秋〜〜冬

I have left this for so long... So it's going to be very difficult to cram all my experiences into one entry.
I can't even believe it's been a little over 2 months now. As usual, life has been on over-drive but I am doing pretty well. I suppose I'll just write what I remember (list form makes this easier).
-着物祭: On my last day with my host-family, my host mother took Alyssa and I to the kimono festival in our hometown, Nagahama. I was so shocked by how beautiful all women walking around the town were! Their kimonos were very colorful, and they were adorned with fancy hair ornaments. Our host-mother told us how to determine what kimonos were cheap and what ones were super expensive (it mainly depended on how much embroidery there was and whether or not it was pure silk). It was really wonderful to see.
-日本人の友達：I suppose one of the things I feel most fortunate for is making some Japanese friends. They have all been really generous and deal with my terrible language skills. It really helps to talk to someone your own age because you feel more connected and less stressed. Because the Japanese language has various tenses that determine respect among elders, it's very difficult to ever determine how polite you are supposed to be. I remember passing by my host-mother and saying "ohayo gozaimasu!" in which she told me then saying good morning in that way is too polite and that it was okay to use plain verb tenses. However, I also know that Japanese in it's plain for would be too rude... So it's very confusing sorry. In general, it's great to know that not everyone hates the foreigners <--(haha).
Random thoughts: Before I forget, here are some interesting facts.
First of all, many elderly women in Japan dye their hair to make them look younger, but they don't use natural colors. Many women dye their hair blue and purple! Second, I bought lunch the other day and a lunch-box restaurant (obento) and they gave me a free fleece blanket. I have no idea why. Finally, when my class took us to a town called Otsu to learn about Japanese law, one of the men working at the courthouse had explained to us that they are just now using a jury system! I couldn't really believe it. Apparently, Japanese court usually consisted of 2-3 judges. These judges were to decide the verdict. However, they are now requiring people from the Japanese population to come in for jury duty. It may not seem like much, but this is/will drastically change the political system.
So overall, I have been having a grand ole' time here in Japan. I get homesick occasionally, but I honestly forget I am in Japan sometimes. Cars that talk don't phase me so much anymore, I don't take it so personally anymore when I am perceived as the foreigner, and the most crucial aspect of it all is that I am gradually forgetting English! Most of us here have developed a hybrid of Japanese and English, which really doesn't help matters. However, it makes me believe that the language is slowly but surely sinking in. This is all very spastic, I know. I am going to edit this later, but I thought it was important to update. For now, バイバイ！　Bye bye!

"goddamn you half-Japanese girls"

Life has been pretty weird lately.
I am still trying to realize that I am here in Japan. I am not in the honeymoon phase, nor the low phase. On the one hand, I feel like time just stops, but then I cannot fathom how it's already been over a month. I can already feel my lifestyle changing and my sense of language being completely turned upside-down. And, this may sound completely cliche, but it has been a even stranger experience being a half-Japanese American in Japan. You can try to tell me that I am just over-reacting, but I do feel a different vibe from many of the interactions I have had with Japanese people. Many look at me with confusion when I don't know what they are saying. A guy came to the Okonomiyaki party we had last night. He is Indian but has lived in Hikone for 5 years. He was shocked to hear me speak fluent english and asked me how I knew it so well. And when my host mother met my mom on skype she was shocked and pointed out that she knew I had to have been Japanese! Although pretty hilarious at the time, it does make me self-conscious... and I am not sure why that is the case but I am trying to figure it out. I would not say this is an identity crisis, but as I had imagined, it's really making me think about my background. I know barely anything about my family history aside from anyone who grew up in America. One thing is for sure... Although these discomforts are here, I am meeting many Japanese people who are supportive and cooperative with my lack of language ability which I can't even begin to show my gratitude. Perhaps I will go to Germany next and do some identity searching there for my dad's sake haha.

Why hello anger... Come around here often?

annd Marissa's blog could not be complete without a (or several) angry posts:
I won't/can't elaborate because this is a PG page but:
1. Life in Japan is no walk in the park at times
2. I shouldn't have to deal with creepers just about EVERYDAY
.. Ladies on SA might know how I am feeling frustrated right now.
3. ... I wish it wouldn't rain everyday
Sympathy is not needed. I just needed to release since I still haven't learn the term for "frustration" or "creeper" in 日本語

nuff said.

Wow... 2 weeks since my last post? Shame on me.
In any case, I have tons to say. Let's see if I can organize my thoughts!
First off, I will start off with the not-so-hot news haha. I feel that my language skills are not really that great, and are in fact getting worse. I guess I was just expecting to know more by the end of the 1st month, but it doesn't seem to work that way. Who knows! Maybe by month 2 I will amazing at Japanese... in fact, a lot of this is a lie. I know I am improving, I just haven't had the time to study yet... I am also beginning to feel homesick. I know I shouldn't feel this already after one month, but I am lacking familiarity and it is frustrating. Aside from that though, this is where better news comes in :)
The reason for never studying is because I have been traveling for the past week or so! Japan loves their holidays, so we had a 5 day weekend! A large group of us went to Osaka and Tokyo...and I am still trying to get over how shocked I was in both cities.
Osaka was very cool. My favorite part was the aquarium! For the same cost as the Shedd Aquarium, we were able to see far more sea life and even capybaras! I saw a whale shark, which is unheard of! It was HUGE! Just as a back-story for those who don't know, I love sea life... I was hoping to be a marine biologist when I was younger. But yeah... I hate math so oh well haha. I also saw the biggest manta ray yet (20-30ft wing-span I want to say). I am very happy about that haha. I also went on one of the biggest ferris wheels which was really scary but the view was amazing. Although Japan is an island, buildings seem endlessly sprout up across the horizon.
As soon as we returned from Osaka, we took a night bus to Tokyo. This made me realize that I am never doing that again. The buses are super small and I was too excited to sleep. However, we managed to make it. We went to the imperial gardens in the morning, and it was really interesting seeing a very traditional garden surrounded by sky-scrapers. I was then proceeded to be hit on by a drunk man in the gardens... who, to my lucky surprise, spoke some english (keep in mind, this was 11am). I wonder about my life sometimes.
However, it's all good because the rest of the time we explored pretty much all areas of Tokyo! We went to harajuku... and let me tell you... CRAZIEST PLACE EVER. I have never in my life seen so many people packed on one road. The clothes shops were ridiculous, and it made me realize that Japan is some light-years ahead of Americans, because I don't think I'll ever understand the fashion. Oh, and how could I forget to mention the capsule hotel?? SO COOL! us ladies had our own floor so it was safe, and I tried an onsen for the first time (public bath)! It was extremely uncomfortable at first, but once you do it, it's no big deal. If this post is super long and spastic, I am sorry, but this is how much happens in just 2 weeks.
But by far my favorite place was Ueno. The park was sweet and there is a ton to do at night. Kei, our Japanese TA from last year and coolest person ever, took us to a karaoke place, and I sang my heart out haha. It was a really good time. The people that I have gotten close to on my program are really cool people. It makes you think that you would not have met them otherwise.
Overall, it was a pretty fantastic trip, and I am for sure going back because I merely scratched the surface of what Tokyo is.
As for my host mom and dad, they have been more than wonderful to Alyssa and I. They are pretty lenient on how long we stay out and took us to get cellphones and whatnot. I just hope they know I appreciate everything they are doing, because it's really hard to communicate that. So, Alyssa and I just do little things like take the dishes to the kitchen and figure out internet problems haha. I guess I am just very conflicted about staying for 3 months because the commute is such a major time consumer and I feel overwhelmed by all my work. But, I am sure it will work itself out. Even if I stay for just 2 months-21/2 months, I have still made connections with wonderful people and it's very plausible to visit them. Well, it's time to do some work I suppose.
Bye for now! it might be another 2 weeks before the next post haha.

たこ焼き

Hello people! Hope everyone is well.
The past few days have been pretty stressful but now I have some downtime.
So, not the greatest end to week 2. I had class for nine hours straight on Thursday and then I had to study for a test the rest of the night. Worst part was, I couldn't really study because I was so tired. Thus, I think I didn't do so hot on the test. Fortunately for me, I have one every Friday... yaaaay!
However, I went to Nara to visit the Toudaji Buddhist Temple. As we entered we were greeted by countless deer! The famous Nara deer pushed and shoved, and even bowed for crackers. How many people say they got centimeters close to a deer... and pet them for that matter? Not many.
Witnessing the Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall/ the biggest wooden building in the world) left me speechless. We smelled incense everywhere, and cleansed our hands before and after leaving. Although I don't know much about Buddhism, it has amazing history. Normally, I would go to a history museum at home and see the oldest date going back to the 16th century. This temple had historical items dating back to the 8th century. I am so glad I was able to experience that in my life.
As for future plans, I am moving in with my host family today! I am super nervous but excited. My host mom seems very nice and I hope to make a good impression. As for frequent internet access for the next 3 months... it's hard to say. I am hoping they have some form of internet but if not I can always use it at my school. So there have been some lows, but I think my highs balance them out :)
Missing all and hoping the school year is fun. Is Michigan winning? haha
Bye for now!

look mom! Deer in Nara! They were pretty cute... until they nibble at your butt to get your attention... Super tired, will write when I am finally settled in at my Okaasan's house.

McDonalds didn't make me feel dirty

Okay, I am making this short, because I am tired. More of an explanation later:
-Homestay is going to be amazing: I met my host mother. She works in an international service office in Nagahama (and is supposedly an excellent cook). Her husband is an artist and has a gallery downstairs from where we will be living.
-Saw Hikone castle and it was absolutely beautiful. Breath-taking view
-I hate Kalamazoo's credit system for Study Abroad... in fact, I kind of just hate K in general right now
-I can't get a phone for another month or so... Alien registration cards are needed I guess :(
-Going to Nara on Saturday and it's supposed to be fantastic so I am excited
I think that's about it for now... For some, oyasumi nasai, but for others, ohaiyo gozaimasu!

And so craziness begins...

So, culture-shock is in full force. It's kind of like when you have a mosquito bite: You want to believe it won't bother you and you can just go on with daily life, but it's always itchy (I definitely typed out "ichi" which is 1 in Japanese... wow)and there to frustrate you. I mean, Japan is not itchy. That was just a terrible simile... I can just sense Chris calling me a huge dork right now.

Main point: it is hard to shop for detergent.

Also, Jerome definitely was almost hit by a car when it was his right-away... Fact: Asians cannot drive.

hmm what else. We had our placement tests today, and I got into level 2! Yaay. In all honesty, I thought I was going to be placed lower, but I guess I learned something from Bundy sensei (Kunii sensei... not so much). We had an oral exam along with it, in which Aizawa sensei would ask me many questions that I would answer in one word. I would say my favorite part of that was that he was shocked about the following:

1. I was half Japanese

2. I knew very little of the language

3. I play taiko

4. I listen to rap

he said in Japanese all he knew of rap was "gurandu masta furashu" or, "grand master flash".... hahahaha

but yeah, It sucked because some people were placed in level 1 that shouldn't have (like my roommate). She cried and everything... I wonder if I would be just as upset in that situation... Well, I think right now I am more upset at the excessive amount of work I have to do.

I talked to some Japanese girls today from high-school to help them with their English and it was a ton of fun. They mostly asked me about boyfriends in America. They said things like "Ohhh... I want a boyfriend so bad!" and "American boys are more handsome than Japanese boys"... I laughed the whole time.

One last thing: I am doing a host family! or, I am about 80% sure... so I'll know officially by tomorrow! It should be a good experience. Anyways, I need to cram more, so I am out... I have no catchy ending to this so jaa mata!

I'm in Hikone, trick.

Alright, so it's about 5:30 in the morning on September 1st. It has come to my attention that I just cannot sleep due to jet-lag. Thus, I decided this would be a great time to write to everyone!

Yesterday was as about insane and somewhat catastrophic as it gets...Running around last minute, being yelled at, and dropping my suitcases constantly set the mood around my house before I left. It was difficult to say goodbye to the family, and more difficult to say goodbye to the animals (Kitty and Kumo of course). However, I pretty much was fed up with the airport and just wanted to get there.

The plane ride went very smoothly for the most part... 14 hours of mediocre, airplane food, and sleep... or no sleep. Apparently, a woman fainted on the plane near the row I was sitting but I was asleep with headphones on... oops.

So right from the get-go I am overwhelmed by how fast everyone speaks Japanese... and, wow Marissa, it's most likely because EVERYONE IS JAPANESE. Although I have failed to perceive this I am a bit intimidated. However, the convenient store down the way has friendly employees who accept our inability to communicate as civil human-beings... good. The people on the program seem nice, and my roommate seems very cool. So, that's about it for the time being. I have orientation today at 8:45 and I guess we're riding out very own bikes around Hikone. Also, I literally have only some of today to figure out if I want a host family so we'll see... but so far, I am thinking I love apartment life. Until then, This is Marissa signing off... You stay classy San Diego.

OH BY THE WAY! Every time some SUPER weird Japanese item pops into my line of attention, I am going to write about it.

1. ナポリオンスパゲティパン。pronounced: Napoleon Spaghetti Pan. It's a piece of bread with spaghetti on the inside... haha mmmm!

Testing, Testing... 一、二、三。。。

I am just testing this out... because I obviously haven't left or anything. Just letting you all know, I am leaving the 31st. So, look for a new post around then.
P.S. Packing is probably my least favorite thing.