square. I am not sure if I already said this, but because I am having to go from japanese to english, my brain feels like a muchsle being worked out that needs to stretch...its kind of weird. Engl. is sometimes hard and comes out slow. I am getting more accustomed to it though. I think my host family is Shinto... I hsould ask. I am sure they have told me twice if and when they go to shrines on Sunday. at the beginnign of the week, I noticed results from my exercising, but today I didn't see too much. So, I will wait until the end of next week (When I finish ramp it up) to expect results. I will start Burn it up and do that for the next 4 weeks I also have keep it up. After the first 6 weeks, I have 4 full weeks then Sunday-Tuesday. I don't knjow if I will work out the day I leave. Stephen will pick me up from the airport. I know he would notice even now. But my chest was the first place to loose fat... :( Oh well. A smaller stomach will make ti look bigger! :) 10 pm. yawning...