We registered for classes yesterday! On the day before, we gaijin students had to pull a lottery number out of a box... James had 33, I had...317. But I got two out of three of the classes I wanted to take. As for the third one, I'll try it next semester; assuming it's available. I should probably find that out. Fortunately I'm taking another course that same professor is offering, so I can just ask him.
Anyway, aside from two Japanese language courses, I'll be taking a Shinto class, Japan and Its World to 1860, and The Dynamics of Modern Japan. I met with the Shinto class professor yesterday morning and she was really, I mean REALLY awesome. I also want to take a course she'll be teaching next semester called Death In East Asian Thought.
Well, now that James and I have internet access on our own computers, we'll probably be updating here more frequently. But for now, I should head to the futon.
9.05.2008
9.02.2008
Arrival.
So, right now I'm in the Center for International Education's computer lab at Kansai Gaidai. How I got here entails a pretty uneventful story.
First off was the most stressful part: checking in at Kennedy, and even that wasn't so bad. It was just being completely flustered at how much anarchy the check-in desk seemed to be consumed in. That and almost getting denied our tickets right off the bat because United was unaware that we had our visas permitting us to stay long enough for the return trip in May. Fun.
Customs was a breeze on the U.S. end, and soon enough, we found ourselves on the Boeing 757 that just happened to be bound for San Francisco. Can't really say much there, 'cause I either was sleeping, or was in some kind of catatonic unsleep state.
(Also, this was my first time being on an aircraft larger than a Piper, but the only thing that really got me was the sheer force behind the takeoff. Dramamine saves lives.)
San Francisco was easy, too. We didn't need a second customs check, our baggage was taken care of, and we had a bus cart us over to the international terminal. The worst part of California was having to pay $5 for an Internet terminal (airports don't believe in free wifi, and I found that out the hard way -- SAD DAY).
About 20 minutes after that, our Boeing 777 started the boarding process, and we were on our way to Japan.
It only took 10(!) hours.
Sleep was hard to find, and catatonia decided to stay in Cali. So most of my flight was spent either flipping between movies, listening to the crap radio, or staring at a GPS map while listening to crap radio.
I did manage to find some opportunities to sleep, but it didn't make the notion of the flight any easier to swallow.
Then we landed on the artificial island of Kansai International. The Japanland customs check was even breezier than Kennedy's, save for the long lines. Soon enough (after negotiating the meaning of "north exit" with the customs officer), we were in the main terminal, waiting for the bus to university.
It took an hour and a half to get from Osaka Bay to Hirakata City, but the boredom of the bus ride was alleviated by fellow gaijin who were as in disbelief as we were that we were in Japan, halfway around the world from where we had started, at some point in the afternoon the day before, Japan time, where we understood 100% more of what the signs said, but were 50% as interested.
We soon landed at Seminar House 2, which is attached to our dorm, SH1. After quickly registering and getting our stuff sorted out in our rooms, we got our much needed showers and sleep.
For operating on a time zone that is completely opposite what I'm used to, I got a decent night's sleep. Tiff and I took the walk over to main campus in the incredibly humid weather the next morning (today), and here we are.
We're going through the orientation process right now, which involves us being given a stack of papers and then told "GOGOGO," so wish us the best of luck. Expect pictures soon.
-James
First off was the most stressful part: checking in at Kennedy, and even that wasn't so bad. It was just being completely flustered at how much anarchy the check-in desk seemed to be consumed in. That and almost getting denied our tickets right off the bat because United was unaware that we had our visas permitting us to stay long enough for the return trip in May. Fun.
Customs was a breeze on the U.S. end, and soon enough, we found ourselves on the Boeing 757 that just happened to be bound for San Francisco. Can't really say much there, 'cause I either was sleeping, or was in some kind of catatonic unsleep state.
(Also, this was my first time being on an aircraft larger than a Piper, but the only thing that really got me was the sheer force behind the takeoff. Dramamine saves lives.)
San Francisco was easy, too. We didn't need a second customs check, our baggage was taken care of, and we had a bus cart us over to the international terminal. The worst part of California was having to pay $5 for an Internet terminal (airports don't believe in free wifi, and I found that out the hard way -- SAD DAY).
About 20 minutes after that, our Boeing 777 started the boarding process, and we were on our way to Japan.
It only took 10(!) hours.
Sleep was hard to find, and catatonia decided to stay in Cali. So most of my flight was spent either flipping between movies, listening to the crap radio, or staring at a GPS map while listening to crap radio.
I did manage to find some opportunities to sleep, but it didn't make the notion of the flight any easier to swallow.
Then we landed on the artificial island of Kansai International. The Japanland customs check was even breezier than Kennedy's, save for the long lines. Soon enough (after negotiating the meaning of "north exit" with the customs officer), we were in the main terminal, waiting for the bus to university.
It took an hour and a half to get from Osaka Bay to Hirakata City, but the boredom of the bus ride was alleviated by fellow gaijin who were as in disbelief as we were that we were in Japan, halfway around the world from where we had started, at some point in the afternoon the day before, Japan time, where we understood 100% more of what the signs said, but were 50% as interested.
We soon landed at Seminar House 2, which is attached to our dorm, SH1. After quickly registering and getting our stuff sorted out in our rooms, we got our much needed showers and sleep.
For operating on a time zone that is completely opposite what I'm used to, I got a decent night's sleep. Tiff and I took the walk over to main campus in the incredibly humid weather the next morning (today), and here we are.
We're going through the orientation process right now, which involves us being given a stack of papers and then told "GOGOGO," so wish us the best of luck. Expect pictures soon.
-James
8.21.2008
Testing this blog.
Let's see... James and I leave for Osaka in 11 days. I should be psyched; I should, rightfully, be flipping out and packing NOW in fear I might forget to bring something with me. Buuut I'm not; it's still not quite registered in my head yet.
Going to Japan is something I've wanted to do since I was in high school. Due to financial reasons, I wasn't able to go on the Italy or Greece trips back when I was taking Latin... it's no wonder I can hardly believe I'm going to be in Japan. But it's going to happen. And when I get there, James might have to hold me up to keep me from kissing the ground.
...just kidding.
I'm going to do some shopping on Saturday for things I might want or need in Osaka. Here's the list:
1.) Toothpaste. I've heard Japanese toothpaste is horrible. So I'll go get me some Aquafresh. One tube ought to do, but knowing my mom, I may get two.
2.) Shampoo/conditioner. I've also heard that Japanese shampoo is not all that ...good. I think it was Rich I heard this from, but I can't remember exactly. I love Suave and VO5 anyway.
3.) CLOTHES. I seemed to have outgrown and/or beaten up many of the things I've had since high school. I'll use some of my birthday money to get myself a few new outfits. :D
4.) Omiyage. Sourvenirs... in Japan, it's custom to give little gifts to people who help you out, invite you to their homes, etc. We 留学生 (ryuu gaku sei, study abroad students) were advised to get things related to where we come from, so... I'm gonna hit up either the nearest dollar store or Ocean State Job Lot and see if they've got any nifty keychains or magnets or anything. I'd go with maple candy, but that might be too much for omiyage. "Arigatou gozaimasu, now LET ME ROT YOUR TEETH OUT." ...yeah, no.
I think that ought to do it. Here are some things I want or have to do before I leave the country:
1.) Get a physical. I'm not happy about this one, but eh, it needs to be done.
2.) Visit my grandmother.
3.) Study all the Japanese I've learned some more.
And since I seem to like lists, here's one of things I'm bringing with me outside of necessities:
1.) Hair straightener and curler. I "can't live without" my hair straightener. The curler I can do without, but... it'll probably fit in with the luggage, so I'm bringing it.
2.) Tampons. Not gonna bring a life supply or anything, but supposedly these are difficult to find in Japan... so I think I'll bring a few, even though I have no problem with pads.
3.) One stuffed animal.
4.) Twilight, if I haven't finished it already.
I'm pretty sure I'll be able to get notebooks and all that in Japan without a problem. I want to pack as little as possible.
Going to Japan is something I've wanted to do since I was in high school. Due to financial reasons, I wasn't able to go on the Italy or Greece trips back when I was taking Latin... it's no wonder I can hardly believe I'm going to be in Japan. But it's going to happen. And when I get there, James might have to hold me up to keep me from kissing the ground.
...just kidding.
I'm going to do some shopping on Saturday for things I might want or need in Osaka. Here's the list:
1.) Toothpaste. I've heard Japanese toothpaste is horrible. So I'll go get me some Aquafresh. One tube ought to do, but knowing my mom, I may get two.
2.) Shampoo/conditioner. I've also heard that Japanese shampoo is not all that ...good. I think it was Rich I heard this from, but I can't remember exactly. I love Suave and VO5 anyway.
3.) CLOTHES. I seemed to have outgrown and/or beaten up many of the things I've had since high school. I'll use some of my birthday money to get myself a few new outfits. :D
4.) Omiyage. Sourvenirs... in Japan, it's custom to give little gifts to people who help you out, invite you to their homes, etc. We 留学生 (ryuu gaku sei, study abroad students) were advised to get things related to where we come from, so... I'm gonna hit up either the nearest dollar store or Ocean State Job Lot and see if they've got any nifty keychains or magnets or anything. I'd go with maple candy, but that might be too much for omiyage. "Arigatou gozaimasu, now LET ME ROT YOUR TEETH OUT." ...yeah, no.
I think that ought to do it. Here are some things I want or have to do before I leave the country:
1.) Get a physical. I'm not happy about this one, but eh, it needs to be done.
2.) Visit my grandmother.
3.) Study all the Japanese I've learned some more.
And since I seem to like lists, here's one of things I'm bringing with me outside of necessities:
1.) Hair straightener and curler. I "can't live without" my hair straightener. The curler I can do without, but... it'll probably fit in with the luggage, so I'm bringing it.
2.) Tampons. Not gonna bring a life supply or anything, but supposedly these are difficult to find in Japan... so I think I'll bring a few, even though I have no problem with pads.
3.) One stuffed animal.
4.) Twilight, if I haven't finished it already.
I'm pretty sure I'll be able to get notebooks and all that in Japan without a problem. I want to pack as little as possible.
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