Homework for the Overactive Brain

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

Wednesday, November 05, 2003

 

How crowded is it in Japan? Well, when the elevators start complaining about it...Anyway, this is a favorite message from the elevators when it's passing period...did I mention my college here has periods? Hmm...explain later...first more jokes! Yeah....

So, there are these two Gaijin (Japanese word for Foriegner, usually somewhat derogetory, there's a more polite way of saying it.) standing on a busy street corner in the middle of Tokyo in the middle of August. One says to the other, "Atsui desunee!" (It's hot, isn't it?). And a cute little Japanese woman says, "AH! Talking Gaijin!" To which the second Gaijin replies, "AH! Talking Nihonjin!" (Nihonjin is Japanese for Japanese...oy).

Don't get it? Maybe not...It's based on the pie joke. What's the pie joke? Oy, you have to make everything difficult don't you? Well, Keith can't do it, so here goes...So, there are these two pies in an oven, baking, and one says to the other, "Boy it's getting hot in here!" To which the other pie respondes, "AH! A Talking Pie!"

Still don't get it? *sigh* You're no fun. Never mind.

Onward and upward. Passing periods...well periods in general at Hokusei...Five periods a day, 1 1/2 hour periods, 10 minute passing periods. When you've got a lot of people trying to get to the seventh floor within ten minutes, you end up with very crowded elevators. Ah yes, classes start at 8:50AM and fifth period ends at 5:50PM. So, you can see that if you have class all day...it's a long day...kind of like my Tuesdays when I go to American Culture class. ANYWAY. Yes. But people don't necessarily have class every period or every day...thankgoodness! Sometimes I think SUA is almost on that schedual...except we like to make sure that every class is a different length of time...;) OY! Well, it's easier to register I guess when you already know what you have to take! Psych, bio, writing, Japanese, music...I wonder if I can get into all of them? If I start 3 days before everyone, but not because it's a weekend and I can't do internet on weekends...or maybe I can...hmmmmmmm. Yes...Well, one more week to figure it out.

What were some of the things I was considering about Japanese culture the other day? Hmmmmmm. SUBWAYS! Oy...I know, I know, but I really do like it. I love it when the rear conductor leans out to make sure the platform is clear before the doors close and the train leaves...and when there's another conductor and they wave at each other...yeah...*nods*....that's pretty cool. There are 3 conductors per train...and during the morning rush usually at least 1 on the platform...sometimes 2, or even 3 if you're in Odori, making sure people move about orderly. I find it too funny when the conductor on the platform and the rear conductor are telling people the doors are closing, one in words, one with the buzzer, and people are still trying to cram into the train...when the next train comes in 3 or 4 minutes. Pretty funny...Hmmm.

Chugging along on my story...had an inspiration last night and had a hard time stopping. Sometimes, I think it would be great if I could just hang out and write when i get in that kind of a mood. ANYWAY...gotta go. I think I'll go write...;) So, I will go search out some better culture points and get back to ya'll. Hugs and love all around.

GL 9:21 PM