I have resigned myself to the fact that most places I visit will require a second visit, and as such have already started. Surprisingly, though I had only one revisit planned this week, I ended up with two!
It turns out that the location of the pottery and soba noodles cultural event was the same as the shrine that the Kuzuharas took me to the first weekend here, Jindaiji, when I had forgotten my camera and vowed to return someday. Well it was easier than I had thought it would be. We got a nice bus ride there (part of the initial fee of the trip), and were ushered into a room where we had the choice of sitting on tatami mats to eat (which I did), and served delicious soba noodles. My second time having them there. Just because, I'm including the pic.Afterwards, we went to a pottery shop nextdoor and were given a lump of clay. There was an example cup, but we could do whatever we wanted. I made this sweet bowl. Hopefully it'll withstand fireing and the trip back to America. When we were done, we were given the choice of how we wanted it glazed (which they would do for us), and left to our own devices to wander. Wander I did, though I had seen it all before. I took pictures this time, though one must keep in mind that the last time I was there it was days before a festival, and there were many more people and shops open.
So yeah, after that, I headed back to ICU with Charlene, and chilled in her dorm for a bit before we took off in search of a headlamp for my trip up Mt. Fuji in August. She suggested the Hard-Off (real name, I know), which is a second hand shop above a golf store. It was really cool. I got myself an alarm clock while I was there, and also a Japanese DS game (based of the anime Yakitate Japan, a game I know I'll never find in the states or in English, though it is quite difficult to play when you don't understand any of the words). Though no head lamp. So we continued down the block to Don Quihote again (took pictures this time), and I got a semi-cheap one. Noce though.
It was time for dinner, so we walked to McDonalds which was on our way back and I enjoyed a double cheeseburger meal (I was so unbelievably hungry). I don't make a habit of this fyi, just, every now and then I need some familiarity. I spent some of the conversation with Charlene reminicing about the states (though shes a Canadian, Toronto-style) and missing various things, such as the ability to talk to people and have complete understanding.
I headed home then, as it was already 7:30.
Today, we had no quizzes, no tests, and no homework, first time since the first day of class. Instead we prepared for conversations we were to have the next period with the visiting Japanese students who were volunteering to help our studies. Three weeks ago I knew virtually no Japanese and now I had to have a conversation in it? It was very hard, embarrasing, and awkward. Good, I guess. I don't know.
We also prepared for our field trip ro Musashi-sakai station tomorrow, where we would have to go around asking people questions about things and write down/get proof of their answers. Exciting I guess. Better than boring class. After than, Charlene and I are going to head back to Harajuku where I am bound and determined to get a lolita dress of some sort. Kuzuhara-san has also suggested we check out the famous shrine nearby, Meiji Shrine. I'll have to ask Charlene if she's interested tomorrow.
Last of all in class today, we spent some time in the computer lab practicing writing in Japanese, including hiragana, katakana, and kanji, whereas I previously only understood how to work hiragana on my computer. Sample sentence:
あしたわたしは原宿に行きます。
That says, "Tomorrow, I am going to Harajuku", though I am sort of trusing my computer that the Kanji for Harajuku is correct. I'm reasonably sure it is. Anyway, that's it for me. Tomorrow Harajuku, Saturday I meet Kuzuhara-san's other daughter and her children (Kuzuhara-san is a grandmother? I didn't know!) And Sunday... nothing yet. Maybe plans, probably studying, though there's no test on Monday (for once). There will be a huge vocab quiz on Tuesday and a huge 2 chapter test on Friday... can't... get... behind...!
じゃまた！
(Ja Matta - meaning see you later)
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