I just got done with the hectic part of my day. First I had to write a composition for Reading, which we weren't told the topic of until it started. It turned out to be fairly easy though. Then, I had my 'job interview' for Speaking, which was apparently because everyone in the class really want's to work for Seattle's Best Coffee. I couldn't concentrate beforehand, and started daydreaming about being in a martial arts tournament (I have no control over what I daydream). That actually got me pumped up, and I went in there with a 'beat my teacher into submission' mode. Which I didn't actually do, but I was in good form the whole way through, even though I made mistakes. I guess that's my best way of doing these things.
After that I went to Shinsaibashi for lunch, because I craved cheese (I checked, there is absolutely no cheese in normal grocery stores), and pizza delivers. After that, I headed up to Umeda to do some quick Christmas shopping, and now I'm back at campus with an hour before my very last class. After this, it's just two finals and a paper for Anime (which has a really stupid topic, but was forced on us by the school board).
Wednesday's exam went pretty good. I had to read a random passage from out out of our textbook readings. I'm just glad it wasn't from Ch. 16, that Doreamon passage is hard. Yesterday I finished the Religion exam in 15 minutes, took 20 to turn in my bank card and cancel my account, and then found my test in my mailbox graded and with my grade for the class. I got an A, no surprise there, I had absolutely no worries about that class.
Observations:
My host family finaly broke down and splurged for a heater, which takes up a good chunk of space in the living room. And in Japan, cold air rises, warm air sinks. The downstairs stays nice and toasty, while the upstairs, with my room included, feels absolutely no effect.
On the subway, I saw an add for a smoke detector, something Japan severely lacks. But it was called iRobot. Big Mistake
About Me
- Koroku
- I like to sleep (always ready for a nap). And eat udon/ramen/curry. And foxes, I love foxes. Turtles and penguins are close seconds.
To think that, in a country as prosperous as Japan, a typical family has to splurge to afford a heater is rather shocking. I guess I was hoping it was a cultural decision, not an economic one, that made cold houses the norm. I suppose TV service is more important. So TV without heat is more bearable than heat without TV. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteDon't they use Kerosene heaters? O.O The cost of heating must not be bad, its down almost forty cents a gallon here in the US, so its not nearly as bad as it would be cost wise this year.
ReplyDelete@acadie - I think a big reason is that most Japanese housing is only meant to be used for twenty-thirty years, before being replaced, the cost of creating, installing and removing the equipment needed for central heating is an expense that isn't worth it. Throw on the fact that most of japan has mild short winter (compared to their fellow Asians across the way), and the argued health benefits of keeping in season heating wise. Most Japanese don't care for it.
I am personally an American who has the same idea my house in winter stays at 45 F from December to March, unless the weather is warmer. I swear I get sick from going in and out of the bloody hot building that the school here runs. I don't understand why some one wants a room 70 in January, in the Northern Western Hemisphere above 30 degrees latitude its unnatural. *twitches*