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.

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.

Lack of updates!!

Eyaaah~! It's cram time!!

Japanese Class Confession! vlog!

A video~!

Meanwhile at JCMU: Aikido

Here's another one of the awesome opportunities for the JCMU students: Aikido! It's another martial art used mainly for self defense, so I've been told. I was really excited but then also worried/nervous about this cultural event. I was excited because I love martial arts and I haven't done anything martial art-y in a very long time, besides from Naginata last week. I was nervous because it was obviously a hands on activity. I'm a big softy, I bruise & mark easily, poking or grabbing hurts and I probably have fragile bones, but I do have a lot of strength ironically enough.

Meanwhile at JCMU: Naginata

At JCMU the students are able to participate in different activities that are apart of Japanese culture. I've been here for three months now and this was one of the few that has caught my interest. I know I should be out absorbing everything about Japan, but the activity takes place after we have our big chapter test and dealing with the grueling week of the dual teachers/sensei.

Pretty much I'm exhausted.

This is how you make Coffee in Japan

Coffee~!!!

Since being in Japan I started drinking more Coffee and Tea because it's plentiful here. I discovered this awesome shop that has Coffee that you can brew instantly.

No it's not powder, it's cool and convenient especially if you don't want to wait for the coffee to brew.

Check it out!

Mandatory, but fun!

A few weeks a go all the students found out that there is a mandatory Friday activity where all of the students would be split up into groups of three or four and sent to different schools in Hikone. I wasn't too excited because we had to be up earlier than we normally would have to be, I was almost late that day but some how I made it.

City Hall Adventure

There's no sign that says it's the City Hall...so weird....

For some strange reason I was terrified of going to the Hikone City hall, and I'm not entirely for sure why I was. Either way I still had to go, being a international student has it's perks! I have national Japanese health insurance! Along with many other insurances. (Right now this is the most health insurance I've had for several years...it's like what do I do with it?)