Hey all,
Well I've officially had all my classes now, which means the semester really has started. Now all the course overviews, examining the syllabus, and self-introductions are over, here comes the studying. I find that I'm already behind in Japanese Reading & Writing as compared with the rest of the class. I will have to do some extra studying to bring myself up to their level. Speaking is opposite - I find that I am slightly ahead of most of the class in that area. Well, at least I will know where to throw my energies. I could probably move up a level, but why make it that much harder for myself?
Mass Media in Japan is already turning out to be an interesting class. We took a look at Japanese newspapers today - did you know that the five major Japanese papers are also the top five most-widely-circulated newspapers in the world? Compare 14 million subscriptions for Asahi Shinbun with a measly 2 million for the New York Times. Japanese people just take their newspapers that seriously. In fact, that's what Otousan does after dinner - meticulously reads the paper. And each of the five major Japanese newspapers owns the five major Japanese commercial TV stations - a huge media monopoly. In any case, I know this course will be great and the professor too. However, Onna to Otoko didn't impress me. The topics covered are moderately interesting, but not enough to offset the mediocrity of the professor. I will take some time deliberating, but if I have to drop a class, that will be the one. We'll see...and of course, I have nearly zero interest in Art in the Kansai Area, but I have to take it to fulfill Colby's art requirement. It shouldnt' be so bad because we take four field trips throughout the semester to actually see what we're studying. The rest of the time though, I'm stuck in a dark classroom at 5 PM looking at slides....booooring.
Textbooks have been insanely cheap for the most part. They are all paperback compilations of various readings that each professor puts together, and the average cost per class is about $16. And the Reading/Writing textbook is free- the professor just gave it to us! I was very worried about the cost, but it looks like those worries were unfounded. It seems like almost free compared to the normal Colby cost of $500 per semester.
Last night I had a good night with my host family. I actually communicated with Mayu-chan just by myself, no okaasan necessary for interpretation. She likes to show me her sticker collection. She helped me do my Japanese homework (not really, just looking for something to start a convo about) and we talked about favorite foods, and we drew pictures together. I think she and Gracie would really get along. I showed her that video I took of Gracie at my birthday, and she said she would like to play with Gracie. Okaasan seemed pretty busy last night; she made salmon for dinner (such a tiny piece, and overcooked. Unfortunately, I am spoiled because of Mom's professionally cooked salmon), and there was a spinach-like vegetable (again, only a tiny amount), and a very strange cole slaw-like mixture of some thinly sliced root that she couldn't translate. Otousan did not eat with us; he came home very very late (about 9 PM). Mayu was also up late doing her homework, which her mother meticulously checks. Her mother also checks to make sure she practices her violin and piano for an hour each day.
Actually sleeping last night was a lot better. I made various improvisations, such as putting one of the blankets that's supposed to go over me, on top of the futon instead, thus providing extra padding between me and the floor. For the pillow, I took the chair pad as well as some of my sweatshirts and folded them up under it. In this fashion, I managed to get a decent sleep. Thank goodness for that.
Getting back and forth on the bus usually has not been a problem, though yesterday I left the house a bit late and was running to it. My legs are hurting a lot because of all the walking/running/going up stairs that I have been doing. I suppose that is a good thing. Tomorrow my bus pass finally becomes active, so I will no longer have to lose 220 yen each time. Tomorrow I will also get my alien registration card, and thus will no longer have to carry around a passport.
Ok I will make a better update tomorrow. There's also an interesting encounter on the street that I have to write about, but right now I have to catch the bus to go home. Ja ne!
Don't forget to comment! At last I know it's working!
