TY - FUN!!!

I lied in my post yesterday. I couldn't have had a real first taste of the rain because I was inside the whole time. Today, I can now say that I experienced my first real downpour. Right now in Japan, there's a typhoon passing through and it decided to come pay us a visit. How nice of it ; ) I don't think we're in the worst of it but it's awful enough. The rain is coming down hard and the trees are rattling like crazy in the wind and against the windows of the residence. Classes for regular students were cancelled today. Us international students still had to have our interviews and attend campus orientation. After orientation, both my friend Zara and I really needed to go to the supermarket to get certain items so we braved the wind and rain and walked to the supermarket, about a 20 min walk from the campus. We made it back to the dorm but we paid the price. We were both drenched from head to toe, even though we both carried umbrellas.

I bought a see-through umbrella today. If you're not sure what that means, it's an umbrella with a sort of plastic material (instead of the usual thin fabric) through which you can see. Walking back from the supermarket, I discovered why so many Japanese have this kind of umbrella. I always wanted to buy one simply for its esthetic value. I find them chic-looking. But now I see they also serve a more practical purpose. They allow you to hold the umbrella low over your head and still see where you're walking because you can see through the plastic. Neat, huh? : p

** Edit: Apparently I already liked see-through umbrellas as a child. Here is a photo my mom found of my dad and me in Japan when I was just a baby.

I was supposed to have my first judo practice today... but it was cancelled because of the current weather conditions. Which I don't mind today. All the walking in the wind and rain and wearing soaked clothes all day tired me out. I'd rather be a bit more rested before I take part in my first judo practice here.

So instead, I'll spend a quiet evening: cook supper, draw a bit, read and study a bit of Japanese. My roommate and I have started exchanging favorite artists and songs. She seems to like Céline Dion, Bruno Mars and The Carpenters. She's also given  me a couple artists that are popular now in Japan that I will check out when I get the chance.

Japanese placement test, Entrance Ceremony and more papers

Today we had a Japanese placement test to evaluate our knowledge of the language. This will determine in which level we'll be placed. I definitely know I'll be in the lower levels. I probably could and should have studied more during the summer but I'm not really worried. I will be placed at the level where they think I ought to be. And it's pretty flexible. If I feel the class is too easy, I can ask to be bumped up.

The test started out easy... with simple listening and writing words... then we had to listen to short dialogues and answer questions... It got to the point where I couldn't really make out much of what was being said. Then we had to fill out a hiragana chart which was the easy part. Finally, we had some particles to insert in sentences and verb conjugations. In all my academic history, this is probably the worst I've done on a test. But like I said, I don't mind in which level I'll be placed. No matter what level, I'm going to study hard.

We had an entrance ceremony in the afternoon. A few speeches, a few songs played by the university's band, a bit of dozing off, and it was over. Then, along with my mother in Japan, Reiko, and two other international students, Mari and Zara, we headed to the city hall to obtain our foreign registration cards. I don't know what we would have done without Reiko. The Japanese really do not make things easy for us gaikokujin (foreigners). The people working there speak very little English, even at the service desk for Non-Japanese. Once there, we found out about another form we should also fill out for health insurance. I just hope I didn't miss anything important. Most of the time, the only parts I understand as they're explaining things about the documents is when they ask me to please be seated and wait patiently. I'm pretty good at that ; )

Also, while at the city hall, I bought my family's hanko, which is a stamp with our family's kanji. It's used here in Japan, instead of signatures sometimes.

Posing with Zara (Denmark) and Mari (Finland)

Lunch at the cafeteria

I love the fashion here. Lots of cute patterns and colors. However, there is one thing I do not get about their fashion style: the dangerously high heels they wear. The majority of women walk around all day in high heels, even on campus where you have to walk 10-15 minutes to get anywhere. I asked my mother today why that is. She answered that most women here choose appearance over comfort. I intend to buy some Japanese clothes and shoes here, even some heels, but you won't be seeing me walking around campus in them, that's for sure. My feet already hurt all over from walking all day. And I've been walking in runners and sandals. Plus I don't need to injure myself outside the judo tatami mats. Judo is already dangerous as it is.

Had my first taste of the rain here. It rained a few times today. Currently raining now as I type. It's refreshing after the 30+ degrees we've been having these past few days. The air conditioner deserves a little break now and then too : p

If you want to comment..

I changed the settings which now allows anyone to comment. Previously only Blogger or Google members could comment which I realize is not very practical. So if you want to leave a comment, simply click on the "0 comments" hyperlink at the end of a post (might say 1,2, or another number than 0 if people have commented already) and it will lead you to the same post. Simply scroll down the page and there will be a text box where you can leave your comment. Then, in the scrolldown menu, select Name/URL and you can leave your name so I'll know who left the comment. Then you will be asked to type in a password to confirm. Email me (france9@mts.net) if you have any questions or are having difficulties leaving a comment.

Another feature of the blog is the "Feed RSS" label at the top of the blog. I'm not too familiar with feeds but the feed will allow you to be notified when the blog is updated. You can subscribe to the feed and add it to your Favorites Bar. Whenever I upload a new post, you will be notified. In what way exactly, I'm not too sure. Maybe I should follow my own blog to know when I post something new ; ) Once again, let me know if you're having difficulties with this, I'll do my best to help you.

**Okay, I've just tried the "Feed RSS" option and I can explain a little bit more. Once you click on "Feed RSS", it will bring you to a new page. Choose the hyperlink "Subscribe to this feed". A window will pop up. If I were you, I'd check the box marked "Add to Favorites Bar" which will make it more accessible for you. Press Okay and voilà! A new bar should have appeared in your Favorites Bar. The bar will allow you to see new posts I upload. Pretty neat eh? : p

More shopping... and walking... and sweating

Today, along with another international student from Denmark, Zara, I went to the supermarket Yorktown for the third time in four days. Starting a new life requires a lot of things. Whenever I want to cook at home back in Manitoba, I simply reach into the pantry or scavenge in the refrigerator to find what I need. However... can't really do that in the fridge here unless I fill it with food. So I bought many food items such as milk, cereal, bread, peanut butter, fruits and vegetables. Looking for things in a supermarket in Canada is already tricky at times. Try doing that in another country with new products and all in signs you can't read. Had to buy some water today because the bottle of water I'd bought yesterday wasn't water haha. The fruits here are really expensive... but it's a luxury I think I'm going to indulge in because they are simply A-M-A-ZING. So fresh and delicious. Even their apple juice is incredible. I'm normally not a fruit juice person but I'm going to make an exception. My brother Vincent, who can chug 2 L of apple juice in a sitting should be very jealous right now... :p but you'll get the chance to taste it when you visit Japan.

Then I had to buy less obvious things like olive oil, salt, a knife, some sarran wrap, etc. Back at the dorm, there is a fridge where we can store our food. We also each have a locker to store non-perishable things and other kitchen tools. Here are a couple of pictures. Only been here two days and my locker is already full. Also bought a nice little rice cooker. Have never used one and I think I'll have to get my roommate to help me with the instructions manual... unfortunately doesn't come in English. Then Zara and me made our way slowly and painfully back to our dorm, both lugging a rice cooker and carrying a heavy backpack full of food.

my locker

Fridge: shared with Italy and Australia

my cute little rice cooker

 Thought I'd take a few pictures of my room. My bags aren't completely unpacked yet, but I'm sure they'll unpack themselves in the next weeks.

sign outside our door : my name is written on the right in katakana

My roommate's side of the room

the view outside our window

Our curfew is 11 PM. After that, you cannot enter the residence by the front door. But the well-known trick here: have a friend open the window in the kitchen so you can jump in. Good reason to make friends ; )

All by myself

I was dropped off at the university with all my bags (never can pack light) and baskets full of things I'll need for my new life, things I wouldn't have even thought about because I'm so used to them at hand whenever I need them. Things such as a frying pan, some utensils and chopsticks, a wastebasket, laundry detergent, folders, cups and dishes, etc. Thankfully, my mother in Japan is very thoughtful and packed all of those things for me. Thank you Reiko! :)

Outside view of the entrance of the international students' residence



Dorm entrance


After I got installed, I organized my books and bed (while playing some Céline Dion in the room) which I love doing. For those who don't know, I enjoy organizing things. So finding a place for things in my new room was a lot of fun lol. Then, I met a few other internatinal students from all over the world: Norway, Denmark, Korea, Holland and Sweden. Some of them have been here for a few months already so they know the lay of the place. We walked to the supermarket to get some groceries. Bought a few things. Fruits here are very expensive, but so delicious and fresh. Some products have less selection than back home (there is only one brand of peanut butter here, Skippy). But others have twice or triple the amount, fish especially. So many different kinds of fish but until I know a bit more about how to cook them, I'll stick to meats I recognize.

Got to put my Japanese into practice :P Had no problems asking where the peanut butter or cereal was.. or if I could pay with my credit card. But then the cashier asked me something I didn't know... and unlike other times where I can just nod and smile and pretend like I understood, I didn't want to take any chances with my credit card... thankfully another international student was able to help me out. It turned out the cashier was asking whether or not I wanted to pay the amount in one or multiple installments. I'll remember it for next time.

We returned to the dorm and made supper together. Made some salad and cooked some potatoes, chicken and scones and ate in the company of other international and Japanese students. A lot of fun, and it felt very welcoming. And refreshing to hear some English :)
Then I skyped with my two set of parents, my parents in Japan and my parents in Canada. Oh, how good it feels to be connected again. It's like a little piece of me was missing until I got the proxy settings set up to be able to access the internet. Now I know that whatever happens, I can communicate with my parents and friends in times of need. Which is really comforting.

Met my new roommate for the first time, Moe Wakabayashi. Only talked a bit, but she seems very nice and I'm sure we'll get along nicely. I'll be helping her improve her English while she helps me with my Japanese. Great teamwork :)

*  *  *

I woke up at 5:30 this morning... the same time I've been waking up pretty much every day since I've arrived in Japan. Thought I might get to sleep in (unlike in Canada where I wake up early every day) but I guess habits don't change along with the time difference. So I decided to take a tour around campus by bike. It was my first time riding the bike... and it will take some getting used to. The basket in front creates a certain imbalance and the steering wheel is very sensitive, which made for a pretty shaky first ride. But I have lots of time to get better at it. I rode around campus to locate the building where my classes will be. The layout of the campus is pretty simple and very accessible if you have a bike. I just wasn't always sure which side of the road to ride on because in Japan, the cars drive in the opposite lanes.

Building no. 1 ; not sure what's in it yet

Building no. 8 where my Japanese classes will be

The south gate

The dojo

Dojo entrance

I really like the athletic vibe of the campus. After all, it's the campus where the sports facilities are situated and where classes for the Sports and Leisure Management Department are given. So you can see many people running or biking, or students practicing with their university teams.

*  *  *

Just had my first breakfast at the dorm. Being able to have my favorite breakfast (toast with peanut butter and bananas) in a different country is probably the second most comforting thing after Internet access :) . I think I'll be okay as long as i can eat peanut butter :p

I have a feeling that I'm really going to like it here. Size-wise, I feel right at home ; ) The other students have been very welcoming so far. The dorm deans are so nice. Even though I don't understand everthing they say yet, they always look at me when they're speaking and do their best to answer any question or need I have. And I'm already getting used to and enjoying living on my own. Going out to buy groceries, cooking, washing dishes, going in and out as I please... things I could do before but didn't have the same feeling of independance about them. Now I just have to make sure to be both independant AND responsible. Two very different things ; )

First glance at my life at Tokai

My life is starting to take shape now. What before were only vague plans are now becoming reality... exciting and nerve-racking at the same time.

Today I visited the campus for the very first time. The Shonan campus is big and consists of 17 administrative buildings. And of course, there are the sports facilities: dojo for martial arts, tennis and basketball courts, swimming pool, weight training gym, soccer fields, etc. And for now, it's pretty quiet. But it will get very crowded as soon as classes begin.

I visited both the international students' residence and the apartment where the judo girls stay. Upon viewing both accommodations and listening to the recommendations of many, I finally decided to stay at the international students' residence. I'll be rooming with a Japanese girl whom I've yet to meet.

Also had the chance to watch a bit of the women's judo practice. I feel both excited and intimidated to train with them... but I know this is a lifetime opportunity. I have to be like a sponge, absorb everything I see and learn and hear. And I'm hearing a lot of English music here lol. I was pretty surprised but many American artists are pretty popular here, like Avril Lavigne, Daniel Powter, Taylor Swift, etc. And guess what was playing during the women's judo warm-up I watched? Who Run the World, Girls by Beyonce. Quite fitting for a women's judo practice. ; )

*   *   *

The following day, we had to drive out to the Immigration Center to obtain a student visa.

It took such a long time to drive here. What would normally only take 45 minutes in Manitoba takes about 2 hours here because of the traffic and single lane roads. The road here used by two cars is the same width as a lane for a single car in Canada. Which makes for a somewhat terrifying experience to zoom so close to cars traveling in the opposite direction along roads that wind and turn and go up and down. But apparently, there's nothing to worry about because Japanese believe they are good drivers. At least that's what they say. It also helps that many cars here are slimmer. They have kejidosha, which are recognized by their yellow license plates. They are so cute : p I almost feel like I'm in a miniature world.

Like in Canada, cars also get arrested for speeding... which is called nezumitori here. That translates to "mouse catching". And only two days in, I had the chance to experience that. Not me personally (I'm not allowed to drive... and don't think it's something I'd like to try either haha...) but my homestay dad got a speeding ticket. And unlike in Canada, you can't really talk your way out of it.

After getting all the papers in order, we went to buy a bike and a few necessary accessories for my stay in Japan, i.e. bed sheets, pillow, alarm clock, frying pan, hangers, etc... And a bright yellow bike! I love it. Here it is : ) They call this kind of bike "mamachari" which means Mommy's bike. They have the basket in front for groceries and are very popular here in Japan. I'll be sad to leave it here when I go back home... in all my time in Canada, I've never seen that kind of bike there.

my AMAZING bike ;)

How bikes lock in Japan: the lock around the wheel prevents any movement of the wheel 



my bike doesn't really stand out, does it? : P



A parking lot especially for bikes: sweet! :)

I'm moving in to my room on Sunday. Again, both excited and nervous because for now, the extent of my Japanese is limited and I've been relying on my host family parents here to translate for me. At the end of the day, I'm already so mentally exhausted from straining to understand one word here and there in conversations to try to make sense of what people are saying to me. I really cannot wait to be able to speak fluently. Really can't wait.

Officially in Japan!

After months (years really) of planning and preparation, I am now living and breathing and sweating IN JAPAN! Pretty hard to believe... but amazing none the less!

The trip to Japan got off to a rough start. Broke my headphones during the first flight... Then before boarding on the next flight, rushed to buy a new set of earphones... only to realize once on the plane that Air Canada hadn't updated its inflight entertainment system... and I'd seen all the movies I wanted to see during my previous trip to China. I wish I could say that at least the food on the plane made up for it... but sadly I can't.

I landed safely in Japan which is the most important thing. Then, carrying two 10 kg carry-ons, I made my way among the crowds of Japanese citizens to pass through the immigration counters, claim my baggage, and pass through customs... with no problems at all. Then at the exit, met my new parents who drove me to their house, a place I am grateful to be able to call home during my stay in Japan.

Once home, we shared a meal and I got a taste of what I can look forward to experiencing during my year in Japan: AMAZING FOOD! We had some gyoza (dumplings), some chicken, some rice (of course), miso soup, fresh salad and everything tasted so good. I definitely am going to love the food here. Already knew that before leaving ;)
 

First meal in Japan... a glimpse of what is yet to come!

 

My new parents, Shigenori and Reiko


Random tidbit of info:
Expression used in Japan now: my boom is (insert whatever you are into now) or my recent boom is ( " ) : which means the new thing, or what someone is currently loving. Which for my new dad in Japan is Taylor Swift : p