These past few weeks have been fairly busy, and I'm starting to get used to daily life here. Listening to Japanese has become much easier, I know where the closest supermarket is, and getting around Nagoya via the underground subway system has become quite easy. Though it took some time, I think I'm getting there.
I am staying in the dorm, Nagoya Koryu Kaikan. There are about 30 to 40 students, about 1/4 of whom are Japanese, and the rest are study abroad students. Each room has 3 study abroad students, and 1 Japanese local student. They are further equipped with a Microwave, stove, and a Fridge/freezer, two sinks, two bathrooms, and a bath/shower.
My bedroom has a bed-futon, dresser, desk, dorm phone and a mirror. To my surprise, I had to buy the internet connection, and wifi is non existent on the school campus. This was odd to me. At my home school, University of Denver, you can get wifi anywhere you go on campus. However, I guess I'll have to do without this luxury for my time here.
Also, the school provides access to the gym, and free laundry facilities. There are three or four cafeteria's on campus, and prices run about 300-400 Yen per meal. I've eaten here for lunch on most days; for breakfast I usually eat either toast or rice, and for dinner I usually go out and occasionally cook. I plan to cook more to avoid unnecessary spending, so if you know good easy recipes that don't require an oven please let me know!
Since my last blog post, I've been on two field trips through my study abroad program, IES Nagoya
Kanazawa:
Two weeks ago, the IES crew went to Kanazawa. There we stayed at another Japanese Inn. Here they had three types of onsen. An indoor onsen, outdoor onsen, and outdoor Male/Female onsen. For some reason, the time at this Inn reminded me of my grandfather. I used to remember him taking extremely hot bath's and enjoying time with his friends. I don't think he did these things at the same time, but I did. As odd as it might sound, being in the public bath and having post festivities was a very reflective time for me.
Aside from the Japanese Inn, we got to visit a Japanese Garden, Kanazawa castle, and make Japanese sweets.My time in Kanazawa was beautiful.
Sound of Music:
IES Nagoya took us on a field trip to see the Sound of Music in a theater near Nagoya Station. I've never seen the musical or movie in English, so it was a little difficult to keep up with the plot in Japanese. However, I think I got the gist of it. I did, however, recognize some of the songs they sang by their tune. The lyrics were all in Japanese, so it was a little funny hearing the Japanese versions of familiar songs. The production was impressive, though. The scenery was beautiful as was the singing. I felt embraced by the ambiance.
As far as classes go, I'm taking Chinese Ink painting, Woodblock printing, Japanese culture, Japanese religions, Japanese reading/writing 300 and Japanese communications 300. I was upset when I got placed into the 300 level Japanese classes. I've taken 2 years of Japanese, and it was all for nothing. But, looking at the positive aspects there are details in speaking and writing that I miss. Hence, taking the lower class just means I get a stronger base of the language, and I can still study the book for the 400 level class while I cover what I already know.
My other classes are all very interesting, and I'm excited to see how much I learn throughout the semester.
It has been a bit hard not having a good outlet in Japan. At home, it's easy to find your close friends. People are only a call or a visit away, but in Japan, those people you've built those relationships with aren't as easily accessible. I've made friends here, though, and I suppose that type of trust and "ease of access" come in time. I'm sure we are all going through the same feelings too.
However, there are those friends in Japan that have reached out to me, and I the same, so thank you! :)
I'm also finding that I want to dance all the time here. It sounds goofy right? I think it's because dancing is my outlet a lot of the times, and I simply haven't been myself these past few weeks as I'm trying to adjust. Dancing is the way I get things out, and I'm often leaking out spurts of dancing waiting at the bus station, or walking to the supermarket. People probably think I'm hella weird. But whatever.
Fashion is also crazy here! Everyone looks very up to date, and it makes me wish I would have brought better clothes with me. I read and was told that being individualistic was frowned upon in Japanese society, and hence I should act and behave accordingly. I've always been a highly individualistic person, but I figured since I'm here I'd follow everyones advice, so I brought pretty plain clothes. WRONG.. First of all, you should always be yourself, and be an individual. Frankly, it was stupid of me to ever think otherwise. Second, everyone in Japan dresses to impress. It's all good, though, there are plenty of shops here in Nagoya, and all of which have clothes more fashionable than any stores back in the US.
Yeah, that's most everything I think. Due to the length of time it's been , I'm probably missing stuff, and per usual I'm too lazy to go back and edit my turrible english.
Much love to those effected by the floods in my hometown.
Also you can see pictures of my trip on my facebook. I'll post up some on the blog if people are interested.
Till next time, Peace and much love to you.
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