Homework for the Overactive Brain

Today's Quote--"Happy birthday to me, Happy birthday to me..."

Sunday, September 21, 2003

 

Today's Quote--"So I smile and won't believe, hopeing someday I'll wake up from this dream...Suddenly I know I'm not sleeping..."--Evenessence, "Hello"

Yeah, yeah, I like this song though...eventually, you'll see the entire thing quoted. Anyway, thinking about culture shock here...haven't had that "suddenly" moment yet, but I'm sure it's out there waiting for me. Interesting Japan culture fact...it's very difficult to take a nap on a futon...first of all, you have to take it all out of the cupboard...and put it together...which can take as long as 5 or 10 min depending on how anal (or exhausted) you are...then you finally get to lay down and take a nap...but when you get up, you have to go through the whole thing again, but this time in reverse order...and then when you go to bed for the night....same thing. Means your room is more spacious, but it's a lot less inviting to nap when you have to put your entire bed together before hand. ;)

So I forgot that E also wanted weather reports. Well, my two weeks down on the main island (Honshuu), it was usually hot and muggy (aptly described in Japanese as bug-hot, or mushiatsui). There was a little bit of rain as Typhoon # 13 passed us by while we were in Sendai (YEAH ROOMIE!), but for the rest of the trip it was hot and humid. Down in Hiroshima and Kyoto was some of the worst...getting up to about 35 degrees C (think hot...if 20 is about 68 F, and 30C is about 90F...yeah, hot). In Hiroshima it was so humid it started raining...without clouds...the water in the air just spontaniously decided to condense. VERY strange. Anyway, when we got off the train in Sapporo at the end of the trip it was a relief to be in cool, clear air...it was even cooler outside than inside the airconditioned train! The first week back the weather was a little rainy and dreary as Typhoon #14 showed up...the first night at my host family's it hit...I thought the house was going to blow over! It nearly felt like an earthquake on the second floor! But it wasn't too bad...enjoyed listening to it from inside though! Luckily, Sapporo is a little inland and on the Japan Sea, rather than the Pacific Ocean, so not many Typhoons show up here...unlike Tokyo which is currently being pounded by Typhoon #15. Ha, ha, SUJ students...thought It'd be cool to live in Tokyo, didn't ya...Gale force winds that snap trees and umberellas in half and drenching rains that soak you no matter what you've got on? Oh yeah, that's some nifty stuff, man...;) Just joking, I'm sure they're all doing great. :) Recently it's started getting cooler, especially at night (it was 8C last night...thinking around 43F or so). The leaves are just starting to change color, but in the sunshine during the day it's pretty sweet, around 70F or so.

Anyway...host family update...still haven't met my host father...going on a week now. ;) Met a sweet Korean graduate exchange student who lives near-by...Bon-chan. I've decided that she's going to be my Oneechan (older sister) for my stay here...and she thinks I'm cute. LOL. Okaasan thinks it's a great idea, but yeah...;) I know you all care...Hmmm.

Oh yes, registered for classes today...12 credits of Japanese, 3 of Contemporary Japanese History, and 3 of Shinto and Christian Tradiitons (credits = hours per week, around here). Japanese class is going well, I feel like I'm in the right class, definately, but it's difficult, of course. Being surround by Japanese constantly is very tiring, so going to class and getting bombarded with it while trying to learn it for 3 hours straight is down right painful. But that's the way things are. History is more of a fun cultural comparison class with Jason, and Shrines (AKA SHINTO and 'ackhem' christian Traditions) looks like a ton of fun with lots of info, also with Jason.

Trying to make Japanese friends, but making friends is never a quick process, in any language...so I'm thinking time is key in that one. I need to find a club and join, but I just keep putting it off...and I'm doing the same with SGI. But I've really only been going for one week now, so I think time is just going to have to be it. I know the busier I am the better it'll all be, but I'm very tired right now...lots of Japanese going on, and I know it isn't going to go away. I'm beginning to understand the Int.l students a whole lot better...which is one reason why I came here. Yep...learning lots of good stuff besides Japanese. Yes, it all comes back to that love of psychology...except...what the heck am I going to do after I graduate?!!!!! Oh wait...that question's for when I get back. Hmmm, yes.

Tomorrow is a national holiday (Yippee for excessive holidays!), so no school, but there's a festival at the shrine across the street from Hokusei today and tomorrow, so I think I'll make my way over there. The fall festivals are just starting...apparently they go on through October (soon to be replaced by the winter festivals, or so I guess...;) ). And around here the God Ebisu of plenty/party/and beer apparently throws the best parties...and he likes to do it while the other God's are holding their annual meeting in October...hee hee...while the cat's away the mices will play...AH ahahahahhahahhahahahahahha...Yeah. Did I mention that I'm drinking age here? ;-)
And on that note, I'm off!

GL 11:24 PM