Homestay Part Two

After hanging out in Nagahama we went for Lunch at a restaurant near Nagahama. I did have chopsticks from the restaurant, but I lost them? I'm not sure where they went to, but this restaurant was modeled to be traditional looking, there was a deep floor table that we sat on, and Hayato played and hid under. But Tonkatsu was the restaurant's specialties! My favorite!! Tonkatsu!!

Home Stay Weekend Part One

Finally Homestay post, It has been a while and I am not sure myself why I put it off so much. Perhaps I was nervous and letting myself recover before posting? I don't know. As time got closer to the weekend the homestay was supposed to
happen I become more and more hesitant, to the point where I began to second guess my choice. It was too late I had to go through with it.

By myself- Text & Pic Heavy

During my stay in Hikone I went on various small sometimes large trips by myself, although I was told not to by my mother and a close friend of mine, of course I went by myself, how else am I supposed to fully enjoy a safer country than our
own?

This wasn't my first time to Japan and I knew that Japan was much more safe than that of United States, and so I was more bold to travel on my own which turned out to be really fun and gave me time to think about all the random thoughts that float around in my head.

Tokyo, well more like Ginza (Final)

I was finally able to go to Ginza!

Higashi-Ginza= East Ginza

This is my second part of my trip to Tokyo, because we spent the entire day in Akiba. My friend, T-san and I drug the two guys to Ginza and met up with a friend who did a summer exchange at my college, M-san

In short it was:
Cold, short & Awesome

Of course we had a target, well I was there to meet my friend and to shop.

Navigating to Nagoya Chubu Airport Solo and the four problems

Last pic while riding on the train, Seikigahara station

It was the last time I would sit in the JCMU's cold dorm, also this day there was a lot of clamor from other students that were still cleaning or just lounging around because around 11am we had to be out of the dorms.

 I'm not sure if I'll miss it right away or not. Eventually we'll find out.

Tokyo, Finally...well not exactly more like Akihabara

The first pic in Akihabara, our hotel

I finally made it to Tokyo~!

But then again I feel like there is certain things that make you realize that you are in Tokyo...I didn't get that feeling unfortunately.

Slight Hiatus

Since arriving back in the United States things have seem to go in a downward spiral, I just recently adjusted to the time zone. But now I am in overdrive!

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

And I'm back in the Cheese & Beer State!

Things I'm going to miss...

A picture post!

Graduation Ceremony

The graduation ceremony was different than I expected...well what all of the Spring semester students thought it was going to be...

Truthfully it wasn't as bad as I thought.

Updates Finale

First Politics Paper due

Politics presentation

Tobira chapter test (1)

Packing 

Shipping stuff back to America

Hanami ( Sakura viewing )

Final Presentation for Japanese class

Graduation Ceremony

Navigating back to the Nagoya Chubu International Airport solo

Two big days...

This week I have two big days coming up, tomorrow is one of them for me.
Tomorrow is the day all the students take the final test for Japanese class and for me the last day of politics class.

 I am excited but then not excited, maybe I'm finally realizing my adventure in Japan is coming to a close?

Japanese Presentation Topic: Izumo no Okuni

Sorry this post is going to be in Japanese~! But in a short explanation, it's about the first woman who started Kabuki. Kabuki is one of Japan's oldest traditions. I do like Kabuki and I do like Izumo no Okuni ( thanks to Samurai Deeper Kyo.)

If you would like to learn more about Kabuki & Izumo no Okuni here is a link: http://www.axiommagazine.jp/2011/10/24/izumo-no-okuni-the-woman-behind-kabuki/







I also heard that Kabuki is boring...I've never fully experienced it except for a few clips back in high school...but it still looks interesting to me...

Packing is hard!

Packing is hard! And it sucks!! 

Well that was slightly unexpected....

I think Japan was trying to tell me something this morning...
This morning I woke up suddenly for a reason unknown I think since being here I've become a light sleeper. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not, but I can practically hear everything inside of the dormitory.

Sounds creepy doesn't it?

Updates! Updates!

Here's what's going on right now:

• First Politics Paper due
• Politics presentation
• Tobira chapter test (1)
• Packing 
• Shipping stuff back to America
• Hanami ( Sakura viewing )
• Final Presentation for Japanese class
• Graduation Ceremony
• Navigating back to the Nagoya Chubu International Airport solo

Solo Trip to Kyoto

I recently took a solo trip to Kyoto, it was not planned I originally wanted to go to another place, but a lot students and even the student coordinator suggested that I go, because it was one stop away from where I originally wanted to go. So I gave in an took a trip to Kyoto. Also this was my first time going out by myself! I had a friend and my mom tell me not to go places solo, of course I told them I'd be fine, and beside going on an adventure is fun~

Before & After- Room Shot

When I first arrived at JCMU I decided to take a picture of my room after moving in kinda to show the feel of the room. A few students/friends of my said that my room was 'homey' and cool. I don't know what they were talking about, and I still don't, maybe it's normal for me?

Meanwhile at JCMU: Kimonos, well Yukatas

For Friday's cultural project a hand full of girls and a few guys were able to try on Yukatas. It says Kimono on the schedule, but Kimonos are only for large and very important events ( Weddings, Graduation ceremonies etc. ) So we were able to wear Yukatas, which led everyone into a furry to buy one including me! During this session we learned how to wrap ourselves into a Yukata and also how to tie a bow with our Obi. Somehow I became the model for that part and I swear the professor that was teaching us how to do everything squeezed the breath out of me.

Deputy Chief of Mission from Tokyo & Consulate Members from Osaka

This was a huge opportunity for me seeing how I'm not exactly a political science major and have anything to do with politics except for the fact that I am studying about Contemporary Issues in Japanese Politics and my future career involves politics...how does that work? I don't know, I'll find out soon enough.