Riv and I with some Cherry Blossoms
Ok, I am way behind, so I will do a brief overview of the month of April....sorry!!!
So, when Riv and I got back from Kyushu, we were pretty exhausted! It was actually my birthday that next day, so we went out and had an indian food lunch (all you can eat nan) and toured about tokyo some more. We were overall exhaused though, and called it an early day.
The next day, we went to Asakusa to see the temple, and Mama and Tsuki-chan tagged along. It was crowded, (as usual) and I made river eat takoyaki (fried octopus snacks) that he really didnt like...After asakusa, we went to the Ginza sony building to see the new gadgets.
At Asakusa
River at Asakusa
River asleep on the train.
Me at Ueno with the Cherry Blossoms
River and cherry blossoms
That night, we went out for sushi with my extended host family. Now, River hates anything fish, but he choked down as much as he could. Our sushi chef even cut them in half for riv, as he was having some trouble eating them with the chopsticks (although he wasnt really).
River left Japan the next day. Papa drove us to the airport, about a 2 hour drive, which was really nice. Tsuki chan also tagged along, as I dont think he really wanted river to go. Once river was long gone on the airplane, we stayed even longer to watch his plane takeoff, at Tsuki chan`s request.
River's airplane
The next day I had coffee with su on campus, and it turned out it was the day that all the school clubs were petitioning for new members. I really wanted to join a volleyball club, and I got a flyer. However, it turned out to only be for freshmen, so now I am just sticking with my international conversation club.
A couple of days later, host family invited me to go to Nagano to see Papa's extended family, and this time I could invite friends. So we all loaded up into the car, and drove there for an overnight stay. For my friend's benefit, we went to much the same places as I went to last time (see previous post) but it was way fun all the same. We ate a really delicious lunch of hand made soba noodles which was a bit expensive, but delicious.
friends at the castle
We ate dinner at Papa's family's house, which was also really delicious. We stayed up kind of late palying cards (Mama joined in) and probably went to bed around two.
The next day we went to an onsen (different one from last time) which was very nice. We then drove back to Tokyo.
The next day I went to a "hanami" with host mama, which is a cherry veiwing picnic party. We went with her elementry and middle school friends (the same ones as at new years). Her firends are really funny and happy (and drunk, as is traditional for hanamis) and I had a really good time. I even rode in a paddleboat with tsuki-chan, which I think he really enjoyed. We stayed out really late, and returned at dark.
And then, beofre I knew it, classes began! I have my usual japanese class, which is now nice because about half the people left for a different class, so now the size is small and nice. I am also in an "East-West" art history class which is easy....but I enjoy it becuase the class is a bit competitve. She explained it to us that one person will be assigned every grade on the spectrum...so only one 100% person. To make it worse, so gives out extra credit slips for people who answer questions correctly in class. Sooooo.....lets just say I am that annoying person in the front row raking in all the slips. yeah.....I would hate me too.
I also have an Irish history couse that has a really snarky british guy as the teacher. I think it will be a good class, but it is once a week on tuesdays....and the last 2 tuesdays have been a holiday, so I havent seen that class in awhile. stay tuned.
That weekend I went to Disney Sea with my Saitama host family and Su, which was really fun. They had never been there before, but they were so gung ho about riding all the rides, that we made excellant time. Mama and Tsuki-chan showed up a little later, which was really fun. It was really good to see them and talk to them again! I hope I get to see them again soon!!!
Me, Su, Kana, and Hiroe
Me and Kana
A couple of weeks later, I hung out with Asuka. We went to a Dinosaur bone exhibition, which was super cool. I was a fool and forgot my camera battery, so just believ me when I say it was amazing. Dinosaurs are awesome. They had all these bones from China and animatronic moving dinosaurs. delightful. After the dinos, we did our usual karaoke.
The next day, I went strawberry picking with my host family and friends. We drove about and hour and a half to chiba, to this place that grows strawberrys, and you just go into the greenhouses and eat as many as you can. I just about ODed on strawberries, but it was all really delicious.
Everyone picking/eating strawberries
Yum!
Papa doesn't even really like strawberries...
Tsuki-chan LOVES strawberries
Tsuki-chan and I found a cat near the strawberry place. Is it just me, or are they making the same expression?
We drove to an onsen afterwards, which was really high class. Very nice as usual. :)
We got to wear cool pajamas at the onsen (hot spring)
The next day I palyed volleyball with one of the international clubs. But, there were jsut too many people there and a ball hog on my team. So, even though my team won, it was a shallow victory for me.
The next day, I went to a picnic with my international club, which was so much fun! We ate, ad played ultimate frisbee for a long time....I was so sore the next day! gotta love frisbee!
The club
Sorry if that was way too much info at once....................I am going to try and update more! I will!!!!
