Hey All,
This week is pretty busy and it's flying by fast. Yesterday was the big orientation day - I attended the general meeting, took a placement test, consulted with faculty, paid my tuition bills, and a bunch of other stuff. Haley and I went to the convenience store on campus to check it out, and to get dinner.
I got one of those instant ramen things that are pretty good. Basically, each meal has been about 300 yen, which is not bad at all. We got some melon pan too, and it was really good. At the cafeteria today, we are going to get ramen! even though that means you actually have to talk to the serving lady to tell her what you want. I think I've worked up enough courage to do that. It'll be an adventure, my first real ramen. Exciting!
After orientation, Haley and I were both pretty tired, so we just went straight back to the dorm at around 4. On the way back there's a clothes store, and we went in there.The store is like a TJ Maxx or something, but it has this little section that's devoted to miscellaneous kids stuff. I saw tons of Pokemon. DBZ, and surprisingly, Keroro Gunsou merchandise. Appears that stuff is big here. We saw some cheap slippers, only like 300 yen or so. AFter wandering around a bit, we went back to the room. We watched the final (FINAL) episode of KKM, which was very good, and then i made my instant ramen stuff. I spent a good deal of time trying to figure out the Japanese TV schedule, and I determined that Bleach would air on TV Tokyo at 7:26 PM (not 7:30, not even 7:25, but 7:26). So, I flipped thru some channels, and found it!
Some of you reading this may not understand how big a deal this is for me. But I have been watching Bleach for about two years now, and to see it actually on TV, actually airing, not having to wait and watch it later, it was just amazing. Commercials are funny too, and I never get to see those. Of course it was just in raw Japanese, no subtitles, and it was hard to understand. But i picked up the key plot points. Tomorrow, I will try to catch another of my favorite animes, Naruto, same time and channel.
But just being down in the common room watching TV allowed me to meet some more of the international students that came. I hadn't really explored my dorm yet. The kitchen is quite expansive, and there's a big lounge too with two TVs. I just stayed the rest of the night in the room, there's really not alot in the dorms' immediate surroundings to explore. But Haley just went to Hirakata City today to go to the bank, and she says there's more stuff there, which is exciting. We'll go soon, now that Haley has money and the brunt of Orientation week is over. Tomorrow there's a school-sponsored trip to Kyoto, which'll be great in really getting to know the area.
Guess what! We found our first example of Engrish in the convenishop. It's a cute little folder with a whale on it. (For those of you who don't know, Engrish is mispelled or mistaken English that is used for effect by Japanese people who don't bother to hire a translator). Here's a pic of Haley holding it:
I'm sure many, many more examples will follow. We have vowed to be avid Engrish hunters, and even submit an example to Engrish.com.
Guess what #2! I just got my homestay info in my mailbox! Here's the specs: a Dad, a Mom and a little sister Mayu, who's in elementary school. They live 45 mins from campus, and I can take the bus. They have a pet goldfish and a cat. My room size will be 6 tatami mats, which is about....110 sq ft. I have no visual conception of how big that is, but I bet it's not too big. That's ok. I'm really excited to meet them on Sunday and go to their house.
Ok that's all for now. More information as events warrant.
-Kim
