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!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
2nd Week in Japan (pt. 3)
Thursday was a really long day (or so it seemed). Shelly and I really wanted to buy some yukata, so during our 1 hour lunch break, we did just that. I bought a light pink yukata with light purple and bright pink flowers with a matching obi (one side of the obi is neon pink, the other side is dark purple). Shelly got a white yukata with light blue, dark yellow, light pink and light green flowers. She has a matching yellow/green obi. But we didn't get geta there because they were too expensive.
We went to Claire's (yes they have Claire's here...) and got some accessories for our yukata. I got a bright red flower thing and Shelly bought a daisy flower thingy. They're perfect for our yukata.
We got to school just in time for class. After class we talked to Mai-san who knew of an even cheaper yukata store that sold you the yukata, obi and geta in a package deal, but first we had to get through culture class.
Culture class was a maid cafe (which only boys go to), but first we stopped at a Johnny store. Johnny's is a store where you buy the pics of hot japanese guys. It was really awkward going there (mostly cause I had no idea who any of the guys were) and the japanese girls that were there thought we were hilarious. Shelly bought a Johnny's calendar for Sara's omiyage (gift) so she had to carry around a huge, bright yellow Johnny's bag.
At the maid cafe, you have to call you're waittress with a bell. The waitresses wear french maid outfits and have special maid nicknames, they also speak in really high voices. Maki-san (our culture class planner/chappereon) made us ask our waitress at least one question. I asked how she made her voice so cute (she said that it was natural and that she only had one other voice--her angry one).
While we were there, the whole rest of the school showed up (picture 20+ foreigners in the cafe that holds less than 30 people). After they showed up, most of the other customers left.
When that was over, we went to the super cheap yukata store where I bought some geta and Shelly bought a whole new yukata set (this one is dark purple with yellow flowers and pink cherries).
After that, we went shopping for tabi (only later did we learn that you don't wear socks with yukata).
On friday, we had to pinky-promise our sensei that we would study. It was embarrassing, but she does have a point. We haven't studied at all (so far).
I think that we continued our yukata shopping after school, but I can't really remember. We were going to do Okonomiyaki with the ward, but then we realized that we didn't know where it was. So we stayed home. Later, Atsuko called to tell us that the time/place had been changed so it was good that we didn't try to find it.
On saturday we went back to Canal City where I bought some presents. The Pokemon shop there is amazing. It's definitely something you should see at least once in your life.
Then we came home and took a 3 hour nap. After that, we had a picnic at the park--but it was really cold so we didn't stay long. We bought some more hot chocolate and some sugar on the way home. Took a cold shower (all the hot water was gone) and went to bed.
So far today, we have gotten really cute and gone to church. It was stake conference so curry was served after church. The little primary girls invited us to come sit with them on the little chairs, but we decided to eat with the big people. There we tasted pickled things that you put on your curry. I actually like the weird skin colored ones better than the little red ones.
The people around us asked us about the kinds of food we liked and were surprised that we like unagi (eel), sushi, red beans (although I don't really like them in donuts), fish in general, umeboshi (pickled plums are pretty good in moderation), the weird curry pickles... The only thing that they asked us about that we didn't like was natto (fermented beans) and we haven't actually tried that. One guy commented that we were definitely nihonjin (japanese). It was pretty funny.
We also set up a date to try on kimono, there's a professional kimono lady that really wants to dress us up. We're going to meet at the church on friday at one (which means that we'll have to skip the second half of class, but it's just review, so it'll prolly be okay). We don't speak very good japanese though, so we have to have a translator to help us.
Tonight we are going to the bishop's son's mission going away party. For whatever reason, we were also invited. I'm excited, but feel kinda awkward. The ward is including us in everything that they're doing even though we're leaving in less than 2 weeks.
But, that's it for now. Sorry for taking so long with this update.
We went to Claire's (yes they have Claire's here...) and got some accessories for our yukata. I got a bright red flower thing and Shelly bought a daisy flower thingy. They're perfect for our yukata.
We got to school just in time for class. After class we talked to Mai-san who knew of an even cheaper yukata store that sold you the yukata, obi and geta in a package deal, but first we had to get through culture class.
Culture class was a maid cafe (which only boys go to), but first we stopped at a Johnny store. Johnny's is a store where you buy the pics of hot japanese guys. It was really awkward going there (mostly cause I had no idea who any of the guys were) and the japanese girls that were there thought we were hilarious. Shelly bought a Johnny's calendar for Sara's omiyage (gift) so she had to carry around a huge, bright yellow Johnny's bag.
At the maid cafe, you have to call you're waittress with a bell. The waitresses wear french maid outfits and have special maid nicknames, they also speak in really high voices. Maki-san (our culture class planner/chappereon) made us ask our waitress at least one question. I asked how she made her voice so cute (she said that it was natural and that she only had one other voice--her angry one).
While we were there, the whole rest of the school showed up (picture 20+ foreigners in the cafe that holds less than 30 people). After they showed up, most of the other customers left.
When that was over, we went to the super cheap yukata store where I bought some geta and Shelly bought a whole new yukata set (this one is dark purple with yellow flowers and pink cherries).
After that, we went shopping for tabi (only later did we learn that you don't wear socks with yukata).
On friday, we had to pinky-promise our sensei that we would study. It was embarrassing, but she does have a point. We haven't studied at all (so far).
I think that we continued our yukata shopping after school, but I can't really remember. We were going to do Okonomiyaki with the ward, but then we realized that we didn't know where it was. So we stayed home. Later, Atsuko called to tell us that the time/place had been changed so it was good that we didn't try to find it.
On saturday we went back to Canal City where I bought some presents. The Pokemon shop there is amazing. It's definitely something you should see at least once in your life.
Then we came home and took a 3 hour nap. After that, we had a picnic at the park--but it was really cold so we didn't stay long. We bought some more hot chocolate and some sugar on the way home. Took a cold shower (all the hot water was gone) and went to bed.
So far today, we have gotten really cute and gone to church. It was stake conference so curry was served after church. The little primary girls invited us to come sit with them on the little chairs, but we decided to eat with the big people. There we tasted pickled things that you put on your curry. I actually like the weird skin colored ones better than the little red ones.
The people around us asked us about the kinds of food we liked and were surprised that we like unagi (eel), sushi, red beans (although I don't really like them in donuts), fish in general, umeboshi (pickled plums are pretty good in moderation), the weird curry pickles... The only thing that they asked us about that we didn't like was natto (fermented beans) and we haven't actually tried that. One guy commented that we were definitely nihonjin (japanese). It was pretty funny.
We also set up a date to try on kimono, there's a professional kimono lady that really wants to dress us up. We're going to meet at the church on friday at one (which means that we'll have to skip the second half of class, but it's just review, so it'll prolly be okay). We don't speak very good japanese though, so we have to have a translator to help us.
Tonight we are going to the bishop's son's mission going away party. For whatever reason, we were also invited. I'm excited, but feel kinda awkward. The ward is including us in everything that they're doing even though we're leaving in less than 2 weeks.
But, that's it for now. Sorry for taking so long with this update.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
2nd Week in Japan (pt. 2)
Tuesday was pretty uneventful. We went to school, didn't make bentos, bugged the busy store dudes (Mika-sensei made us do it!!) and then went to culture class. It was tea ceremony so we got to dress up in really pretty yukata. I don't have any pics cause we used Shelly's camera. So maybe I'll send some later.
Tea ceremony is very intricate and detailed, you have to do everything perfectly. I think that a lot of it was symbolic, but I don't know what of. Tea ceremony is the most kata-ized part of Japan (that I have witnessed). We also got to try our hand at making the o-cha. The sensei had to help me cause I'm apparently a bad o-cha maker. Shelly had inherent skills, of course.
Then we tried our hand at making yakitori (again). This batch wasn't very good because we didn't use enough sauce (but we didn't know that until we got to school today cause it was our bento).
Today, Mai-san gave us some herbal chammomile tea which is really yummy! It smells like sweets and when you add a teaspoon of sugar, it tastes like them too! Mai-san is really nice to us, I guess she has a Mormon friend. She even chased down the missionaries for us so that she could get the address of one of the churches.
We had okonomiyaki class for culture. Okonomiyaki is called japanese pizza, but it is nothing like pizza at all. It's more like an omelet. The key parts of okonomiyaki are the cabbage (you use tons), the egg (we used only 2) and some flour (approx. 1/2 cup). You can put anything you want into it after that. Our okonomiyaki had onion, bacon and beef in it. Then you top it off with a special sauce (oyster--I think--sauce mixed with ketchup--just like takoyaki sauce) then you put some mayo on it (the japanese love mayo) and lastly, we added bonito flakes (which are kinda gross and move around after you put them on your okonomiyaki). It was pretty good, but it's not one of my favorites. Shelly and I will be making it again on Friday with the ward.
After that we went yukata shopping because we are convinced that we need some before Dontaku (a festival in May). Shelly found a store that sells used yukata that we can definitely afford. Now it's just whether or not we can still find it.
The church was holding an english class for anyone who wants to come. The missionaries are in charge of teaching, but they had us help explain "I might as well." Which makes perfect sense to me, but when I try to explain it, I can't. A lot of the japanese people could catch the meaning. Then we introduced ourselves once again and helped a lady translate her class schedule. Later, we played "Do you love your neighbor?" which was pretty fun (but since we were helping the lady, we were late and I didn't want to join half-way through).
Afterward, I was forced by Elder Orths (from Australia) to say the prayer. Lots of people thanked me. We made friends with this ojiisan (grandpa) who said that his name was "Andy." He is really funny and asked Shelly and I out to the next english class (after we let him know that we would be there). Apparently he really likes Country Music.
Then we rode the subway home. I bought a flan thing on the way (I'll send a pic later) and Shelly bought a grape jelly one. I thought they were both good, but Shelly hated hers.
But that's it for the past two days. We really haven't done anything beyond what we always do.
Tea ceremony is very intricate and detailed, you have to do everything perfectly. I think that a lot of it was symbolic, but I don't know what of. Tea ceremony is the most kata-ized part of Japan (that I have witnessed). We also got to try our hand at making the o-cha. The sensei had to help me cause I'm apparently a bad o-cha maker. Shelly had inherent skills, of course.
Then we tried our hand at making yakitori (again). This batch wasn't very good because we didn't use enough sauce (but we didn't know that until we got to school today cause it was our bento).
Today, Mai-san gave us some herbal chammomile tea which is really yummy! It smells like sweets and when you add a teaspoon of sugar, it tastes like them too! Mai-san is really nice to us, I guess she has a Mormon friend. She even chased down the missionaries for us so that she could get the address of one of the churches.
We had okonomiyaki class for culture. Okonomiyaki is called japanese pizza, but it is nothing like pizza at all. It's more like an omelet. The key parts of okonomiyaki are the cabbage (you use tons), the egg (we used only 2) and some flour (approx. 1/2 cup). You can put anything you want into it after that. Our okonomiyaki had onion, bacon and beef in it. Then you top it off with a special sauce (oyster--I think--sauce mixed with ketchup--just like takoyaki sauce) then you put some mayo on it (the japanese love mayo) and lastly, we added bonito flakes (which are kinda gross and move around after you put them on your okonomiyaki). It was pretty good, but it's not one of my favorites. Shelly and I will be making it again on Friday with the ward.
After that we went yukata shopping because we are convinced that we need some before Dontaku (a festival in May). Shelly found a store that sells used yukata that we can definitely afford. Now it's just whether or not we can still find it.
The church was holding an english class for anyone who wants to come. The missionaries are in charge of teaching, but they had us help explain "I might as well." Which makes perfect sense to me, but when I try to explain it, I can't. A lot of the japanese people could catch the meaning. Then we introduced ourselves once again and helped a lady translate her class schedule. Later, we played "Do you love your neighbor?" which was pretty fun (but since we were helping the lady, we were late and I didn't want to join half-way through).
Afterward, I was forced by Elder Orths (from Australia) to say the prayer. Lots of people thanked me. We made friends with this ojiisan (grandpa) who said that his name was "Andy." He is really funny and asked Shelly and I out to the next english class (after we let him know that we would be there). Apparently he really likes Country Music.
Then we rode the subway home. I bought a flan thing on the way (I'll send a pic later) and Shelly bought a grape jelly one. I thought they were both good, but Shelly hated hers.
But that's it for the past two days. We really haven't done anything beyond what we always do.
Monday, April 20, 2009
2nd Week in Japan
So on Sunday we prepared to go to church, figured out exactly where the easier to find church building was, left 2 hours early just in case, rode the subway 3 lines down, saw a church on our way there, found that there was no church where it was supposed to be, went back to the church we had seen earlier, found it was the right one, met the sister missionaries, realized we were an hour and a half early, took pictures of the river that has no water, went back to the church, accidentally sat in the priesthood, met all the relief society ladies, had an awesome time in young adult's class, had sacrament last and finally returned home.
The people there were really friendly, and if I went into detail, it would take forever to tell exactly what happened.
We also went shopping that day cause we needed leggings for the tea ceremony (apparently we have to take off all our clothes in the same room as everyone else so that we can put on our kimono).
We had a huge lunch/dinner of cold noodles (I can't remember what they're called) and tempura donburi. It was really good, but the noodles were really slippery, plus the dude in the next booth over watched our pathetic attempts at eating slippery noodles with chopsticks.
On Monday we went to school and got out at 2:30 cause it was early day! Yay! But we had to buy a bento cause we didn't cook on Sunday. Then we went shopping (again). I got some more leggings (everyone has them here, there are whole stores devoted to only socks/leggings) and we ate sakura mochi that had cream in it and some other stuff that wasn't very good. For dinner we had dumplings and gyoza. Which isn't really good for you, but tastes really good.
Then we met Atsuko (one of our friends from church) at Starbucks (after getting confused by the 24 hour clocks) who guided us to FHE. At FHE we had to introduce ourselves and listen to a lesson that Atsuko translated for us, laughed at the missionaries (they're from Pennsylvania and Australia), played jenga and ate awesome food. In America we have brownies and drinking fountain water for refreshments (unless we're at something nice). Here we had chips of all kinds, mini doughnuts, assorted chocolates, sweet potato sticks, rolls, icecream, icecream in the rolls (one of the funny leader guys said "aisu hambaga!" to us), chips in our icecream, egg salad in the rolls, sausage and egg salad in the rolls, and tons of other stuff. And there were no paper plates. Everything was either china or plastic. The spoons, of course, were metal.
Plus, Shelly totally has the hots for Miyamoto-san. I can't remember his first name and I only know his last name cause Atsuko was nice enough to tell us. And on Wednesday, Atsuko invited us to join them for English class. I asked whether or not it was okay that we already knew English and she assured us that they would love to have us. Plus, we are going to the cooking class that they are having on Friday, we will be making Okonomiyaki. Little do they know that we are learning to make that on Wednesday at school and will therefore be pros.
The people there were really friendly, and if I went into detail, it would take forever to tell exactly what happened.
We also went shopping that day cause we needed leggings for the tea ceremony (apparently we have to take off all our clothes in the same room as everyone else so that we can put on our kimono).
We had a huge lunch/dinner of cold noodles (I can't remember what they're called) and tempura donburi. It was really good, but the noodles were really slippery, plus the dude in the next booth over watched our pathetic attempts at eating slippery noodles with chopsticks.
On Monday we went to school and got out at 2:30 cause it was early day! Yay! But we had to buy a bento cause we didn't cook on Sunday. Then we went shopping (again). I got some more leggings (everyone has them here, there are whole stores devoted to only socks/leggings) and we ate sakura mochi that had cream in it and some other stuff that wasn't very good. For dinner we had dumplings and gyoza. Which isn't really good for you, but tastes really good.
Then we met Atsuko (one of our friends from church) at Starbucks (after getting confused by the 24 hour clocks) who guided us to FHE. At FHE we had to introduce ourselves and listen to a lesson that Atsuko translated for us, laughed at the missionaries (they're from Pennsylvania and Australia), played jenga and ate awesome food. In America we have brownies and drinking fountain water for refreshments (unless we're at something nice). Here we had chips of all kinds, mini doughnuts, assorted chocolates, sweet potato sticks, rolls, icecream, icecream in the rolls (one of the funny leader guys said "aisu hambaga!" to us), chips in our icecream, egg salad in the rolls, sausage and egg salad in the rolls, and tons of other stuff. And there were no paper plates. Everything was either china or plastic. The spoons, of course, were metal.
Plus, Shelly totally has the hots for Miyamoto-san. I can't remember his first name and I only know his last name cause Atsuko was nice enough to tell us. And on Wednesday, Atsuko invited us to join them for English class. I asked whether or not it was okay that we already knew English and she assured us that they would love to have us. Plus, we are going to the cooking class that they are having on Friday, we will be making Okonomiyaki. Little do they know that we are learning to make that on Wednesday at school and will therefore be pros.
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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