So the matsuri on Sunday was scheduled to start at 11am so I didn't have to get up terribly early but still pretty early. I wore normal clothes but with my geta, the outfit matched really well actually even Terumi-san said so. Because Casey had worn new shoes the night before to the gagaku performance her feet hurt her so she had slipped a note under my door to know she wasn't coming, her loss.
Anyway, I got to the subway station right by the shrine at almost exactly 10:30am (what I had planned) and went to the bathroom to change. I got all dressed up in my full outfit and began the walk over to the shrine. I know I got a few stares, but whatever, I looked cute. When I got to the top of the shrine I was going to go in to the main part to meet Terumi-san but I ended up getting distracted by a bunch of priests and shrine maidens as well as a bunch of guys in suits. I hung around them a little to take pictures and then I headed in to meet Terumi.
It turns out that the people I saw were important people including the mayor and a bunch of politicians and businessmen. Once I met up with Terumi-san we watched the ceremonies that they performed outside and inside. There was also gagaku music I might add and it was fun to listen to. (Most shrine ceremonies are apparently accompanied by gagaku music.) After all the ceremonies inside were done these big taiko drums scared the crap out of me because somehow they got setup right behind me without me noticing and believe me when they start playing, it's loud. Then I even got to pray in the shrine! It was so cool!
After that was all done we went back outside. I took some pictures of a small group of musicians off to the side, we ate some manjyu, and then we took part in the little tea ceremony like booth they had setup there. They would make the tea in front of everyone (obviously one portion) and then everyone would get some tea and a sweet little cookie. (Obviously there was more tea being made behind the little curtain they had setup.
After we finished up with the tea ceremony I figured it was time to change clothes. It would be a little hard to move first of all and also since Terumi-san and I were going to hang out a little I didn't want to look like a total freak throughout Tokyo. I went off to the bathrooms and changed back to my outfit, still keeping on my geta though. I've gotten pretty good at walking in them and they're not too uncomfortable. The only thing that sometimes bothered me was the rubbing of the little thing that was right in between my big toes and the ones next to them.
After I got changed Terumi-san and I chatted a little while we sat and looked around. She was astounded that I could fit my yukata and my obi and everything in my bag. It was funny. Then she asked if the obi was a real one or one that had the bow in the back already made, like a clip-on bow tie or something. I told her no that it was the real thing and proceeded to pull it out of my bag. I then showed her how I tie it and she took a couple of pictures. I was really amused.
I was getting hungry so I suggested we get something to eat. Since we were so close to where I stayed last time I suggested ramen and told her I knew a good place nearby. So we walked over to the ramen shop right by the ANA Hotel. The only problem is I forgot that it's closed on Sundays. Damn. So after a little indecision we decided to walk over to Roppongi and see what we could find there.
It was gorgeous weather so I didn't mind the walk. The humidity was very low for this time in Japan and it was sunny. We got to Roppongi and ended up having ramen anyway at a little place that was surprisingly close to the TGIFriday's that Isaac and I went to last time. After lunch we walked over to the subway deciding what to do on the way. Terumi-san gave me two choices that she thought were good. The first was a boat cruise and the second was to hang out in Harujuku. And while I do want to see crazy people all dressed up in Harujuku I thought the boat cruise would be more fun.
So we hopped on the subway and headed up to Asakusa, someplace that I've actually been meaning to go to. We got off and just a little bit from the subway stop was the big temple in Asakusa. It was amazing. First you get to one big gate and from there until the other big gate on the other side is a very long row of stalls of vendors. They have everything from food to clothes and geta to bamboo parasols. It was so fun to see it all.
When we got to the other gate we entered the main part of the temple and went over to get fortunes. Terumi-san got number 89 which was very good. I incidentally got 98 which was very bad. I tied it on the little thing by the fortunes though which is supposed to help send the bad fortune away. I ended up finding a 100 Yen coin, the price of the fortune, shortly afterward so I'll take that as a good sign seeing as how my fortune thus cost nothing. Hehe.
After going into the temple and taking some pictures we went back outside. Terumi-san used the restroom and I took some more pictures. Then we headed back the way we came but on the other side of the stalls. As we walked back we passed a few cute stores that we went into but one that I really want to go back to. This particular store sells recycled kimono, obis, etc. for obscenely cheap. Isaac and I had visited a similar shop when we were in Kyoto but this place in Asakusa has obi for like 3000 Yen, so like $30. I nearly fell over when I saw that. I will definitely be going back there. Hehehe!
After that we head back past the subway to the other side where the boat cruise was. We bought our tickets and waited for the boat to arrive. I was exciting. The boat cruise went from Asakusa to down in Tokyo bay and it was also a tour of the bridges along the way, each one different. Needless to say I took lots of pictures of bridges, hehe. The cruise ended on Odaiba which is a big island-like piece of land.
After we got off the boat we wandered around the little park area right by the water. It was so pretty. I also got to take a picture of the Statue of Liberty. That's right they have a small scale one there though it's still pretty big. I had seen it from the boat and laughed so hard to myself. After that we wandered around the shopping area inside and then went to look for a place where we could get something to drink and a maybe a snack.
All over the place we had seen cute little dogs and I so wanted to pet them all. On our search for snacks and drinks we came across this guy doing juggling of spools on rope, I don't know how else to describe it, and he also made balloon animals. He was really good and really funny. We watched him for a little bit and then found a cafe where Terumi-san got a drink and I got a piece of a kinda raspberry cake and some coffee. We watched the sunset while we ate. It was absolutely relaxing and breathtaking. As we said in Japanese "kimochii!"
After we finished up we hopped on the little monorail to come back. Terumi-san and I chatted. I really like her, she's fun. She also said that she thinks I'm very Japanese. I thought that was very nice. We got to Shimbashi station and she said that she was going to get on the train with me. But I was like, "Doesn't the Ginza line go to Shibuya? Would that be faster for you?" She was floored. She was like, "Oh my! You're right! How did you know that. I'm so impressed. Thank you, that is much easier."
Hehe, way to go me. Using the Ginza line so much last time pays off. Hehe. So we said our goodbyes and I hopped on the train to go home. It was a long but fun day. I was tired when I got back to the center and eager to get out of my geta. They weren't really hurting my feet but because my big toes and the ones next to them got rubbed so much all day long my toes were swollen. I got ready for bed, watched some anime and was happy that I didn't have a lesson until the next day at 6pm. And that was Sunday.
Ok, so I'm almost there people on catching up. I have the first half of tomorrow free so I hope to get this Monday, yesterday, and today all done. Plus I'm working on putting my pictures up so you can see what I'm talking about. Ok, well it's late. Oyasumi!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Long Lesson, Gagaku Music, and Matsuri Plans
This past Saturday I needed to be up early because I had a lesson at 10am . So far that’s the earliest lesson I’ve had. It also turned out to be a double lesson. My schedule only had be written down for 10-11:30am but I ended up staying for the second group lesson Sasamoto-sensei had that day.
1pm and made it to the theatre at about 1:40pm . That was perfect though because it started at 2pm .
The boss or owner, whatever he is, of Musashino where I have my private lessons and incidentally where I had the group lessons that day had come in to the back room Wednesday before my lesson. He gave me a sticker for my cell phone, the shos also apparently got something similar, but he also let me choose a cover for my music book. I was so thankful, normally it would cost about 2000 Yen.
Todd and Casey didn't seem to care so much when I was explaining that maybe it was because I gave him the chocolate. But Michael, being Michael, had to make a little comment that he had said from the beginning that maybe it wasn't a good idea for me to always be the one giving the chocolate. That made me mad! I mean 1) I ended up going there first before them so I had to bring it 2)Todd doesn't stay with us so that's a bit of a problem for him to have it, Casey, no offense to her, would probably do okay but she doesn't speak any Japanese and she's not terribly orgainzed, and Michael doesn't give a shit. On numerous occasions he's said he thinks the chocolate is cheap and not good and he never wants to give any so what right does he have to complain about it.
But anyway. So the performance was wonderful and actually the father of my sensei from Ono was the ondo, kinda like lead player, of the hichiriki in the second half of the program. After the concert I ended up going back to the center with Casey. Michael wandered around and Todd went God knows where. We stopped for some McDonald's before we got on the subway. The weather for the past few days had been wonderfully rain free and not very humid.
When we got back to the center I turned on the TV and watched the finale, I don't know if it was season or series, of the Japanese Columbo guy. I then tried on my yukata and after a little while went next door to show it to Casey because she wanted to see it and I wanted to try it on before the matsuri the next day. While I was puttering around I took it off I got a call on my room phone. I was a bit surprised because I had no idea who could be calling. It ended up being Terumi-san. I had invited her earlier in the week to come to the matsuri and she was calling to let me know that she would be coming.
Also, I had asked her priorly by email if she thought wearing my yukata would be appropriate. She explained that normally they were worn at night but then she asked what color. I said it was black with flowers and she told me that would actually be all right. She then asked if I had an obi, the belt, or geta, the wooden shoes, and I told her I had it all. She was very surprised I think and responded by saying that I should please wear it because she really wanted to see it.
I was thinking however how irritating it would be to wear on the train and subway and all the weird looks I would get. So I planned to bring it with me, wear the geta and bring my flats and a change of clothes. After getting that stuff ready a little bit I went to bed because I knew I would have to be up early.
The boss or owner, whatever he is, of Musashino where I have my private lessons and incidentally where I had the group lessons that day had come in to the back room Wednesday before my lesson. He gave me a sticker for my cell phone, the shos also apparently got something similar, but he also let me choose a cover for my music book. I was so thankful, normally it would cost about 2000 Yen.
Todd and Casey didn't seem to care so much when I was explaining that maybe it was because I gave him the chocolate. But Michael, being Michael, had to make a little comment that he had said from the beginning that maybe it wasn't a good idea for me to always be the one giving the chocolate. That made me mad! I mean 1) I ended up going there first before them so I had to bring it 2)Todd doesn't stay with us so that's a bit of a problem for him to have it, Casey, no offense to her, would probably do okay but she doesn't speak any Japanese and she's not terribly orgainzed, and Michael doesn't give a shit. On numerous occasions he's said he thinks the chocolate is cheap and not good and he never wants to give any so what right does he have to complain about it.
But anyway. So the performance was wonderful and actually the father of my sensei from Ono was the ondo, kinda like lead player, of the hichiriki in the second half of the program. After the concert I ended up going back to the center with Casey. Michael wandered around and Todd went God knows where. We stopped for some McDonald's before we got on the subway. The weather for the past few days had been wonderfully rain free and not very humid.
When we got back to the center I turned on the TV and watched the finale, I don't know if it was season or series, of the Japanese Columbo guy. I then tried on my yukata and after a little while went next door to show it to Casey because she wanted to see it and I wanted to try it on before the matsuri the next day. While I was puttering around I took it off I got a call on my room phone. I was a bit surprised because I had no idea who could be calling. It ended up being Terumi-san. I had invited her earlier in the week to come to the matsuri and she was calling to let me know that she would be coming.
Also, I had asked her priorly by email if she thought wearing my yukata would be appropriate. She explained that normally they were worn at night but then she asked what color. I said it was black with flowers and she told me that would actually be all right. She then asked if I had an obi, the belt, or geta, the wooden shoes, and I told her I had it all. She was very surprised I think and responded by saying that I should please wear it because she really wanted to see it.
I was thinking however how irritating it would be to wear on the train and subway and all the weird looks I would get. So I planned to bring it with me, wear the geta and bring my flats and a change of clothes. After getting that stuff ready a little bit I went to bed because I knew I would have to be up early.
Great Views and Ichiro
Friday I had class in the early afternoon so I slept in a little bit. On my way to the train I saw Casey ahead of me. She even got on the same train car but at the opposite end. It was strange though because she got off at a stop before she needed to in order to go to her class that day. But anyways, I had class at the Asahi Cultural Center i
I waited by the elevators and when sensei showed up I said hello and followed him to the classroom. It was a very fun class and I felt very relaxed because except for 2 or 3 others out of the 7 of us the other half were worse than me. Hehe. After class ended I went over to theMetropolitan Government Building
In the first tower I found a cute little store that sells hanko (name stamps) of popular English names. The prices are a bit high of course because it’s a tourist trap but they had both Isaac and my names so I thought that was funny. I also took some nice pictures but unfortunately it was too hazy to see Fuijisan. =( I still want to go back though because it was free and fun. Also it was very funny that at the bag inspection before you can get on the elevators that take you up to the observatory of either building I was asked what my flute was (it’s in a wooden case) and also asked not to play. =)
When I got back I tried out my Cup of Noodle reusable cup and had some Japanese style French toast from the conbini nearby. The French toast was good though a little strange. After that I watched a special of back to back episodes of that Japanese Columbo guy. The first one was actually of him as a kid and then the second was really cool because it had the baseball player Ichiro as the guest. I was really amused.
Somewhere toward the end of the episode with Ichiro I ended up getting into a conversation with Casey and Michael in the hall about whether they were going to be going to the shoga (singing) class on Sunday or not. I let them know I wasn’t because I was going to the matsuri and mentioned that if they wanted they should come too. But I also said that if they were going that they needed to take a box of chocolate, as per Terumi-san’s instructions.
Casey was pretty sure she wasn’t going so I repeated it to Michael but as per usual he didn’t seem to care. I think that it’s pretty arrogant of him not to listen to what Terumi-san says in her emails. There is a reason why you goaisatsu and it was really annoying me that he didn’t give a crap. Whatever, I chalk it up to him being German. After that I went to bed. And now on to Saturday. Woot, almost there.
I waited by the elevators and when sensei showed up I said hello and followed him to the classroom. It was a very fun class and I felt very relaxed because except for 2 or 3 others out of the 7 of us the other half were worse than me. Hehe. After class ended I went over to the
In the first tower I found a cute little store that sells hanko (name stamps) of popular English names. The prices are a bit high of course because it’s a tourist trap but they had both Isaac and my names so I thought that was funny. I also took some nice pictures but unfortunately it was too hazy to see Fuijisan. =( I still want to go back though because it was free and fun. Also it was very funny that at the bag inspection before you can get on the elevators that take you up to the observatory of either building I was asked what my flute was (it’s in a wooden case) and also asked not to play. =)
When I got back I tried out my Cup of Noodle reusable cup and had some Japanese style French toast from the conbini nearby. The French toast was good though a little strange. After that I watched a special of back to back episodes of that Japanese Columbo guy. The first one was actually of him as a kid and then the second was really cool because it had the baseball player Ichiro as the guest. I was really amused.
Somewhere toward the end of the episode with Ichiro I ended up getting into a conversation with Casey and Michael in the hall about whether they were going to be going to the shoga (singing) class on Sunday or not. I let them know I wasn’t because I was going to the matsuri and mentioned that if they wanted they should come too. But I also said that if they were going that they needed to take a box of chocolate, as per Terumi-san’s instructions.
Casey was pretty sure she wasn’t going so I repeated it to Michael but as per usual he didn’t seem to care. I think that it’s pretty arrogant of him not to listen to what Terumi-san says in her emails. There is a reason why you goaisatsu and it was really annoying me that he didn’t give a crap. Whatever, I chalk it up to him being German. After that I went to bed. And now on to Saturday. Woot, almost there.
Japanese CSI and Lots of Anime!
This post is for this past Thursday. So even though Thursday was another free day for me I got up early in the morning to finish deleting the virus. That took a little while but once it was done I was relieved. After I was done I came back to my room to get dressed and whatnot but ended up taking a nap afterward. By the time I got up again I had missed lunch so I just waited a little bit and I figured I would get dinner here at the center.
I ended up getting what they called chicken pilaf, which really was something like rice pilaf with a fried egg on top and some lettuce and such on the side. It was yummy, though a bit odd to me. I ended up sitting with the only other two white people here besides Casey and Michael and myself. One guy introduced himself at one point, he was from Australia
After dinner I decided to go out and visit the supermarket near here for the first time. It’s called Saty. I ended up buying some milk, OJ, potato chips, and Cup of Noodles. The Cup of Noodles was really cool though. It was a reusable plastic cup of noodles looking container with a lid and you just buy refills for it instead of using the styrofoam ones each time. I though it was really cool and eco-friendly.
When I got back I snatched on some of the chips and watched some TV. I found a program which closely resembled CSI in theme and even in story plot to a degree. First Japanese Columbo and now Japanese CSI, I was seriously amused. I mostly watched TV for the rest of the evening. At one point I tried sleeping but I couldn’t. I don’t know if my nap through me off or if I just wasn’t tired?
So instead I put the TV back on and ended up finding a bunch of anime including a rerun of Full Metal Panic, an episode from the new season of XXXHolic, something called Soul Eater, and finally a very funny one called To Loveる. This is actually a clever pun because if you pronounce it like it is Japanese it comes out sounding like too-ra-bu-ru, which if you say faster is “trouble”! Hehe, I was really amused. And finally I fell asleep.
I ended up getting what they called chicken pilaf, which really was something like rice pilaf with a fried egg on top and some lettuce and such on the side. It was yummy, though a bit odd to me. I ended up sitting with the only other two white people here besides Casey and Michael and myself. One guy introduced himself at one point, he was from Australia
After dinner I decided to go out and visit the supermarket near here for the first time. It’s called Saty. I ended up buying some milk, OJ, potato chips, and Cup of Noodles. The Cup of Noodles was really cool though. It was a reusable plastic cup of noodles looking container with a lid and you just buy refills for it instead of using the styrofoam ones each time. I though it was really cool and eco-friendly.
When I got back I snatched on some of the chips and watched some TV. I found a program which closely resembled CSI in theme and even in story plot to a degree. First Japanese Columbo and now Japanese CSI, I was seriously amused. I mostly watched TV for the rest of the evening. At one point I tried sleeping but I couldn’t. I don’t know if my nap through me off or if I just wasn’t tired?
So instead I put the TV back on and ended up finding a bunch of anime including a rerun of Full Metal Panic, an episode from the new season of XXXHolic, something called Soul Eater, and finally a very funny one called To Loveる. This is actually a clever pun because if you pronounce it like it is Japanese it comes out sounding like too-ra-bu-ru, which if you say faster is “trouble”! Hehe, I was really amused. And finally I fell asleep.
Running Into People at Shrines
So since I had been up so late the night before with the virus issue I didn't really want to get up on Wednesday morning but I had to because I had a lesson early. So I hopped out of bed and rushed over to my lesson. I made it a little early and that was good. Lesson went well. I really like Sasamoto-sensei, he's very relaxed and patient which is nice. I learned some new songs which was fun too. After lesson I headed off to Akasaka which is very convenient to get to from Oji because the Namboku subway line runs from Oji to Tameike-sanno, the stop where I get off to go exchange my traveler's checks.
In the lobby of the building where I cash my traveler's checks there was a flute player this week, much like last week there was the woman singing opera. It was very beautiful to listen to. After I cashed my traveler's checks I decided to wander around the area. I especially wanted to see if I could find the shrine that I had passed the first time I had gone back to Akasaka this trip. I found it with no problem and took the escalators up to the top (otherwise I would have had to walk up a lot of stairs, and I do mean A LOT OF STAIRS!).
As I was riding up the escalators I found out that the name of the place was the Hie Jinja, basically Hie Shrine. After I got off the escalator I started to walk over to the place where you are supposed to wash your hands and mouth (I forgot the the proper name of it). It is custom before going into a shrine or temple to do this ritual. As I was walking over there I heard a distinctly Japanese voice from behind me call "Patty-san". To say the least I was a bit unnerved at having someone call my name somewhere that I was pretty sure I didn't know anyone.
I turned around and vaguely recognized the man who had called my name. I was pretty sure that he had been at my Ono class the first week I was there. I walked over and we talked a little bit. Sure enough I was right about where I had seen him and he proceeded to tell me that he worked at that shrine. I was amazed that of all the places to run into someone I had met this shrine was where it happened. He also told me that they were currently having a matsuri, or festival at the shrine and that he wouldn't be back for lessons at Ono until it was over.
I walked around the shrine a little bit taking pictures and what not. They had roosters there which amused me, I think they must have been a symbol of the kami enshrined there. After taking some more pictures and figuring out that there was supposedly a big matsuri on June 15th I walked back over to talk to my friend to talk a little more and ask him about it. Sure enough he confirmed that at 11am on June 15th there was going to be an oomatsuri (big festival). The festival lasts many days but the oomatsuri is really the biggest part of it I believe. We exchanged meshi and I told him that I would most definitely be back on the 15th.
After that it was getting kinda late in the afternoon and I wanted to get back to work on my computer some more. I hopped the subway and then the train back to the center. After grabbing some quick food I turned on the TV while I started working on my computer. I ended up having to go to the lounge on the second floor so that I could get an internet connection because I needed the internet to see what I needed to do to get rid of the virus and also update my virus software.
After what seemed like an eternity (it took me like almost 6 hours of downloading, scanning, and rebooting) I finally got the software installed and proceeded to run one more full system scan. Since it was going to take a while for that to finish and it was getting quite late I went back to my room to get ready for bed and watch some more TV before I went to sleep. (Yes I know I'm watching a lot of TV but it's good practice for my listening skills.)
As I was getting ready to go to bed I came across a show on TV whose opening scenes looked like they were from Columbia. At first I thought I was halucinating but sure enough the show was teaching English to students and was made at Columbia. I ran upstairs to tell Casey, she was up on the 2nd floor in the lounge on her computer, and we laughed at it a little as we watched a few minutes on the TV in the lounge. After that I went back downstairs and went to sleep.
And now I am off to get some lunch before I update again. I plan to get caught up today but one cannot type on an empty stomach. =) I shall return. Jya ne!
In the lobby of the building where I cash my traveler's checks there was a flute player this week, much like last week there was the woman singing opera. It was very beautiful to listen to. After I cashed my traveler's checks I decided to wander around the area. I especially wanted to see if I could find the shrine that I had passed the first time I had gone back to Akasaka this trip. I found it with no problem and took the escalators up to the top (otherwise I would have had to walk up a lot of stairs, and I do mean A LOT OF STAIRS!).
As I was riding up the escalators I found out that the name of the place was the Hie Jinja, basically Hie Shrine. After I got off the escalator I started to walk over to the place where you are supposed to wash your hands and mouth (I forgot the the proper name of it). It is custom before going into a shrine or temple to do this ritual. As I was walking over there I heard a distinctly Japanese voice from behind me call "Patty-san". To say the least I was a bit unnerved at having someone call my name somewhere that I was pretty sure I didn't know anyone.
I turned around and vaguely recognized the man who had called my name. I was pretty sure that he had been at my Ono class the first week I was there. I walked over and we talked a little bit. Sure enough I was right about where I had seen him and he proceeded to tell me that he worked at that shrine. I was amazed that of all the places to run into someone I had met this shrine was where it happened. He also told me that they were currently having a matsuri, or festival at the shrine and that he wouldn't be back for lessons at Ono until it was over.
I walked around the shrine a little bit taking pictures and what not. They had roosters there which amused me, I think they must have been a symbol of the kami enshrined there. After taking some more pictures and figuring out that there was supposedly a big matsuri on June 15th I walked back over to talk to my friend to talk a little more and ask him about it. Sure enough he confirmed that at 11am on June 15th there was going to be an oomatsuri (big festival). The festival lasts many days but the oomatsuri is really the biggest part of it I believe. We exchanged meshi and I told him that I would most definitely be back on the 15th.
After that it was getting kinda late in the afternoon and I wanted to get back to work on my computer some more. I hopped the subway and then the train back to the center. After grabbing some quick food I turned on the TV while I started working on my computer. I ended up having to go to the lounge on the second floor so that I could get an internet connection because I needed the internet to see what I needed to do to get rid of the virus and also update my virus software.
After what seemed like an eternity (it took me like almost 6 hours of downloading, scanning, and rebooting) I finally got the software installed and proceeded to run one more full system scan. Since it was going to take a while for that to finish and it was getting quite late I went back to my room to get ready for bed and watch some more TV before I went to sleep. (Yes I know I'm watching a lot of TV but it's good practice for my listening skills.)
As I was getting ready to go to bed I came across a show on TV whose opening scenes looked like they were from Columbia. At first I thought I was halucinating but sure enough the show was teaching English to students and was made at Columbia. I ran upstairs to tell Casey, she was up on the 2nd floor in the lounge on her computer, and we laughed at it a little as we watched a few minutes on the TV in the lounge. After that I went back downstairs and went to sleep.
And now I am off to get some lunch before I update again. I plan to get caught up today but one cannot type on an empty stomach. =) I shall return. Jya ne!
Japanese Columbo? Maybe?
Tuesday the 10th I got up at about 9:45am and cleaned up my room a little. I had been awakened by the cleaning people as they knocked next door at Casey's. Then were coming to clean so I needed to put away my stuff and wanted to lock up my computer and such. But of course first I had to try to translate for Casey. I was a little annoyed the cleaning guy didn't seem to be listening to me first of all and Casey couldn't seem to decide if she just wanted new towels or cleaning as well but not the sheets changed.
Finally, when I thought I had gotten across what Casey wanted and that he could come back in 15 minutes for my room, I went to get my stuff for my computer so I could talk to people online while I waited. I ended up doing a lot of talking and checking email and stuff. At one point Michael came up to talk to me. He was talking about the cleaning people and really wouldn't go away. Finally though he went back down. At about 1pm I went back down and gave chocolates to Casey again because they would need a box for their next lesson.
After that I decided to run a few system scans on my computer while I watched some TV. I managed to find this one drama on TV that I kinda have gotten addicted to. I don't even really know it's name but I found it intriguing and I think it's supposedly slightly historical, so I spent a couple of hours watching that. (The scans on my computer take a really long time.) After that I got ready, my computer was still scanning, and then I ended up watching this show which, I swear, seemed like a Japanese version of Columbo. Seriously, right down to Columbo's thing of saying, "Just one more thing". This detective guy would say kinda the Japanese equivalent of "Chotto matta" which is like hold on a second, implying that he wants to talk to you more.
Also while I was watching this I saw for the first time a commercial for Aflac. Yes Aflac has apparently made it to Japan. After the detective show it was time for me to head off to my lesson. After I got to the station close to my lesson I stopped at a little conbini (convenience store) and bought a little bag of chocolate chip cookies and some tea. I hadn't gotten to eat lunch before I left and I didn't want to go to class on an empty stomach. Even though it was a little rude I snacked on the cookies as I walked to class, though I tried to be discreet.
I ended up getting there a little early actually and walked around the block and discovered the back entrance to the shrine. I took some pictures and since they even had a couple of plaques there translated into English I was able to learn that there is a festival there on July 1st. I hope to go and have some fun. I was a bit nervous about the lesson since no one spoke English and this time Terumi-san wouldn't be there, but it went well.
After the lesson the only other woman in the group walked with me back to the train station and we chatted a little. She even saw me off at the train because her train was right across the platform, she was very nice. When I got back to Kita-Urawa I was hungry to I decided to go get some McDonalds since I 1) had a coupon and 2) there was one right next to the train station on the other side. As I waited for my order this weird looking Japanese guy, who looked gay (no, really!), said hello and asked me where I was from. I answered, this is all in Japanese except his first hello, that I was American. His response to that amused me. He said "But your eyes aren't blue." To which I responded, since I didn't want to talk to him in the first place and my order was thankfully ready, that my mother was Peruvian so that's why. I then left very quickly.
I brought my food back to the center and ate while I watched a little more TV. I actually came across a live action version of Absolute Boyfriend, a manga I read, and was instantly amused and riveted. After it went off I threw out my trash and decided to finish the remainder of my cookies and tea for dessert, after all I had only ordered a kids meal. It was actually quite cute the tea had come with a little mirror attached as a gift or something. I got the only for July but I hope to get the one for June soon as well.
After I finished my dessert I went to get some hot water and ran into Casey in the lounge on the 1st floor. She had apparently just come back from shopping at the supermarket nearby. I had a piece of her chocolate chip melon bread. It was quite yummy, I'll have to buy some at some point. As I was headed back to my room I noticed a strong smell like a candle burning or something. I debated a little and then went to tell the security guard. He came with me to see what it was and then proceeded to tell me in length, most of which I didn't understand, that it was incense or something and that even though they're not supposed to have it in the rooms since he didn't know where it was coming from he couldn't do anything. Or at least something like that.
When he was finally done I went back to my room to try and deal with a virus that my computer had found. I kept scanning and trying to remove it but it wouldn't go away. I ended up being up late trying to fix that to no avail. And thus my day came to an end.
Finally, when I thought I had gotten across what Casey wanted and that he could come back in 15 minutes for my room, I went to get my stuff for my computer so I could talk to people online while I waited. I ended up doing a lot of talking and checking email and stuff. At one point Michael came up to talk to me. He was talking about the cleaning people and really wouldn't go away. Finally though he went back down. At about 1pm I went back down and gave chocolates to Casey again because they would need a box for their next lesson.
After that I decided to run a few system scans on my computer while I watched some TV. I managed to find this one drama on TV that I kinda have gotten addicted to. I don't even really know it's name but I found it intriguing and I think it's supposedly slightly historical, so I spent a couple of hours watching that. (The scans on my computer take a really long time.) After that I got ready, my computer was still scanning, and then I ended up watching this show which, I swear, seemed like a Japanese version of Columbo. Seriously, right down to Columbo's thing of saying, "Just one more thing". This detective guy would say kinda the Japanese equivalent of "Chotto matta" which is like hold on a second, implying that he wants to talk to you more.
Also while I was watching this I saw for the first time a commercial for Aflac. Yes Aflac has apparently made it to Japan. After the detective show it was time for me to head off to my lesson. After I got to the station close to my lesson I stopped at a little conbini (convenience store) and bought a little bag of chocolate chip cookies and some tea. I hadn't gotten to eat lunch before I left and I didn't want to go to class on an empty stomach. Even though it was a little rude I snacked on the cookies as I walked to class, though I tried to be discreet.
I ended up getting there a little early actually and walked around the block and discovered the back entrance to the shrine. I took some pictures and since they even had a couple of plaques there translated into English I was able to learn that there is a festival there on July 1st. I hope to go and have some fun. I was a bit nervous about the lesson since no one spoke English and this time Terumi-san wouldn't be there, but it went well.
After the lesson the only other woman in the group walked with me back to the train station and we chatted a little. She even saw me off at the train because her train was right across the platform, she was very nice. When I got back to Kita-Urawa I was hungry to I decided to go get some McDonalds since I 1) had a coupon and 2) there was one right next to the train station on the other side. As I waited for my order this weird looking Japanese guy, who looked gay (no, really!), said hello and asked me where I was from. I answered, this is all in Japanese except his first hello, that I was American. His response to that amused me. He said "But your eyes aren't blue." To which I responded, since I didn't want to talk to him in the first place and my order was thankfully ready, that my mother was Peruvian so that's why. I then left very quickly.
I brought my food back to the center and ate while I watched a little more TV. I actually came across a live action version of Absolute Boyfriend, a manga I read, and was instantly amused and riveted. After it went off I threw out my trash and decided to finish the remainder of my cookies and tea for dessert, after all I had only ordered a kids meal. It was actually quite cute the tea had come with a little mirror attached as a gift or something. I got the only for July but I hope to get the one for June soon as well.
After I finished my dessert I went to get some hot water and ran into Casey in the lounge on the 1st floor. She had apparently just come back from shopping at the supermarket nearby. I had a piece of her chocolate chip melon bread. It was quite yummy, I'll have to buy some at some point. As I was headed back to my room I noticed a strong smell like a candle burning or something. I debated a little and then went to tell the security guard. He came with me to see what it was and then proceeded to tell me in length, most of which I didn't understand, that it was incense or something and that even though they're not supposed to have it in the rooms since he didn't know where it was coming from he couldn't do anything. Or at least something like that.
When he was finally done I went back to my room to try and deal with a virus that my computer had found. I kept scanning and trying to remove it but it wouldn't go away. I ended up being up late trying to fix that to no avail. And thus my day came to an end.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Dinner With Yuka
This post is for Monday of last week, the 9th.
Monday was also a free day, at least for me, and I was really happy about that. I got up relatively early and got on the computer again. You would think with all this being on the computer I could keep my blog updated better. =) However, while I was online I found out something very important. I had hypothesized early on that the hardwire here would work with my computer and I was right. I actually ended up using my own cable that I brought but it worked just fine in the router that I found upstairs in the 2nd floor lounge. So I now know I can use hardwire with my computer here and get a better connection, woot!
After getting ready I went to the little store that they have here and bought some detergent so I could do my laundry. I started my laundry by about 3:30 or 4pm and figured that since I was leaving at 6:15ish to meet up with Yuka I would have more than enough time. Not so! The washer took more than an hour, which is annoying since the machines are tiny here. And then when I put my clothes in the dryer it wasn’t dry by the time I was going to leave. So I spread out damp clothes on my bed and desk because I had nowhere else to put them really and went off to have dinner with Yuka.
We met up at the Yurakucho station and then walked over to Tokyo station because there is a big underground mall there with lots of shops and restaurants. We walked around trying to find a restaurant that she thought I would like and ended up stopping at a little store on the way where everything was 315 Yen. It was cool, they had everything from cheap jewelry to towels, dishes, socks, etc. It was neat. After looking around a bit I bought a small and cute laundry basket that folds flat which makes it easy to bring home too. I figured since I'd be here a few more weeks it would make doing laundry much easier.
After we left the little store we wandered around a little more and found the restaurant. It was cool. We ended up getting what was called in Japanese the Pork Modern. It was basically pork okonomiyaki and yakisoba in one with a cool design on top. I liked it but after a while the design, made from I believe ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard, got to be a little overwhelming so I began to scrap a little off. Overall though, very good. We chatted while we ate and then we also had some dessert. I can't even begin to try to describe what it was so I won't, I'll just say it was very very yummy.
After dinner we walked over to the station itself from the mall and then said our goodbyes since we were headed opposite ways on the same train line. I hope that I can meet up with her again and maybe see her apartment. When I got back here to the center I faced the daunting task of finishing drying my laundry. So I used my new laundry basket to gather up my damp laundry and put it in the machines. It was absolutely ridiculous the amount of time it took for my laundry to actually be dry. I was probably drying stuff for 3 hours. I did get to watch some new anime however being up that late so I guess that was nice.
And now on to Tuesday the 10th!
Monday was also a free day, at least for me, and I was really happy about that. I got up relatively early and got on the computer again. You would think with all this being on the computer I could keep my blog updated better. =) However, while I was online I found out something very important. I had hypothesized early on that the hardwire here would work with my computer and I was right. I actually ended up using my own cable that I brought but it worked just fine in the router that I found upstairs in the 2nd floor lounge. So I now know I can use hardwire with my computer here and get a better connection, woot!
After getting ready I went to the little store that they have here and bought some detergent so I could do my laundry. I started my laundry by about 3:30 or 4pm and figured that since I was leaving at 6:15ish to meet up with Yuka I would have more than enough time. Not so! The washer took more than an hour, which is annoying since the machines are tiny here. And then when I put my clothes in the dryer it wasn’t dry by the time I was going to leave. So I spread out damp clothes on my bed and desk because I had nowhere else to put them really and went off to have dinner with Yuka.
We met up at the Yurakucho station and then walked over to Tokyo station because there is a big underground mall there with lots of shops and restaurants. We walked around trying to find a restaurant that she thought I would like and ended up stopping at a little store on the way where everything was 315 Yen. It was cool, they had everything from cheap jewelry to towels, dishes, socks, etc. It was neat. After looking around a bit I bought a small and cute laundry basket that folds flat which makes it easy to bring home too. I figured since I'd be here a few more weeks it would make doing laundry much easier.
After we left the little store we wandered around a little more and found the restaurant. It was cool. We ended up getting what was called in Japanese the Pork Modern. It was basically pork okonomiyaki and yakisoba in one with a cool design on top. I liked it but after a while the design, made from I believe ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard, got to be a little overwhelming so I began to scrap a little off. Overall though, very good. We chatted while we ate and then we also had some dessert. I can't even begin to try to describe what it was so I won't, I'll just say it was very very yummy.
After dinner we walked over to the station itself from the mall and then said our goodbyes since we were headed opposite ways on the same train line. I hope that I can meet up with her again and maybe see her apartment. When I got back here to the center I faced the daunting task of finishing drying my laundry. So I used my new laundry basket to gather up my damp laundry and put it in the machines. It was absolutely ridiculous the amount of time it took for my laundry to actually be dry. I was probably drying stuff for 3 hours. I did get to watch some new anime however being up that late so I guess that was nice.
And now on to Tuesday the 10th!
A Week of No Posting and A Crazy Man in Akihabara
So I meant to continue updating last time I was online, but I got caught up doing things so this post is actually not from yesterday the 15th but from the previous Sunday, the 8th. SORRY!! I hope to get fully caught up between today and tomorrow! Here we go!
Sunday morning I had set my alarms anyway so that I could get up to get on the computer but I was tired and ended up just turning them off. I did however hop out of bed briefly at8am because Michael knocked on my door to return my camera. After knocking repeatedly the night before with no response I slipped a note under the door which asked him to call me when he was up cause I needed my camera back. So I guess waking me up by knocking was a better idea, or revenge, don’t know don’t care. So after that I went back to bed and slept on and off until I finally rolled out of bed around 2:30pm . Yea, I know, but I was tired damnit!
So, after I got up I puttered around for a bit and then got dressed. I went out to get some food and ended up exploring part of the town on the other side of the train tracks on bike. It was cute and I had a new experience of using the tunnel they have here to get underneath the train tracks. I ate in the little room they provide to cook on the weekends and chatted with Casey a bit. After I had my food I got online, as I’ve been doing a lot of, to chat with people a little bit. While I was doing that, Casey asked me for a box of chocolate for their lesson the next day so I took care of that too. After updating my blog a while I came back to my room to go to sleep because I wanted to get up relatively early.
As I was watching TV I saw that something had happened in Akihabara earlier in the day. From what I could understand I knew that some people had been hit by a truck, a few people were dead and from the pictures I saw I figured out that some people had been stabbed. I was surprised, this is a pretty big crime anywhere but especially in Japan. The crime rate is pretty low so I watched for a while and then I ended up watching some anime, however, so I didn’t get to sleep that early. Also, I should mention here while I’ve been watching TV I’ve seen commercials for a new line in theTokyo
Sunday morning I had set my alarms anyway so that I could get up to get on the computer but I was tired and ended up just turning them off. I did however hop out of bed briefly at
So, after I got up I puttered around for a bit and then got dressed. I went out to get some food and ended up exploring part of the town on the other side of the train tracks on bike. It was cute and I had a new experience of using the tunnel they have here to get underneath the train tracks. I ate in the little room they provide to cook on the weekends and chatted with Casey a bit. After I had my food I got online, as I’ve been doing a lot of, to chat with people a little bit. While I was doing that, Casey asked me for a box of chocolate for their lesson the next day so I took care of that too. After updating my blog a while I came back to my room to go to sleep because I wanted to get up relatively early.
As I was watching TV I saw that something had happened in Akihabara earlier in the day. From what I could understand I knew that some people had been hit by a truck, a few people were dead and from the pictures I saw I figured out that some people had been stabbed. I was surprised, this is a pretty big crime anywhere but especially in Japan. The crime rate is pretty low so I watched for a while and then I ended up watching some anime, however, so I didn’t get to sleep that early. Also, I should mention here while I’ve been watching TV I’ve seen commercials for a new line in the
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