Oh Snap...

By the way... on a completely random note: 1.) My nails are super shiny from all the food/ fish I have been eating. and 2.) the little girl Mayuki may have gotten chicken pox :(

Kamakura

Today we went to Kamakura and had to be at school at 8:30 am. With the one hour commute, plus shower, and getting ready, plus food... I had to wake up at 5:50. We took two trains to get there, and it felt like forever. These cute group of Japanese grandmas started to talk to us and telling us all about the train system, Kamakura, and their past adventures... just imagine a group of 20 or so short Japanese grandmas in similar clothing... SO CUTE!!!! They were so nice, and kept saying how good our Japanese is (lol such a lie, but we went along with it :P)

Once we got to Kamakura it was such a cute little town. Kamakura is a place with many shrines dedicated to Buddhism and Shintoism. We had a personal tour guide, who's English was AMAZING. She told us the history and the base practice of Shintoism. I will update the photos later (I know I have been saying this... but I swear I will try to do this as soon as I figure out how.) At one of the shrines there was a LARGE LARGE Buddha. So cool I kid you not. We even got to go to a cave with shrines in it... unfortunately the ceilings were low so we had to crouch most of the time. We also were able to purify ourselves with water. First you pour the water over both hands, and then cleanse your mouth. After I prayed from a handsome loving rich husband ;P at the 'love' shrine. Hehe hope it comes true ne?

I also paid a dollar for a fortune. It said that I would take a while to get better and to 'cousult' a different doctor. The english on it made hardly any sense at all... but it did mention that my wish will come true ^__^

By the way, I tried sweet potato and green tea swirl ice cream!! It was SOO GOOD!!!!! all the food smelled so good!! Tomorrow I meet for lunch with my friend Richard who I have not seen in a while :) When I upload the photos, I will write a description under the photos to understand better... because honestly its difficult to explain without a visual.

Scavenger Hunt!!

Today we had to be at school at 10 am. It was the first day where I had to ride the train on my own. No matter how insane the map of the metro/ subway looks... it's honestly not that bad. After our orientation, the small groups had a scavenger hunt. Sample items on the list: giant egg, big echo, take a photo with a police man, take a photo with a crazy costumed person from Harajuku, eat a weird lunch. There were so many items on the list I am not sure how we were supposed to do them all in just three hours. Our group opted more for the sight-seeing route and just chilled. We tried to get a couple of items on the list, but ... I mean you would stop too if you saw delicious crepes at Harajuku, right? We took a プリクラ too! We chose the massive eye option, and I looked like a bug :)

Afterward we had free time, where I went off with big group. This was where the frustration began. No one really knew where to go, or what they wanted to see. This includes me. I just wanted to explore, but this exploration HAD to have a purpose according to some people. In the end everyone broke off, and I didn't really want to go to Akihabara, so I went home.

Unfortunately the jet lag is still in effect and I am exhausted at random times of the day.

Host Family

This is my host family.. minus the Dad. He took the photo :)

SAKURA!!!!

This is my attempt to capture the Sakura blossoms from a bridge by my home-stay ^__^

The best part... (cont.)

So I got cut off last time, but I wanted to say that so far the best part of a Japanese home is the heated toilet. It is fantastic!! Also a correction, they call me 'Guzie-chan,' which sounds like Goozie not Guzzie.

Today I had a 'practice run' to my school. On the train was this girl with crazy pink hair and the coolest outfit ever! I wanted to take a photo without looking like a stalker, but somehow I just couldn't pull it off. It's also just a tad bit unnerving when people stare at me. For example there was this bald guy who stared at me for four stops. I'm talking about the right-in-the-eyes kind of stare. It's ok for the first couple of minutes, but after about 5 min it starts to get a tad creepy...

Afterward we went to eat lunch at a pretty fancy restaurant in Akasaka. I ordered a lunch box, and it turned out to be the huge thing. So delicious!!! I took lots of photos, which I will update a bit later ^__^ We also visited a large department store and book store in Shinjuku. I bought a small notebook so that I can jot down notes and simple phrases, or basically any kanji that I don't know... which at the moment is A LOT.

Every day I am also learning how to make Japanese cuisine. Hopefully when I come back to the U.S. I will be able to mimic it :) My host mother has already taught me how to make several meals, along with desserts. For my welcome party, I helped my host mother make this really delicious pound cake, and also pudding. Also my host mother's best friend is also hosting a Thai student, who is going to teach us how to make Thai food! Can't wait :)

Currently everyone except for me is playing Mario Brothers on Wii, which is a daily occurrence.... and the arguments that come with it. I think I am learning more game terms than any others... such as "don't jump on me" and "don't go ahead!!!" "I wanted that third coin" "why did you do that??" and my favorite "Yada!!!!" *whine whine whine* or crying... They really get into this.. especially Mayuki, the daughter.

Tomorrow is the first time on my own to Sophia University. I'm a little nervous, but it's only one change from the subway to the metro so I should be fine. Hopefully tomorrow won't be as cold as today, but I may be hoping for too much. The weather here is pretty cold still... I'm running out of warm clothes to wear :( and I also have to join a gym soon... the food here is just too good... and thats not even including the desserts. I want to learn how to make everything!!!

The best part...

After a long wait, I have finally arrived in Japan. Unfortunately I was on the flight that had a broken movie system and spent most of my time either listening to music, sleeping, or browsing through a magazine. I have to thank my friend Ida for sending me the first chapter of True Blood a while ago. That alone carried me through the long flight. My seat was in the center, and all the way in the back so I couldn't look outside. Everyone around me was sneezing, coughing, or snoring (especially the guy next to me). I was so happy to hear the "Enjoy your stay in Japan" announcement at the end of the flight I almost sprinted out of my seat!

The first couple of nights of the orientation were spent at two different hotels. Already the food is very delicious. Our breakfast included an all you can eat combination of both Eastern and Western type foods.

The new students were arranged into small groups of five or six in order to ease into the Japanese culture. Typically in Japan, students travel in these groups from Kindergarden and up. Our group name is "Moshi Mochi," which was a joke off of answering the phone in Japanese "Moshi Moshi" and our love for a rice base dessert called "Mochi."

On the third day we met with our host family. It was one of the most nerve wracking ordeals ever. When it was my turn, we couldn't find my host family... turns out she was right by the door. She later told me that when she saw me, she remembered my big eyes from a photo given to her, and knew that I was the person who would be living with her. She too was a bit thrown off when we walked right past her. The meeting was nerve wracking, as I forgot a lot of my Japanese and didn't know what to talk about.

I have to say I absolutely adore my host family. The father is an attorney from Canada, and they have a six year old girl. SO CUTE!!! The mom is currently singing in the other room. She is an amazing cook and is just too cute. I was initially expecting a shorter woman, but my host mom is taller than me! After a party last night, where my host mom got drunk, I feel like we are already closer :) Everyone here calls me "Guzzie-chan. " ^__^

I'll try to write a little bit more soon!

Shit...

WOAHH!!!! I just realized that in two days I will be in Japan!!!!!!! Although having not spoken Japanese for three months now, I'm a tad nervous.... by a tad I actually mean a shit ton. Although I think I'm more nervous about the things I still have to do rather than the trip. There is only one more full day left before the flight!

Today I hit up the bank to cash some checks, and to fill out the notary paper. Next stop was the library to photocopy all the important documents :) Haha I'm running around like a headless chicken. These errands should have been done weeks ago. Damn procrastination...

One thing I do wish I did more of is going to the movie theaters. It's so expensive in Japan :( That and I wish I bought some flat shoes cause right now I have all heels.. yeah I'm totally going to Dr. Scholl that shit.

Well I'm off to finish up a few more things before going to the YMCA---> anxiety relief ^^

I will try to update ASAP once I'm in Japan.

My Baby is Born...

こんにちわ！ Welcome to my blog :)

I have finally created a blog to help share all of my experiences while studying abroad in Tokyo. There are only six days left before my flight to Japan, but I have been preparing for this since middle school. There are just no words to describe all of the emotions I've been feeling these past few days... attempting to keep myself distracted so I don't go crazy with excitement :)

Currently I am watching the Discovery Channel.... quite the interesting episode. I now know how camels reproduce... it's not pretty. They even foam at the mouth!! Anyways, I hope I don't forget anything before I leave. The most difficult aspect of packing would be clothes... and shoes... at least it is for a girl.

I will try to update more once I am actually in Japan, since life in good ol' NJ is not quite as exciting. Peace out ^__^