Belated musings
I'm done with apologizing for my lack of updates in blogs. Break the cycle!
So, my time in Japan so far has been pretty good. I've had a lot of opportunities to expand my vocabulary, and learn about the nuances of the country. Living in the International House is great, as well. I've met (and currently live with) people from all over the world, so I'm able to take in many cultures and viewpoints at once.
Unfortunately, the default language has become English, so I've been slacking off and not practicing Japanese; bad news bears~! In the last week however, I've been making a concerted effort to speak with the Japanese residents of the I-House and improve my spoken language. If I keep this up, I should be fluent in no-time ;)
The Japanese language courses are great, but I really with we didn't have to take the GJP courses. Essentially, they're dummy culture classes that I could easily take back at home, but they're so unnecessary. Unfortunately, the minimum course load here is seven classes, so there's no avoiding it; only four of my classes are language. Hard to meet Japanese folks in the GJP courses, but all of us have managed to get by.
Luckily, I met my student advisor last week: a Religion professor, Shiga-sensei. He's a pretty chill guy, and he invited me to join his Buddhism seminar, which is just translating an English transcription of the Dalai Lama talking to a dude, into Japanese. My friend and fellow I-House resident Tomoko is in the class as well, so she was able to explain the Japanese vocab to me afterwards. Lots of opportunities to meet more Japanese folks with interest in English, too, so I'm ecstatic :)
Money's been pretty tight. I get 80,000 yen every month for my scholarship, but that's cut in half by my rent. In short, I have enough to exist in Japan, but not enough to LIVE here. I'm thinking about getting a job during the winter break. Even though I want to travel around, it's better if I earn a little scratch while I'm here. Clubbing in Kyoto isn't the best, but I want to check out the Osaka scene; it's only a few hundred yen to get there, so I'll hopefully be able to go around Christmas. Plus, I'll be able to meet up with Kumiko again, and attempt my shitty Kansai-ben! Woop!
I've also got to prepare for a speech contest next semester. According to Paul in the International office, I need to participate as I am a scholarship recipient. Eff! I think I'll take the gaijin route out, and talk about my experience here. Real eloquent-like!
Well, it's off to another day of class. Hopefully my updates will become more frequent, but if the past is any indication, it ain't happenin'.
A few notes before I go:
1) Nomihoudai/Tabehoudai Yakiniku is FANTASTIC. 90 minutes of unlimited meatstuffs and booze for $30? A victory to be sure. We found a great place in Nijo and had a time. Highly recommended :D
2) Japanese are afraid to talk to foreigners. This isn't much of a surprise, but it gets to be a bit grating after a time. Foreigners: initiate the conversation! They are INCREDIBLY more afraid of you than you are of them, but if you kick off the talk, they're sure to join in. Maybe they'll try a little of the English they remember from high school. Give it a go!
3) University internet is FTL. Blocked ports galore, no Adium access...the pits!! Be sure to learn how to tunnel before you come here. It worked for me! o['-']v
Talk to you eventually, internet.
So, my time in Japan so far has been pretty good. I've had a lot of opportunities to expand my vocabulary, and learn about the nuances of the country. Living in the International House is great, as well. I've met (and currently live with) people from all over the world, so I'm able to take in many cultures and viewpoints at once.
Unfortunately, the default language has become English, so I've been slacking off and not practicing Japanese; bad news bears~! In the last week however, I've been making a concerted effort to speak with the Japanese residents of the I-House and improve my spoken language. If I keep this up, I should be fluent in no-time ;)
The Japanese language courses are great, but I really with we didn't have to take the GJP courses. Essentially, they're dummy culture classes that I could easily take back at home, but they're so unnecessary. Unfortunately, the minimum course load here is seven classes, so there's no avoiding it; only four of my classes are language. Hard to meet Japanese folks in the GJP courses, but all of us have managed to get by.
Luckily, I met my student advisor last week: a Religion professor, Shiga-sensei. He's a pretty chill guy, and he invited me to join his Buddhism seminar, which is just translating an English transcription of the Dalai Lama talking to a dude, into Japanese. My friend and fellow I-House resident Tomoko is in the class as well, so she was able to explain the Japanese vocab to me afterwards. Lots of opportunities to meet more Japanese folks with interest in English, too, so I'm ecstatic :)
Money's been pretty tight. I get 80,000 yen every month for my scholarship, but that's cut in half by my rent. In short, I have enough to exist in Japan, but not enough to LIVE here. I'm thinking about getting a job during the winter break. Even though I want to travel around, it's better if I earn a little scratch while I'm here. Clubbing in Kyoto isn't the best, but I want to check out the Osaka scene; it's only a few hundred yen to get there, so I'll hopefully be able to go around Christmas. Plus, I'll be able to meet up with Kumiko again, and attempt my shitty Kansai-ben! Woop!
I've also got to prepare for a speech contest next semester. According to Paul in the International office, I need to participate as I am a scholarship recipient. Eff! I think I'll take the gaijin route out, and talk about my experience here. Real eloquent-like!
Well, it's off to another day of class. Hopefully my updates will become more frequent, but if the past is any indication, it ain't happenin'.
A few notes before I go:
1) Nomihoudai/Tabehoudai Yakiniku is FANTASTIC. 90 minutes of unlimited meatstuffs and booze for $30? A victory to be sure. We found a great place in Nijo and had a time. Highly recommended :D
2) Japanese are afraid to talk to foreigners. This isn't much of a surprise, but it gets to be a bit grating after a time. Foreigners: initiate the conversation! They are INCREDIBLY more afraid of you than you are of them, but if you kick off the talk, they're sure to join in. Maybe they'll try a little of the English they remember from high school. Give it a go!
3) University internet is FTL. Blocked ports galore, no Adium access...the pits!! Be sure to learn how to tunnel before you come here. It worked for me! o['-']v
Talk to you eventually, internet.
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