I can't believe that I let so much time pass before posting!
Sunday night was the bishop's son's farewell party that he didn't actually come to. We made okonomiyaki with more egg and flour than at the pro's house--I think it tastes much better without all the cabbage. We also cooked yakisoba and fried tofu. The other kids teased us with the cow liver--which we weren't actually afraid of eating--but we never even opened it. There was also lots of candy.
On monday we met our new classmates. Apparently we caught up to one of the other students. His name is Linus (I think, the japanese pronunciation is really weird) and he's from Chicago. He's over forty and really nice--he even offered to buy our ramen on tuesday.
We also met Irene, she just arrived this week and she is from the Philippines. All the japanese people think that she's japanese and are confused when she doesn't explain to Shell and I how things work. Irene is 22 and loves shopping, so that's what we did with her on Tuesday after school. It was really fun, but by the time we left the book/dvd store, the yukata shop was closed.
But back to Monday, for FHE we had to meet at the stake president's home which is located under the Fukuoka temple. Getting there was really easy and it was fun to meet all the people from the Fukuoka Central Ward. The missionaries were particularly happy to see us which was pretty funny. We met a guy who will be attending Snow College after getting off his mission.
On Wednesday we went to Marine World where we got to see a dolphin show and tons of different kinds of fish. It was actually pretty neat, but my favorite part was trying to get there.
Shelly had copied instructions off the website that were completely wrong, so we had to make our own way there. Transportation was pretty expensive even though we got a day pass because there were 3 different kinds of trains.
While waiting for one of the other trains, we stopped at AM/PM (a convenience store) to buy lunch and some snacks (which was really smart cause the food at Marine World was really expensive). We stopped in the park (located right next to the station) to enjoy a small breakfast. There we met some friends.
I don't know their names, or really anything about them, but I do know that they were very interested in us. One boy in particular was really funny. He asked us "what" we were. First by calling us "daigakuin" (college students), I corrected him by saying ryuugakusee (international students). We then introduced ourselves as americans. Which completely confused the poor thing. He kept saying the wrong place with an incredulous tone. The other kids knew what we were saying, but he couldn't understand what county we were from.
Shelly said, "genki desu ka?" (which is basically, how are you?) And he adamanlty replied, "Genki ja arimasen" (not good at all), we thought his answer was hilarious. I think that he was surprised that we knew what we said. Several other pleasantries passed between us, the most memorable being "you should go buy a japanese teacher."
Finally, we finished our food and were able to leave the snot-nosed brats behind us. However, I will probably count the encounter among my most favorite.
After Marine World, we went to Wonder World. It like Lagoon times 10. It's huge and has a zoo in it. We saw the monkeys, pet the capibara, admired the pony ride (the guys incharge of the ride were really excited to see us and weren't shy at all, but they were on duty, so we couldn't talk), teased the goats, and saw tons of other semi-exotic animals.
Then we went on the ferris wheel, truly admired the size of the place, bought some shaved us (melon flavor with milk stuff on top). Then Shelly went on the rollercoaster, I voted to stay behind and watch the bags. While Shelly was gone I noticed that almost no one stared at me. It was like they couldn't tell that I was a gaijin. I guess it's because my hair is kind of the weird red-color that is so popular here. Only 3 kids noticed what I truly was while Shelly was gone.
Then we went through the haunted house that was actually pretty scary. I didn't understand the stories behind the scenes, but getting attacked by blown air will make anyone jump.
Today we have nothing to do, so we are currently "napping." I can't wait until next week though, because the school is hosting a Mt. Aso trip. We had to pay extra, but it's an overnight trip so it was totally worth it.
Anyway, good bye for now!
Showing posts with label japan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label japan. Show all posts
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
2nd Saturday in Japan
Okay, so I have gotten very lazy and haven't posted anything in the past few days. Gomen ne!
On Saturday, Shelly and I spent a long, lazy morning getting ready. It wasn't until 10(ish) that we finally left the dorm. We took the subway to Canal City where we went shopping. I bought some studio ghibli totoro slippers (now I can finally give the dorm lady back the slippers she lent me). Canal city is known as "the city within the city," but is really just a shopping district. It's not as big as people make it out to be, but the mall/building has many floors.
There are all kinds of stores from region gift shops to clothes to restaurants or every kind (chinese, mexican, traditional japanese, KFC, Wendy's, Dipper Dan's). We accidentally ordered grapefruit icecream (Shelly said grape, register Dipper Dan girl heard grape, other ice ceam scooper Dipper Dan girl heard grapefruit).
Basically we spent the day shopping, without actually buying anything. Apparently there was some sort of spring celebration going on so many stores were having sales. We also watched a magic/pantomime act and listened to a few local bands.
Through our existance in Canal City were drew lots of attention, some say kiree (pretty) others say gaijin (foreigner), instilled fear in children and were defeated by a door (it was locked, you're supposed to use the other door). We had unadon for lunch and had a bunch of boys say "hi" and attempt to introduce themselves in english.
Then we went to a park that was nearby where we met Karim. He's french and wantd Shelly and I to visit him one day in Paris. He spoke with us until his friend (also called Karim) arrived. While at the park we witnessed the awesome phenomenon of a hand-stand while peeing chihuahua. One leg was not enough.
At 4ish we escaped the frenchmen and got home just in time for dinner. Chicken with some weird sauce (whose name escapes me at the moment) and of course, rice. We also had some strawberries.
After all that we had a very lazy evening and that is where I'm going to leave off. You see, it's almost 11 and that is one of the latest times I have eve stayed up here. Plus I'm gonna have a busy morning. I still have to do tomorrow's homework and take a shower. Anyway, bye for now. I will catch you up later. ^^
On Saturday, Shelly and I spent a long, lazy morning getting ready. It wasn't until 10(ish) that we finally left the dorm. We took the subway to Canal City where we went shopping. I bought some studio ghibli totoro slippers (now I can finally give the dorm lady back the slippers she lent me). Canal city is known as "the city within the city," but is really just a shopping district. It's not as big as people make it out to be, but the mall/building has many floors.
There are all kinds of stores from region gift shops to clothes to restaurants or every kind (chinese, mexican, traditional japanese, KFC, Wendy's, Dipper Dan's). We accidentally ordered grapefruit icecream (Shelly said grape, register Dipper Dan girl heard grape, other ice ceam scooper Dipper Dan girl heard grapefruit).
Basically we spent the day shopping, without actually buying anything. Apparently there was some sort of spring celebration going on so many stores were having sales. We also watched a magic/pantomime act and listened to a few local bands.
Through our existance in Canal City were drew lots of attention, some say kiree (pretty) others say gaijin (foreigner), instilled fear in children and were defeated by a door (it was locked, you're supposed to use the other door). We had unadon for lunch and had a bunch of boys say "hi" and attempt to introduce themselves in english.
Then we went to a park that was nearby where we met Karim. He's french and wantd Shelly and I to visit him one day in Paris. He spoke with us until his friend (also called Karim) arrived. While at the park we witnessed the awesome phenomenon of a hand-stand while peeing chihuahua. One leg was not enough.
At 4ish we escaped the frenchmen and got home just in time for dinner. Chicken with some weird sauce (whose name escapes me at the moment) and of course, rice. We also had some strawberries.
After all that we had a very lazy evening and that is where I'm going to leave off. You see, it's almost 11 and that is one of the latest times I have eve stayed up here. Plus I'm gonna have a busy morning. I still have to do tomorrow's homework and take a shower. Anyway, bye for now. I will catch you up later. ^^
Friday, April 17, 2009
6/7th Days in Japan
On thursday we had class as usual, but today we were to be taught by the school's only male teacher. Yuji-sensei is kinda creepy (to be blunt). Really funny. But creepy. Really good teacher. But, again, creepy.
Anyway, class went well. We learned how to actually say things to people. Things that you might actually use in public. Oh and we tried to beat him while putting the hiragana in order. We lost.
After foundation, we had culture class. This time we were painting hakata dolls. These dolls are actually quite famous and were the first Japanese doll to be designated by the Nat'l Government as a traditional arts/crafts industry.
The dolls that we painted are very cute and make a bell-like sound when you shake them, but I worry that they won't make it home as they are very fragile.
Once we got home we made sticky rice and stir fry for our bentos. Right around then I got my first migraine while in Japan. In fact, this is the first full on migraine that I have had in a very long time. I can't really explain why I got it. I had had a good lunch, sure I had some candy for snack, but... Basically, it must have been triggered by something I ate. Probably the soy sauce, but again, I don't really know. Not only was this the worst headache I'd had in months, it was also the fastest growing migraine I think I've ever had.
Generally, I know hours before I get a migraine. Or rather, I know whether I have a potential migraine. Kinda like the weather man telling you that there's a 20% chance of rain. I noticed that I might get a migraine while I was at school, but I ignored it (which I always do unless it gets worse). Then, while cooking, I noticed that it had indeed gotten worse and I decided that if it progressed, I would take a pill after I finished cooking. Basically, yesterday was no good.
Today was our last day of school for the week. After next week, we start intensive language training (that means that culture is replaced by another 2 hours of language). Monday and Friday are short day, so no culture today. We went home, started our first batch of laundry (which is still drying outside) and while I watched the washing machines, Shelly bought and cooked chicken for tomorrow's bento.
At 5:30 we left to go back to school for the Shabu shabu party. It was awesome! Shabu shabu is delicious, and plus the waiter guy totally made eyes at Shelly and I. ^^ At about 8, Shelly and I left early to explore the mall. We got lost (after touring the mall) in the red light district. I don't know how we got there, we just did. It really isn't that much different from the rest of town except that it smells like beer. And there are tons of guys. And a few scantily clad women. We saw a love hotel sign and a club that cost 100,000 en (about $100) for 40 mins. (an hour was 150,000 en).
We asked the 7/11 man which way Ohori Kouen was--the opposite direction. He was really nice and even tried to speak to us in English. Then we found the subway and asked the subway lady which subway to take (of course the one a ten minute walk away--still in the opposite direction of the red light district). Then we asked a random convenience store girl which way to go before we recognized the Daiei sign. From there, getting home was easy (but still about 15 mins by bike).
We didn't get home until 9:30 (our dorm's curfew is at 10). Anyway, this is the latest I have stayed up while in Japan, so I'm exhausted.
Anyway, class went well. We learned how to actually say things to people. Things that you might actually use in public. Oh and we tried to beat him while putting the hiragana in order. We lost.
After foundation, we had culture class. This time we were painting hakata dolls. These dolls are actually quite famous and were the first Japanese doll to be designated by the Nat'l Government as a traditional arts/crafts industry.
The dolls that we painted are very cute and make a bell-like sound when you shake them, but I worry that they won't make it home as they are very fragile.
Once we got home we made sticky rice and stir fry for our bentos. Right around then I got my first migraine while in Japan. In fact, this is the first full on migraine that I have had in a very long time. I can't really explain why I got it. I had had a good lunch, sure I had some candy for snack, but... Basically, it must have been triggered by something I ate. Probably the soy sauce, but again, I don't really know. Not only was this the worst headache I'd had in months, it was also the fastest growing migraine I think I've ever had.
Generally, I know hours before I get a migraine. Or rather, I know whether I have a potential migraine. Kinda like the weather man telling you that there's a 20% chance of rain. I noticed that I might get a migraine while I was at school, but I ignored it (which I always do unless it gets worse). Then, while cooking, I noticed that it had indeed gotten worse and I decided that if it progressed, I would take a pill after I finished cooking. Basically, yesterday was no good.
Today was our last day of school for the week. After next week, we start intensive language training (that means that culture is replaced by another 2 hours of language). Monday and Friday are short day, so no culture today. We went home, started our first batch of laundry (which is still drying outside) and while I watched the washing machines, Shelly bought and cooked chicken for tomorrow's bento.
At 5:30 we left to go back to school for the Shabu shabu party. It was awesome! Shabu shabu is delicious, and plus the waiter guy totally made eyes at Shelly and I. ^^ At about 8, Shelly and I left early to explore the mall. We got lost (after touring the mall) in the red light district. I don't know how we got there, we just did. It really isn't that much different from the rest of town except that it smells like beer. And there are tons of guys. And a few scantily clad women. We saw a love hotel sign and a club that cost 100,000 en (about $100) for 40 mins. (an hour was 150,000 en).
We asked the 7/11 man which way Ohori Kouen was--the opposite direction. He was really nice and even tried to speak to us in English. Then we found the subway and asked the subway lady which subway to take (of course the one a ten minute walk away--still in the opposite direction of the red light district). Then we asked a random convenience store girl which way to go before we recognized the Daiei sign. From there, getting home was easy (but still about 15 mins by bike).
We didn't get home until 9:30 (our dorm's curfew is at 10). Anyway, this is the latest I have stayed up while in Japan, so I'm exhausted.
School Blog
Shelly and I made it onto the school's blog on only our 6th day in Japan (that would be our 4th day of school)!! Here is the link: http://www.genkijacs.com/blog/index.php/item/348
I guess that no other students have ever brought home-made bento to school before. Ours were just egg, rice and carrots the first time. But today we had stir fry (with only beef and peppers) and rice with an umeboshi (pickled plum--but maybe it was a pickled cherry?). Anyway, it's a special honor to be included in the schools blog and now you can see our growing fame! ^^
I guess that no other students have ever brought home-made bento to school before. Ours were just egg, rice and carrots the first time. But today we had stir fry (with only beef and peppers) and rice with an umeboshi (pickled plum--but maybe it was a pickled cherry?). Anyway, it's a special honor to be included in the schools blog and now you can see our growing fame! ^^
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