楽しかった

(tanoshikatta - fun)

*get comfortable, it's a long one*

I have been looking forward to posting a happy blog for once, and I definately have one. It hasn't really gotten any easier, but I have had a lot of fun. I honestly dont mind getting my ass kicked out here language wise, in fact I kind of expect it. But I hadnt really done anything else so it was grating on me.

木曜日
Lets see.... Thursday night Taka, a friend from last year who is now living in the Ihouse with all the gaijin (foreigners) threw us a welcome party. Was a blast. Up way too late and everything, but hey thats normal here. See, most other students start class like 11am and end at like 2... I dont mind, for a month I can draw up some super powers. Everyone is so wonderful here that I dont want to miss a thing.

金曜日
Friday night was a chill night. We took a test Friday (I got 94/115 others got it out of 111, no idea what the difference is.) And afterwards just had a few beers and hung out doing nothing. A rare and valuable thing, but often feels like we missed out.

土曜日
Well we made up for it the next two days. Saturday was the day trip to Nara, seeing all the same temples I saw last year but still enjoying the company and such. I spent a lot of the day talking to one of Zack's conversation partners Izumi. I have noticed this year the American to Nihonjin ratio on trips and such is rather low this year which makes it hard to pracitce Japanese. I was glad to get the practice in.

Afterwards we went to a bar with Paul (program co-ordinator) briefly. He couldnt really hang out since he has a 2 year old and one on the way, but we happened to run into a group of the conversation partners and they invited us to a nomihodai. (all you can drink) Now they arent stupid, service was rediculously slow, especially for one of the most customer service oriented customers in the world. All you can drink came with lots of food (none of which I could eat) and lasted 2 hours, but it took about 20 mins to get my next drink every time. We ordered a couple rounds of shots that were much more like spoonfulls. Still, everyone was absolutely wonderful, especially Yoshiki who seemed to be running the show. Out late meant walking home about 20 mins from Kamigamo Jinja (jinja = shrine) in the rain, but I didnt mind at all.

日曜日
Sunday - was the best day yet by far. We met Meg (YAY!) and Mariko (my conversation partner from 2 years ago) at Shijo station and went to Osaka to meet Chikara, Isson, Keiji, and Tsu-kun who were all CPs from last year. It was rediculously hot and humid in Osaka, but still just soo much fun to see everyone. Was really just a wonderful day. Makes me wish we could have lots more time to just hang out like last year rather than just make them show us around random places.

月曜日

Monday - like I said, Japanese really hasnt gotten any easier for me. I keep making fun of Onozaki sensei calling him kibishi sensei. Kibishi means strict, and Kishi is another teacher that runs the program but is mostly too busy to actually teach us now. Today we got to have Kishi sensei for the first time, and it was a nice change. Onozaki sensei gives 0 english and 0 furigana. (furigana is the readings so you can at least pronounce kanji you dont know) In many ways this is very good, Kishi sensei actually gives too much furigana, for words that we should have known long, long ago. But the 4-5 word explinations of new gramar in english make everything click. Back to Onozaki sensei tomorrow, who is already in full swing sending us links in Japanese we cant read on our presentation topics. I picked noodles, well... mostly because I couldnt think of a god damned thing. Should be interesting.

Right now I am in the computer lab pretending I am actually studying. Planning on reading wikipedia about noodles.... well assuming I dont spend all night tagging pics. If I do you may see some new ones!

Links of the day!

I have not been at the computer at all lately, so I dont have crap. Hopefully you found this post somewhat interesting.

写真

(shashin - pictures)

Well.... theyre up. At least some of them. I forgot I cant use "&", "@" etc or the XML freaks out. (sorry non computer geeks!)

Anyway, theyre up. Go look at em and make fun of me. I'm used to it, especially in a country where I dont know the language and a class I am the worst student in. Tomorrow we all get to fail our first test. If only there was a SINGLE sentance in english to explain WHEN and HOW to use the new grammar. Examples alone dont do it for any of us.

I've been so negitive lately. I am having fun. I just really want to learn as much as possible while I am here and I've been feeling like I've been sliding backwards. Oh well, to bed with me!

Links of the day!

Where the hell is Matt Gotta give credit to Zain for this one. Watch the video- it rocks

怒ってる

(okotteru - pissed off)

Well, looks like no pictures for you. God damned retarded firewall here wont even let me ftp them up to post on the blog. Not sure just how I can get around it other than waste time and money at an internet cafe.

Class is otherwise going well except I have absolutely no idea what to pick for my presentation. If I dont pick something I am interested in, it will show and therefore suck. Last year I had the same problem and had to leave it for the last second and it really showed.

The days are so very short here. Wake up at 7:30, eat, shower, then class from 8-4. After that come back, relax and chat for ~90 mins, and then eat, do homework, and play on the computer a bit before bed. Problem is I cant do shit from behind this stupid firewall, especially with my computers going constantly offline. Unless we have been having power outages at the house due to the heatwave, I am severely dissapointed in eBox.

I'm really not as in bad of a mood as it seems by this. But this firewall thing is just pissing me off. The speech topic also has me very worried. Time for bed.

Links of the day!

GRRR!

疲れた

(Tsukareta - exhausted.. well not quite that extreme)

Today was the first day of school. I just finished my homework a bit ago and now I am sitting in the computer room sipping on some Oni Kuroshi sake.

Sorry I havent put up any pics yet or blogged much, but I have been busy adjusting. I really want to do as well as I can here. This is the last program, and at some point I have to become a real adult and take on some responsibilities that wont just let me run off to Japan whenever I want.

That said, I have my work out for me. Class entirely in Japanese, textbook entirely in Japanese, (kanji with no furigana) and so far it has been a little difficult. Our main teacher, Onozaki sensei, speaks at a deafining pace. I litterally was physically knocked back twice today while he spoke. Still, for the most part I get the meaining, he seems to give a lot of unneccesary information. Or at least I hope so. ^^;

I hear my friends at work are working very hard without me. Believe me, this is no vacation. I really want to do as well as I can. I am speaking way too much english though, and it seems like everyone is having trouble breaking the ice with their conversation partners this year.

Hmm, not much else to say. I do miss everyone. It is very dificult to call home at a decent time with school going. I really havent wanted to be in front of the computer much either, which is most of the problem with tagging and uploading pics. I had the firewall almost completely defeated the other day, but either my config changed or they fixed my little hole.

Alright, bedtime.

Links of the day!

eh- lazy.

京都産業で

(Kyoto Sangyo de - at Kyoto Sangyo)

Yup, I made it. Very quiet here right now with just about everyone either not here yet or currently in school, but thats fine. I am doing laundry and have already called my parents and V, who didn't anwser of course.

Today seems like it will be a quiet one, which is pretty fine by me. It will be busy very soon. The best news is I got a hold of my friend from 2004 Kiyomi. Last year I wasn't able to track down her email, but Meg got it for me last night. Thanks Meg!

Not much more to say, I am glad I can finally stop living out of a suitcase and make myself at home

Links of the day!

The great Office War I know it's probably old, but I just found it yesterday.

まだ生きてる？

（madaikiteru？ ‐still alive？)

sure would be nice to know my parents know I'm alive． I'm begining to think theyre the ones who died in a plane crash．．．

So, in a probably stupid move, heres my cell email: y7df7db47373x__@softbank.ne.jp replace the 2 _'s with my age 3 years ago． （hey I'm not that stupid)

Anyone else who I like and knows the answer feel free to say hi．dont get too chatty tho, it is a prepaid cell afterall．

Tomorrow I enter the dorm meaning reliable power and net access．

Be sure to check twitter on the right side of the page （assuming the baracuda doesnt eat it) as it is updated most often．

京都にいる

（Kyoto　ｎｉ　ｉｒｕ　＝　Ｉｎ　Ｋｙｏｔｏ）

Ｙｅｓ　Ⅰ　ａｍ　ｉｎ　Ｋｙｏｔｏ，　ｔｈｅ　ｔｒｉｐ　ｗａｓ　ｌｏｎｇ．　ｂｕｔ　Ｉ　ｍａｄｅ　ｉｔ．　Ｉ　ａｍ　ｓｔａｙｉｎｇ　ａｔ　ａ　ｎｉｃｅ　ｌｉｔｔｌｅ　Ｒｙｏｋａｎ　ａｎｄ　ａｌｒｅａｄｙ　ｇｏｔ　ｍｙ　ｃｅｌｌ　ｐｈｏｎｅ　ｈｏｏｋｅｄ　ｕｐ．　Ｔｈｅ　ｒｙｏｋａｎ　ｄｏｅｓ　ｎｏｔ　ｈａｖｅ　ｉｎｔｅｒｎｅｔ　ａｎｄ　ａｐｐａｒｅｎｔｌｙ　ｐｏｗｅｒ　Ｉ　ｃａｎ　ｕｓｅ，　ｓｏ　ｍｙ　ｃｅｌｌ　ｐｈｏｎｅ　ｊｕｓｔ　ｄｉｅｄ　ａ　ｂｉｔ　ａｇｏ．

Ｉ　ａｍ　ａｌｓｏ　ｎｏｔ　ｓｕｒｅ　ｙｅｔ　ｉｆ　ｍｙ　ｐａｒｅｎｔｓ　ｋｎｏｗ　ｉｆ　Ｉ　ａｍ　ａｌｉｖｅ　ｄｉｓｐｉｔｅ　ｒｅｐｅａｔｅｄ　ａｔｔｅｍｐｔｓ　ｔｏ　ｅｍａｉｌ　ｔｈｅｍ，　ｓｏ　Ｉ　ｔｈｏｕｇｈｔ　Ｉ　ｗｏｕｌｄ　ｓｐｅｎｄ　５００ｙｅｎ　（～＄５）　ｏｎ　ａｎ　ｈｏｕｒ　ａｔ　ａｎ　ｉｎｔｅｒｎｅｔ　ｃａｆｅ　ａｎｄ　ｌｅｔ　ａ　Ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ　ｋｅｙｂｏａｒｄ　ｆｉｇｈｔ　ｍｅ　ｔｏｏｔｈ　ａｎｄ　ｎａｉｌ　ａｓ　Ｉ　ｔｙｐｅ　ｔｈｉｓ．（Ｃａｎｔ　ｓｅｅｍ　ｔｏ　ｇｅｔ　ｉｔ　ｔｏ　ｓｔａｙ　ｉｎ　ｎｏｒｍａｌ－ｗｉｄｔｈ　ｃｈａｒａｃｔｅｒｓ，　ｓｏ　ｔｈａｔｓ　ｗｈｙ　ｔｈｉｓ　ｉｓ　ｓｏ　ｌａｒｇｅ．Ｔｈｅ　Ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ ｃａｎｔ　ｔｅｌｌ　ｔｈｅ　ｄｉｆｆｅｒｅｎｃｅ．）

Ｉ　ｗｏｕｌｄ　ｊｕｓｔ　ｒｅｍｏｔｅ－ｃｏｎｔｒｏｌ　ｍｙ　ｈｏｍｅ　ｐｃ　ａｎｄ　ｂｅ　ｄｏｎｅ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｉｔ，　ｂｕｔ　ｉｔ　ｓｅｅｍｓ　all　ｍｙ　ｐｃｓ　ａｒｅ　ｏｆｆ　ｌｉｎｅ．．．　ｏｆ　ｃｏｕｒｓｅ．　（Ｒｅｂｏｏｔ　ｂｌｕｅ　ｐｃ　ｐｌｅａｓｅ　ｐａｒｅｎｔａｌ　ｕｎｉｔｓ）

Ｔｈｉｓ　ｍｏｒｎｉｎｇ　Ｉ　ｗｏｋｅ　ｕｐ　ｅａｒｌｙ　ａｎｄ　ｗｅｎｔ　ｔｏ　Ｋｙｏｍｉｚｕｄｅｒａ．　Ｉ　ｗａｓ　ｈｏｐｉｎｇ　ｔｏ　ｇｅｔ　ｓｏｍｅ　ｐｉｃｓ　ｏｎ　ａ　ｄａｙ　ｔｈｅｒｅ　ｗａｓｎｔ　ａ　ｂｉｌｌｉｏｎ　ｐｅｏｐｌｅ　ｔｈｅｒｅ，　ａｎｄ　ｆｏｒ　ｔｈｅ　ｍｏｓｔ　ｐａｒｔ　Ｉ　ｓｕｃｃｅｅｄｅｄ．　Ａｆｔｅｒ　ｔｈａｔ　Ｉ　ｈｅａｄｅｄ　ｉｎ　ｓｅａｒｃｈ　ｏｆ　ｍｙ　ｆａｖｏｒｉｔｅ　ｐｌａｃｅ　ｉｎ　Ｋｙｏｔｏ－　Ｔｅｒａｍａｃｈｉ．　Ｔｈａｔ　ｉｓ　ｗｈｅｒｅ　Ｉ　ａｍ　ｎｏｗ．　Ｓｏ　ｍａｎｙ　ｍｅｍｏｒｉｅｓ．　Ｓｈａｋｅｙｓ，ｐｌａｃｅｓ　Ｋｙｌｅ　ｓｈｏｐｐｅｄ　ｆｏｒ　ｃｌｏｔｈｅｓ，ｔｈｅ　ｐｌａｃｅ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｔｈｅ　ＨＵＧＥ　ｓｕｎｄａｅｓ，　ａｌｌ　ｔｈｅ　ｐｌａｃｅｓ　ｗｅ　ｌｏｓｔ　Ｔｒｅｖｏｒ　ｉｎ．．．　Ｉｔ　ｉｓ　ｇｏｏｄ　ｔｏ　ｂｅ　ｂａｃｋ．

Ｕｎｆｏｒｔｕｎａｔｅｌｙ　ｍｙ　ｆｒｉｅｎｄｓ　ａｒｅ　ａｌｌ　ｃｕｒｒｅｎｔｌｙ　ｂｕｓｙ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｗｏｒｋ　ｏｒ　ｓｃｈｏｏｌ，　ｓｏ　Ｉ　ａｍ　ｏｎ　ｍｙ　ｏｗｎ　ｆｏｒ　ｎｏｗ．　Ｎｏ　ｍａｔｔｅｒ，　ｔｈｅ　ｗｅａｔｈｅｒ　ｉｓ　ｖｅｒｙ　ｎｉｃｅ　ｔｏｄａｙ，　（ａｔ　ｌｅａｓｔ　ｆｏｒ　Ｋｙｏｔｏ　ｔｈｉｓ　ｔｉｍｅ　ｏｆ　ｙｅａｒ）　ｎｏｔ　ｔｏｏ　ｈｏｔ　ａｎｄ　ｎｏｔ　ｔｏｏ　ｈｕｍｉｄ，　ｂｕｔ　ｓｔｉｌｌ　ｆａｒ　ｍｏｒｅ　ｈｕｍｉｄ　ｔｈａｎ　ｈｏｍｅ．

Ｒｉｇｈｔ　ｎｏｗ　Ｉ　ｓｅｅ　ｉｔｓ　ａｂｏｕｔ　９：３０ｐｍ　ｏｎ　Ｍｏｎｄａｙ．　Ｆｏｒ　ｍｅ　ｉｔｓ　３；３０ｐｍ　Ｔｕｅｓｄａｙ．　Ｈｅｌｌｏ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｔｈｅ　ｆｕｔｕｒｅ．

Ｐｌａｎｓ　ｆｏｒ　ｔｈｅ　ｒｅｓｔ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｄａｙ　ｉｎｃｌｕｄｅ　ｆｉｎｄｉｎｇ　ａ　ｂａｎｋ　ｓｏ　Ｉ　ｃａｎ　ｗｉｔｈｄｒａｗ　ｅｎｏｕｇｈ　ｍｏｎｅｙ　ｆｏｒ　ｔｈｅ　Ｒｙｏｋａｎ．　Ｉ　ｈａｖｅ　ｔｏ　ｃｈｅｃｋ　ｏｕｔ　ｔｏｍｏｒｒｏｗ　ｂｕｔ　ｗｉｌｌ　ｃｈｅｃｋ　ｉｎ　ｔｏ　ａ　ｎｅａｒｂｙ　ｍｕｃｈ　ｃｈｅａｐｅｒ　ｏｎｅ　ｆｏｒ　ｔｈｅ　ｌａｓｔ　ｎｉｔｅ　ｔｉｌ　Ｉ　ｅｎｔｅｒ　ｔｈｅ　ｄｏｒｍｓ．　Ｈｅｒｅｓ　ｈｏｐｉｎｇ　ｔｈａｔ　ｏｎｅ　ｈａｓ　ｐｏｗｅｒ．

Ｐａｒｅｎｔｓ－　i　ｅｍａｉｌｅｄ　ｂｏｔｈ　Ｄａｄ　ａｔ　ｗｏｒｋ　ａｎｄ　Ｍｏｍ　ａｔ　ｈｏｍｅ．Ｍｙ　ｅｍａｉｌ　ａｄｄｒｅｓｓ　ｉｓ　ｖｅｒｙ　ｗｅｉｒｄ　ｓｏ　ｃｈｅｃｋ　ｙｏｕｒ　ｓｐａｍ　ｆｉｌｔｅｒｓ． Ｉｔｓ　ａ　ｓｔｒｉｎｇ　ｏｆ　ｒａｎｄｏｍ　ｃｈａｒａｃｔｅｒｓ　＠ｓｏｆｔｂａｎｋ．ｎｅ．ｊｐ

Ｉｔ　ｉｓ　ｎｉｃｅ　ｔｏ　ｂｅ　ａｂｌｅ　ｔｏ　ｒｅｌａｘ　ａ　ｂｉｔ，　Ｉ　ｃｅｒｔａｉｎｌｙ　ｎｅｅｄ　ｉｔ．　Ｈｏｗｅｖｅｒ　Ｉ　ａｍ　ｈｏｐｉｎｇ　ｔｏ　ｇｅｔ　ａｓ　ｍｕｃｈ　Ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ　ｐｒａｃｔｉｃｅ　ａｓ　ｐｏｓｓｉｂｌｅ　ｂｅｆｏｒｅ　Ｉ　ｓｔａｒｔ　ｃｌａｓｓｅｓ．　Ｗｅ　ｓｈａｌ　ｓｅｅ．

Links of the day!

ＡＪａｐａｎｅｓｅ　Ｋｅｙｂｏａｒｄ　Ｗｈａｔ　Ｉ　ａｍ　ｆｉｇｈｔｉｎｇ　ｒｉｇｈｔ　ｎｏｗ．　Ｎｏｔｉｃｅ　ｈｏｗ　ｓｍａｌｌ　ｔｈｅ　ｓｐａｃｅｂａｒ　ｉｓ　ａｎｄ　ｔｈａｔ　ａｌｌ　Ｐｕｎｃｔｕａｔｉｏｎ　ｉｓ　ｉｎ　ｃｏｍｐｌｅｔｅｌｙ　ｄｉｆｆｅｒｅｎｔ　ｐｌａｃｅｓ．　Ｉｎ　ｃａｓｅ　ｙｏｕ　ｈａｖｅｎｔ　ｎｏｔｉｃｅｄ，　Ｉｈａｖｅ　ｎｏ　ｉｄｅａ　ｗｈｅｒｅ　ｔｈｅ　ａｐｏｓｔｒｏｐｈｅ　ｉｓ．

戻る

(Modoru - to return)

Ive been meaning to write this for awhile, but I have been so busy. Right now is my last few hours to get anything done, and I'm really not sure what to do with myself.

I am returning to Kyoto tomorrow morning. Of course I arrive the following evening... and I dont have my confirmation yet on how to get from the airport to my place... Whatever, I'll figure it out.

Yes I am going back. People keep asking me if I am excited. ATM more nervous. I am not very confident in my Japanese skills and this time it's a 3rd year college course. All I know is I will do my best.

Last nite I saw Hulk, great movie. Tonight going out with other friends, probably to see Indy. So I got to get to work.

Links of the day!

How to stalk me- everything is linked here anyway, including the top right of the site and the sidebar.
Twitter I love it. I will be sending updates from my cell phone and will get replies at night at my computer
DigsbyThat chat window on the right. It is way more than that though, its by far the best IM client I've ever used and it is still in early beta. Check it out.
GalleryWhere my pictures will go assuming I can get it to work. I am so leaving my webhost when I get home. Btw- link subject to change. Ill update the navigation but I might forget this post.

eigo

(eigo - English)

 

OK, back to English, though most who read this probably know Japanese better than me... It has been a week and that is way too long for this post, I haven't yet told you about what is quite arguably my best days in Japan.

 

Nobuko's family were so very nice it was amazing. Her mother and aunt spent all day cooking more than a table full of vegetarian food for me. I cant say I know what it all was, but it was all delicious. I absolutely stuffed myself and they still kept telling me to eat. Every time I took a sip from my beer they refilled it for me as well, with probably my current favorite Japanese beer. (Kirin The Gold) Her mother had asked Nobuko and practiced to say 'Welcome to my home' when I got there which was a really nice thing for her to do. It was a really nice evening where I talked to her family quite a bit. I do regret that I did not get to talk to her dad more, as he went upstairs a bit early and then because of his work schedule I did not get to see him again for the trip.

 

I could have come with an empty suitcase and her mother would have filled it. She gave me tea, mocchi, snacks that the Japanese eat while drinking beer, gum and traditional Osaka candies. She would have given me a lot more, but there was simply no room in my suitcase. As it was I felt she gave me too much, with all the wonderful things she did for me while I was there. Nobuko and Minor both chipped in to buy me a Junbei, a kind of Japanese traditional outfit that is kind of like a yukatta with shorts. Her mother completed the outfit by giving me Tatami sandals, which is great since my old ones were beginning to fall apart.

 

The next morning, Nobuko and her mother put out a large spread for me again while they ate coffee jelly and toast... I felt like a king in their home. It was really just too nice. After that Nobuko and I met Minori for a tour of Osaka. Minori had never done this either so it was new to her as well.

 

First let me tell you that it was about 983 degrees out and humid. Nobuko wore a sweat shirt..... I would have died. There seem to be two schools of thought on beauty in Japan. One is to stay as white as possible (Nobuko's meathod) and the other is to get a fake tan till you're dark brown and then put on white makeup..... I must say between the two I prefer Nobuko's method by far. Minori doesn't seem to care either way. ^^

 

Anyway, we went for a tour of the rivers of the city by boat and then to Osaka castle. The boat ride was a nice chance to see the scenery around town quickly in the short time I had to see it. I really would like to explore Osaka more. The castle was beautiful on the outside. It  really dominates the landscape of the city, even with all the skyscrapers. It was not at all what I expected inside. It was basically a museum of Osaka history with a great portion devoted to the 'Summer of War' when the original castle was burnt down. There were also family histories and the history of the building of the castle. On one of the floors they had many different Japanese generals' helmets you could try on for like $2. I tried hard to get Minori and Nobuko to do it and we could take a group picture, but they refused. They know too well it would go on the web I guess. ^^;

 

After the castle, we were all starving. There was a fair outside the castle and we walked thru it rather quickly, the best part is when they used an ice machine to 'snow' on everyone. It felt really, really good in the heat. We headed to an okonomiyaki restaurant (probably my favorite Japanese food) and stuffed ourselves. Then we went to the shopping areas of Osaka and had fun looking at everything. I got a couple manga and CDs at Book Off, but other than that I did not shop as I simply had no room in my bag. Osaka is beautiful at night, they light it up almost like Tokyo.

 

After that it was time to head home, and Minori parted with us. It is really hard to say goodbye to everyone. I really wish I could stay longer, but I guess that would only make it worse. I thanked her, as I thanked Nobuko later, for taking such good care of me from the day I got to Japan till the day I left.

 

Nobuko and I headed back towards her house, and went to a little festival for the kids where they had lots of kids games. We also ran into her mother, aunt and her aunt's son and his family. The cousins are about my age and have an adorable son. Her aunt bought me and Nobuko shaved ice and we fed a lot of it to the kid. In Japan they often add sweet milk to the shaved ice which I was skeptical about but it is really good. I would have liked to talk to the cousins more as it would have been interesting to talk to someone more my age, but I was just simply whiped out and did not have much Japanese ability.

 

After playing a few games, (which I suck at) we headed back to Nobuko's house. As we had eaten just a few hours before, we just had beer and snacks and a nice conversation. As it got later, Nobuko and I headed to the computer room (where I also stayed, do they know me or what?) and played on the computer till 3am when we just knew we should sleep. The next morning at 5:30 Nobuko woke me up (did not even hear the 5am alarm from my cell phone, but I had never used that alarm before) and it was off to the train station to leave. It was really hard to say goodbye for the last time. I really didn't want to go. Getting on the train 1 car early because it was about to leave I was an instantaneous celebrity. The whole car was filled with elementary students going somewhere, and they were all saying 'Hello!' to me. I responded to each one then found my seat in the next car and got comfortable. I sent out a goodbye and thank you email (the previous, previous post in Japanese) to everyone, but sadly that used the rest of my prepaid money so I couldn't respond to the responders.

 

3 hours on the Shinkansen later, I got on the hour train to Narita, and then it was time to go. The plane ride was uneventful, the most exciting things were that my bag actually wasn't over weight (30.2kg 31 is cut off) and I had a vegetarian meal this time. Arriving back in LA, Jeannine and Chrissie picked me up and we had breakfast at Hoff's hut. Then I spent the rest of the day fixing my parents network they broke (broke the power button on my router computer...) so we could all play on the Internet again.

 

*******

 

Since then, I have basically been recovering. I promised my body I would sleep when I got home, and it is quite angry at me I am going to work everyday. Still, I let myself rest all this weekend and I hope to be good today. I was all by myself all last week at work which was quite fun, that will not be the case this week. I am fighting hard for my Japanese ability to not disappear, and many of my friends have been emailing me. The thing is I am too brain dead after work to think in Japanese, so I have been lagging a bit (Sorry!)

 

Actually a funny side note. I told you about having 2 hours sleep the night before leaving. I sent an email to everyone (previous post in Japanese) saying I had fallen asleep on the train and ended up in Hokkaido (farthest north part of Japan) and was now a beer tester for Sapporo.... Almost everyone believed me... The Japanese are so honest and nice it is scary sometimes.

 

The pictures aren't up yet, I have been lagging, hopefully today. I am going to be moving my server to a new host over this week so there will probably be some outages. Don't worry, my crappy little site isn't going anywhere.

 

 

ただいま！

実はまだアメリカに帰りません。東京へ新幹線で寝ちゃったので、北海度でSapporoビールのテスターに成りました。

 

（笑）いいかなぁ〜

 

とにかく、これは私のパソコンのメールです。忘れないでくださいね。もう、皆さんに会いたいよ！寂しいだよ！住所や電話番号や誕生日や名前の漢字やURLも教えってくださいね。（住所は漢字とかなお願い）

 

日曜日の朝さよならのメールはケータイのお金は全部を使いました。それから、回答はあまり読みません。ごめんね！

 

私のURL:

 

ブログ： http://edroach.blogspot.com

写真：　http://edamamebeans.com/gallery/main.php

音楽：　http://www.last.fm/user/eDRoaCH

 

 

今大阪から東京まで新幹線で行ってる。
5週間の前に私達は知らない人達だった。今皆さんめっちゃなかがいいと思う。三年前友達と今年のCP達もIJPに入らない人も皆さんめっちゃ親切だよ。

日本語と英語とドイツ語も（かも^-')言葉が分からん。

アメリカに帰る後で絶対メールを送る！
ほんまに、ほんまに、まいどありがとうございました！忘れないでね〜♪

元気でね！

親切

I just wanted to take a half second to say Nobuko's family are the nicest people in the world．

More details later, for now I don't want to miss a thing．

眠い

(Nemui - tired)

Well I must be tired. I have good reason to be, up till 5am drinking sake and then up at 9 to finish packing. I wrote a longer post earlier on the computer but I got distracted and forgot to hit post(-"-;) From here on out its probably ケータイ (cell phone) only which means shorter posts and no pictures till I get back.

It is also quite draining to leave everyone. I made adozen new best friends in just 5 weeks and now I have to leave them．Thankfully many have plans to go to Cali soon. Those that dont I plan on convincing.(o^-')b

Now Im on a train back to ihouse to get my bags and then go to dinner at Nobukos house near Osaka where I will stay till early Sunday morning when I leave. There is very little time left...

I am just glad my dad seems ok．

Nobuko and Minori have a full day of sight seeing planned for me tomorrow．Sounds like a lot of fun, I cant wait.

Till next time.

荷物

(nimotsu - luggage)

Well, it looks like I am all packed. At least I hope I am because there's damn sure no room in my bag... I do have 2 other bags I am not even using inside it, but I would really prefer to continue not using them. I am probably over-weight (my bag, I know I am over-weight) so I will have to pay at the airport, I dont care.

However I am going shopping with Nobuko today, and I still dont know what I am doing with my bag in the meantime. Also, if I buy anything my bag will explode.... and those of you who know me know I am going to end up buying something...

Last night a bunch of us went out to eat and have a few drinks for my last night in Kyoto. It was really fun, everyone is so wonderful, and I finally got to see Natsumi again and talk to her. Still as kind and cheerful as ever. I have come here twice and both times I have definately been very lucky to have the conversation partners I had.

After dinner, I ended up staying up till 5am with a few of the people from the Ihouse having a few drinks. Then got up at 9am. Such is my life in Japan.

*** I forgot to post this earlier. As I have a chance to wait for the Taxi I thought I would repost it real quick***

Links of the day!

おみあげ

(omiage - gifts bought when traveling)

I am finally freaking done with omiage shopping. If you dont like what you get, sorry I dont care. Well sorta.... Anyway most omiage will be shipped home in a box tomorrow so I probably wont get it for about 2 weeks, so dont hold your breath.

I also went to Book Off today and spent about $100 on CDs. This may seem like a lot, but Japanese cds, even in Japan, are around $30 new. I got about 10 cds for $100 I find that quite good.

Tomorrow I must pack, pay 'rent' and then go out with friends for the last time in Kyoto before Friday when Nobuko comes to whisk me away to Osaka.

I had an interesting experience today when I finished shopping. I went to a restaraunt in Kyoto station to eat Okonomiyaki, and I had difficulty getting them to NOT cover it in the fish flakes Harry Newman loves so much. So the woman next to me helped me out and we ended up talking for about an hour. It was nice to know I could almost kind of hold up my half of the conversation for awhile. Kind of like 3 years ago at The Hub in Tokyo at 4am.

Right now I should be packing but there is a party upstairs.... so I'll probably pack tomorrow. ^^ I also hope to upload another batch of pics tomorrow, probably the last time this trip. The rest will go up when I get back home and recover.

Dad is back in the hospital last I heard. It is a few more hours before I can call and get the newest details. I really hope everything is ok.

Jeannine, its nice to know you fill in for me making a fool of yourself while I'm away. I can always count on you. ^^ And the pictures are on the 'Gallery' link on the right of this post....

Links of the day!

no. I'm not even using my laptop, and Chinese girls are yelling at eachother next to me...

The great smiley post

Back on the keitai．．．I think I wanted to do this 3 years ago but never did. Japanese smilies are a wonder to behold and I am going to post all the ones in this phone．Later I will come back and format it．Here goes

1： (^-^) (^-^)v (o^-')b o(^o^)o d(^-^) d(^O^)b (^ヘ^)v (*^_^*) ('ー'#)/ ~ヽ('ー`)ノ~

2： ('◇')ゞ (・ω・)ノ ヾ(*'-'*) (^-^)/~ (*'-^)-☆ (｀o'ヾ (^з^)-☆Chu!! ('O')/ハイ! d(-_-) m(_ _)m


3： <(｀^´)>エッヘン (¬_¬)ぁゃιぃ （｀ε´）ぶー <<o(>_<)o>> （｀曲´＃） (-"-;) ＼(`o'") こら-っ {{ (>_<) }} o(><;)(;><)o (*'へ'*)

4： (*'o'*) あっ＼(◎o◎)／！ w(☆o◎)wガーン (ΘoΘ;) (*_*) ヾ(^_^; (・ω・;)(;・ω・) σ(^◇^;)。。。 ...((((((^_^;) ┐('〜`；)┌

5： (ToT) (>_<) (-_-；) {{{{(+＿+)}}}} 。。。。(〃_ _)σ‖ φ(_ _)。ｏ○グゥ (=_=) (´〜`) (ρ.-) (+.+)(-.-)(_ _)…

6：＼(^O^)人(^O^)／ ((( ^^)爻(^^ ))) (^_-)db(-_^) ρ(..、)ヾ(^-^;) (；＾＾)人(＾＾；) ヽ(*^‐^)人(^-^*)ノ ♪( ^o^)＼(^-^ )♪ ( ^o^)ρ(^O^ )アーン ☆(*^)(*^o^*)チュッ ☆ヽ(~-~(・_・ )ゝ

7： (^O^)／C□☆ ／(.^.)＼ ( ..)φ (-.-)y-~~~ .....((((*^o^)ノノ ε=ヾ(;゜ロ゜)ノ (^〜^)モグモグ ( ^-^)_旦"" o(^-^o) (o^-^)o♪ (・o・ ))(( ・o・)？

8： オリャ(ノ-o-)ノ ┫ o(゜へ゜)○☆ドカッ ＼(`O´θ／ (^-^)/((((((●~* (・_・)ｒ鹵~＜巛巛 ( ^ー^)σ" ポイ (/--)/ ⌒○ (^_^)-c<T_T)キュゥ (^_^；)＼('_' ) (・_*)＼ペチ

9： (((/ToT)/...‖wc‖ ‖wc‖ ヽ( ´ー`)ノ {[(-_-)(-。-)y-]} (*~ρ~)ヨッテマース ( ・_<)σ…---・ U^ェ^U ＾(・＠・)＾ （・Θ・） (=^・^=) (^O_O^)

10： ☆彡☆彡☆彡☆彡 ∵・∴・★ ◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇ ■□■□■□■□ _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ //*/*//*/*// --*--*--*--*--*-- 〜・＊・〜・＊・〜 ☆*:・°★:*:・° └∵┐♪┌∵┘

There, I hope you feel enlightened． Mind you these are just what are in my 安っぽいプリーペッドケータイ（cheezy prepaid phone) I have recieved much stranger．

And now, after a half hour of work, I hope this works．．．

-------

Seems it worked, tho the font is different which screws things up a bit. About half of these are fairly obvious, the rest are just plain rediculous. I love the dog personally. I also often use the 3 faces falling asleep one.

I am not sure how to edit it better without putting each on its own line and making this post REALLY LONG. I also still need to add the topics instead of just #s, but I am too lazy right now at 1:25am.

Tonights dinner went well, about 8 people came and all seemed to enjoy. For once I was actually too busy having fun to take many pictures. I feel bad that I didn't really get a chance to talk to everyone one on one, 10pm curfew for guests just sucks.

晩ご飯

(bangohan, dinner)

As I sit here a bit nervous trying to waste another hour or so, I thought I would fill you in.

I went to Kyoto station yesterday and did some shopping (still not done with omiage~ argh) and found the international grocery store. First thing I saw was potato gnocchi and right then and there I decided to cook for everyone tonight. Thing is it is finals and it's kinda like herding cats to get any number of people together in the same place. So we shal se if anyone actually shows up... I have more than enough food for all. (I hope) Going to do gnocchi in a pre-made mushroom red sauce that I am adding sliced sun dried tomatoes and garlic to, garlic bread and sun dried tomato pesto bread.

I also saw Meg off from the station to her 1 week job in Tokyo. It really sucks not having her around, she is so much fun. But so is everyone else, and I plan to have lots of fun even without her. Maybe I will make her jealous. ^^ I think she may already be jealous she can't let me cook for her.

Today I went back to Kyoto station and bought a bit more food (the makings of the garlic/pesto bread) and went up Kyoto tower. Not nearly as tall as Tokyo tower but in many ways a more beautiful view. It is a lot greener. Obviously I took lots of pics and will share them with all soon.

As I expected, the last days here are flying by. I still have to buy several people gifts and am running out of time and ideas.... it is really hard to personalize everything so please dont kill me when you dont get what you hoped for. (None of you gave me orders anyway :P) Tomorrow I hang out with Gaccha and Madoka though I dont know where or when, and hopefully I'll finish omiage shopping then. The thing about omiage shopping is they wrap everything, which is nice, cept when I dont know what the hell (hi Meg!) is in it... so when it gets to you all messily wrapped, thats not the Japanese's fault its mine because I re-wrapped it without even having new tape....

Thursday is my last night in Kyoto and it looks like I will get to hang out with Natsumi, my CP from three years ago, which is nice. She seems very busy I didn't think it would happen.

Anyway I guess thats it. Dad I hope you are doing ok and I will see you soon.

Links of the day!

na...

写真

(shashin - picture)

I uploaded all the pictures up until yesterday, in which I did nothing because I was tired, and now I still am. :P Anyway there is Weekend 3, Week 4 and the Farewell Party up. Btw since no one seems to be commenting maybe I should explain it- if you go to a picture page (where the picture is bigger than a thumbnail) there is a little bubble icon with a + sign. It is above and below the picture so it is easy to find. Clicking on either one will get you to the comment add area. The rest should be fairly obvious. Then again maybe everyone just forgot about me. I know Jeannine doesn't return my emails. :P

Right now I am just sitting here realizing how fast everything is going to go and how many people and things I still want to see. I needed to rest yesterday, but probably will not let myself do that again. My first day back at work is going to be fuuuuuun...

Trevor leaves today (wonder if he is up yet?) and then I am supposed to go to Osaka for electronic toy shopping, but Meg may be able to meet me for lunch before she leaves to Tokyo so I will probably ditch out on the chance that she can meet me. I have several things in the city I need to do anyway.

Thats it for now, nothing too exciting. Be sure to read the previous post, it's more interesting.

Links of the day!

Hey I got one!
BET - Read a Book (language warning) a 'positive' rap video' I can't take credit for this, Trevor showed it to me last night.

めっちゃ楽しかった

(meccha tanoshikatta - very fun)

Well last night was the goodbye party. Everyone came and it was really fun. Unfortunately Aki, my conversation partner couldn't make it, he just HAD to go drinking in Osaka. (Hey I understand ^^) But Mariko came and wow, she is so amazing. She drew these beautiful pictures for Kyle, Trevor, JC and me and gave them as gifts to us. She even began to cry a little. She is just so very nice. I always make fun of her because everywhere she goes (I mean everywhere) she knows people. But it is easy to see why. She is just an amazing person. She wrote a note to us on the back of it and added 'pease don't forget me'...... how could I possibly forget her.

Actually everyone is just amazing, Meg, Yuna, Mayumi, Tsu-kun, Isson, Taka, Keiji, Yayoi, Gaccha, Madoka, Morimoto, Nozomi... I really should just list off everyone. A bunch of them got us postcards that they wrote all over, they even personalized the picture of the card. JC got a bunch of naked women, Trevor got a cat from a joke he made on the homework, Kyle got a frog (Japanese spelling and pronunciation of his name is identical to frog and 'to return') and I of course got beer. ^^ I honestly havent read it yet, my brain is kind of miswired from everything coming so fast and hard these past 2 weeks.



Thing is I am not gone yet. I still have another week to play. I really want to rest, and today I definately will after being out karaokeing till 5am and then up at 8, but I know it will go by really, really quickly. There is still so much to do. Unfortunately (for me anyway) Meg got a great short term Job in Tokyo that lasts from today till the end of the time I am here (working for the election for $100/day all expenses paid) so I will not have a chance to hang out with her, but everyone else wants to see me and I really, really want to see them.

This morning I got up early and a bunch of the previously mentioned people came to see everyone off. Cept one person didn't leave. My roomate Trevor finally got a chance to print out his itenerary... and he doesnt leave till tomorrow... it was quite funny, esp since he was up so late, even after me, packing.

It really is an amazing program with amazing people. We all put the same thing on our class review- we want level 3! So we can come back next year.

This post may or may not be disjointed. I have no idea at this point. I am tired. I kind of want to call people but all I will say is 'duuuuuuuuh.' Well actually it would probably be 'あのおおおおおお～' (ano- the Japanese word for 'um')

A ton of pics just finished uploading. For some reason the videos are getting out of order. I don't think I will have a chance to care enough to fix it till I return home tho, so deal.

Links of the day!

nope

終わった

(owatta = done)

The speech was better than before, but not as good as I had expected from the practice the night before. Whatever it is over. I took videos and they will be up if they ever finish uploading and I ever have time to make 3 clicks to do it.

Yesterday at lunch was just hillarious. We decide to go to Family Mart, something we rarely do at lunch because its down a big hill, and I see Mariko gigling with her friend. There is a steaming pile of fresh dog doo right in front of her, and she is watching to see who steps in it. She didn't tell me till I got past it but warned everyone behind me! KOWAI!

Anyway I missed the big bang because I wanted to get in line for the ATM before I had to wait in line for half an hour. Some guy in sandals was the one to kick it. Then someone came along and tracked it all throughout the Family Mart. (Think 7 Eleven) It was downright hillarious, I really should have video taped it.

とにかく、I just took my final exam. Went pretty well. Just a nice conversation with the teachers. In just a couple minutes we are going to go to the school to have lunch one final time then go to Kitaoji to mess around a bit with some of the conversation partners before our farewell party at 5pm. After that we go out for Nozomi's birthday.

Then everybody but me leaves the next morning. It is going to be sad. But its not like I cant handle it. It will be nice to finally have free time to do the things I want in Kyoto and hopefully see the friends I have made and kept from 3 years ago.

In other news, my Dad is doing fine. よかった.

Anyway I am late, gotta go.

Links of the day!

nope