Fall Semester

Alrighty, it would appear that what began as an almost daily activity has become sort of a monthly special. This is mostly due to the fact that I do the same things every day. Maybe I'll take up some sort of hobby just so that I can entertain you guys...but then again, probably not.

So, my job is still going well. I really enjoy the people that I work with and I've finally begun to feel like I'm not completely useless. That has been my biggest beef with this new job--trying to do something to make my presence in the office worthwhile. I hate feeling like I'm stealing people's money. So this week I spent most of the allowed 19 hours setting up the online grading system and getting everyone's assignments online. I'm fairly familiar with how the program works now, so it's surprising to me when my other teachers in different departments aren't using it.

You cannot believe how frustrated I felt when I realized that the majority of my new classes don't post anything at all online. I wanted to get on there, find all of the course syllabi, print them and take them to my new classes today. Unfortunately, only two of my six classes have anything online yet.

Anyway, I did well in my First Term classes, better than I had done during Summer term. Either I'm getting a hang of this new college thing, or I just got smarter at picking classes. I think that it's probably a mix of both.

This semester will be my first semester here. I was feeling so proud of myself for going to college and getting good grades and then suddenly I realized something. The two terms that I just finished (when combined) are equal to one semester. That means that this semester is going to be 3 months long. I've been here for 3 months. And let me tell you, those 3 months seem to have started forever ago. How am I ever going to survive?

My classes include Japanese 101, English 201, History 201, Psychology 111, Book of Mormon 121 and Self Defense. After this term I will have close to no GE requirements left and will therefore be able to focus solely on my major once Winter starts. So this is the last semester that I will take that will feel like high school, after this it'll all be business. I'm really excited.

I have officially found my (semi)permanent ward. After a ton of confusion (which was completely out of my control), I have finally settled into the 8th ward here at BYUH. I had originally thought that I was supposed to be in the 8th ward, however after being told twice that I was actually in the 7th ward, I gave in. A few weeks later, 8th ward demanded me back. The very day I came back to 8th ward, they gave me a new calling as Visiting Teaching Coordinator. I find this calling a little bit frightening as I've never actually had a visiting teacher before...(I'm beginning to think that the wards here are incredibly disorganized. I've been here for 3 months and I've had neither visiting teachers or home teachers.)

In addition to my ward calling, this Sunday I'm going to be giving a talk, please wish me luck. I think that the last time I gave a talk I was about 14 years old. But then again, maybe I'll just mess it up so badly that they never ask me to do it again. haha

I went to FHE on Monday and had a fabulous time. We played dodgeball for about an hour (way too long if you ask me), but I was with my friends so it was actually pretty fun. The ward is huge now, so tons of people showed up. So many, in fact, that when we were finally ready for refreshments, there weren't enough plates. So the girls paired up with one another for a plate to share, while the guys had to share the two icecream buckets. Sometimes, one really has to appreciate being born a girl.

Anyway, while I'm happy with the classes that I'll be taking this semester, I'm even more happy that I'll get a chance to go home this Christmas. It'll be nice to be in Utah again, even though it snows there!!

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.