More Class, Gossip, and Rude Foreigners!

Me at Meiji Jingu shrine (old)

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Kitty! I miss Vanna

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The Noh Play...

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Prison Break!! Yay!

Hey Everybody! Sorry it has been awhile since I have posted! Here is the news:

I have gone to all my classes now! I am only taking 3 (the minimum....hehehe) and they all seem OK. Japanese history is taught by a elderly Japanese Gentleman who seems to be very intelligent. He is a little strange and funny to watch sometimes, but he knows his stuff and has written like 8 books or so! (most in English!!!) So far, so good!

My art history class, the one I have been anticipating, was a little of a let down. The class was only supposed to have 30 people, but because it was a popular pick, they increased the max to 90!! My teacher was not pleased, and took it out on us a little (SO sorry your class is so popular! Really, you should be flattered....) So she changed the syllabus to accommodate us. She said she did this so she can adequately handle a class of our size, but really, all the assignments she added for us will give her MORE work. Personally, I think she is trying to scare some people off to get the class size down (and it seems to be working, 2 of my friends have already dropped!) She also made the class seem like it is harder than it actually is...whatever.

Overall, I think my term is going to be pretty easy... (knock on wood!) I have no class on fridays as well! Because monday is a holiday, I basically have a 4 day weekend! Unheard of! I am so happy. :)

On Tuesday night, I attended the International Student Welcome Reception (or something like that) where the president of the school (which is a much bigger deal than in America) made a speech and welcomed us all. (by us all, I mean EVERY foreigner attending the school). They set out free food, and beer (which they serve us a lot! its pretty weird...) and we then socialized together. However, the crowd was so rowdy that everyone was talking during the prez's speech! I was mad about this, because I don't think they quite understood how important he was! Stupid foreigners...he must think we don't even belong in Japan! mer...

Last night, I had dinner at our neighbor's house. The neighbor (I don't remember her name! Hanayo, maybe?) was very nice, and has 2 kids, 6 and 3. Her 3 year old daughter has been the only kid (besides Tsuki-chan, who is used to exchange students) who hasn't been suspicious of my presence. We played "guess which hand this wad of tape is in" and "Put candy in my hand, then back in the box," which proved to be entertaining.

In the meantime, Mama, the neighbor lady, and I (kinda) gossiped about the other neighbors. Mama really loves gossip, and tells me juicy news every chance she gets. Basically, our street (which had about 6 other houses) often gets together and has parties/barbecues together, since they are all about the same age and all have children. However, Mama and the neighbor lady always get roped into hosting the party at their houses, which they don't mind, but think it would be good if the parties rotated to every house on the block. Some of the neighbors don't want to have it at their houses, which is weird. Some also don't like the nice neighbor lady, because she is kind of loud and from the country....(but she is really nice!!! so strange....) Also, when my host family first bought their car 3 years ago, the neighbors across the street were a little mad because the car stuck up into the street a little bit (there is not much room!). But now those same neighbors have recently bought a car and are doing the exact same thing!!! Weasels! So much drama!

In other news, I have encountered the first food I do not like: Okinomiyaki. Okinomiyaki is basically a "pizza-pancake sandwich thing" that has way to much stuff in it!!! (Eggs, Mayonnaise, cheese, mushroom, mochi, barbecue sauce like topping, and probably more!). It is too much to eat at once. I was full after only one, but they kept giving me more! I gave up after 3, and they were surprised (they ate like 5 each!!!). I do not understand why Japanese people are so skinny yet they eat so much!

I went and saw the movie "Miss Potter" with my mama and friend Su. It was an excellent movie, and everyone should see it! But let me tell you, Japanese theatres are a bit strange. First, they are VERY expensive. If you think the 9.00$ movies in America are bad, it costs like 20.00$ here. We went to a matinee and on discount Wednesday, and it cost about $10.00. Also, the theatre experience is very formal, almost like you are going to see a play. In addition, nobody leaves until the end credits have completely ended. Very strange!

I also saw a Noh play at school. I was kinda roped into it by our program director...if you know how I feel about noh (its a no noh!) you might understand how I feel. It is basically the most boring form of theatre EVER created. When the demon figure leaves across the bridge on the stage, that means the play is about the end. Unfortunately, the demon figure kept going halfway across the bridge, the went back. It never ended!!! Don't ever watch Noh unless you want to take a nap. Seriously.

The Mosquitos here are VICIOUS. and powerful. I got bit all over my feet, and they itch like crazy! In Alaska, a mosquito bites you, it itches for a day, then you are fine. Here, the mosquito bites you, and you itch for like a week! I even had to buy special anti itch stuff because it was driving me crazy! One mosquito got into my room, and it was like a ninja assassin! I couldn't kill it, and it fled under the bed and palgued me all night. EVIL!

I have gotten better at riding the crowded trains! Every morning I have to leave during rush hour, which at first was very difficult for me. Now, I have the hang of it! BE AGGRESSIVE! It is funny because in the morning, everyone sleeps on the train. Because it is so tightly packed everyone just leans on each other (it is so tightly packed you cannot even move, let alone fall down) and naps. It looks like a bunch of puppies sleeping in a pile! Very strange...

Well, that is about all the news I have....I think. More to come!!!