I'm a Rebel ^.^

This morning I arrived to class (for the record, I have been like 30 minutes early since the first day when I was late) and sat in there, I was the only one. And it was like 15 minutes til class and I was still the only one... I was starting to wonder if class was canceled and I didn't know. Usually there is a few other people in there at that time. Anyhow, once we were all in class, Tara is like "earthquake, I hear it" and I was like "what????" (I don't think there was an earthquake... at that time at least) and that is when I learned there was an earthquake right before 8 am this morning. I didn't even know. I believe I was on the train at that time (probably why I didn't know). I'm guessing this is pretty normal to have so many at a time. Nobody seems to be worried. I asked sensei about it and he says that there will be a lot of earthquakes then there will be none for like 6 months then more. There's no particular season but I guess it's normal to have a few at a time. He tried to explain plate tectonics today it was kinda funny. He's a funny teacher.

Anyways, in History we took a field trip to Yasukuni Jinja. We had like 45 minutes to walk around. I walked around a bit with Lauri then we went inside the museum, well the first floor which was free... with a Japan war plane (see pic), steam train thing, and other things and a gift shop.



The museum part cost money on the second floor. I stayed in the gift shop area for most of the time... in the AC... like majority of the class. Afterward we did a discussion outside about the controversies of the Shrine (which I spoke up and got something right :D). Then Lauri, Jessica, girl (I can't remember her name >.<) and I went to McDs for a quick bite before, after seeing Lauri off, we went headed for the Kabuki theater.

We arrive at the theater 1 hour early. Here is the theater. It's going to be torn down I think in 261 days. I think it's being renovated but I'm not sure. I hope so. It's a nice place but you can tell the age.



Anywas, 1 hour, that's a lot of time... and it's hot. So I thought we should walk around and find some shopping places (we are in Ginza, come on!) and cool off inside them. So I look around and see one place that ends up being Pachinko... yeah, no. So we keep walking and go into this one place that has a store called "Brand Off" and I'm like "OH I WONDER IF IT'S LIKE BOOK OFF!" yeah, no. So we exit that building and cross the street and go into the big Gucci store (yes, like 7-8 stories!). The moment I walked in I just thought these people are going to kick us out LOL. They didn't. We went up to the second floor where there was some clothes that I looked at and laughed at the price (about 300$ for a belt) and Jessica and girl sat on these comphy seats. The sales lady who spoke some English talked to use for awhile. She was nice. I think she thought we were funny. Especially when we got on the elevator to go downstairs... the door opened up and there was a bench, a nice comphy bench, inside (see pic of Jessica and I, looking a bit rough...). And we just freaked out it was awesome. We stood there taking pics, forgetting to push the button to go down.




After that we head back toward the theater stopping in the store that is advertising Snoopy. So we take escalators up to the 8th floor (we never found the elevator, but we didn't really look either). OMG! I want to go back... there was a BIG SNOOPY/PEANUTS store. Selling EVERYTHING PEANUTS! It was awesome. We didn't spend much time because we didn't want to be late (now, I wish we had stayed longer). I saw a place with water... SNOOPY WATER BOTTLES... and wanted to buy one but the line was long and we didn't think we had time. Well we did.

So we return to the theater and it's SOOOO crowded. And we stand outside in the head with the crowd making it hotter for like 20 minutes...... I SO HAD TIME TO BUY A SNOOPY WATER! I realized I couldn't get the English guide for Kabuki because you needed a 1000 yen deposit plus 400 yen (which I thought was all I needed...). So if I had skipped lunch that day I might have been able to afford it.... well, maybe not now that I think of it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not poor, I just didn't have that much money on me today. So I couldn't get the English guide (which is ok because I was told it kinda sucked).

So inside, we are in the nosebleed section, 3rd floor, last row, I can hardly see let alone hear. Note that in the Kabuki theater there is like a path that goes through the audience so if the actors go on that, I can't see. Also, for those who don't know, Kabuki actors are ALL MEN. Even the female characters are played by men. So kinda awkward at times. I understood pieces of it, but there are still gaps so I didn't understand the details. But I got the overall picture. DESPITE THE FACT that 30 minutes into it (maybe... it may have been like 15 ^.^) I put one headphone in my ear... then maybe after about 15 minutes of that I started shutting my eyes.



Here is a pic. By the way, no cameras were aloud. I'm just on a role today with not doing what I should be doing. Not touring the shrine, taking pics, leaving early...

During intermission I pretended to think it was over and left. I was tired, I've got homework, I can't understand, can't hear, can't see.... not trying to be rude... but I think my schoolwork is more important at this point. I enjoyed what I saw though. I'm sure if I could understand, was tired, a bit stressed with school, it would have been awesome.

New Habit

With the earthquakes having me a bit paranoid, my new habit is to always a part of my body moving, usually me bouncing my leg while I'm sitting LOL. I find when I sit still (or attempt) I'll move slightly unconsciously and think it's an earthquake coming on again... so I always keep something moving so I don't scare myself ^.^

ANYWAYS

I'm doing good :) Surprisingly. End of the semester is right around the corner. Japanese class is great. A lot quieter now. Know why? Mr Loud Mouth seems to be gone. He hasn't been in class for 3 days. Missed 2 quizzes and a test... I don't see the point in coming back now. I didn't realize he was staying at my hotel. I came back early one day and the ladies were cleaning my room so I sat in the lobby til they finished (took 30 minutes) and I saw him with 2 guys. Tara says he just using Sophia to be here in Japan and told me some more weird stuff that went on between her and him (they were partners in class). But if he has family here (he's been here 8 times!) then why does he need Sophia as an excuse? He seems to have lied to Tara so I don't know what all is believable when it comes to him. For all I know he has an earpiece in his ear during class. It would explain how he seems to know WHAT to say but cannot say it properly :p

History is ok. I've heard some people just taking one class. I never thought into looking in that. Especially with this being 3 weeks, the classes are difficult. Japanese is difficult enough. I should've asked about just taking Japanese. None of the other classes were really appealing. History wasn't really appealing. I already studied the history -_-

Anyways, today after class friends and I went to LaQua (I think it is the name) for lunch. Ramen.



It's an awesome place. It's like an amusement park and shopping place in one :D Awesome rides, I'd love to go back and ride some of them. After eating, Diane met up with us and we went to karaoke :D 2 hours. Half the price of last time. After that we split up and with (Eng) Shota's help returned on my own. Now to study. Kabuki tomorrow!

Midterms

Tomorrow is my history midterm... I feel like classes just started last week!!!! ...wait, they did HAHA! We have a total of 16 classes and our 8th is Friday. In Japanese class we have a quiz or test everyday. I've made 100s so far!!! I got a 67/68 on my first test (the one I took yesterday). Now, Amber, what did you get 1 point off for???? 2 sentences were in the wrong tense... I had them in present, and should have been past tense... that's it. I dropped a particle on one part, but it's ok... I'm a big particle dropper after I learned how to do it, no points taken off for that. Everything else was correct. My oral exam was perfect... This means...

...my comprehension is very good, I understand virtually everything immediately.
...my pronunciation is very good, I control all consonants and vowels, stress and intonation.
...my fluency is very good, I speak words and phrases smoothly.
...my grammar is very good, I demonstrate mastery of new patterns, and control previously introduced patterns equally well. Grammatical errors are rare.
...my vocabulary is very good, I have the ability to use new items in a rage of appropriate contexts.
...my task x2 is very good, I have completed the task very well.

I'm curious on how Mr. Loud Mouth did considering he said my Oral went very fast (we all went out in the hallway one by one for it). HAHA it's because I know what to say and how to say it correctly.

I need to hit up my required places for history this weekend and write those papers and get it over with. I have another paper for Japanese due Monday about the Meiji Shrine trip. Nothing right now coming up... a weekend... 2 day weekend :D No class Saturday. I think (JP) Shota has the day off Sunday so HOPEFULLY we get to see each other. Not going anywhere today due to midterm tomorrow, not going anywhere tomorrow (maybe, I usually don't know what I'm doing til the day comes) due to Japanese test Friday (yeah, we just had one yesterday, too!).

Gotta love 3 week programs!

Amber isn't in Fukuoka anymore!

So yeah I woke up early, go my breakfast, got ready for school and thought I left in enough time. Well... maybe I did. But Tokyo's train stations are so hard to navigate if you aren't use to it. When I was in Fukuoka, it was pretty easy. There was only a few different platforms. But in Tokyo... there's a lot of platforms. I know what train line to get on, but I have to look at a map to see what the train is bound for to make sure I get on the train going in the right direction. I think I need to write it down tomorrow, the train and number. That takes time. By the time I'm done reading the map I've missed 2-3 trains! I almost got on the wrong Ginza train. Like, I have this photographic memory where I'll be somewhere and think nothing looks familiar... but it takes awhile for me to realize maybe I'm in the wrong place. Like a delay there. I should fix that.

So I was a few minutes late to Japanese class. I came in quietly and sat next to Vanessa. Unlike the other late guy who comes in and starts apologizing in Japanese with his loud voice... let me say that the other times I heard him talk that day, it didn't seem as loud as that. He really came off as a show off. Vanessa and I were just trying so hard to not laugh. He just talks so loud. I just think if that class is too easy for him, he should get out. Some of us there want to learn. If he knows it all like he's coming off, then don't be in there. He's so annoying. The teacher would be doing conjugations and grammar on the board or asking us what this is in English when we were doing listening practice and he'd blurt it before I have time to think of the answer myself. Like I'm paying for this class! I want a chance to learn and it's hard with them in there. So Vanessa and actually the guy in front of us too who pair up for speaking practice had comments on Mr. Loud Mouth. Ok well it was mostly me with comments. But I find it annoying. I think he heard us... or I have bad karma.

So next class (History) I'm sitting like the 2nd or 3rd table from the back and I hear someone ask if anyone is sitting in the chair next to me and I say no, then realize it's Mr. Loud Mouth. Oh my God >.< So I sit for a minute while he's talking and realize "I should sit in the front because of my short attention span" and plus I found Kekoa up there (Kekoa is my friend from Hawaii). So if that wasn't enough, during break Kekoa and I were walking outside talking somewhat quietly and vaguely about Mr. Loud Mouth when he passes us. I don't think if he heard anything he knew we were talking about him, he could assume, but that's it. And I guess that wasn't enough... Kekoa and I get in the elevator to go back to class... and guess who runs to get in it with us??? Mr. Loud Mouth. He talks to Kekoa and I kinda ignore him. Nope, he's not even there. Did I mention Mr. Loud Mouth ended up moving to another seat a bit closer to me (a few rows back because I strategically picked a place near a lot of people)?

So a review of my classes: Japanese right now is kinda confusing. Just the method of studying. I knew all the grammar points covered, most of the vocabulary, and majority of the kanji too. We took a pre-test to see how we were and I only missed 2 because how the grammar was set up was different from what I learned. Two people ended up leaving the class. One girl because she wanted to start from scratch and I dunno about the other. I rather Mr. Loud Mouth leave. We have 3 required trips: Tour of Tokyo (this Saturday), Kabuki (like a play), and Meiji Shrine. History... I think the teacher is cool somewhat... but his teaching style isn't matching my learning style so much. We have 3 required trips for that too: 2 museums and we have to pick a picture from Tokyo way back when and go to that place and write a paper on how it has changed. I'm glad Kekoa is in that class with me.

I think it's going to be a long 3 weeks ^.^

I'm sorry for no pics. Honestly I haven't taken any since I got off the plane. I'm sure I will when I do all these trips and stuff.

Anyways, after classes Kekoa and I met with Vanessa and Kojin (I think I referred to him as Mr. Jap guy?). They ate lunch and I, not hungry, went to the computer lab to check emails. After that I just returned to the hotel. Had fun again finding my way back. This time when I got off the train I followed the south exit signs... which took me to the exits I couldn't find yesterday which happened to be the one I first used with Vanessa when we to orientation. So I came up to the street and was like "WHERE AM I NOW???" I walked on way, turned around to go the other way and saw the Post Office and Bank and turned back around realizing I was going the right way already. Not as bad as yesterday. That station is just huge though.

I took a nap at a decent time so I would have the energy to study tonight. At least if I wake up early tomorrow I can study LOL. I have a quiz in Japanese (yep, second day, and a quiz).

"No remedy for latecomers"

Japanese word of the day: mushimushi

Yes, you must say it twice. mushi = bug, mushimushi = humid. Which is what it was today! So I woke up at this morning, sun in my room, loud bugs, and was like "oh goodmorning sunshine" and looked at the time...... 4:30 am. >.< Sun rises early here. I'll shut my curtains tonight. I tried closing my eyes but never got back to sleep. Eventually I went downstairs to ask about exchanging money and found out they could do it at the front desk up to 300$. So I took that. Then I went for walk.

I walked one way down a hill and found a konbini (convenient store)about 5 minutes away. I thought "cool, found a konbini" but returning back I realized that the hill I walked down... I now gotta walk up. It's pretty steep. So I kept walking the other direction pass the hotel to the main road and turned to one direction and eventually found another konbini a little more than 5 minutes. Not knowing there was one 2 minutes away the opposite direction, I claimed it as my konbini because I didn't have to walk up that stupid hill.

I came back to the hotel and did stuff online then ate breakfast with Vanessa. I had eggs, toast, and rice (complain if you want but yes I had plain rice for breakfast). The eggs looked questionable but they were actually good. After freshening up we decided to head to the school early just in case we have problems. Too early. And we had no issues. The school is 2 trains, one stop each away (Take one station, switch lines, one stop). We look at the map when we get out of the station which says the school is the white building. Well, which one? The one with the school name of course! Ok, they shoulda said which direction to look too. We saw it eventually.

The school is awesome. It's like a mini city. So we walk to the building we meet, bored because we have an hour. There's a whole group of people sitting outside but we stay inside. They eventually slowly start coming inside and talking to us. It's a large group from Mississippi (wow, that's a long word. I forgot how to spell it up til now) majoring in Public Policy. We eventually go to our rooms to get our welcome packet with ID cards, computer access info, and just extra info on events then go to orientation. If we had known they were gonna start late, we woulda bought our books first. The orientation was just an hour (and the say while going over activities that there is "no remedy for latecomers" so if you are a latecomer don't be sick because they have no medicine HAHA) and then EVERYONE went to the book line. It moved decently fast.

In the line we met this Canadian guy who seemed kinda strange. He was going to Akihabara to get his prepaid cell phone. I thought I'd use him for a bit and figure out where he's going and if I can manage to get back. I decided against because of his strangeness and I didn't want to travel so far. So after buying books, Vanessa and I head to the station. She's planning on meeting her brother and I'm going to head to the hotel. We meet a Japanese student who is enrolled in Canada (I think he might know Mr. Strange guy maybe?) and doing Sophia... so like an exchange student exchanging in his own country LOL! We talked about Mr. Strange going to Akihabara for the cell phone and asked Mr. Jap guy if he knew where Softbank store because I wanted to get my phone. He assisted Vanessa on how to meet with her brother using the JR maybe... then together we went walking to Softbank.

He's a nice guy. We found out at Softbank that I need this card which I'm guessing is my Alien Registration card. I'm getting that in Osaka >.< So we walking to au phone store and was told the same thing. He said he can use his information to register the phone and then I can use it. That was nice of him. We're going to use Softbank though. Unfortunately he had to return home so we couldn't do it today. So hopefully tomorrow...

After that, we departed at the computer lab at school and I sat there thinking "I wonder if I sit here long enough if one of my friends will want to hang out and pick me up so I don't have to go back to the hotel alone". Yeah right. So I eventually gave in and left. I had no trouble with the trains! I did have trouble with finding my exit. There's basically 4- North, East, South, and West- and by process of elimination I knew it was North or South. For some reason I exit north... I should go south. I walked awhile before realizing this then went back down to the station and looked at the map. I took a south exit and walked, having a bit of trouble. I didn't recognize anything UNTIL I saw the post office. I recognized that. I stood there deciding what to do- cross or turn. The I recognize the bank where Shota pulled off so Jun and I can see if the bank was still open after 5 (NOT). So I turned and past one konbini, then another, then recognized the store across from the corner with "naka" on the sign. BINGO.

I was hungry so I hit up a konbini for french fries and continued to the hotel. My feet hurt. I think that was the most walking I've done since Disney World.

Class tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday. I have my Tokyo Tour Saturday also. They said these trips if required will have some sort of assignment. This is required for Japanese... I'm guessing the assignment is dump us on the other side of Tokyo Bay and see if we can get back on our own. Yes, they are doing that. The tour ends at Odaiba where me and my friends went to Joypolis. So luckily I know that area. But I was suppose to hang out with them again after class. I think we are all just gonna meet there so we can see the fireworks.

There is a Noh play tonight. I decided against it. I'm sleepy.

Admission Info

WARNING: Sophia University is NOT gaijin (foreigner) friendly. From what I'm getting with this packet of maps and written instructions. So I got a thick envelope in the mail today from that included:

1) map of Tokyo
2) receipt for hotel payment
3) welcome letter
4) "while in Tokyo" (random letter)
5) "orientation day" (info about orientation)
6) Sophia Campus Map
7) schedule of events
8) list of textbooks
9) Tokyo Metro Map (subway map)
10) access from Narita Airport map
11) hotel information (including access)

That's... A LOT of maps. My understand is "Here are some maps and written instructions on finding the school from your hotel... oh and GOOD LUCK!" I'm glad this isn't my first time to Japan. I feel for those who have never been. They will need that luck. After reviewing the access map to my hotel, I'm confident I can get from Narita to my hotel on my own. But I know Jun and Shota might worry, so one or both most likely won't allow that. But who knows, maybe they will have pick up service... ... ... ... we'll see.

Kansai Gaidai sent an email last week that had a link to the Fall Admissions site that had a lot of info which I printed. This included Arrival Information, Orientation Program Info (most still TBA), Visa Application Info, Insurance Info, Standard of Conduct info, FAQ, the ever so popular (in Japan) Access Maps, and info on computer facilities. Nothing much to discuss about this info. Also the homestay participants (not me, I'm dorm) got a letter saying that there is too many homestay applicants than homestay families so some should reconsider housing... and if there are still too many, they will choose randomly who gets homestay.

OK... that's my update...

Countdown: 6 Weeks

So far I've accomplished paying for my hotel in Tokyo that I will be staying at during my summer semester at Sophia. I did email Sophia University and they verified that they received the payment and will be sending me a receipt via airmail... I wanna know what is up with Sophia and airmail? Did they not get bitten by the tech bug yet? Honestly that was the FIRST email I received from them and it was only because I emailed them first. If you haven't caught on, my acceptance was via airmail, too.

So, I haven't done much, hence the slowness of my blog. I still need to...

*Buy a plane ticket (haha, I know, people get accepted and it's usually the FIRST thing they do, it's like the guarantee that they are leaving)
*Receive my visa
*Meet with Uni personal to get classes registered
*Pay for summer tuition
*Double check my financial aid
*Shop
*Pack
*Buy some new flip flops
*Maybe get some travelers checks

Hopefully everything to do with school and financial aid will be taken care of by the end of June. Hopefully I receive my visa before I leave. Hopefully I can pack what I need and still have plenty of space in my suitcases. Still 6 weeks left, still plenty to do, still plenty to worry about.

I guarantee you that during the pre-departure period, there is nothing much to do except do any necessary paperwork, pay any fees, and prepare to go. Once I get to Japan, there should be an entry everyday. Also, I'll update my blog (somehow) to let everyone know when I have new pics in my online photo album (which I will link every to once there are pics there!).

So, the last blog I complained about KG not sending acceptance letters by their said date. This blog I complained about Sophia's airmail obsession. Stay tuned for my plane itinerary and visa woes! I bet you one of my travelers checks that will be the next entry LOL. Remember before betting: I control this blog ^.~