Will post a blog sometime this weekend including pictures from our Pizza party. I would do it now, but as it has been raining all week, I am spending this sunny day doing laundry and hanging my clothes out to dry. So, new blog will be here tomorrow-ish.
<3333
Friday, April 29, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Bus Tickets. Ugh.
So, last night, Steve was unable to book our bus tickets to Osaka because the website was being very stupid. It was stressful. I was scared we were going to get stuck paying for a hotel we couldn't use because we wouldn't be able to actually get there. >.<
So, today, after a rather boring Japanese lesson (and a test I COMPLETELY forgot about), I asked the women at CIEP to help me to call and book them. So we called, and it was busy, and we called, and we called, and we called. After about an hour of trying to get through, we decided to try buying them online. They walked me through registering on the Japanese website, and then helped me to buy my tickets, then figure out the website again to help me print them. They are wonderful, wonderful people. Very kind and definitely our lifeline while here in Japan. Thanks Kato-san, Miura-san and Ando-san!!!!
Now I'm home, just walked Lauren through buying her tickets, played with my computer for a bit, and have decided it is nap time. So, that's all for today. Sorry it's so short.
<3 Love & Miss You <3
So, today, after a rather boring Japanese lesson (and a test I COMPLETELY forgot about), I asked the women at CIEP to help me to call and book them. So we called, and it was busy, and we called, and we called, and we called. After about an hour of trying to get through, we decided to try buying them online. They walked me through registering on the Japanese website, and then helped me to buy my tickets, then figure out the website again to help me print them. They are wonderful, wonderful people. Very kind and definitely our lifeline while here in Japan. Thanks Kato-san, Miura-san and Ando-san!!!!
Now I'm home, just walked Lauren through buying her tickets, played with my computer for a bit, and have decided it is nap time. So, that's all for today. Sorry it's so short.
<3 Love & Miss You <3
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Tuesday! Plans for Golden Week!
Another weekday. Whooo! I woke up rather early to finish my Japanese homework then made my way to Kinjo for Japanese; my only class of the day. It was a rather insignificant lesson. We went over a few dialogues and had to make examples of illnesses to describe while at a doctor's office. I think I did pretty well. I love the Japanese classes here. We actually learn USEFUL DAY-TO-DAY stuff! Moving on.
After class, I came home and booked our hotel for Golden Week. Golden Week is pretty much a week of holidays and we have Tuesday-Thursday off of school. April 29th is Shouwa Day; which is based on Emperor Hirohito's birthday. May 3rd is Constitution Day. May 4th isn't actually a holiday, but Japanese law declares any weekday between two official holidays must be a holiday; so, we get the day off as well (although, I do believe they are calling it Greenery Day now). And,May 5th is Children's Day.
I managed to find a hotel for Steve & I for two nights for only $136.00 or 11,161Y. Whoo! I don't know if I could find cheaper during a holiday in the States. I'm pretty damn proud of myself (I spent hours last night and today looking at hotels). We're staying Tuesday and Wednesday night and returning late Thursday. It'll be a nice get away. Steve is working on reserving our bus tickets to Osaka as I type. Looks like they're going to cost as much as the hotel, but, we don't really have any other options. I can't wait!
I also went to a book store today and bought a street map of Osaka and I'm going to work up a rough itinerary and mark down routes on the map because it looks like the two of us are going to be on our own. Lauren, Natalia, Iona, and Nausicaa are also probably going, but they're going to be doing their own thing. For my map project, I bought these really nifty highlighters. They have windows in the tips so you can see what you're highlighting as you're highlighting it. No more crooked highlighting!!!
Anyways, got a bit carried away with the highlighters. I also bought Twilight, in Japanese. I was going to buy Harry Potter, but they only had the really expensive hard-cover copies, so Twilight it was. I have decided to read books that I've read in English as a way to improve on my Japanese language skills. Can't remember if I've already said this in my blog, if so, I apologize. Anyways, with a paper version, I can write my own notes in the margins, which will be a help. It'll also give me something productive to do in my spare time (what little of it I seem to have).
After the book store and hotel booking and such, Lauren, Natalia, Iona and I made our way to the Moriyama Ward office. I FINALLY got my Gaijin (or Alien Registration) Card! Whooo! I no longer have to carry my passport with me everywhere. It makes me nervous when I do. I also got my National Health Insurance Card. Something I really needed before traveling outside of the city.
All in all, it was a rather productive day. Till next time!
<3 Love & Miss You <3
After class, I came home and booked our hotel for Golden Week. Golden Week is pretty much a week of holidays and we have Tuesday-Thursday off of school. April 29th is Shouwa Day; which is based on Emperor Hirohito's birthday. May 3rd is Constitution Day. May 4th isn't actually a holiday, but Japanese law declares any weekday between two official holidays must be a holiday; so, we get the day off as well (although, I do believe they are calling it Greenery Day now). And,May 5th is Children's Day.
I managed to find a hotel for Steve & I for two nights for only $136.00 or 11,161Y. Whoo! I don't know if I could find cheaper during a holiday in the States. I'm pretty damn proud of myself (I spent hours last night and today looking at hotels). We're staying Tuesday and Wednesday night and returning late Thursday. It'll be a nice get away. Steve is working on reserving our bus tickets to Osaka as I type. Looks like they're going to cost as much as the hotel, but, we don't really have any other options. I can't wait!
I also went to a book store today and bought a street map of Osaka and I'm going to work up a rough itinerary and mark down routes on the map because it looks like the two of us are going to be on our own. Lauren, Natalia, Iona, and Nausicaa are also probably going, but they're going to be doing their own thing. For my map project, I bought these really nifty highlighters. They have windows in the tips so you can see what you're highlighting as you're highlighting it. No more crooked highlighting!!!
 |
| Look it how cool these are!!!! |
After the book store and hotel booking and such, Lauren, Natalia, Iona and I made our way to the Moriyama Ward office. I FINALLY got my Gaijin (or Alien Registration) Card! Whooo! I no longer have to carry my passport with me everywhere. It makes me nervous when I do. I also got my National Health Insurance Card. Something I really needed before traveling outside of the city.
All in all, it was a rather productive day. Till next time!
<3 Love & Miss You <3
Monday, April 25, 2011
Monday's Classes & Paying Rent
So, today I had American Culture and Advanced English, both taught by Mr. Matthew Taylor. I must admit, Mondays have NEVER been so enjoyable. I truly love going to these two classes. They are both project and discussion based. Every third class we present our projects in groups of 3 or 4 and have discussions. It's really nice. He's even thinking of having me translate Japanese news articles into English for the English class, so I can work on my translating skills because both classes are English, rather than Japanese based. He's from Oregon (is it bad that I guessed by his personality that he was from the West Coast? And no, he's not gay --he's got a wife and 2 daughters).
Today's projects for American Culture were on songs. The girls in my group did songs by Hilary Duff, Avril Lavigne and Rhianna. They all did a great job presenting, despite being uncomfortable having a "native speaker" in the group.
The next project for this class is on race/ethnicity in movies. There was quite a list to choose from, some of which I've seen, all of which I've heard of. I'll let you guys know what I pick next week.
For Advanced English, I did my 6 minute presentation on an article concerning Three Mile Island and it's lingering effects on the nuclear industry in Japan. (Here's the answer to your question Dad). We presented in groups of three and after that, switched into new groups. Our next project is on work-related issues. Not quite sure what I'm going to choose, or how I'm going to find a Japanese article, but, I'll do my best and let you guys know.
After class, I went and got lunch and got my rent invoice for this month. YUCK. I forgot that I had to pay my security deposit (I just typed depurity secosit >.<) and pay for my bedding (20,000Y and 6,240Y or $320.51 on top of what I expected). Needless to say, it was more than I expected because I forgot what all I had to pay. Don't worry, I have quite a bit of money left over and will survive, easily. Anyways. I've decided that living here isn't much more expensive than living in the U.S.; well, in Morgantown, at least.
Monthly Rent: 30,000Y $366.43
Basic Water: 2,000Y $24.43
Internet Fee: 4,935Y $60.28
Electric (varies): 4,347Y $53.10
I guess internet and electric might be higher, but rent is amazing considering location, amenities and size. My room is HUGE.
Anyways. Apparently not only can I pay my electric bill at the convenience store, I can pay my rent via ATM machine!!! I LOVE THE ATMS HERE! Atms here do everything! Balance your check book (all transactions are printed into your passbook, you just have to click update passbook at the atm); you can deposit money, withdraw and pay your rent. Paying rent would've been difficult, but I was given a paper with a chart of what buttons to press, and the account number to transfer my money into (and Nausicaa helped! Thankies!).
Well, that's all for today. I'm trying to blog more because I've heard you all want more to read.... Let me know if this is too mundane or boring. I kinda feel like it is and I don't want to bore you guys.
<3 Love & Miss You <3
Today's projects for American Culture were on songs. The girls in my group did songs by Hilary Duff, Avril Lavigne and Rhianna. They all did a great job presenting, despite being uncomfortable having a "native speaker" in the group.
The next project for this class is on race/ethnicity in movies. There was quite a list to choose from, some of which I've seen, all of which I've heard of. I'll let you guys know what I pick next week.
For Advanced English, I did my 6 minute presentation on an article concerning Three Mile Island and it's lingering effects on the nuclear industry in Japan. (Here's the answer to your question Dad). We presented in groups of three and after that, switched into new groups. Our next project is on work-related issues. Not quite sure what I'm going to choose, or how I'm going to find a Japanese article, but, I'll do my best and let you guys know.
After class, I went and got lunch and got my rent invoice for this month. YUCK. I forgot that I had to pay my security deposit (I just typed depurity secosit >.<) and pay for my bedding (20,000Y and 6,240Y or $320.51 on top of what I expected). Needless to say, it was more than I expected because I forgot what all I had to pay. Don't worry, I have quite a bit of money left over and will survive, easily. Anyways. I've decided that living here isn't much more expensive than living in the U.S.; well, in Morgantown, at least.
Monthly Rent: 30,000Y $366.43
Basic Water: 2,000Y $24.43
Internet Fee: 4,935Y $60.28
Electric (varies): 4,347Y $53.10
I guess internet and electric might be higher, but rent is amazing considering location, amenities and size. My room is HUGE.
Anyways. Apparently not only can I pay my electric bill at the convenience store, I can pay my rent via ATM machine!!! I LOVE THE ATMS HERE! Atms here do everything! Balance your check book (all transactions are printed into your passbook, you just have to click update passbook at the atm); you can deposit money, withdraw and pay your rent. Paying rent would've been difficult, but I was given a paper with a chart of what buttons to press, and the account number to transfer my money into (and Nausicaa helped! Thankies!).
Well, that's all for today. I'm trying to blog more because I've heard you all want more to read.... Let me know if this is too mundane or boring. I kinda feel like it is and I don't want to bore you guys.
<3 Love & Miss You <3
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Kimono
As promised, here is another blog. Happy Easter everyone! I hope you got to spend the day with loved ones. I was so happy to see my parents, sister, cousins, aunts, uncle and grandparents on skype today. I miss you guys!!!! Now, on to the blog:
Feature today: Kimono. I purchased 3 yesterday, one for myself, one for my lovely Nanny, and one for my awesome Momma. =D (I'm a suck up, and miss them tons).... Today was a lazy day spent cleaning, doing laundry, and going grocery shopping. Steve & I did go out to dinner, which was nice. But that was about it. I apologize for the lacking blogs. It's hard to blog when I have class, study, sleep, repeat. I don't want to bore you all with the same stuff over and over again.
Anywayssssss. Here we go! Picture time once again. (Apologizing now for the crappy pictues)
That's all for now. I hope you guys enjoyed what little I had to offer. Wish I had more, but I don't right now. Fortunately, next week is Golden Week and there should be PLENTY going on then.
I have my first test in my Japanese class. It's actually one of two classes that has tests. The rest are report based. I have 2 reports due tomorrow. One in American Culture; we had to choose an American song and fill out a worksheet on it. I chose Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. My second report is for my Advanced English course and is on either Chernobyl or Three Mile Island. Once again, all I really have to do is fill out a worksheet. I also have a report due for my Contemporary Topics in Japan class (2 worksheets) and next monday have 3-400 word reports due for my Japanese Study class (one of those is on my shopping trip to Osu).
Well, that's all for now.
<3 Love & Miss you All! Hope you had a good Easter <3
Feature today: Kimono. I purchased 3 yesterday, one for myself, one for my lovely Nanny, and one for my awesome Momma. =D (I'm a suck up, and miss them tons).... Today was a lazy day spent cleaning, doing laundry, and going grocery shopping. Steve & I did go out to dinner, which was nice. But that was about it. I apologize for the lacking blogs. It's hard to blog when I have class, study, sleep, repeat. I don't want to bore you all with the same stuff over and over again.
Anywayssssss. Here we go! Picture time once again. (Apologizing now for the crappy pictues)
 | |
| Nanny's Kimono, because of the black cherry blossoms and red accents. |
 |
| The belts are called Obi, and don't really have to match perfectly. This one matches the color scheme so I chose it for this kimono. |
 |
| This is mom's kimono. |
 |
| You can't tell in these pictures, but the silk is textured and has many designs and such. |
 |
| Couldn't find an Obi that I liked. Maybe next time! |
 |
| My kimono, simple, black, with bronze, gold and red accents |
 |
| The obi really does match! Promise! |
That's all for now. I hope you guys enjoyed what little I had to offer. Wish I had more, but I don't right now. Fortunately, next week is Golden Week and there should be PLENTY going on then.
I have my first test in my Japanese class. It's actually one of two classes that has tests. The rest are report based. I have 2 reports due tomorrow. One in American Culture; we had to choose an American song and fill out a worksheet on it. I chose Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. My second report is for my Advanced English course and is on either Chernobyl or Three Mile Island. Once again, all I really have to do is fill out a worksheet. I also have a report due for my Contemporary Topics in Japan class (2 worksheets) and next monday have 3-400 word reports due for my Japanese Study class (one of those is on my shopping trip to Osu).
Well, that's all for now.
<3 Love & Miss you All! Hope you had a good Easter <3
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Osu Trip!
Today was my trip to the Osu Shopping District for my Japanese Study class. Pretty much, they make up wake up really early in the morning to explore various kimono shops. They were soooo PRETTY! So, enough chit chat from me. Here are your long-awaited pics!!!
That's all for now. I have some more kimono pictures, but I'm saving them for the next blog. =P
Love & Miss you all!!!
 |
| Gate to Osu Temple |
 |
| Osu Temple |
 |
| Osu Temple |
 |
| Discarded, unlucky fortunes |
 |
| Big Lantern |
 |
| Incense burner |
 |
| Candles |
 |
| Altar/Shrine |
 |
| My fortune |
 |
| Buddha |
 |
| Fortune box |
 |
| Little Buddha |
 |
| Temple again... |
 |
| PIGEONS! |
 |
| Covered shopping arcade? |
 |
| Bakery |
 |
| Closed Kimono Shop |
 |
| Bakery again! |
 |
| Baker making anko-filled fish-shaped pastries |
 |
| YUM! |
 |
| Open Kimono Shop |
 |
| Making fish-shaped pastries |
 |
| Cooking fishie pastries |
 |
| Completed fish-shaped pastries |
 |
| BEAUTIFUL! |
 |
| Obi |
 |
| Obi |
 |
| Calla Lilly Kimono. So pretty! Sooo expensive! |
 |
| Add caption |
 | |
| Whyyyy???? |
Love & Miss you all!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)