Fireworks, Bicylcles, and Class

Me at the beach (from the Kamakura pictures)

Mama in a Kimono for the portrait

Fireworks!

Hello all!

I have quite a bit to report today- a lot has been going on!

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On Saturday night, my host family and I went to the Chofu fireworks festival. Basically, *I think* (it was explained to me in Japanese) that a bunch of different firework companies put on a show to both test and compete with their fireworks. It was amazing! The fireworks were so advanced, they could make smiley faces, cats, and spirals in the sky! I have never seen any fireworks like it!

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Instead of taking the train to Chofu (which is like 3 or 4 stops from where I live) we rode bicycles for 30 minutes. While this sounds easy enough, you have to remember that I am in busy Tokyo! Unlike in the US, bicycles are only allowed on the sidewalk, which means as you ride, you have to dodge and weave through people and obstacles. To be honest, I am surprised I didn't run anybody down! In addition, all the bikes in Tokyo are not mountain bikes with multiple gears (I haven't any of these!) but commuter bikes that would be considered "dorky" if you rode one in America. I have never been on a bike ride that was so aggressive!!

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Now, I know I always say I hate bikes who think they are cars (basically, bikes who ride in the street) but now I don't know....It might be better than bikes who think they are people.

On Sunday, I slept in for the first time since I have arrived. I usually get up at 7am or 8am, but on this day I woke up at 10am! Now, if I was in the US and it was Sunday, I probably wouldn't be awake until 1pm or 2pm. Crazy huh?

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My host family then went to go take a portrait for shichi-go-san (a holiday that celebrates children who are 7, 5, or 3. Tsuki-chan is 5). They all got dressed up and looked really cool! Mama wore a really pretty kimono, as pictured above.

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I then went to a party that one of my friend's host family was throwing. Unlike my young family, her family are an older couple. They were very excited about the party and purchased several party game books. We played one game where we passed a mikan (orange/tangerine thing) with only the tops of our hands, and raced to see whos team was the fastest. The second game we played was telephone, which I failed at miserable, considering all the phrases where in Japanese. The message became totally giberish by the time it passed through me!!!

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Monday, today, I had my first class! I have to leave by 7:30 to get their on time. (It starts at 9!!!). However, I couldn't get on the rapid train because I am not aggressive enough and in the end didn't fit in. (to do this correctly, you have to push the people allready on the train as hard as you can until you have a space. If you don't fit, the cunductor guy will push you in) So I had to take the local train, which makes like 10 stops (to the rapid train's 3 stops!). I then have to transfer trains and then walk about 15-20 minutes to the school. Luckily, my speed walking skills I learned from my Dad payed off, and I made it with 1 minute to spare!!! Attendance is very strict at Waseda, and if you are late twice, it is counted as an absence! 3 absences=an F!!!!

Basically, I am going to have to take on the Tokyo mentality if I want to be on time!!!!

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The only class I had today was my Japanese class (3 hours). We spent the class introducing ourselves and taking tests which I *think* covered all the material we are going to cover in the future. I didn't do too well on the kanji test...for some reason, I could only think of the Chinese Kanji! But there were a lot of groans, so I don't think I was the only one. The grammer test went well, and the listening test went OK. Overall, I think I am in the right class. I thought maybe I was too high, but now I think I am all right. And I am definately not the worst person in the class, which is good! My teacher is nice and funny, and I am surprised how much I understand her. I think my listening skills are getting better! I could never understand what my Oregon teacher was saying, but I was understanding the punch lines to her jokes!

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After class, I had lunch with Su at the cafeteria, which was surprisingly cheap. We then walked around and did small errands (buying textbooks, Atm, post office). I then practiced taking the bus (in case I am ever late again!!!).

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When I came home, Mama was hosting a planning commitee for Tsuki-chans UndouKai (which is a sports festival). There were a dozen kids running around like monkeys!!! They kept running up to me and asking "Dare?" (who). I learned from someone yesterday that in Japan, some families don't really discipline their children until they are like 8, which now made a lot of sense.

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Well, thats about it...until next time!!!