No abroad trip is complete without getting home. So now that I've had time to recover, I'll talk about why it is a bad idea to travel around Christmas.
Monday morning, my host family left for school and work, and I took care of my last chores. I mailed my boxes (which cost $140 for non-express, one-month shipping), cleaned my room, double-checked everything, put the key in the mailbox and took off (bye, demon doggies!). When you carry luggage onto a bus, people look at you funny. But they also look at you as a tourist who's going home, so it wasn't so bad. I took a train to Kyobashi, changed to Tennoji, and then switched to Kansai Airport, arriving at about 1:00, with five hours to spare, plenty of time to check in and get food.
That was the easy part. From there things got worse. Much worse.
I waited until 3:00, which was the check-in time, and got my tickets, but was told that due to a bird strike warning, the plane was being delayed till 10:30. This meant I was going to miss my connecting flight in San Fransisco, so I had to be re-routed through Phoenix. So I waited. Then they told us that it wasn't a warning, that the bird strike had already happened, the plane was too damaged to fly, and the flight was canceled. While the airline made other arrangements, they put up all of us in a five-star hotel. Not bad. It's probably the only one I'll ever stay in in my life. And it let me get some sleep. But now I was waiting for a trip that I didn't know when would occur. All I could do was wait. And that leads to stress.
Luckily, I got a new flight the next night at 10:30, during which I managed to get no sleep. Then I had to layover in San Fransisco for 12 hours, staying awake the whole time to make sure no one stole my bags. I flew to Chicago (first class, which was nice) waited two hours for the next flight while having to listen to CNN (I hate this country's news system, it has nothing relevant to say unless it can bash politicians), then flew to Charlotte (first class again).
I have never skipped sleep. Even if I stay up all night, I go right to sleep afterwards. I've never pulled an all-nighter to study, because having the energy to take exams is better than knowing everything and being dead. Having been awake for 34 hours, I was feeling sick. So sick that I couldn't sleep in the car on the way home, because I probably would have thrown up. Then I passed through that weird state where you're so tired you don't feel it. I had lunch, jumped in bed, and crashed. Which, I believe, is an accurate term.
It's been one week since then. My biorhythm is mostly adapted back to Eastern time, but still has a few quirks to work out. My packages, which cost oh-so-much, won't be here until mid- to late-January. And I go back to school in a little over a week. But it's good to be back, and be where the chips are.
Om nom nom.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
The Homestretch
Well, this is it. It's been a long 4 months of hard schoolwork and evil spellcheck, but tomorrow is the last day (spellcheck actually says that 'spellcheck' isn't a word, but refuses to acknowledge that when you go to correct it). I just cooked Zuppa Toscana for my host family again (this time remembering the milk), and Momo devoured four bowls and Tatsuki three. Hideo just left for work, so I've said my goodbyes to him. Now I just have to clean my room, pack my spare clothes for tomorrow, and mail off my last boxes. Then it's off to the airport, and home. And if the current snowfall, which is even being reported here, is any indication, I might be moving from a house with no central heating to a house without power for central heating. But at least my bed has more blankets.
I didn't get to go to Nara after all, because I needed to get the last of the souvenirs and pack. So no deer for me. Maybe next time. I spent all of today lounging in front of the stove/heater playing Pokemon. Whenever a commercial for the 7th season 24 dvd set came on, I turned around before the second beep had time to sound, which got me some weird looks, but I can't not turn around when I hear that. I should be all rested up now for tomorrow. I'll need it too, for a 30+ hour day. And flying East is harder than West, so I might be dead tired by the time I get into Charlotte. On the plus side, at least I'm not in the 1500's, on a ship. Then I really would be dead before I got to Charlotte (not to mention dead already :)
In the time it took to type this, the kids devoured even more of the soup. I'm glad I could give them a good meal before I left.
I didn't get to go to Nara after all, because I needed to get the last of the souvenirs and pack. So no deer for me. Maybe next time. I spent all of today lounging in front of the stove/heater playing Pokemon. Whenever a commercial for the 7th season 24 dvd set came on, I turned around before the second beep had time to sound, which got me some weird looks, but I can't not turn around when I hear that. I should be all rested up now for tomorrow. I'll need it too, for a 30+ hour day. And flying East is harder than West, so I might be dead tired by the time I get into Charlotte. On the plus side, at least I'm not in the 1500's, on a ship. Then I really would be dead before I got to Charlotte (not to mention dead already :)
In the time it took to type this, the kids devoured even more of the soup. I'm glad I could give them a good meal before I left.
Friday, December 18, 2009
These last few days, I have taken more pictures than in my entire life. My camera is tired, my feet are dead, and my hands are cold. Yet it's really fun to walk all around Hirakata now that I don't have any schoolwork to worry about. All I have left are some last souvenirs and then packing. I can't wait for this weekend to be over.
Yesterday was the koto club's last party of the semester. Since the student from Turkey is vegetarian, we went to a different restaurant than the all-you-can-eat meat grill. It turned out to be one of the worst restaurants I've ever been in. There were only two staff, and they brought out three big plates of food for eleven of us, one course at a time. But the timing between courses went from 30-45 minutes. It wasn't even particularly special, certainly not worth waiting for. That's why I am so happy that karaoke bars have food. We sang and ate for four hours (or I did, at any rate), form 11:30 pm to 3:30 am. One of the senpai's boyfriend came, and he knew the anime songs that I'm fond of so we sang lots of duets (Code Geass ftw :) But, since the trains stop running at midnight, I had to walk three stations down to get back home. I finally flopped down on my bed at exactly 5:00, and passed out, only to get up at 11:00 and run around some more. What I wouldn't give for a body that can handle coffee.
Observations:
I have only seen two cases of dyed hair in my time here. Both were old ladies, one with vivid purple and the other with dark pink, neither with much hair to begin with, and both looking like they were homeless wrecks. I initially thought that students were all dying their hair, but dark orange is actually a very common hair color in the Kansai region.
In order to recycle your bike, you first have to go and cancel your registration with the shop you bought it from. That's like having to go inform your car dealer from 10 years ago for permission to scrap your car because it died on you. It makes absolutely no sense to me.
Mailing stuff overseas is really, really expensive.
Apparently, there is no such thing here as a no smoking section. People will light up right next to me regardless of where we are without a second thought. I feel like a certain Python chef...
Yesterday was the koto club's last party of the semester. Since the student from Turkey is vegetarian, we went to a different restaurant than the all-you-can-eat meat grill. It turned out to be one of the worst restaurants I've ever been in. There were only two staff, and they brought out three big plates of food for eleven of us, one course at a time. But the timing between courses went from 30-45 minutes. It wasn't even particularly special, certainly not worth waiting for. That's why I am so happy that karaoke bars have food. We sang and ate for four hours (or I did, at any rate), form 11:30 pm to 3:30 am. One of the senpai's boyfriend came, and he knew the anime songs that I'm fond of so we sang lots of duets (Code Geass ftw :) But, since the trains stop running at midnight, I had to walk three stations down to get back home. I finally flopped down on my bed at exactly 5:00, and passed out, only to get up at 11:00 and run around some more. What I wouldn't give for a body that can handle coffee.
Observations:
I have only seen two cases of dyed hair in my time here. Both were old ladies, one with vivid purple and the other with dark pink, neither with much hair to begin with, and both looking like they were homeless wrecks. I initially thought that students were all dying their hair, but dark orange is actually a very common hair color in the Kansai region.
In order to recycle your bike, you first have to go and cancel your registration with the shop you bought it from. That's like having to go inform your car dealer from 10 years ago for permission to scrap your car because it died on you. It makes absolutely no sense to me.
Mailing stuff overseas is really, really expensive.
Apparently, there is no such thing here as a no smoking section. People will light up right next to me regardless of where we are without a second thought. I feel like a certain Python chef...
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
It's over, it's done, I've gotten all of my schoolwork out of the way. All that's left is turning in my last Anime report (which was a waste of time, school board), and I can concentrate on Christmas shopping and souvenirs. And then try and ship them all back home in time for Christmas (I am learning how to send postcards, mail, and packages all for the first time in a country that doesn't speak english, woo hoo!). Which means I should try and get the presents shipped of by tomorrow if I want to get them in a week. Who knows, though, they might beat me home. I also want to try to go to Nara before I leave, and see the herds of deer that practically own the city.
Yesterday, I got the second blister in my life, which was the first blood blister in my life. This has taught me that if one ever forgets to bring tsume, it is a very, very bad idea to try practicing the koto anyways, even for ten minutes. Since the blood that accumalates becomes a toxin, I cut away the skin and drained it, the result being a wound that looks like it will never heal even though it probably will. I never fully appreciated how thick the outer layer of skin is. Trying to write for my final, let alone use chopsticks, is pretty difficult when you can't use the tip of your thumb. Who knew?
I can't believe I've only had two boxes of pocky over here. For shame.
Yesterday, I got the second blister in my life, which was the first blood blister in my life. This has taught me that if one ever forgets to bring tsume, it is a very, very bad idea to try practicing the koto anyways, even for ten minutes. Since the blood that accumalates becomes a toxin, I cut away the skin and drained it, the result being a wound that looks like it will never heal even though it probably will. I never fully appreciated how thick the outer layer of skin is. Trying to write for my final, let alone use chopsticks, is pretty difficult when you can't use the tip of your thumb. Who knew?
I can't believe I've only had two boxes of pocky over here. For shame.
Friday, December 11, 2009
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
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
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Tomorrow is part 1 of 3 for my Reading final. Although I say that, it only counts for 10%. I really wish it was more, because this is going to be the easiest part. Friday's not looking to friendly from this side of it, but at least I only have three classes between now and then, one of which is my Religion final. That, I am not worried about at all.
With barely under two weeks to go, my homestay situation is at an all-time low. We hit off decently, but since they have stuff to do on the weekdays and had stuff to do on the weekends, they suggested I make friends and hang out with them while having a normal college life. One, all the social groups were established before the plane landed. The only socializing I get is in koto club and language classroom dialogues (and internet). Two, I don't even know what normal is, much less how to act like 'everyone else'. So I kept a respectful distance when they were busy, which somehow became interpreted as "I don't want to interact". Then I missed my chance to rectify that in early October. So for the past two months not a day has past where I haven't had to worry about how I act, lest I do something to upset my host mother and get kicked out or shut off entirely (which would really suck now, with exams and the return flight coming up). I know it's not all my host family's fault, but it's not entirely my own either. I wish there was some way to rectify things now, but I'd honestly be happy just with pacifying any hostilities. I hope they're counting the days too. At least that should take their minds off our relations. In short-Homestays are for they outgoing, not the silent types. Orientation really should have included that. I think I'd have given my spot to someone else.
On the plus side, I have gotten to see daily family interactions and how a nuclear family operates here. If I can just make it back home without any bombs going off, that should make it worthwhile.
Observations:
Right now, the biggest idol in Japan is animated. This does not mean she is from an Anime. It's actually a sprite from a music game that shows you your choices. Somehow, the character made it big and is now on everything from notebooks to cosplay to sleeping pillows. Coming in at a close second is Axis Powers Hetalia.
If you want to find something, get lost and then give up. Then try to get back to the start, and you'll get lost and find what you were looking for. Especially if you're carrying something heavy and are tired by the time you get there.
With barely under two weeks to go, my homestay situation is at an all-time low. We hit off decently, but since they have stuff to do on the weekdays and had stuff to do on the weekends, they suggested I make friends and hang out with them while having a normal college life. One, all the social groups were established before the plane landed. The only socializing I get is in koto club and language classroom dialogues (and internet). Two, I don't even know what normal is, much less how to act like 'everyone else'. So I kept a respectful distance when they were busy, which somehow became interpreted as "I don't want to interact". Then I missed my chance to rectify that in early October. So for the past two months not a day has past where I haven't had to worry about how I act, lest I do something to upset my host mother and get kicked out or shut off entirely (which would really suck now, with exams and the return flight coming up). I know it's not all my host family's fault, but it's not entirely my own either. I wish there was some way to rectify things now, but I'd honestly be happy just with pacifying any hostilities. I hope they're counting the days too. At least that should take their minds off our relations. In short-Homestays are for they outgoing, not the silent types. Orientation really should have included that. I think I'd have given my spot to someone else.
On the plus side, I have gotten to see daily family interactions and how a nuclear family operates here. If I can just make it back home without any bombs going off, that should make it worthwhile.
Observations:
Right now, the biggest idol in Japan is animated. This does not mean she is from an Anime. It's actually a sprite from a music game that shows you your choices. Somehow, the character made it big and is now on everything from notebooks to cosplay to sleeping pillows. Coming in at a close second is Axis Powers Hetalia.
If you want to find something, get lost and then give up. Then try to get back to the start, and you'll get lost and find what you were looking for. Especially if you're carrying something heavy and are tired by the time you get there.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Wow, this has turned into and every other other day kinda post, huh?
Thursday saw the advancement of hell into my now seemingly hell-free life. Yeah, like no one saw that coming. Monday I have a Speaking test and koto, Tuesday I have part of Speaking's final exam oral and koto, Wednesday I have part Reading's final exam oral, Thursday I have to study like crazy, and Friday I've got the second part for Speaking's oral and Reanding's writing composition final. Then the next Monday I have my final Reading final and a koto concert, and Tuesday is my final Speaking final. Oh, and I still have to do Christmas shopping, mail stuff back home, sell my bike back to the shop, drop by the immigration office, make sure a copy of my transcript gets sent back to App, finish up my study abroad paperwork, close my bank account, and finish getting souvenirs. No pressure, right?
Friday was my last kanji test (spell check, I know you're trying to help, but kanji is a real word), and then an easy afternoon. To bad I couldn't bring any textbooks that would let me study something!
This weekend went by really fast, mainly because I tried to get as much work as possible while not really wanting to do any. My Anime paper is finished though. Well, mostly. I'm in no mood to think up an opening and closing right now, but it's not due till Wednesday. At least the final paper for that class can wait until I'm done with everything else.
Only nine days of madness left, and fourteen more until I'm home.
Observations:
The Japanese are French. The other day I saw an interesting sandwich made out of a hot dog bun and croquettes with lettuce, ketchup and cheese. I thought it would be interesting (and I wanted cheese) so I tried it. The croquettes were fish. Fish, cheese and ketchup. And you know what was hidden oh so carefully underneath the lettuce? Butter. Why?
Thursday saw the advancement of hell into my now seemingly hell-free life. Yeah, like no one saw that coming. Monday I have a Speaking test and koto, Tuesday I have part of Speaking's final exam oral and koto, Wednesday I have part Reading's final exam oral, Thursday I have to study like crazy, and Friday I've got the second part for Speaking's oral and Reanding's writing composition final. Then the next Monday I have my final Reading final and a koto concert, and Tuesday is my final Speaking final. Oh, and I still have to do Christmas shopping, mail stuff back home, sell my bike back to the shop, drop by the immigration office, make sure a copy of my transcript gets sent back to App, finish up my study abroad paperwork, close my bank account, and finish getting souvenirs. No pressure, right?
Friday was my last kanji test (spell check, I know you're trying to help, but kanji is a real word), and then an easy afternoon. To bad I couldn't bring any textbooks that would let me study something!
This weekend went by really fast, mainly because I tried to get as much work as possible while not really wanting to do any. My Anime paper is finished though. Well, mostly. I'm in no mood to think up an opening and closing right now, but it's not due till Wednesday. At least the final paper for that class can wait until I'm done with everything else.
Only nine days of madness left, and fourteen more until I'm home.
Observations:
The Japanese are French. The other day I saw an interesting sandwich made out of a hot dog bun and croquettes with lettuce, ketchup and cheese. I thought it would be interesting (and I wanted cheese) so I tried it. The croquettes were fish. Fish, cheese and ketchup. And you know what was hidden oh so carefully underneath the lettuce? Butter. Why?
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
After yesterday and today, my life got a whole lot simpler. Firstly, my Religion's teacher told me that no one has written about religious symbolism in manga, and that she's heard of an interesting title called 'Inuyasha'. Score. I cranked out four pages of that in no time at all. Seeing as how that really takes the place of any sort of final for that class, one exam down :) (on a related note, Inuyasha: Final Act has been airing for a while now, in both Japan and the U.S. at the same time)
Today was my skit presentation. For my partner and I's roles, we were office workers, so we both wore our suits to school. And besides my hair and backpack-being-carried-by-someone-in-a-suit, I actually got less looks from people than usual. Until I got on campus, that is. My partner actually bought her's here, and a pretty good one, from a secondhand shop for five bucks. Wow. Our performance went very well, we got a lot of laughs from the class (which we were going for, I swear!), and everyone was pretty impressed, so I'd say we did good.
Today I reacquainted myself with a little obsession of mine called Sudoku. Next thing I know, a few hours have passed and I'm ten puzzles in. I have got to buy another book for the plane ride home (only twenty more days, and then CHIPS, OM NOM NOM!!).
Observations:
One of my classmates in Anime, upon finding the chance, opened up into a rant about capitalism (he's from latin america). I know Consumerism isn't really the same thing, but it seemed he was attacking all the U.S. students in the room, which for some reason ticked me off. Probably because I hate any kind of label put on me. It's startling, though, to meet someone attacking your country using just one word. Kinda stupid, too.
As soon as it's time to christmas shop, one's schedule will be filled directly proportional to the number of gifts that need buying.
Today was my skit presentation. For my partner and I's roles, we were office workers, so we both wore our suits to school. And besides my hair and backpack-being-carried-by-someone-in-a-suit, I actually got less looks from people than usual. Until I got on campus, that is. My partner actually bought her's here, and a pretty good one, from a secondhand shop for five bucks. Wow. Our performance went very well, we got a lot of laughs from the class (which we were going for, I swear!), and everyone was pretty impressed, so I'd say we did good.
Today I reacquainted myself with a little obsession of mine called Sudoku. Next thing I know, a few hours have passed and I'm ten puzzles in. I have got to buy another book for the plane ride home (only twenty more days, and then CHIPS, OM NOM NOM!!).
Observations:
One of my classmates in Anime, upon finding the chance, opened up into a rant about capitalism (he's from latin america). I know Consumerism isn't really the same thing, but it seemed he was attacking all the U.S. students in the room, which for some reason ticked me off. Probably because I hate any kind of label put on me. It's startling, though, to meet someone attacking your country using just one word. Kinda stupid, too.
As soon as it's time to christmas shop, one's schedule will be filled directly proportional to the number of gifts that need buying.
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