Lovebug

Again, I apologize for the wait. I know you all wait for these posts with bated breath... not. My delinquency with these posts has been brought to my attention and addressed appropriately (I wrote a post-it in RED PERMANENT MARKER!  It is not to be ignored).  So let's see what's happened most recently...

Classes have begun.  I've got a lovely schedule. I was previously registered for a ridiculous amount of courses, but I decided not to stress myself out too much.  I'm going to study independently in addition to classes, so come the spring placement test I can jump up a level. If you make it into level V, they allow you to take normal university classes!  Though, I hear there's a ton of paperwork...

Anyway, here's a picture of my happy little schedule.

We actually had a day off because of typhoon 18 this last week.  It was kind of nice.  The weather was really cool to watch.  I just sat at my window watching the cars pass and the clouds change.

My room is coming together quite nicely now.  I picked up a refrigerator yesterday!  It was only ¥7400 including delivery.  It's a nice size.  Comes up to about my waist and fits all I need.  I'm very pleased.  God love the recycled student goods shop!

Also I've found taiko!!! I'm so excited about it! A girl I met through COSMOPOLITAN (this wonderful circle that takes exchange students to do cool things around Kyoto) who's with AKP (Associated Kyoto Program).  She's from Boston.  She told me that they have a taiko opportunity set up for them.  She invited me to come and play with them every Wednesday night from 7-9pm.  I can't wait.  I can't freaking wait.  There are no words for how happy I am about this.  It's a little far, a ¥250 train ride each way, but it's totally worth it.  Once a week isn't that bad.

Last night I did karaoke for the first time! It was awesome.  My first song was Lovebug.  Jonas Brothers are meh, but I really love singing that song.  I'll definitely be going back. 

After karaoke Lilly stayed the night.  In the morning we ate breakfast like hobos.  Jen made 5 scrambled eggs and we had peanut butter bread and ate it on a cardboard box on the floor.  It was awesome.

All in all I'm starting to settle into life here.  I'm happy.  Jen and I have been talking about what it's going to be like going back to the states.  We think we'll have bad konbini withdrawals and it will feel weird when we're not thanked for our business profusely before leaving every shop.  I could see a life here.  I think I'd like to come back here after I graduate. Definitely something to think on.  

Though, the same thing that draws me back home now will still matter then-- family and friends.