bu bu bu bu... er!

So Japan is pretty cool. The first few days were rough. I was missing people a whole lot, but just recently I started to settle in. I was able to listen to As Tall As Lions and not cry. There are still times that it's hard-- nighttime tends to be the hardest, but then again it always has been.

I wandered around Akihabra the other day. The good deals are off the main drag. I randomly went directions down back-alley vendors till I found some good shops. I found a computer fan for 780 yen while most of the ones in the department store are 8000 yen+.

Today we went as a group to Harajuku. Japanese fashion is interesting. They love ruffles and billowy things and nothing really matches. I found a couple of shirts for a REALLY good price. But to be honest I bought them because I had to break a large bill for an ice cream crepe.

Classes are going well. I got placed in a rather low course, but I'm alright with it. These placements don't carry over to Doshisha and my basics could use some refreshing. I have three different teachers and all of them are pretty funny.

I'm starting to think I'm going to get fat here in Japan. The food is so good... I can't help but eat a bunch. I think what will keep me skinny is my skinny wallet.

Speaking of wallets, money is kind of annoying here. They have large denomination coins. I'm so used to coins being fractions of dollars that it's hard to connect in my mind how much I'm actually spending when I use those coins.

I met up with Hiro. That was super fun even though we didn't do too much. Getting a cell phone is going to be the death of me. We walked around shinjuku station for a bit while Hiro recited "pussy pussy pussy pussy..." It was quite amusing, but I don't care as much as he did when we were spouting "Tekkoki." I told him he was uptight. He half-heartedly agreed.

I haven't gotten to meet up with Jannice yet which is sad. I'm hoping Sunday maybe, but we'll see if she's feeling up to it. Saturday I go climbing at Takanaosan. It'll be a good workout. Maybe I'll work off some of this delicious food.

I'll write again Friday maybe, but probably Sunday in all actuality.

I love and miss you all! More pictures when I get my computer back!

the good and the bad: Stage 3

So I've arrived in Japan!!

It's got it's awesome points and it's sucky points. I'm having loads of fun, made some new friends. I miss home and family and FRIENDS, but I'm doing alright. My room is small, but comfy. It's good to have my own place to retreat to.

Class seems a bit simple, but I could probably use the review. My teacher the last day was cool, but I think we'll be switching around.

So far I've been to Shibuya, Akihabara, Shinjuku (kinda) Musashi-Sakai, and Kameido. I haven't really been too many places, but I've only been here for a few days.

My jet lag is pretty much over with, which is good. For the first couple of days I was awake at 5am and sleepy by 10pm.

I went to Shibuya today, but not under the circumstances I would have liked. I went to go get my computer taken care of. I tried to turn it on last night and it went to the screen of death for macs. I restarted it 15 different ways and it was all the same. So we went in today to get it looked at and they told me it was either the motherboard or the hard disk, neither of which is good. I can't imagine what happened. But it's getting fixed for free and I should be up and running again in about 5 days. Right now I'm on my friend's computer, so i think I'll call it quits for tonight.

Love you all and I'll post again when I can!

The Day of Reckoning

I've said almost all of my goodbyes. Taiko is over for now, the room is clean, the bags are packed, and the partying has been had. Tomorrow is my last day in the states for the next year. I'm not too sure how to feel about that...

I'll miss my family and friends for sure, but I think I'll do alright over there. As long as I have Mr. Rabbit, I'll be okay.

This last year has been full of laughter, tears, stress and hard work all leading up to this point. The next time I post on here, I'll be in Japan.

Thanks everyone and I love you all!

See you on the flip-side.

L.A. adventure

I obtained my Visa today. It doesn't expire until 2014! I could come and go as I please for the next 5 years.

I did okay with public transit and exploring alone. A good sign for the next year!

When I was in Marukai, this old Japanese woman comes up to me and starts talking to me in Japanese. I was so surprised that she was just talking to me NOT in English. But what was awesome was I knew what she was saying... and able to have a conversation with her! I was super surprised at myself and quite pleased.

I can't wait to try some REAL melon pan. mmmmm... Japanese sweets.

All in all a productive day, but a bit bittersweet. I almost broke down crying in Taiko practice. I'll miss my group of friends here. My adventures will be once in a lifetime in Japan, but right now it's a little difficult to see past the immediate situation.

Not to worry. I'll bounce back, because as Hiro said, "Yeah it makes you sad, but you can make it. because you are CATLIN!!"

Confidence.

two weeks remain.

It's getting close to departure time. I'm going to miss my life here, but I'm excited for the future. I think a bit of a break down is in the future because it feels like the fact that I'm leaving hasn't really hit me yet.

Tomorrow I'm going into LA to get my visa. I'll be all by my lonesome. Perhaps a telling event for the days to come.

Wednesday is the going away party with the Taiko kids. I'm excited for it. I'll be happy to have everyone together like old times... minus a few key people though. Anthony's sister might make something tasty for it! Hurrah for culinary school students!! Thanks Amanda!

Going to plan some kind of beach day picnic thing with all the high school friends. That should be fun too.

But all fun aside, I've started packing. All my winter clothes are going to get shipped to me later on. That's going to be expensive.

I've looked at my budget too. After taking money out for rent, internet, cell phone, and utilities, I should have around ¥100,000 left per month (roughly $1,000) to pay for food and transportation and fun. It's looking not too shabby. I'm going to have to save like mad in the beginning though.

Also!! I got my housing information for Doshisha. I'll be living in Maison Iwakuni. Unfortunately all the dorm rules are in Japanese! YIKES! Reality is starting to hit me that I'm not going to have a choice but to learn.

My room has it's own bathroom, sink, mini-cooking area, bed, desk and chair. Judging from the room number I'll be on the 4th floor. I hope they have elevators. It's only 15.5 m^2. We converted it to feet and it's quite possible that it's smaller than my pantry... I'm hoping we're wrong though.

The great adventure is on the horizon and fast approaching. Only a few more pieces are yet to fall in place.

Love until later!