10:40 セミナーハウス
天気：雨天
I've been checking my pocket all day just to make sure that my phone's is still there, reassuring myself that I actually have it back. I think I'm going to be paranoid about it for a while now; I guess it's a good thing. Getting it back went off without a hitch... After a bit of searching, Jo(anna) and I finally found the police station in Hirakata. We waked there after getting our alien registration cards, which also went very smoothly; got in there and they gave it straight to us. The police station was actually quite large; a few stories tall. All I had to do though was tell the lady at the information desk that I'd lost my phone, and she past me onto another guy. I waited a little while then... I saw my phone in his hand!!! It was a miracle I just had to sign a form and then it was returned to me. Sooo happy; I'm charging it now.
So yeah, after that we went to a stationary store, then walked back to uni, but not before stopping at "Floresta", a nearby donut shop. We studied a bit, then got to class. We've had a student-teacher come into our class for the past couple of weeks. She's been mainly observing, and marking our quizzes. She got to take the class for a little while last week; I think she did really well considering. She was being filmed too! After class we went to get lunch in the cafeteria. The food is so good and so cheap. I ended up getting an ice cream too. I was amazing; tasted like tiramisu. They have so many flavours of soft serve ice cream here in Japan and you find it everywhere, it's crazy.
Jo and I had history, and then we parted ways. I went to get out the money I needed to pay for my koto picks, on my new bank card. Yay, I have lots of money now!!! Of course, I'm going to be very responsible with it, xD. So I went to koto, and again we cleaned the floors before sensei arrived. Today, we got to be instructed by the sensei in groups. I was in the first group, and a little nervous admittedly. She is really awesome though; so patient and really good at explaining. She speaks entirely in Japanese, but even though I may not understand everything she says, she is very good at conveying information through her actions. I did understand some of what she said though, which definitely helped.
She began by explaining the correct posture while playing the koto, and the correct techniques for strumming with the middle finger, and the thumb. We then went through Sakura sakura, very slowly, pausing periodically so she could point out how to play certain parts, and correcting mistakes. There was a lot to think about. She wrapped up the session with a recap on the major points. As I attempted to get up, I realised I couldn't feel my legs; at all!!! We must have been sitting in seiza for almost 20 minutes, without moving at all. I was the most amazing feeling to be honest. It was as if my legs were no longer connected to my body. I managed to stand, and it was like walking in huge, thick plaster casts. Every one else in the group was affected too. Sensei realised this, and the preceding sessions were noticeably shorter.
My feet are still aching a bit now. It's good for me though, and I know my body will get used to it; it's all part of the discipline found in all aspects of Japanese life. After the Japanese girls practiced, we got our picks fitted for our fingers, and payed for. I'm so happy to have them now; I'm going to find a cool little case to keep them in. We got some chocolate, and then were sent on our way; it was already 8. Got back and made dinner. Well... I had cup noodles. This one was udon with fried tofu. Then I got a massage from Margo; it was excellent. Too bad she didn't do my feet too, lolz. Today was a very good day I think. I'm on a high at the moment and I intend to stay there as long as possible. As I don't have any cereal I'm hopefully going to have pancakes tomorrow for breakfast. That's if Deigo will make them. We shared a packet he bought, so I've bought this one to return the favour. He's really good at making them though, so I want him to do it again :D...
Showing posts with label police. Show all posts
Showing posts with label police. Show all posts
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Monday, 5 October 2009
Day 37 - 5th of October
Yay, I know where my phone is!!! This morning after Japanese speaking, I checked in my uni mail box and I got a notice saying that my phone is at the Hirakata police station! Apparently it was sent to the seminar house, but was returned as unknown address. I love Japanese people so much. Some one must have picked it up off the bus, and tried to sent it here. Even when it didn't work, they were kind enough to hand it into the police station; It's so amazing! I was over the moon. After my Japanese reading and writing test, I wanted to go straight down there to get it, before realising that I had another class, lolz. So... I'm going to go down tomorrow morning with Joanna, and we're going to get our alien registration cards on the way. I'm so thrilled!!!
After class, I caught up with Diego and Jessica, and we chatted for about an hour in the cafeteria. I ordered a plate of curry and rice, and at the time it was really nice, but by the time I was in koto club, my stomach wasn't feeling so great. I feel fine now though; I had stir fry for dinner, xD. Koto's really good; we get our picks tomorrow, which I'm really excited about. All the foreign students (the 9 of us) are diligently practicing "Sakura sakura". I think we're moving along quite nicely. Today was probably the first real, cold day we've had here, and on top of that it was raining. A typhoon's heading toward Tokyo, but I'm sure we'll feel a bit of it. Walking home in the rain isn't so much fun; having a nice, hot meal made up for it though. I've started putting onions in my meals, which I really need; good for the immune system. Lol, my hands smelled of garlic today; I've been eating it a lot. Anyway, I'm really, really happy now. Going to do some homework, then have an early one, ready to get up bright and early tomorrow!
After class, I caught up with Diego and Jessica, and we chatted for about an hour in the cafeteria. I ordered a plate of curry and rice, and at the time it was really nice, but by the time I was in koto club, my stomach wasn't feeling so great. I feel fine now though; I had stir fry for dinner, xD. Koto's really good; we get our picks tomorrow, which I'm really excited about. All the foreign students (the 9 of us) are diligently practicing "Sakura sakura". I think we're moving along quite nicely. Today was probably the first real, cold day we've had here, and on top of that it was raining. A typhoon's heading toward Tokyo, but I'm sure we'll feel a bit of it. Walking home in the rain isn't so much fun; having a nice, hot meal made up for it though. I've started putting onions in my meals, which I really need; good for the immune system. Lol, my hands smelled of garlic today; I've been eating it a lot. Anyway, I'm really, really happy now. Going to do some homework, then have an early one, ready to get up bright and early tomorrow!
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
Day 31 - 29th of September
10:18pm セミナーハウス
天気：雨天
Still no luck in finding my phone. I went down to the station at about 9:30 this morning, and talked with a women at the Keihan bus line office. All I got from her was a number to call, for the bus depot. I was going to get Dan to help me call up, but he didn't show this afternoon... I walked back to the uni, and stopped at the police station. I was able to get across to them all the information. They didn't have any phones, but now they're notified that mines missing at least. I was happy that I could communicate with them well enough to get all the facts across. After that I went to the post office and got the postcards sent.
After speaking class, Joanna and I walked over to the cafeteria to get some lunch, and on the way a Japanese girl came up to me and asked me where I was from. Mayaka was her name, and she was looking for a speaking partner; of course I already have one. Joanna took charge of the conversation and asked her if she'd like to eat with us; she accepted. We all had katsudon; it's sooooo yummy. Pork, egg, and rice. We talked for a while after lunch and then made our way over to the CIE lounge to study some more before the map quiz. Upon entering, Mayako suddenly decided she should go. She seemed a bit lost and disheartened. I have her email address though, so I'll try to stay in contact with her. She teaches English at a primary school in Kyoto 4 times a week.
In the lounge, I saw Seimu and went to talk with him. I told him about joining the koto club and so he introduced me to a girl at another table who had played the koto for some years. After a short while, he left me with her, and 3 other girls; he had to study. Unfortunately they started asking me some embarrassing questions about what I thought about Japanese girls, what I like about them etc. I found myself in a very sticky situation, all because I said I didn't have a girlfriend. In history, I explained my predicament to Joanna and Kelly, and Kelly told me that as soon as he got here, whenever someone asked him if he had a girlfriend, he straight out told them he did; after that they left him alone! Lol, I should probably try that. The map quiz turned out to be easy enough; it's just a matter of just how exact we have to be in marking the location.
After class I spent a bit of time with Christina. She's joined the break dance club, and also wants to join ballroom dancing; good luck to her. I left her at the vending machines and made my way over to the washitsu. Our first task was to clean the tatami floors, for the arrival of the sensei; I wasn't all that surprised about this. It wasn't so bad. One of us vacuumed, I helped scrub the floor with a few others, and the rest began to bring down the koto from the 3rd floor. One koto in particular was very beautiful. It was of a dark wood that had a pattern of circles radiating out from the middle; like tree rings.
After cleaning and setting up, we had to take turns using the koto again, as there weren't enough tsume. Unfortunately the ones I had didn't fit properly, so after a short practice I surrendered them to another student. I'll have to start learning every one's names! Charlie and I talked, and listened to one of the Japanese girls practicing. At about 6, the sensei arrived. Before the practice session, we all bowed and ushered onegai shimasu (again reminiscent of Karate). As we didn't all have tsume, for this session, the international students watched, while sensei instructed and played along with the girls. Oh my gosh, sitting in seiza for over an hour is not fun!!! It's something I'm going to have to get used to if I'm serious about this though. The pain goes away as soon as you stand up, and I felt fine afterwards; it's just the during part that sucks!
Part way through, a man came in and practiced on his Shakuhachi with the koto! ~ the Shakuhachi is a bamboo flute~. The sound it makes (very airy) stirs the soul. He was obviously a very experienced player. His breath control was very good, and you could tell he put a lot of spirit into it. The sensei also sang, as did one of the other girls, in a very Japanese way. I don't really know how to describe it. It employs a lot of vibrato and melisma; basically a lot of pitch changing on one syllable. Watching there hand movements and technique was great. I don't know how far I will progress in a year, but I hope I can at least master the basics. The music was definitely worth having to sit in seiza for so long.
After the class, sensei presented us with deep fried sweet potato (焼き芋 - yaki-imo). It was actually really nice, and I don't even like sweet potato that much. We'll be getting our own tsume next week, which I'm really happy about. We'll all be able to practice properly then. So, we packed up and went our separate ways for the evening. It's pouring with rain now, but I was lucky to walk home in the dry. I was going to cook spaghetti bolognese, before I realised that I hadn't left the mince to defrost. So I'll cook it tomorrow. Instead, I decided to be lazy, and have noodles. As it's my group's week on kitchen cleaning duties, I made it even easier on myself by only having to wash my chopsticks. I think that, since I have koto on Mondays and Tuesdays, I'll make them my easy food nights, cause it's not very fun having to come back and cook at 8:30 after having a big day.
天気：雨天
Still no luck in finding my phone. I went down to the station at about 9:30 this morning, and talked with a women at the Keihan bus line office. All I got from her was a number to call, for the bus depot. I was going to get Dan to help me call up, but he didn't show this afternoon... I walked back to the uni, and stopped at the police station. I was able to get across to them all the information. They didn't have any phones, but now they're notified that mines missing at least. I was happy that I could communicate with them well enough to get all the facts across. After that I went to the post office and got the postcards sent.
After speaking class, Joanna and I walked over to the cafeteria to get some lunch, and on the way a Japanese girl came up to me and asked me where I was from. Mayaka was her name, and she was looking for a speaking partner; of course I already have one. Joanna took charge of the conversation and asked her if she'd like to eat with us; she accepted. We all had katsudon; it's sooooo yummy. Pork, egg, and rice. We talked for a while after lunch and then made our way over to the CIE lounge to study some more before the map quiz. Upon entering, Mayako suddenly decided she should go. She seemed a bit lost and disheartened. I have her email address though, so I'll try to stay in contact with her. She teaches English at a primary school in Kyoto 4 times a week.
In the lounge, I saw Seimu and went to talk with him. I told him about joining the koto club and so he introduced me to a girl at another table who had played the koto for some years. After a short while, he left me with her, and 3 other girls; he had to study. Unfortunately they started asking me some embarrassing questions about what I thought about Japanese girls, what I like about them etc. I found myself in a very sticky situation, all because I said I didn't have a girlfriend. In history, I explained my predicament to Joanna and Kelly, and Kelly told me that as soon as he got here, whenever someone asked him if he had a girlfriend, he straight out told them he did; after that they left him alone! Lol, I should probably try that. The map quiz turned out to be easy enough; it's just a matter of just how exact we have to be in marking the location.
After class I spent a bit of time with Christina. She's joined the break dance club, and also wants to join ballroom dancing; good luck to her. I left her at the vending machines and made my way over to the washitsu. Our first task was to clean the tatami floors, for the arrival of the sensei; I wasn't all that surprised about this. It wasn't so bad. One of us vacuumed, I helped scrub the floor with a few others, and the rest began to bring down the koto from the 3rd floor. One koto in particular was very beautiful. It was of a dark wood that had a pattern of circles radiating out from the middle; like tree rings.
After cleaning and setting up, we had to take turns using the koto again, as there weren't enough tsume. Unfortunately the ones I had didn't fit properly, so after a short practice I surrendered them to another student. I'll have to start learning every one's names! Charlie and I talked, and listened to one of the Japanese girls practicing. At about 6, the sensei arrived. Before the practice session, we all bowed and ushered onegai shimasu (again reminiscent of Karate). As we didn't all have tsume, for this session, the international students watched, while sensei instructed and played along with the girls. Oh my gosh, sitting in seiza for over an hour is not fun!!! It's something I'm going to have to get used to if I'm serious about this though. The pain goes away as soon as you stand up, and I felt fine afterwards; it's just the during part that sucks!
Part way through, a man came in and practiced on his Shakuhachi with the koto! ~ the Shakuhachi is a bamboo flute~. The sound it makes (very airy) stirs the soul. He was obviously a very experienced player. His breath control was very good, and you could tell he put a lot of spirit into it. The sensei also sang, as did one of the other girls, in a very Japanese way. I don't really know how to describe it. It employs a lot of vibrato and melisma; basically a lot of pitch changing on one syllable. Watching there hand movements and technique was great. I don't know how far I will progress in a year, but I hope I can at least master the basics. The music was definitely worth having to sit in seiza for so long.
After the class, sensei presented us with deep fried sweet potato (焼き芋 - yaki-imo). It was actually really nice, and I don't even like sweet potato that much. We'll be getting our own tsume next week, which I'm really happy about. We'll all be able to practice properly then. So, we packed up and went our separate ways for the evening. It's pouring with rain now, but I was lucky to walk home in the dry. I was going to cook spaghetti bolognese, before I realised that I hadn't left the mince to defrost. So I'll cook it tomorrow. Instead, I decided to be lazy, and have noodles. As it's my group's week on kitchen cleaning duties, I made it even easier on myself by only having to wash my chopsticks. I think that, since I have koto on Mondays and Tuesdays, I'll make them my easy food nights, cause it's not very fun having to come back and cook at 8:30 after having a big day.
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