Akemashite Omedetoo

Happy New Year, That's right, we get it First!!!

So last night was the new year...Woot!
The family went to visit Otoosan's father and I wasn't allowed to come (I'm not actually sure why, think maybe it's a bit too traditional to just be bringing the host student along^.^). I chilled at home and later, when they got back, otoosan let me eat leftovers from the special new years meal. Here, new years is like christmas so all of otoosan's family was at his dad's place and I think Otoosan was so enthusiastic about the food not only because it was delicous but his sister made it. Anyway, it was good food, rice with yummy stuff in it, crab, pork, and things of the like.

Later, around 11:15, Okaasan and I rode bikes to the nearest temple (which I didn't know was there and is huge) near Ikegami station. It's a huge grounds but it was a 20 minute or so bike ride to our specific location where there was: a huge bell, I shrine, a 5 story pagoda, and the big gate like thing like asakusa (except less touristy?). Also, it was crowded with a ton of people, from all over Oota I assume. There were tons of stands selling food and little toys for kids. Okaasan bought a fortune and threw a coin in the shrine. I forgot to bring one and Okaasan explained that in this situation she wasnt allowed to give me one either. Alas. Oh, we saw the monks of the temple do a cermeony too, for the fortunes, and that was neat. They chanted and had on special robes. It was very cool. And when it begins the new year, they strike the hugmongous bell, and then they do it another 107 times. Some people even bought reservations to give a go at ringing it (it takes a team of 6).

In any case...the phrase in the title is what you say instead of good morning, or hello for a set number of days after the new year.
YAy!
Happy new year!
Much love!

special ocasion

So, the past weekend or so has been super busy, but amazing fun as well.

On Friday night I met Okaasan and Manami at Tokyo station (which the outside of is really gorgeous and old fahsioned and stuff), and we walked around a bit to look at all the lights. During Christmas Tokyo has lights in all it's different districts (Shinjuku, tokyo station, odaiba, etc) and they call it Christmas Illumination. It's a lot of fun but we missed the big light show.

Then we met Otoosan at this "Lipton Ice Tea" Restaurant where it's all you can eat of delicous pastas, rices, and cakes! It was sooooo good!

On Saturday Andrew and I went to the Emperor's garden! It's only open once a year on his birthday, most Japanese people have never even been (Okaasan didn't even know you could do that-she's going to go nexst year). It was so cool. First, you get herded to this one section where the emperor makes an appearance (behind what I rpesume is a bullet glass window of his house or something) and he made a speach and everyone waves the little Japan flags they give you at the entrance. IT was amazing! There were a few groups who had organized BONZAI's they would shout and then raise their flags. Very neat. After that you walk by this place where you can give your Meishi (business card, or is it Meiji?). I'm not sure why, maybe the emperor sends you a letter or something. In any case, I tried to make a quick one for me to give but one of the gaurds shooed us on. and someone random took Andrew and my picture, maybe that will be in a newspaper somewhere?

After that you are allowed to wander around the gardens as you like. They are HUGE! And gorgeous and amazing and I can't believe the place is closed to the public becasue it's such a waste of beauty.

Don't worry, Andrew and I took tons of pictures on his new camera!

After that I met okaasan for shopping for groceries for my big thanksgiving feast. she di pay but it took about two hours and a ton of work to find everything we needed. Let me share how stressed I was with you: I hadn't slept well in two nights becasuse I'd been having nightmares about this feast and cooking it and I wasn't even sure if we could find things like sour cream and marshmellows. We did though, there are a few things we had to leave out (sunflower seeds, gravy!, and chicken broth) btu we got most everything.

THEN Andrew and I went out so we could do my christmas shopping. I got Andrew a DS game he wanted, Otoosan a razor he wanted and a scuba diving magazine (he only likes scuba-it's his only hobby according to okaasan), for Okaasan I got some beads and a book about making neckalaces, which okaasan likes...I got Naoto MI3 and I got Manami a really soft scarf.

Then there was Sunday. Probably the funnest day!
I started at 8:00 in the morning witht he cooking. I made Turkey, stuffing (from scratch), Macoroni and cheese (from scratch), broccoli salad, ambrosia, okaasan made pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. I was so surprised but everything turned out great! It actually tasted like mom's, I couldn't believe it!!!!
Now, I understand why people love cooking, it's an amazing feeling to get it all done and it actually taste good and be edible. Okaasan's parents came and Naoto's friend, and andrew. It was a real christmas party. It was so much fun!

In any case, andrew took tons of pictures so you'll get to see all of it shortly (check out his blog)!
t was a lot of fun.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!
Much love.

Costume party!

Hey! Sorry its been awhile since Ive updated, not much has been happening except end of school type things.

I have been hanging out a lot with yukari. She's super nice. I've also spent a good bit of time in the art room now as you can go to art club whenever you want. I like it, I just need some acrylics or something and I'm set (I suck at water color, I've been trying but I'm just not patient enough).

In any case, this past weekend the art club had a costume contest so Yukari came over on saturday (we bought fabric on friday) and we made costumes all day. Yukari went as minnie mouse and I went as snow white. The costumes turned out great and the next day at the party was fun. We ate Nabe (which is some meat and vegetbale thrown in a big pot and cooked on a sort of open flame...hard to explain...), cake, cookies and the like. Okaasan and Manami had made some fabulous oatmeal cookies (the only ones aside from Alice's mom's that I like!) which I shared at the party. Super delicous.

I took some pictures on my keitai (cellphone) but I still cant seem to get the program which retreives said pictures to work. So you all have to use your imagination.

Other than that..well, Im really excited about the break. Im visiting Yukari in Hiroshima and Andrew and I are planning to do a day trip somewhere. I'm sure Ill be doing something with the family on new years, and probably with friends as well. Also, on the 8th of January I was invited to the coming of age ceremony, where I'll have to wear a Kimono and everything. I think...it's a bit confusing but I think Okaasan is going to help me out.

Im also excited about christmas. Im cooking for the family...Im not sure tho because I may be buyiong the groceries myself and that's a tad expensive. I'm not sure. I hope to also buy each person a prestna dn I've got a secret surprise in store as well.

I'm very excited.
In any case...

Tis all for now!
Much Love!

Christmas time is here!

On Friday Sophia University had a christmas party for all the foreign exchange students.
I had to go late because I was checking out Art club with Yukari. The club was really cool! and everyone was really nice to me. I showed Yukari my work that I had pictures of and then everyone there sketched one of us who would stand and model. I even modeled! They all said I was good but I think a lot of them were good too. Yukari and I made plans to go see the Art CLub christmas tree after the party and then I went to the Party and met Andrew there.

The food was already gone by the time I got there but there was tons of wine and beer. Which really strikes me as funny...I mean, the school was hosting the party. I stuck to wine but one of Andrew's friends was flipping out about how much beer they had there. I chatted with Andrew, a lot of the people from my Japanese class, Deborah from Karaoke, other random people, and met some really nice Japanese girls and exchanged numbers with them. Sanat Clause even showed up at the party and gave some lucky people some Sophia Paraphanelia. It was fun!

Then andrew and I met yukari and went to Iidabashi to see the Art clubs christmas tree, which Ill probably eventually help out with. It's made of wood in a spiral sort of way and they have these molded ornaments all over it. Im excited!

After that Yukari, Andrew and I went to Takada where we watched Andrew play some Popin and took some Puri Kura (sp?) together. It was fun to do with Yukari because she actually understood what was going on. (Puri Kura are really cool machines where you take fun pictures and draw all over them...America should have them!)

after that we walked back to Andrews Dorm and we started to watch "The Fountain" but Yukari had to go help her friend study for a test. Yukari is super nice and fun to talk to (in english and japanese). I think we're going to be hanging out a lot now...she's also lending me the book "the notebook" because she and I were talking about movies we loved.

In any case...Friday was wonderful!
Since then I've mostly be studying the tale of Genji...It's pretty interesting...though you've got to kind of be separated from your own personal morals to read it...I mean...you've got to realize that the way life was pictured s very different from how you might think it should be-and you have to be alright with that. I like it though...I especially think Nick should read it...Don't know why tho.

If anyone wants me to post a sort of general summary and analysis of it then let me know via comments.

Hmmm...andrew came over to my house to study today. That was fun.
And yesterday the Fam and I tried to go see the "Christmas Illumination" in Odaiba but the lights were turned off on all but one tree.

And...
Mom sent me some amazing videos to cure my homesickness!
Everyone should see them...err...
unless mom tells me to take them off the blog^.^
here the are:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym9ufHeXgsA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HdUvZiCSoY
Miss you all and Love you!

Peace!

Sometimes...

Well..this will be my first rant post I guess.
I just wanted to say, I really can't wait till next semester. The one thing that sucks about going abroad through school is that sometimes you get all caught up in the school work and business that is school and forget why you're in another country. To me, this is the worst thing. I came to Japan to learn about Japan. Yes, most of my classes have to do with Japan but I also want to see the country, meet the people, and really learn the language. It's so hard to feel like I can do this when I busy reading, writing papers, and taking tests.

So really, Im excited about next semester/year. I'm going to take the bare minimum as far as classes go so I have more time ot explore Tokyo and hopefully other parts of Japan. I also really want to spend more time on my own around the city. I'm always a little worried about going places alone, but mostly for safety reasons. Next year I'm going make an effort to go places by myself...
I dunno...I'm just starting to feel a little like my priorities here are getting mixed up. I don't want to worry about grades, I'd rather be worrying about the enxt museum exhibit I'm going to see, or the next little restaurant I'm going to try.

Of course, I'm also excited because I'll be getting more into Ikebana and possibly the art club..that should be fun. And the new classes I do take mean new opportunities for meeting new people, which I want to do more of.

I'm just feeling...I don't know how to describe it. I feel like I should be doing more, I want to do more.

Maybe I'm getting homesick...who knows.
Hah hah
Peace and Much love!

Ikebana and my second English teaching session

So...
today was my first time actually doing Ikebana. It was difficult but fun and interesting. I don't think I'm very good, and I really don't understand it yet...but I'm going to practice! I got to take home the flowers that were left over and Okaasan and I put them in a vase all pretty like and she put them near the front door. It makes me feel good that I sort of have something to give the family.

One thing I really like about Ikebana is that I met Yukari. She's really nice and helpful and on friday we're going to art club together. She seems really enthusiastic about it as well...I dunno, I see the beginning of a beautiful friendship (maybe I'm just super optimistic). We talked a lot though (in japanese and english) and I'm really looking forward to friday.

I also had my second session with Mrs. Fujisawa. It went very well. I spent a lot of time putting together stuff to teach and even still, I already know there are things I need to do better and things I need to change. Also, in an unplanned turn of events for the session, Mrs. Fujisawa and I went through the catalogue for her art gallery(the reason I'm teaching her english in the first place). This actually turned out to be a great thing because she spent a lot of time talking to me about the art work in english and I could ask her questions about why she liked certain pieces and things like that. then, when we finished, she gave me the book! I was really surprised and I think it was too much as a gift. But what could I do?
We finished the lessons with scenarios to go over everything I'd taught and gone through. I think Mrs. Fujisawa still feels a bit awkward doing scenarios but so far I think it's a good way for her to practice. I need to think of other excersizes to do with her...
I think I really like teaching...which kind of surprises me and kind of doesn't...
^.^
In any case, we are only going to meet one more time for this month on the 20th because she is so busy. I think we will be meeting a lot more in the new year and hopefully visiting a lot of art galleries together.

That's about it...
Oh, and NB from the Nikku is right, duh! Of course I can use my cell phone! of course, the quality wont be as good an dI still dont know how to get pictures off my cell phone but Ill figure it out. and I'm getting on Andrew to buy a camera this week or next week....
anyone got any good suggestions?

Much Love!

Decent day, minus one BIG problem

SO, today was pretty good, as was yesterday.

Mostly what I did was park viewing.
Yesterday, Manami, Okaasan and I returned to the small park outside the museum we visisted last week. The trees were changing color and the park was beautiful. In about half a week all the trees will be red and it will be amazing! After that we shopped a little.

today Andrew and I went to Ueno. The park is huge! and petty though most of the colored leaves had fallen by today. Still, the weather was gorgeous and made the park very nice. We visisted the museum exhibit I got free tickets for. It was an exhibit of wood sculptures of Bhuddist gods and deities and such. It was really spectacular. I want to learn how to carve wood now!

In any case, a pretty simple and relaxing weekend.

Until...

I found out...

My camera is BROKEN!
Yup, the shutter won't open. This is bad news for me. Not only will I not be able to take pictures for my own personal pleasure but I will also not be able to take pictures for the sake of my scholarship project. I can still draw and paint pictures for the project I guess but I really wanted to take more pictures as well.

So....what to do?
I can't really afford a new camera, saving for sapporo and when mom and rae come...as well as possibly okinawa....

Sucks...I'm sure Ill figure something out...
Much Love!

Melon Pan

So...
It hought I'd talk about Melon Pan (pan is bread in japanese).

Basically, its the best treat here. I don't really know why either. It's just like a small loaf of sweet bread, usually its got sugar on top. It's almost like a really puffy, soft, sugar cookie. And it's so goood! I can't get enough of it really. They've got lots of different flavors too. The japanese are very good at flavors. Still, I like plain melon bread the best.

Anyway, I'm going to try and learn how to make it.

In other small random notes, I got As on ym Japanese and Cinema midterms. (on my cinema test I was one of three students with the highest grade on the essay, go figure). Hmmm...also, I had to do a presentation in women's history. It was supposed to be 15 minutes long and I thought the teacher would stop me at that time. Anyway, when I finished he was like, "yeah, that was 48 minutes, I Just wanted to see how long you'd go"....I think he didn't have anything planned for the class or something.

Oh, and here's a little doodle I did about melon bread and what happens when andrew tries to "share" it with me: