Today was the first day of classes for me. Although I placed into the third speaking class for now, it seems like it is going to be really difficult. Since the class is entirely in Japanese, except when going over grammar, it's not too different from Appalachian, but Miyauchi-sensei (meow-chi) speaks very fast, using Japanese speech mannerisms and words that I don't understand yet. Also, since it seems that Japanese has at least 2.5 times the amount of vocabulary of english, some of which are the same words but determined by the situation, I am once again afraid of being sent down a level. The written class seems more intensive as well, but easier. It will cover kanji that I know almost all of, having studied them in Genki II, but this time will be a more comprehensive study of the construction of compositions and essays. Religion of Japan seems like it will be really fun, since instead of sticking to one religion and going in-depth, I can get my fill with a broad overview of everything that is currently at the forefront of people's minds.
It turns out that there are more than nine clubs, but only those nine were represented yesterday. Sadly, the travel club conflicts with my schedule (and so does the mountain climbing club, dang it!), I am going to go with the shoukyoubu club, which is about playing the koto, a traditional thirteen-stringed instrument played while sitting. Although traditionally for women, there have been men beginning to play, and one other guy has also already asked to join. I was given a quick overview of how the instrument works, and it's kinda like a harp. Although I won't have time to get too good, getting passed beginner level should be easier than violin's :)
Almost every time I walk downstairs, the dogs start barking at me. I wonder how long it will take for my appearance to stop startling them. Today was Hideo-san's birthday, he turned thirty-nine. Him and Kaori-san went out to visit his father while I watched the kids. Tatsuki has Pokemon Platinum, so I showed him my copy and he was ecstatic. He immediately asked for help beating the second gym leader (I wish I knew how to convey that you have to fight other trainers and not just gym leaders to get stronger) because he kept losing. So I traded one of my level fifty legendaries, which as expected didn't listen to a word he said and lost against a pathetic level twenty-two. So instead I brought his Pokemon over into my game and quick-leveled them. Ten minutes later, he's beaten her and is losing to the third gym leader. Haven't kids here ever heard of training?!
Miso soup is not at all like I thought it would be. It's kinda like a fish-broth porridge, and yellow. Rice at every dinner is a wonderful thing. Breakfast was awesome. I had toast with strawberry jam, and the toast was just right. Apparently Japanese toasters do not have turnny bits that lie, or if they do they are malfunctioning quite badly. Showers, however, do.