Nothing to Say

More panoramas in the works, Nagasaki report half-done, Rotary trip report on the way.

Chat

This week my parents met up with the rest of my immediate family, who live spread throughout the country, so, naturally they wanted me to be there too. Hence we tried to get a chat in. Unfortunately they asked me to set a time, I thought I'd set a time late in in the morning to make sure they're all up. Unfortunately I didn't get their e-mail that they'd be away from a keyboard at that time. Then I realized I was calculating for Atlantic Standard time when they were in a different time zone with DLS on, which meant that I waited until three thrity in the morning to finally get an e-mail telling me that they weren't there.

Luckily I had been chating with a friend from Canada who kept me mostly sane and even gave me some music to add to the track's I've pretty much memorized on my PSP.

So, the next morning (technincally the same one), after some figuring out how how to call to Japan, we got a nice chat in. Mandy, sorry I didn't get a chance to talk to you.

Anyways, I'm not in the right frame of mind for writing, sorry about how messy this entry is. I'll write more later, hopefully the Kyushu report.

For Mike

Godgle

...Wow....O.o Google should qualify as a god, search chruch of google in google to find out why.

Currently, I'm using gmail for my emailing. It comes with everything you could want from e-mail and it works on PSP.

I'm using my Google account in blogger to make this. And I can send e-mails as posts and recieve my comments as e-mails.

I'm using webpage creater to store and organize many of my larger files.

Google automatically added all my pictures from my blog to my new Picasa account (also Google).

I can (but don't) watch anime on in Google video.

I've created maps for my PSP from google maps, and with Google Earth, I can get a sense of what the area's like (honestly, high detail pictures, three dimensional modeling for terrain and now buildings, hell, they have 片町 in it, not to mention traveling the roads).

It's moblie version is convenient for my PSP.

I read books in Reader.

Google is awe some.

Microsoft on the other hand keeps pissing me off.

Anyways, I'm writing this to tell you I'm making a Picasa account, right now it has all the same pictures as the blog, but with captions. I'll see about adding more.

The Melancholy of Geoffrey Card

Reference to Suzumia Haruhi. Except instead of wanting to play with aliens, time-travellers and espers, I'm just looking for Japanese friends. Also, neither of us follow the status quo.

Anyways, did I mention I changed host families at the end of Febuary? Well, I did, I'm now living in the 小舞子 (komaiko) section of 白山 (hakusan, white mountain). The house is traditional Japanese style with super steep stairs, small rooms, low door frames, tatami et cetera. I'm living with grandparents and, when she's home, the daughter (she has a job a works quite a bit). There's also lots of contact with the father, mother and the other daughter who live in a different section of 白山 (more a collection of small, mostly empty rural towns than a city). I'll be getting some shots of the house and the town but I need different weather for the different shots. Also, they're nice enough to let me use the computer every night for up to an hour, unfortunately, it's vista.

Just so you know, the Japanese sate things much more generally that Westerners. So when I said daughter, I meant of the father and mother, not the grand parents. The same type of thing works for time, they say at thirty minutes instead of after thirty minutes have passed. Much more objective, but still easily confusing. (Hence old people can be called grandmother/father, aunt/uncle, father/mother or brother/sister (depending on age) even if they're not related).

Next, still having trouble on the firends front, but I know the reason. It's because I'm used to improvising and the Japanese are used to schdules and routine. Asking "Can I go nowhere with you?" has little to no effect since they've already decided where they're going to go and don't expect to deviate from it. So, basically I need to make a plan ahead of time.

In other news, 肉 (niku) the new exchange student from Australia of two months is doing better than I am socially at seven. Callan, any inferiority you felt to me is less than half what I feel of him. Granted the... guy has been studying Japanese for about a year and a half, knew a lot about Japan before he came and is a really cool guy (also, he got a cellphone). I like him, and I know he is and will continue to do great in Japan, but looking at "the very model of a modern major-" ...exchange student isn't very healthy for my ego.

Continuing on, the school year is over. I'm now a 三年生 (third year) in high school, I've got two weeks free from school (bit I still have kendo), I'm going on a Rotary trip next week and... not much else.

Also, I bought a figurine of Suzumia Haruhi to add to my collection. Don't worry, it's of her in here school uniform.

Anyways, bye for now.

Following Suit

I will eventually have a report of my Nine Province trip. I know what I'm going to write, but I'm bad at writing on paper and have little computer time. Also, as some would expect of a Sony fan, I'm working on making the pictures next gen quailty, and so I'm forced to outsource. The panoramas will be made out of house, by [Terry, enter your company's name here]. It's on it's way, but like video games, expect delays.


The title refers to my name, Card and the fact that I'm following in the footsteps of the gaming industry. It may be confusing, but I like to keep my titles original.

Moving on, I'll be running a ten k next month, on the nineteenth. I'm also hoping to learn some Japanese songs for karaoke (cruel angel thesis because it's famous and slow, hare hare yukai because it's sillyness, it should go well with Friend like me). That'll probably end up being good practice for my Japanese.

The school year is ending here, so many peoples' schedules are swtiching from club to free study time, including the girls. Most people would say they'd like to tutor anatomy... I'll settle for sociology (English's popularity died with my hype).

Right now I've little else to say. I'll post again soon.
And thanks for the e-mails back.

More letter to go, but tonight was cool

This morning I packed for the day, ate breakfast, went to school via train (watching an anime on my PSP on the way), showed some girls some easy card tricks on the bus and arrived at school.

There I got info for tonight, went to class, wrote notes for my Rotary speech, helped out a little in English class, asked them who wanted to learn English (answer:0), grabbed my stuff and left.

I walked to Rotary, got bank account info to close my account at Mitsubishi (though I still have an account with Japan Post), said my speech, got a few laughs and my allowance, ate lunch and sat through the rest of the meeting.

After, I noticed a poster for a road race this weekend, closed my account, made my other account richer by two zeros, went to the rifare, sent off two more letters, met Brie, told her my plans for the night (she decided to tag along and I'm glad she did), went to class for half an hour, got my homework and study tips for my upcoming test and left.

We had a good chat on the way, arrived at vanvanv4, met my friends who sadly couldn't play tonight, and we all went in and enjoy an awesome Japanese punk rock live (concert). We talked, enjoyed the music and generally had fun. The place was small but it was nice (in a cheap rock way). The first band was young, their first song basically repeated "I know nothing nothing nothing" and was short, but their last two songs were good. They had the same sort of style as The Pillows (did the music for Fooly Cooly). The next band was okay, their non-singer guitarist was really good (maybe some Rage Against the Machine influence) and their haircut were great examples of what anime hair looks like in real life (their singer seemed like he needed the superimposed anime eyes as he had hair covering his whole face). Then the third band was awesome. The first two acted cool, trying to act like their favourite bands on stage (though they didn't over do it badly), but the third pulled it off, smiling, facing the crowd, jumping around and looking like they were having fun. Unfortunately we had to leave early, but I was invited to my friend's next live, April 19th and bought a cd on the way out.

Brie and I had a lot of fun, and talked on the way to our stops. I was a little late getting home, but my family laughed most of it off. Today was one of my favourite days here so far, and promises much more.

Letters

Still typing, I don't get enough computer time.

Foresight

Just a quick bit on what I'll soon be up to.

Getting more friends to do more outside of school.

At the beginning of March I'll be going on a school trip to Kyushu (九州, nine province).

Shortly after I'll move to my next host family in Hakusan (白山, white mountain).

At the end of March I'll be going on a Rotary trip to Osaka and a few other important places.

Right now I'm trying to find more to do, especially on weekends. If any of you have any ideas on what to do on a weekend in Japan (legally, as Mike (not the exchange student) seems bent on getting me deported) please tell.

Disambiguation

I find many statements and questions by the Japanese to be ambiuous, often asking what or why to long complex senarios. That along with me giving more information is the reason for the title.

Well, to start off, I'm going to say that the Japanese seem very child-like in looks, humour and socially. This'll be more important later on.

I live north west of the city, just past the highway in 藤江. I'll be there until shortly into march, then I'll be in the village south of Kanazawa 白山. Also, I appearently have a fourth family.

Next, I want to make clear that the reason I haven't sent any private messages has been because I've been using the blog to send nearly everything publicly(also, I answer almost everything I get directly in the blog). I've even tried writing letters but they all ended up as material fro blogs. Also, I'm surprised it's lasted this long. Brie's blog only get an update once in a blue moon, and most other blogs like this die out after a while. I've almost given up a few times, with little time to write and little in the way of direct reciprication. Well, I'm over half way done my year and I'm still writing, that might be a good sign. So, I've decided to send off a batch of personal email that should hit before the next blog update. If I didn't send one to you, I haven't forgotten, I just don't know what to say (aside from please continue to read my blog).

Next, this hasn't been set yet but I'm hoping to come back on July twenty-fourth with the other exchange students (I'll send flight info to whom it may concern when I get it). Plan whatever you want, if at BP I'll make my specialty pizza but you'll have to book me off work yourself (some of you might think I'm kidding, the rest of you know my dad), I don't care either way. When I get back I'd like to watch the latest seasons of Heroes and House (no hurry, I could do it online) and try out LittleBigPlanet on my PS3, I've also missed most of the music and movies that have come out (though I'll be seeing Twilight here). If you do make any plans, make sure you don't let me re-set up my computer beforehand.

Anyways, About the girlfriend... I have the courage I just need the plan. I want to ask her to a movie but like every Japanese pre-senior student, her schedule is filled with club activity. My biggest deterent for this is the girls asking "is it LOVE?" in a kid-like way. Like I said, the Japanese are very child-like and coming up with a way of saying causal dating in Japanese is hard. On the plus side, she'll soon be a senior in high school.

Now, there was a request on 剣道(kendou, way of the sword (lit. sword path))... (F.Y.I. I'm constantly thinking up material for blogs, so if you ask about something, chances are I already know what to write)

Monday through Saturday (if I didn't have Wednesday and Friday off for Japanese lessons) the kendo club meets to practice or training (the former being a basic, all around workout).

I get dressed and grab my armour and swords shortly before hand. We sit in a row, bow and breifly meditate and do some exercises. Start off with the basic static stretches, then practice swings with the heavy wooden sword, then on to movements with the bamboo 竹刀 (shinai, bamboo sword).

We put on the helmet and gloves and for about an hour practice attacks swing at the head, hands and torso long with foot movements and shouting. Most of these are basic swings while walking forward, but some of them combind moves. A basic one might include hitting the head and dashing past. Than there are two longer ones made of up several of the practice moves. The first where you ram and drive back an opponent before moving back while constantly attacking the head and the other where you charge at an opponent constantly using all the different moves in sequence.

After this, a short break, than on to either more practice moves or battles.

The battles are my new favourite part. They're three minute matches where you trie to get as many hits on your opponent while avoiding being hit, but, because this is kendo, you have to try to look good doing it (form is incredibly important in kendo).

The team members all have different qualities.
-The teacher (先生, sensei) is direct stron and swift. Though he only uses a few words, he can explain things to me quite well.
-Next is Saki (I see little reason for anonimity for people you will likely never know), she's beautiful and is very graceful (as well as fast and strong). She's the leader.
-Considered her equal, Megu is short and overweight but knows how to do everything properly and is very very strong (painfully so).
-Mai might be good, I don't know. She has no force to her blows (no speed or strength) which makes me wonder if I could take her on without armour. She's still probably better than me.
-Kousuke is good, especially considering he's a junior. He's shy around the girls (his seniors). I like him as a friend and also because he too makes mistakes.
-The other two junior guys on the team, Nishida and Matsui (those are last names) recently left for studying. The latter was fast, the former was zealous. They were fun to practice with.

My favourite part of kendo is pulling off the torso attacks because you can dodge while doing so. My least favourite part was when Megu hit me in the head so hard my ears(untouched) rang, twice in a row(and generally any time I face her). Practice is long, but as long as I don't keep track of the time it's fun. Though I have to explain to my teacher that while I like kendo a lot, I'm here to experience Japan in general and not just the monotonous generic student life.

Since I figure I'll be the only one with a sword, I'm not going to buy the expensive armour (though I already own the neat not-a-dress clothes).

That should be all for now.

Testing Fonts

I'm testing Japanese text, if this fails on your computer please say so.
一　二　三、いち　に　さん、イチ　ニ　サン、ｉｃｈｉ　ｎｉ　ｓａｎ，　１　２　３
If this worked the above is "one two three" in kanji, hiragana,
katakana, romaji and numerals, all in Japanese coding.
Also if there's anything you want to ask, comment on or suggest for my
blog or my stay in Japan, go ahead.

Mamma mia! Here we go again.

Today is Valintine's Day, when girls here give guys' chocolates,
except me. Meh, instead I let it slip whom I like and I'll be asking
her out with a little help(honestly, advice?). I have known true
feelings before, and while this isn't that, it's better than nothing.
Sophomors have no time, but soon she'll be a senior, spending her time
studying(bio, kidding, soc). Also, I met up with Rotexs plus one. We
watched [title] and did purikura, the latter to much chagrin, former
to my enjoyement.

Patapon... continued

We saw Niko off at the station, and Brie at a random bus stop. Than
Niku showed me what expensive fashion Japan has. He's well informed
and his Japanese is good(he can read better than Brie). I think he'll
do very well, better than me. Once he got on his bus I started my run
"home" and put in a strong three k. lt felt like it should and I know
what's wrong and why.

P.S. Yes, people have run away when introduced to me, mostly girls,
giggling or say Japanese for "good looking."

Patapon was on top, I didn't bring the case.

Yesterday I met up with the other exchange students, Brie, NM and the
new aussie NK. I'll be using their Japanese names to distinguish them,
Niko and Niku respectively. We played a single game of pool in which
my team lost once by default and the other team lost four times by
default but won in the end(despite often sinking the eight, we kept
playing). We tried J-songs in karaoke (I failed at Ready Steady go but
made it through The Real Folk Blues). Karaoke is always silly fun.

Video, Please Work

...nuff said.

part 3

Reading manga is a matter of reading, trying to understand the
kanji(you learn to like it), looking it all up on the ex-word and
writing useful ones down. It feels like cheating and learning at the
same time(as do most my study habits).
I've been walking and running a LOT, but not the well paced long runs
I should do and my legs have given me hell for it. Still, I'd walk A
Thousand Miles(which I've kept up practicing on piano) if I could have
a ten k race like old times.
Video on the way, file problems.

part 1

I guess I should give you a real update. My current host family is
great, they speak in Japanese, they havem't gotten angry with me
despite a recent incident where I took a different bus than expected(I
had my reasons), and I'm being well fed.
Now I dare to say I can speak Japanese, though not well, I need to
work on a vocabulary(though the ex-word fills in the blanks quite
nicely.
My English is still in excellent condition and though I've likely lost
a few words, my French too seems fine(as far asI know).

part 2

The seniors finish tomorrow, I'm a little sad because while not quite
friends, I relate better to them than the troublesome sophomores. I've
still just the one friend and the kendo team but I'm trying to
solidize more friendships.
I'm finally doing practice matches in kendo, losing badly but enjoying it.
I like this area's rural look, more open and Japanese(whenever I
specify Japanese or an culture, I think of it from its cultral
height(for Japan, Edo), hence my seemingly extreme point of view).

Pleasant Day part two

I had that nice, touristy feeling of being somewhere I don't know,
which went well with my reminiscing and thoughts of home and you (I
had a lot of time... have). Anyway, I met my friend and we waited for
his two late friends and went to "fried meat" (yakiniku). It was fun,
and though I was late getting home, my host parents didn't make a big
fuss about it. Today was mostly a crummy day, a few minor annoyances,
but it got better and I don't feel stressed (though perhaps I should).

Pleasant Day

Yesterday started out well enough. A mistake in setting the alarm
assured I didn't get enough sleep, had breakfast an despite six
kilometres arrived a half hour early for school. It ended early and I
made plans with a friend to meet later for supper. I walked around,
than "home," explained the plan and headed back out. With the extra
hour I looked around in the local shops of this nice sub-urban or
rural area.

Backing up my Statement

Since Mike disagrees to the point of insult:
I said Japan is a USA wannabe, while this is an exaggeration I have
seen more Westerners in ads than real life here, I have seen Ingerish
everywhere, even replacing Japanese, Western style and media are
copied to the point of hyperbole and Kanazawa is supposed to be the
cultral centre of Japan.
That is not to say Japanese culture is dead, just not as strong as it
was. I suggest watching The Last Samurai again.

What Isn't (e-mail post)

This time I'll go over some mis- or no longer conceptions of Japan.
First, it's name is Nihon or Nippon meaning something like "raising
sun" or anciently as Yamato, "great peace/harmony."
Western chairs and toilets are par.
My Japanese friends are more embrassed at being naked in the bath house than I.
Name endings aren't as used.
Gifts aren't refused any more than in the West.
Concepts like honour and harmony seldom appear.
Japan is basically a U.S.A. wanna-be despite having once been a near utopia.

Second "Home" (e-mail post)

One family and half the year are over. More than regrets I have hope
for the future here and back home.
I'm with my second host family now. They speak no English, a welcome
challenge. Their house is big for Japan and "my room" is actually two
bedrooms missing a wall in between. While they don't have a computer,
neighbour's wireless has a guest account. Also, this morning, after
waking, it felt like staying at a relative's rather than the cold "not
home."

Another Solar Lap (e-mail post)

For my birthday my host brothers and mothers ordered pizza and some
other foods and got me some junk food, puzzles and a manga(GitS2). And
it was enjoyable. The next day, Brie lured me away from my blog with
real nachos. Also, thank you to everyone who sent cards, email etc and
sorry I don't reply directly but rest assured, if you sent it, I
received it by now.
Friday I gave my host family my thanks and gifts. We chatted, I lost
twice in shogi and hopefully it ended things on a high note.

Turning Point

With President Obama's speech of reform still a fresh memory, I've decided to make this a post of changes, since many have and continue to happen.

First, on this site, I've changed the colours and layout (I don't like those mostly-oranges, and absolute white hurts the eyes). Also, instead of the aliases I used for legality and privacy issues, I'll use names (with permission) and initials (without). (Nun=BriE, photogenic=NM, Aussie=CD) I'll do my best to post on either here or at [link] every wednesday and Friday. Also, Engrish is actually spelled Ingerish.

Next, I've noted a few changes in myself. I'm more social (and human). I keep up better maintenance and hygene. I tire more easily from all the running around I do. I read more and take more picutre. I game less and drink less coke....Coca-Cola.................

So, to summerize what's happen while I've been A.F.K:

I now communicate using mostly Japanese, which is made all the more easy with my new ex-word SP6700*. Kendo is great, I've made friends with the other members but it's tiring, painful and time consuming. Things have gotten better with my host family, though Rotary has agreed to move me along more quickly. I change families Saturday. Weekends are boring with few Japanese friends (who have little time) and with few means of communication. And while on the subject of Japanese friends, my remakes about Rotary were half joking (the other half afraid of their seriousness) and before you type anything: Yes, I know, I'm working on it. There, that should answer most of your nagging comments.

*Electronic dictionary about the size of a two-hundred page novel. It contains a Jap, Eng, kanji, Jap-Eng and Eng-Jap dictionaries along with maps, history (Japanese and world), puzzles, tests, flash cards, katakana dictionary (for words borrowed from other languages, over 22000 and growing, there's even a borrowed word for Japan) et cetera. To its credit it has twelve variations of the most versitile English word.

Also, I'm switching host families tomorrow, Rotary decided to move up the date. Six months is too long no matter how well you get along. I'll have more on them later.

Anyway, I'll post now, though I'm ont done yet.

Late Again

Sorry I haven't posted anything in recent days (though in my Japanese help site I got a list of basic prefixes up), but I'm again avoiding using the computer. Despite four exchange students having laptops and every family I meet offering use of their computers, it's still considered scourge of the West at the Matsumoto's, as far as my using it goes. I almost got into an arguement of how useful it is as a means of communication with my host father, though I stopped talking when he raised his voice loudly (With Skype for telecommunications, instant chat, video conferencing, email with delivery to Japanese cellphones and records of all of it, I think computers are more reliable, whereas he thinks telephones are better because they're more direct. In my home, with me answering the phone and all our tech, my mom will tell you that phones are not reliable.

Speaking of whom, She's currently enjoying a trip to a country south of here where the humans are outnumbered by sheep. Thanks for the letter, which arrived quite early since you're only a sea away, and the pictures and emails are great. I love the shot of the bike on the beach. Pictures with out bikes leaning against something in the scenery seem common in our family. Moving on...

I saw 007 with the other gaijin a few nights ago. It has a lot of well done action but I miss the old Bond (the gentleman, the gadgets, etc). Afterwards we had fun in the arcade. This was in Toyama, a prefecture away and we had to take an hour-long train there, talking all the way.

Things with the host family are okay now (though I'm avoiding the computer as much as possible to help keep it that way). I still wish they weren't so against me on a cellphone and exword .The cellphone because Japan is a country with near perfect connection and fewer computers, hence cellphones reign as the high (dual meaning) of technology here. The exword so that I don't need to carry around two heavy books (kanji and dictionary, which I find too heavy but too necessary) and so that I'll have a means of understanding what I haven't learned when I return.

Next I'l breifly mention that I've come to realize that there are two ways of translating, and an interesting difference between the two. The first is actual translation where words and phrases are explained to the other party. I, and many other fans of other languages, prefer this to: Interpertation, often called translation, though it is slightly different. Interpertation is changing the text, context, and sometimes even meaning of what is presented to something easily understood by the other party. Most official translators (especially for movies) use the latter, while most fans prefer the former. Personally, as a linguist, I prefer the former, but I think a universal language would be best.

My schedule now consists mostly of school (running from class to class, maybe doing a lesson , trying to socialize), followed by kendo (two and a half hours of attacking, yelling and injuries), to "home," (a meal, wishing I could be more direct about what I want to do (most of it being against rules or laws), to sleep (not enough) and on weekends, going around searching for something to do (long, often slow but more so lonely days).

Sorry I don't have picutres, this computer doesn't have a driver for my camera, I'll get more out later. For now, bye.

What I Miss

Today I was thinking how much a year changes things, comparing the grads here with the sophomors and juniors. I realized that a year of change will be what I'll be coming back to. That got me thinking of a place I now call home and a few things I'll miss there (I'd be homesick whether I think about it or not):
I miss the mastermind who can always find a way to make something happen.
I miss running beside a girl with pink shoes (speaking of which, I need to get back to doing long distance).
I miss making a multicourse meal, turning my room into a theatre and watching pirated shows.
I miss taking over dish (and all my other jobs).
Driving home from work.
Running and biking as far as I can just to prove it can be done.
Nachoes.
Listening to my mom's plans for the day (and replying "I don't know to" to phone calls).
Racing to the phone.
Playing video games and zoning out 'til morning.
Wishing my friends did more than Halo.
Being free to do whatever I want.

Notes by E-Mail

Just a few notes.
I avoid names for privacy, if you want your name used, just say.
Aside from minor injuries and screw ups, kendo is fine.
I know Western RI clubs are leanient on dating.
I say I update Wed&Fri but most posts are done in advance.

My host father for six months is part of this club's exchange counsel
and the family I've made many mistakes with(and he misunderstand me a
lot).
My counselor uses the district counselor as an interperater.
No one knows about my next host family.

Living on a Prayer

Being here has really made me appreciate time. I've waited for seconds to pass by, wished I had something to say in that minute, mourned every fruitless hour and hoped for something to do for the day. That's not to say that I'm not trying, but with my social skills not up to par and not enough communication with others, it's hard.

It doesn't help that my host family of five months (and one more to go) show little more than dissapointement. It's hard to remember them having ever been happy for me, but easy to remember their critizism. I know they mean well, but the stress only turn awkward to difficult.

At school the teachers are overestimating me, I'm going to have to loose a few battles to win the war. An example is a twelve page report on what I want to do on the school trip to Kyushu. Also, with the initial hype gone, finding friends is harder... actually that's a lie, finding them had always been difficult, just now it's me doing most of the effort. It's lonely now, but it will lead, hopefully, to better and stronger friendships. (I wonder if I could get a gir-, oh, right, Rotary.)

I'm feeling a little homesick, but that's my lonliness speaking. I have no wishes of turning back, only of return successfully. I thank you all for all for your support. I'll keep going. I'm not dead yet.

I forget to mention...

I think I forgot to mention my short trip to Kyoto. It was December twenty-first, I went with the marathon relay team. Not much happened. I got to see the beginning and ending of a race our team pretty much lost (I don't really care) and afterwards we spent about three hours walking around a temple area. I tried some Kyoto food, walked around and watched anime with a new friend on the way back (just fansubbed Samurai Champloo on PSP, I want to find a good new series to watch). Here are some pictures.

I'll post again when I'm feeling better.

Another Ramble... I Guess

I don't have anything else to do, so...

The Austrialians are leaving in a few days and everyone is trying to find a way to meet at least once more, hell, I'd get up a five on a school morning just to see them off if I could. I've gotten to know one of them very well, he gave me advice, support, things to do and much more, I owe him. I hope to see you again someday. 't's been fun. As to the other Australian, I didn't get to know him very well, but it's been good knowing him too (I don't think he reads this).

On that note, I'd also like to say a futur welcome to the next set of Aussies coming here. I'd like to meet you soon, but I think I'll give you guys a few weeks to get settled in first. If you need any help with anything at all, just ask and I'll do whatever I can to help. I can't tell you much about what you expect as I've only been in one host family (I'll be switching two weeks after you arrive), but having know as many exchange students as I have, I know you'll be fine.

Now, as for me...

I'm still alive, as usual. I've been running quite fast around Kanazawa and now I know it takes half an hour to run "home" from the station. I don't even bother wth the map anymore, I know the streets I use and even the ones I don't know I can navigate.

I've quit using my PSP for internet because it seems to annoy people, and so, being without any other means of communication, I'm asking for computer time now. My host father (I'm sorry, I can't just say oto-san (father) or home or any familiar words, I just can't, there's a mindblock there now) seems a little reluctant at times, but if they don't want me to have a cellphone so and calling people isn't as good for informing oneself as it seems (especially when it's a teenager at at least one end) so there isn't much else I can do. I'm cutting back as much as I can on surfing, I'm only breifly looking through gaming, anime and webcomics sites, as opposed to the hours I'd spend back home. I try to check my messages twice a day, in the early afternoon and in the evening. Anything like Skype or messenger would have to be planned in advance.

I'm not back in school yet, but in Kendo I'm now wearing most of the armour (Yamauchi is the team manager, she stands by wearing the gym uniform and helps out). I'm not up to par in skill yet, but I'm not in Japan to become the best kendo fighter. I'm thinking about bringing some of the equipement back and I've decided that I probably won't need the armour when I'm the only one with a sword.

Also, to take up a few Canadians on their advice, I'm going to befriend the class clown. He's the most Western kid in class and he's one of the better English speakers. I'll also see about offering to help classmates learn English (prounciation and slang mostly), I'll see if I can make them sound American (continentally).

Also, will I can't say I feel at ease in my host family, we've at least tried to make things more enjoyable. The main problem was that they always wanted me to act and make the first move while they also seemed to frown on everyting I did. Oh well, what can you do (shigata ga nai)?

I'm trying to find more friends here, a Japanese girlfriend would be best (which I haven't said up 'til now because of Rotary, but seriously, I'm not going for a long time relationship here, I just want someone to be with). The Australians suggest making friends outside of school, I'm not sure how, but I'll try. The main problem is that most Japanese students, controlled by the school (honestly, according to school rules they must wear their uniforms at school, related events, they are not allowed to have jobs, they must study, and their university entrance exam will determine the rest of their lives, and appearently homeroom teachers keep well informed on their students), are always practicing something.

I've also been asked for advice, so here's what I noticed about what I packed. I only brought a week's worth of clothing and that has worked out fine for me. I have something which can pass as formal to wear with my blazer for Rotary and my school uniform doubles as a suit (because that's wha it is, you'll get one too). I'm sure you're bringing pictures of everything back home and a camera for everything here. I brought my PSP, but I don't use it very much. If you have something like an iPod, go ahead, you'll probably also get a cellphone here with email internet and a camera (but bring your own anyways as that won't come 'til later, as for a laptop, ask the girl formerly refered to by me as the nun, she had one for a while (when you read this please leave a comment for him). Japan is probably colder than your used to, a jacket would be nice. A phrasebook or dictionary is helpful, but we have enough reading material for you here (English novels and Japanese manga). I don't know what to say about money, you'll spent here, I don't know how much but you will. Gifts for host families etc, space for what you'll bring back. Other than that, I can't thnik of it now. Everyone feel free to leave tips in comments.

Anyways, I think that's enough for now.

Broadcasting Live From Next Year

Here's my new year's card to all of you. If you don't get it, look up
cows PEI and year of cow. New year's is Japan's favourite holiday. The
family comes together and kids get their yearly allowance. It may not
have the same flare as xmas, but this is Japan, it doesn't need it.
Before midnight we went to ring a bell at a buddist temple(it's rung
108 times). Little has happened since.
I don't have any resolutions, but I think resolutions only hamper my resolve.
2008, 't's been fun. Bye.

Japanese Skillz

This may be wrong, but:
In first is the Asain-looking Australian who has been studying for
years and might be a little behind my French. Next is the girl in
Toyama, who's well rounded and likely passed her basic literacy test.
The Aussie picked up conversation near the end, but still can't read.
I might be next, I can read and write, but I speak broken. Photogenic
can learn mathematically, but knows expressions too. Nun is learning
like the Aussie, but sooner. And the other USAer can talk to girls.

Life Beta

A beta is outside testing of a game, I think calling my exchange a
beta for life is appropriate. Here I've done many things I would not
have otherwise.
At home, my mind was clogged up with calculations of everything. Here
it's like something reset. I still see the calculations, but not at
the forefront breaking up all else.
I can't imagine what people here think of me. Eccentric seems a good
word, maybe too polite.

Orientation

I know this isn't update time, but more has happened in the past forty-eight hours than in the previous two weeks (agruably four months). So, after another tiring session of kendo I've finally got everything but slamming my foot down. I've tired my arms to injury, I've got some caluses coming along nicely and next year I'll be wearing the clothing and armour.

Than I was driven "home" and ran to orientation at the Rifare (about three klicks away, with a heavy backpack, of my own choice). There we (the inbounders*) were introduced and introduced ourselves to the outbound Japanese students all in the other's language. Each of us had someone going to our area. Than we split up between in and out bounders and got (useful) advice about exchange from the Austrailians (who have been here about seven months longer). I'm guessing the outbounders were talking with the rebounders at this point as we were in seperate rooms.
*outbound=student before exchange, inbound=student during exchange, rebound=student after exchange

Afterwards we went to Round 1, an building with sports, games, arcades, kareoke, etc. I spent most of my time in the sports areas running around and doing terrible at everything (like dual-weilding tennis (I had two oppenents, it seemed only fair)). That night we went to a crappy hotel, played uno, had some food and drinks, watched a movie (The Dark Night, Eng dub, Jap sub, on TV via PSP), and talked... through the night and morning. I had a nice chat with Photogenic (if you guys don't mind I could put your names in here) and had a Western (as in American (continentally), European and Austrailian style) breakfast and half-heartedly filled out some surveys.

We went back to the Rifare and broke up into groups of people from and going to the same district. We were given a sheet of things to inform the outbounders on. I did my best, hopefully that student will figure out what I don't know about living in Canada. The one going to Florida was told (hopefully he knows it's a joke, especially with all the shouting and laughing) that there are many black and Mexican people in New Orleans and he will get stabbed if he goes there.

Than we went to a nice restaurant for lunch and than Rotary left. Most of us headed to the mall. We did purikura (stylized pictures), looked around (CDs here are expensive, someone please send me the new Nickelback song via email), and watched a movie (Wall-E) while a few others of us went to a Dessert cafe and hopefully had fun doing whatever else they did. After, we went to the station to take our respective trains, buses and feet home. I would have walked ecxept one of the outbounders appearently lives near me, so I took the bus and we chatted until her stop.

I went "home," tried to read, ate and fell asleep with the lights and heater still on.

I can't believe how much I just gave away. baka.

Ex-mas

(since ks-mas is too hard to pronounce)
Well, I got up, opened my cards (thank you to senderes), ate my Ferreo Rocher (which I found and bought on Exmas-eve) and quickly ate breakfast and ran off to kendo.
Also thank you and merry Christmas to everyone, especially for anything you might have sent me.
Anyway, I practiced kendo, got some standard issue hot chocolate at a vending machine and came home to write the posts before this.
Japanese Christmas is more about couples, KFC (chicken instead of turkey) and cake (I don't know why). My host family had a nice feast on Ex-mas (easier to type and pronounce, sorry) eve, I'll add picutres in an edit. It was like a holiday meal back in the West, but not as big.
Anyways, there's not much else for me to type, and should go eat breakfast and get ready for kendo.
Merry Christmas!

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

I'll make a better Christmas post tomorrow morning (Christmas evening for all of you), but to hold you over, or annoy you further, here's me reciting The Grinch (I have a Dr. Seuss family). I made a few mistakes (climbed, not jumped to the roof, etc), but I wasn't reading. Also, the Grinch I know has been around for just over fifty-three years (I'm sure he'll have a comment for that).

http://gercunderscore4.googlepages.com/HtGSC.wma

Temperary Lair

Here's my room (watch video). It actually is usually this neat as I
have a lot of time. You'll probably also notice that the majority of
my clothes are packed up. That's because I don't need them, I wear my
school clothes most of the time and I don't do enough to dirty clothes
all that quickly (I wash them once a week). The movies are American
movies with Japanese dubs and subs (subs are always better), and all
the games are Japanese and all but Patapon are in Japanese. The manga
are great, Japanese with furigana and slang. The books are to pass
the time, my PSP now has TV hook-ups and a camera (pictures and
video). I don't put anything in drawers or closets because I don't
see a need to. The Gundams are posable. And I think I'll be using a
different calendar next year. Not much else to say.

Day Plan part two

It's a boring two klick walk to Yugakkan. I formally say hello to every teacher I pass (or risk being rude) and swap armour quality leather shoes for indoor sneakers. My homeroom class has many clowns and gossips lead by the jerk I mentioned before with whom I now have an almost friendly almost ceasefire. Though there a few nice people. Most second-years are painfully loud and in-your-face annoying with Engrish. Of course there are people who are nice and quiet, but they're not as talkative (d'uh). My other class is full of cool grads, despite a lack of free time together, I like them better.

After school comes kendo where I get to play with swords and make friends or I go to lessons at the Rifare. Before class I'll try to post while chatting with nun-chan. In class we talk to the Alternate Language Teachers while slowly being taught polite Japanese. I'm ahead here while the nun lags behind. After, we talk while walking to our "homes."

There I pass the time with books, games, manga, kanji, (very little) internet, movies or absolutely nothing until supper. I finish first and wait. After I watch some TV with my host family until I'm tired of it (I don't get tired of the language, I just hate uselessly watching TV). Than I busy myself again 'til sleep.

On weekends I spend much of my time just walking around the city. I know the city better than I knew Cape Breton after a year. If any of you come by for a visit, I'll have little trouble showing you around (the little will be finding the tourist attractions).

I'm probably a mix of Sagura Sousuke and Harihyu Suzumia; essentric Jack of all trades, seemingly mad, cold and friendly. My life has a twist of Kare Kano to it, but mostly I just look for something to do.

And for fun, here's some video of me and a friend in kendo fooling around in our off time:

Some day part one

Luckily in Japan I haven't been staying up until two in the morning everynight (I say this because I can't read the clock to figure this out), so my usual day begins at seven here.
I wake up, reach semi-consciousness (I know what's going on but can't act) and try to get up by seven-thirty, at which point I dress and walk to the kitchen. I say the formal phrases and begin to eat a meal that looks Western to the Japanese and like nothing to Westerners (salad, meat, bread and yogurt). I grab my pre-prepared lunch, brush my teeth (a twice a day habit now that I have to match the fake white and real yellow), get dressed up and head to school.
I've recently found a more efficient route that takes about ten minutes to walk, while walking I usually sing quietly or eat (which the Japanese would have to stop and sit down to do).
At school I sit down, go through my stuff and maybe play piano (if there aren't very many people around, especially the girls who run over and scream loudly) (I play piano, draw, run and bike for myself, not for other people).
Class starts...

part four

This post is a test of pictures and video. If it works you'll get a
shot of a screen showing that someone (i.e. me) is the best singer of
Monty Python songs in Japan and a clip of my room. By the way, I can
type up to five-hundred-and-eleven characters.

E-mail Entry part three

Anyways, back to what I like. TV, manga and video games here are fun
when language, especially kanji, doesn't get in the way. That being
said, understanding it, again, especially kanji, is among the best
(non-social) feelings. Of course going out with friends is fun, but
language makes it hard for everyone. I like walking along the river
but that, like much else it gets to be lonely. Most of all I want a
friend, preferably my age, preferably a girl(not as a girlfriend, I
find girls have a nice... presence)

E-mail Post part 2

To explain what these posts are: usually to post I'd login to blogspot
and type into a basic word pad with tools for format, images and
video, but my PSP isn't fully compatible. Instead, I'm using a feature
that posts emails I send it as blogs. Sadly I can only type so many
digits into my PSP, but I'll make them count, and I'll see about
pictures(attachments). Now I can blog at any hotspot, but I'd rather
try for quality. Speaking of which, in the emails I get the rambling
is good.

Trying out e-mail Posting part 1

I'm going to kendo tomorrow, no internet there so I'll try this
tonight. I've been ranting a lot so now I'll type about the good.
Mostly, people say non-sensical English phrases, but every so often I
get a good conversation where each practices the other's language.
Those are great. Today, the cute, helpful girl I sit beside helped me
write furigana despite how long it took(don't get me wrong, I still
prefer Canadian girls). Kendo looks promising. Most of the food is
good(even wasabi, but not natto).

So, What to type...

Well, my mind is drawing a blank right now. I guess I'll go over what I can do in a day.

My "home" is in tera-machi (lit. "temple-town) which is not to far from the main city. Actually, it's immediately south of it.
Going east, there's a good tech and book shop a half-hour run downstream.
Southward are the suburbs where the other exchange students live (twenty and fourty minute walks)
To the west are many temples (immediate vicinity), and not much more 'til you hit the sea (hour-long run).
My school is a ten minute northward walk, or I can make it to the main shopping areas (Tate-machi and Kata-machi) after about twenty minutes of walking. Just north of that is Kohrinbo, and continue northwest for about twenty more minutes to get to the station.
All of this I consider within reach (except the sea, well, maybe on special occasions).

I have a nice collection of books (which I have finished except for some manga) with which I preactice my Japanese. My video games also are in Japanese, but I'm waiting until I can read basic Japanese before I get into any of those seriously. I have a PSP which connects to a faint wireless signal giving me basic internet (gmail and facebook mostly, I might not need a cellphone after all). As for a computer, my host family does have one, but as I've said, the father doesn't like anyone using it. Here at the Rifare, I can use a computer for sessions of thirty minutes, but I usually go longer than that (it's free).

As for on the go, I'm not allowed to dress as I like and I often need to have different books with me, so unlike Canada where I would carry my clipboard, wallet and PSP, here I have to manage what I bring much more (hell, I'm not even allowed to wear my "grey sweater" everywhere as you all know me to). If I could I'd carry my wallet, PSP, camera and clipboard, but as it stands, I often try to make do with a mostly empty wallet, pocket-size note pad (for quick reference and reminders) and my PSP (with headset, Patapon and its camera). If I get an ex-word, I'll bring that along too, but a regular is too big for me to carry.

Anyways, I'll write again on Friday, probably more about Japan.

By the way, you can email me, comment (comments also get sent as emails) or message me on Facebook and I'll respond.

Breifly Explaing why I've Been so Breif

Some of you might have noticed a lack of flow in the last post, and possible in other posts. This is because I'm writing them at the Rifare before my lessons. I get there about an hour early, I sing into a computer and quickly update my stuff that's too advanced for my PSP. This includes hotmail (I prefer my gmail account in every way), and blogs (as well as gaming sites where I find watch previews for games that have already come out here and have not yet been reviewed in regions one, three or four: Patapon 2, Final Fantasy: Dissida, Macross Ace something or other).

I quickly get through the media and start writing, than the nun shows up (also taking lessons) and begins talking to me and expecting me to keep up gossiping with her while I'm writing emails and blogs and wearing a headset. (She was random idiot nuber two in my previous post). It's not that she'e annoying, it's just hard to concentrate with someone talking to you.

To answer a few questions, I haven't kept up a proper running routine, but I have been walking and running around the city for hours without end, my joints are being reminded of the marathon I forced them through.
School? That's a full post in itself, I'll get to that one later.
Visit later in my stay? Sure, Kanazawa is a famous cultural and tourist location in Japan, I'll even through in the fifty cent tour for free.
Japanese gameshows are often as cool or crazy as they seem, but my host family doesn't get those shows to my knowledge, most of what I've seen are overdone kanji guessing games.
Another exchange student and I are trying to plan something like a Christmas party, aside from that, don't expect any Christmas cards from me (intercontinental shipping to or from Japan can be pricey).
I figured out much of the language quickly I'll admit, but that's probably because I've been exposing myself to it for the last few years. I don't do much studying, and for that, my vocabulary suffers, but I can speak easily enough.
Yes, I will get around to posting a voice clip of me speaking Japanese, I'm just too lazy right now, so stop emailing me about it. Also, getting drunk, breaking any law, getting a girlfriend, staying out late, or causing any disturbance wouldn't be a good idea given my situation and the exchange program's rules. If you want to visit, okay, but quit emailing me about things that would get me kicked out of Japan.
No, I haven't been outside of my region. Not to Tokyo (aside from the airport), Osaka, Kyoto, Okinawa, Hokkaido, Okinawa, et cetera.
I'm thinking about getting an electronic dictionary (the usual Casio brand is called exword). I'm trying to find a cheap one, but there's one that does French and has all the extra features for a cheap price of forty-thousand yen (a while ago that would be about $400, but now compared to the CAD it's more like five-hundred and some). Yeah, I think I'll keep looking for a cheaper one.
No, I haven't bought anything H. Though a few pages out of some of my manga are quite close.
I can't think of anything else I've been asked/thought you'd ask.

Signing off.

Gold-day

Yay! This might be on time! (In Japanese, Firday is kinyoubi->gold day).

So, pictures:..well, I have them, but this computer is slow, later.

So, what have I been up to lately...

I've seen many building being buit (and completed) here. The Japanese are fast builders. I've also seen a multifloor building be taken down, I probably should have gotten some shots of it, but it was pretty average. A few mobile suits going at it with beam swords, everyday stuff.

And I got a haircut. It took a while to explain that I didn't want one centimeter cut off, I wanted one centimeter of length. It reminded me of a scene from my favourite movie.

Hmmm, what should I write.

"That Brianna is the best, that's what you should write." Says random idiot number two beside me.

I've bought a few cheap UMD movies at Yamada Denki, they're selling Kingdom of Heaven, The Shawshack Redemption, i, Robot and The Last Samurai for eight dollars each. I also got a small model of the Deathsythe Hell Gundam (no glue and it's posable). I like that place, lots of stuff from my favorite era of entertainement is on sale there, along with vidoe games. (By the way, to my gamer readers, should I buy Patapon 2 here (for $45) or wait to get it back home?)

Well, I can't think of anything more to write so, bye for now.

deadgerc day

(Referencing Megatokyo)

I'm sorry I didn't get around to posting Wednesday, I'll make a full post with pictures tomorrow.

I Need Somewhere for a Rest.

(Allusion to Home for a Rst by Spirit of the West)

Sorry, this is my rant, I'll try to keep it clean.

Well, as I might have mentioned before, my room here is an icebox. It is on the bottom floor, near the entrance with three walls touching the outside and the only source of heat is an air conditioner way up in a high corner. Luckily I do well with a few warm clothes and natural resistance to the cold. I've brought this up because I've found something colder than my room in this house; it's emotional climate.
Many of you know that I am quite independant, often awkward, I like technology and I like improvising, and I'll add to that that I can't stand being alone with nothing to do for very long (while I'm used to dealing with it, I become very depressed very quickly, hence my like of improvising and technology to keep me occupied).
Well, all this backfires on me with my current host family. My use of technology irritates my host father who makes computers an extremely limited resource in his house (despite their three comuters and 100MB/s internet connection).
Many of you know that I'm socially awkward and often do things which could easily be misinterperted, well, my host father does misinterpert these. So now I'm watching the way I walk (too silently without annoncing myself) and breathe (sighing as a meaningless way of exhaling) etc.
Many of you might also know me for my strange study habits, mainly not studying or sometimes making a reference sheet. Well, here I don't get to see my host brother very much because they're usually in their rooms studying (or pretending to) whereas I would rather learn without monotonous study (unforetunately I lent my kanji book to someone to read and other than that, all I could do is memorize my dictionary's mostly accurate translations). I'm guessing this lack of study worries him about my learning Japanese (in which I'm doing very well ahead of the other exchange students I have contact with (one came here a week after me, the other, six months before me).
And to add a little more, though this was expected, it is more dominate than I expected, my host family keeps track of when and where I go, I have to give a day's notice if I'm going to miss a meal and after supper it's too late to do anything (though I'll be up until at least ten, probably eleven, and I won't fall asleep until at least twelve).
It's not only I who get on other's nerves here either, but I won't get into that.
I would like to say though that while I'm having some trouble, it is a nice and hospitable family, though strict. I'm just not a good match for them.

Sorry again, but I've been a little stressed as of late.

Sorry I Didn't Post These Sooner

Here are some pictures of Kanazawa, I don't feel like explaining them right now and you can easily find that on tourist sites. I'd be happy to walk through them with any of you in the later part of my exchange, but for now, I'll just give you pictures.

Here are some pictures of my school, my classroom, class, the courtyard, one of the two buildings I have to scale between classes and about half of the student body's bicycles.

And here's the Rifare, it's outside at night, the first floor, bookstore, third floor and view:

Here are my classmates, some second and third graders (Japanese grades eleven and twelve respectively):

And here are some requested pictures of me in class, doing a presentation and my desk, presently (though not as much in the picture) littered in manga and games (ALL of which are Japanese).

If you want help learning Japanese...

http://jyapanisu.blogspot.com/

On time.

Like I said, updates Wednesdays and Fridays (so long as there's a computer free at the Rifare).

I also promised pictures didn't I?

Oh well, you guys can *slapped in face*

Fine. Here:...Crap, I didn't expect this computer to not be able to read a camera. Well, than again, when I go online, I get the mobile (dumbed down) sites. Sorry, I honestly didn't expect this, I'll see about getting those up before Wednesday.

Oh, right, I could do that... I'll tell you what I'm doing shortly, just bare with me if you're reading this now (my time).

And we're back.

Err, I'm back, but we sounds better, like a news cast. Anyways, I'm sorry it's been so long. So, rather than give the history lesson I was planning, I'll tell you about how I'm doing.

Now, for internet access I'm stuck between using the PSP (from which I can use my gmail account and facebook and a few other site but I can't post blogs(but I get my comments emailed to me)) , using the computers at the Rifare (which is why, henceforth, I'll be posting on Wednesdays and Fridays), and asking to use it a home where I must do everything to be invisible as their opinion of me plumets (everyone else offers to let me use their computer, my host family is considered quite strict).

As far a health is concerned, I'm fine. Running around the city keeps me in shape, the food is good and I've figured out which snacks I like, and I'm keeping well up the idea that Canadians are unaffected by the cold.

Now, as to the Japanese language, I've finally figured out how to affimitively answer every way you could be asked "do you speak Japanese" in Japanese, so, people are finally talking to me. It's not as advanced as I could hope, but I don't use my dictionary anymore. Also, I am now in possesion of a large stock of Japanese comics, games and media in Japanese. Reading and listening to it always proves interesting, especially since I found a well done 24-like show called Bloody Monday, and I'm buying the manga it's based on too (I've chosen this as the series I'm going to follow).

Appearance is something that has changed about me; I haven't cut my hair yet (I'm taking bets on when I'll get it cut), I'm wearing my school's uniform (a full suit now), I'm always well shaven.

Anyways, my half-hour is up and I have class. Picture will come shortly.

Sorry

for two reasons. The first, I haven't posted in a while. Restricted computer access and such. I have three posts in the making, but my computer time is limited and typing on my PSP is difficult.

Reason two, The next three posts might, oh hell, will definately inolve some ranting. Sorry, but after three months some things get a little annoying, so, in advance sorry.

That said, I'd also like to know who is still reading this blog. If you see this, please leave a comment with your name or something for me to identify you by (I'm just curious). Anyways, those entres will be up soon hopefully.

A Day in the Life... of not me.

Well, it's probably about time I tell you about my day, but my day right now is most filled with "I wish I had someone to talk to in any language," so, here's what I beleive to be the average day of any Japanese student.

Wake up, get into your school uniform and eat your basic Japanese breakfast (probably rice, fish and something else). Ride to school on your bike at a slow pace while avoiding pedestirans, and park your bike with the hundreds of others. Walk up to your one cubic foot shoelocker and switch your worn out whatevers for half-decent school sneakers. Then walk to class and wait for it to start. Don't forget to say "[formaility here] good morning [formality here]" to every teacher who passes you by as they say "Hi" (granted, you'll say your part so fast that only the last consonant will be heard).

At the begininng of class, you must stand up together as a class and bow to your teacher, but you'll probably just lean forwards as you sit back down. Now, if your a delenquent, you'll gradually undo your tie, unbotton your cuffs and a little of your shirt, drag your pants down, step on the backs of your unlaced shoes and untuck your shirt while talking back to your teacher (I talk back every once in a while, but I keep my uniform just that, uniform). Everyone else will sit, get bored, sleep (a lot), do some work, and basically not draw attention to themselves as the minutes go by. Only on the rarest of occasions will a question be asked by a regular student (no one rasies their hands, I guess being confused about how to do multi-dimensional algebra is a North American thing). An hour passes, you bow and the teacher leaves.

Now you get ten grace minutes. Spend them as you like. Walk around the class, eat, text someone while there's not teacher to confiscate your cell, do homework, chat in high pitch squeaky voices (sorry, but it's mostly true), or read manga. Ten minutes are up, another teacher comes in, well, here we go again.

Class is over again, and it's ten more grace minutes. Oh, go talk to the gaijin until all the girls scream at his ability to utter a single word of Japanese (and both parties run away, one for the sake of his ears, the other in amazement, but now that they know he can speak a few words, they'll only use Enrish with him), or try and get him to use some slang or answer a very personal question (oh, and if you're trying to think of a good question to ask a foreigner, try avoiding sex (embassing) and food (wayyy to generic and boring), thank you).

Twice more, than lunch. You eat the luch your mother packed in a rectangular-prism-shaped box. It has rice and something else. You might go buy something at the schools vending machines or shop. Other than that, it's just like an extended ten minutes.

Lunch is over, it's time to clean the class. The class president muttes the word "cleaning time," but while a few people have already put their stuff away, no one acts until the homeroom teacher arrives. All the desks are moved backwards, and than you go off to talk to your friends as the teacher tells you to mop the floors. Some of you actually decide to do some work, and the floor gets half cleaned, than all the desks are moved forwards and you help half-clean the back of the room. The bell rings, you have five minutes as the teachers change rooms.

Two more classes finish. You wait as the homeroom teacher returns. The homeroom teacher makes a few remarks, then you bow and the school day is over. You're an average student, you passed your high school entry exam (you got fifty-seven, you needed thirty to get in) and you make fifties and, on occasion, sixties on your exams. (I didn't do that poorly on mine, I passed three of them, and widely beat the class average on another, my average is an easy pass and is almost up to par with the class averages.)

Hey! HEY! Where do you think you're going? Home, no, you've got practice, remember? Everyday after school for two or three hours. It's probably baseball. Static streches and a few hours of practice, I wish I could tell you what a Japanese team is like, but I wasn't allowed on the running team.

Well, it's dark out now. You head home on your bike (they use generators to power a front headlight, but you'll be moving so slow it'll just sputter light every now and again). You might stop along the way to buy some snacks or por-... *ahem* comics (the largest section in books stores is the "boy love" section, followed by (superhero, sports and other manliness) comics, than relationship comics. The closest thing to actual pornography (aside from BL) are magazines about comics, or the comics themselves (which is plent considering) (no, I haven't bought any of this, though GTO is close). Chances are you won't buy very much because you only get money from relatives on new years day and you have no source of regular income (you can't work and you probably don't have an allowance).

So, now your home. Your mother is making the usual rice, fish, natto, miso soup and extra meal while you wait for your father to come home from work. You might play a few minutes of video games. (Gaming in Japan is something I have seen little of. If I understand it correctly, the reason there are so many games from Japan is because you either need to make a hundred simple games that kids will pick up and play, or you need to make the super-hardcore otaku games. Also, arcades are REALLY big here, and the games are amazing, they even have pods for Gundam which you sit in with pedals and joysticks and a 180 degree projected screen while fighting against players all over Japan. You can even buy a card to save your information (I have one for Half-Life and one for Mario Cart 2). In general, I think Japanese gamers are at the extremes of ither casual or otaku (geeks).) Your father returns and you have supper. By now you've changed out of your uniform. After supper you go to your room and either do homework, study or secretly play video games.

That descirbes Monday through Friday. Saturday is a special class which I have never attended and know little about (secret ninja and magical girl training?). You get Sunday off, and you'll probably spend it studying and taking a quick break for kareoke. I'm not sure about how much television you'll watch, but there are only a few channels, so whatever you watch, you'll probably stick to it (because you don't know enough about the internet, speaking of which, Japan is Yahoo! addicted, I shout with glee every time I see Google).

In your house there is probably a large collection of comics (that puts my family's library to shame), a television, no computer (my laptop wouldn't be too far out of date here), a DS, a PSone, everyone has a cellphone, a few games, yes your toilet has an electircal component (seat warmer for winter) and little else of interest.

You study hard to pass the university entrance exam and you will get hired upon leaving university to work for a company, or become a stay at home mom. You'll marry, have kids, and eventually, reluctantly retire from that same company that hired you all those years ago. You live as part of the country; you did what was expected of you and thereby you moved forward with your country. While you are an individual, you work with a sense of collectivity. In this way, Japan is what Russia wanted to be.

That is what I think I know of the Japanese lifestyle so far.

You Just Keep on Trying Until you run out of Cake.

(Warning. Half of you will not get the jokes I am writing in this post and will therefore assume I'm typing strangely.)

I've been taking many Japanese courses as I've mentioned before (I'm not fluent yet, but there's no sense crying over every mistake) and I've recently made the Japanese Cheat Sheet version 2 conjugation section. [link] It's out of beta, it's releasing on time. And the Japanese gets done and I make a neat sheet for the people who are still alive.

Also, as I'll be posting on November second, happy birthday brother. I sent you this cake, it's great. It's so delicious and moist. That was a joke, haha, fat chance.

I took the exams for my physics I & II and Math II & III and I got 34, 36, 20 and 68 respectively. I averaged more than a pass (30) and even beat the class average on the last one. Japanese exams are short (two or three pages, an hour) but very hard. It's hard to overstate my satisfaction. I still wish I could make a phys 12 cheat sheet for all my classmates, but maybe you'll find someone else to help you.

I went to a sort of bazaar where farmers were selling their produce. There were people there hammering (literally, with large wodden hammers) rice into paste, people rolling and slicing soba noodles using a large, scary-looking knife and cetera. In another town, they were showing off pottery. Afterwards, I went to a bath house. Here are a few things you can do to get used to Japanese style bath houses: get used to being naked (if you really want to cover yourself THAT much than you should probably get a paper bag for your face), use periferal vision and finally, relax.

Look at me still talking when there Japanese work to do. I've errands to run, there is study to be done. And believe me, I'm doing Japanese, I feel fantastic and I am still alive.

P.S. The cake is a lie.

(There, I got all the Portal out of my system. For those of you who are sitting there confused, I've been referencing the song "Still Ailve" throughout this entry)

BOO!

Did I scary you?

No?

Oh, right... your reading this and I'm not really there...

but that doesn't mean I've forgotten about Halloween, and here's the proof:














I found it fitting for me to dress up as a ninja (a shirt ninja at that) using my running clothes and a shirt. If I were back home I'd be sneaking up on kids. Oh well, that's what next year is for.

I've also been keeping up to date in the video game industry and nothing of interest will happen in Japan for a while, especially for Sony (of all ironies). Luckily they keep old games stocked here, they even have PSone games, but I only have PSP. Well, at least it's a region two now.

And I'll also mention something of interest of the Japanese people; they speak very openly of WWII. Seriously, it doesn't bother them. The Yamato, the world's biggest battleship at the time, is even a source of national pride. It's also commonly mentioned when talking about Japan's modernization as, after WWII, Japan changed A LOT. (Thankfully, they don't know about Canada during that period.)

Anyways, that's enough for now, I'm going to write a better entry in a few days with updates on the language etc.

Bye, and happy Hallow's even.
Edit: No, I didn't celebrate Halloween, I just dressed up, took a picutre and drew something, along with explaining it several times to various people.