Day 9 - 7th of September

2:50pm　関西外大

天気：　蒸し暑い；曇り

Here I am, talking with Georg, eating an icecream after presenting my gift to the Dean of the CIE, Hajime Yamamoto!!! I went into the CIE office and met with Yuka, whom I had talked to yesterday about the university's open campus day. When I unwrapped the frame, I realised that the stand had broken off the back :O!!! She took me into the Dean's office, and after a short exchange, some praise (he said it looked professional xD) and a hand shake I left. Hopefully they will be able to hang it up somehow. I'm really happy that they appreciated it.

5:39pm　セミナーハウス

Back at the seminar house after a hot, but interesting day. After washing my whites, and having blueberry jam on toast for lunch (the consistency of the jam is really runny; no preservatives YAY), I went the "short-cut" way to uni, through a residential area. It's so nice to see the traditional, tiled-roof houses. As I walked by the open gates, I caught glimpses of beautifully manicured gardens. There is also a shrine with a park; swings and slide. They are doing construstion on it at the moment.

After buying a notebook, I had my first class at 1pm: Culture and Everyday Life in Japan. It's a social science course, and since I've never studies social science, it should be very interesting. There are 3 other Australian's in the class; two from the same uni in Brisbane. Lol, I'm really noticing that I have no accent. It's good though. We have already been informed of two festivals coming up; one is an official field trip!!! I'm really looking forward to this xD.

So after class finished at 2:20 (long classes), I went downstairs to the CIE lounge to the club meeting. It was packed and they didn't have all the clubs there; no koto. So yeah, that reminds me, I'm going to send them an email. So I went to present my gift, then talked to Diego and Jessica, before seeing them off to class. I walked back home (lol I'm already referring to it as home), stopping at the grocery stores and 99円 store for supplies. YAY, I'm having scrambled eggs tonight. I also had to buy a drying-up cloth.

Yesterday, the Resident Assistants (Japanese students staying at the dorms and helping out), cleverly devised a rooster for us. To me, it seems a little extreme. It comprises of a group system, in which each group has a different job or activity, which is rotated each week. I'm in group D, and this week is "study". The other activities are, cleaning the kitchen, "having a good time", 銭湯 (public bath), and sleeping LOL. I don't know how strictly it will be enforced, but I guess it seems reasonable enough (except for the sleeping one). Anyway, Diego's back now, and I'm going to make ma dinner...

7:29pm

Yay, I made scrambled eggs. It was really nice xD. Made some for Diego too. He payed me back by washing the dishes, lolz. And I still have enough ingredients to make another serving tomorrow. The bread here, is really thick, but it's yummy. I'm full after just two slices. Anyway, I have my first Japanese classes tomorrow. A girl from my dorm, Joanna, is in the same classes, so that's one person I know, xD. I'm sure I'll know lots of other people there. Then again, there are quite a number of different classes and levels of competency.

Day 8 - 6th of September

3:55pm　　セミナーハウス
天気：　蒸し暑い
It's been a pretty lazy day today. We are now officially checked in to our rooms. New set of keys; for the side gate (YAY for no curfew), our room, and our kitchen cupboard. We also got new bed linen; which is changed every ten days. At the meeting at 10, we were told just why we have to pack away our futon every morning; if we don't do it then we'll find at the end of semester, the tatami beneath it will have had turned green with mold. We also got told that we'd be assigned kitchen duties. The sorting of rubbish was again explained to us, and it's starting to sink in.

4:48pm　セミナーハウス
Deigo is just folding his shirts after ironing them. Lol, earlier today he spilt the water out of the iron onto the tatami floor. He's been having a bit of bad luck today, joking that it's because he drank from all three streams of the otowa no taki; this supposedly brings misfortune. I bought my weeks worth of shopping today. Not so bad for about $35. This doesn't cover my lunch though. But still, I'm happy. Gotta save as much money as I can on food and transport so I have more money for the fun stuff.

First day of classes tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it. I'll be able to start getting into a routine. Of course, I'll still have to go out and have fun every now and then. So not much to say today, it's been a lazy one. Father's day in Australia today. Got to talk with my family over Skype after failing to get the video to work on MSN messenger. Oh well, it's all good now. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

Day 7 - 5th of September

1:34pm　関西外大のバス亭
天気：　蒸し暑い
I'm sitting on the pavement by the bus stop, waiting for it to come and take me back to the dorms. My feet are killing me. I've been walking around Hirakata since 10 this morning... I'm on the bus now. Gosh, the A/C is sooooo nice. So yeah, went with a long shopping list of things I needed and came back with most. Finally got some slippers; Otousan has been on my case about getting some since I got here. Hopefully they fit okay. I bought some socks also, and some other toiletries. This morning Georg was packed up and ready to leave at 10. Jessica is leaving also, to stay with a host family. Georg on the other hand, is staying in an apartment. Diego and I left him this morning, waiting for the lady who owns the apartment to pick him up at the dorm. Hopefully it's all good. So when I get back I guess I'll have to wash my clothes. I was unsuccessful in finding any other laundry powder, so hopefully the one we've got works...

1:44pm　枚方市
Walking back to the dorms. It's still really hot and sunny. I'm going to have a tan by the end of this xD. Tomorrow we "move" into our room permanently, so it's going to be a busy day. We finally get access to the cutlery, and cooking appliances. Hopefully this motivates me to actually cook my own food.

Day 6 - 4th of September

8:32am　セミナーハウス
天気：曇り
Shoot, only got half an hour to get ready to go to uni. Gotta go... Yay for Kyoto trip today!!!

9:10am　セミナーハウス
Lolz, I don't have to leave til 10:00 so I still got a little while. Hopefully tonight I can get my blog up to date. I've been writing this all in the notebook I bought at the airport. Also been writing out all my expenses, so I can start creating a budget and weekly shopping list. Diego is talking to his Mum in Portuguese on Skype now. It's really cool, better go...

3:12pm　普通電車
We're on the train toward 祗園四条駅 (Gion Shijou station). I'm with Diego, Jessica, Jacinthe, Georg and Diana, and four Japanese guides. We're only two stops away from Kyoto now. Earlier today Jacinthe and I went to get our Alien Registration done. It was easy enough, and we got in straight away cause it was quiet. We bought some lunch, which was a little expensive. It was tuna (raw) and salad. *One stop away*. Then we tried to make our way back from Hirakata station to the uni. We had to ask a bus driver for help. He was very kind. *Here*...

3:19pm　丹波橋駅
Lol, okay so we have to change trains first. We're at 丹波橋駅 (Tambabashi station), waiting to get on the express train. It's a blue train. We are now three stops away from Gion Shijou... So yeah it was all good. We got on the bus and made out way back in time for the Kyoto tour. I was amazed at how many people had signed up; pretty much everyone. We had a 15 minute walk to 御殿山駅 (Gotenyama station). It was so hot...

3:34pm　京都
We're in Kyoto now. I remember being here before...

6:54pm　京都
Here we are in Kyoto, in the rain, listening to some beautiful singing from some Indian Buddhists. We've just emerged from a huge shopping arcade. it's raining pretty lightly; nice. Our guides are trying to find us a place to eat for dinner. We've been walking for about 30 minutes I think. They are using the GPS on their phones and asking for directions. We must be almost there.

7:15pm　花たぬき
We're in a restaurant called "Hanatanuki". I ordered hetayaki, Hiroshima style with pork and udon noodles. We've all ordered different things so hopefully I get to try a bit of everything. I'm sitting with Georg and Jacinthe. The four Japanese guides are across from us, and Diana, Diego, and Jessica are behind us. *That water looks soooooo good!!!*

8:14pm　花たぬき
I am so happy and full. We split each of our meals in three, so now we're just trying to get the payment sorted. Lolz, Diego and Diana ordered jumbo sized okonomiyaki; it was huge!!! Unfortunately they couldn't finish and I guess I can't blame them. *Note to self, don't order jumbo sizes*.

Today was great. We ended up going to 清水寺 (Kiyomizu temple). Took heaps of photos and saw so many nice shops. Even though I'd been before, this time was a completely different experience. This time I got to drink from the 音羽の滝 (otowa waterfall). ~Three channels of water fall into a pond. Visitors can catch and drink the waters, which is believed to have therapeutic properties. Drinking the water of the three streams is said to confer wisdom, health, and longevity~


8:29pm　花たぬき

お腹が一杯

8:51pm　急行電車
We're on the express train home; I feel a bit more confident navigating the train system of Japan. These trains go so fast. It's so cool. I will time how long it takes to get from Kyoto to Hirakata. Since this is an express, we don't have to change trains. I realised that the first train we got on today from Gotenyama was a local train, so it doesn't go all the way to Kyoto. We had to change to the express train. Anyway... Gosh, I don't have anything to do tomorrow.; at uni anyway. So I will hopefully wash all my dirty clothes. I'll be able to upload my photos as well. Yay for lazy day tomorrow...
~9:23pm - so it takes about 30 mins from Hirakata to Kyoto by train, awesome.~

12:19pm　セミナーハウス
My bottom is hurting for sitting down so long. Georg is moving out tomorrow at 10am, so he's packing now. I'd better get some sleep
お休みなさい。。。

Day 5 - 3rd of September

7:10 セミナーハウス

天気：　蒸し暑い

Today was yet another busy day. Georg and Diego decided to, once again, attempt to get to the city office. I couldn't go with them because I had to get my laptop registered at 10. So, I showed them how to read the bus timetable, and which stop they wanted, and then went on my way. It was so hot today. Humid more; the type that presses down on you. I still managed to get there in time, and get my laptop registered (which took a little bit of stuffing around). Then I took the bus back to the dorm, cause I was feeling a bit hot and bothered (and lazy). When I got back I had a little rest before Georg and Diego returned triumphant. We now had to get ready for the opening ceremony which asked for "semi formal" wear. This didn't stop both of them decking out in full suits. They left before me cause Georg had to meet with his speaking partner. In the mean time I had to iron my shirt and straighten my hair (I was able to borrow a straightener from a girl named Stephani on the forth floor).

So yeah, in my dress pants, boots, shirt, vest, and tie (which I tied myself; so proud), I made the terrible trip through the stifling heat to the uni. I was sweating a lot by the time I got there. The torture of the trip was soon forgotten, entering the cool multimedia centre. I found myself falling asleep though, before the ceremony began. I felt no need to sleep, however, when it came to the speeches. They were all very enjoyable and helpful; I took away a lot. We were addressed by the Consulate General of Australia, Osaka, Consulate General of the USA, Osaka-Kobe, and some faculty members of Kansai Gaidai. Professor Shikaura presented her speech in Japanese, and I was really happy that I could understand most of it; she was very funny. Mr. Kagiyama, was funny too. He dreams to be a comedian, bringing manzai to the English audience, and unite people with laughter. He left us with a great quote, "Live, like you'll die tomorrow, and learn, like you'll live forever."

After the ceremony it was chow time and boy did they put on a spread. I suppose it was necessary for the 442 of us students, over half of which are Americans (Australia comes second with just 26). The food was plentiful and amazing, and I ended my feasting with some green tea ice cream. Mingled with a lot of people, including Seimu and Dan, got in some photos, and met lots more people (it's getting hard to remember every one's names). We also got our course selection in the mail. I'm happy that I got Introduction to Japanese History, but as for the other course on Japanese anthropology I am not so sure. I think it might be a little too hard. So after feeling stuffed, I walked back to the dorm.

I was so happy to find that my laptop was online, so I did a lot of chatting and started this blog. At about 10:20 I went into the lounge and talked with Diego and Jessica. We ended up staying up till about 1:00am...

Day 4 - 2nd of September

10:53 pm　セミナーハウス
天気：蒸し暑い
Wow, where do I begin. Today was really long, but lots of fun. It started off with a meeting in Multimedia hall. That was pretty straightforward. Diego, Georg and I decided to try find the City Office to complete our alien registration. After getting directions and a map from the CIE, we decided to go on foot. This wasn't such a good idea. It was very humid and we actually ended up getting lost. We misjudged the distance and took a wrong turn; ended up in a suburban area. I asked an old lady for directions but unfortunately I couldn't understand her Japanese. She was so kind though. She actually went back into her house to get someone who could speak English, and then we were on our way. Never got to thank her. We got to the railway line, and decided that we weren't going to make it back in time for the meeting at 1:20 if we tried to go to City Hall. This was Georg and Diego's second attempt to get there , so they were a little frustrated.

We ended up going to McDonalds for lunch (whoops had it again). I had a teriyaki burger, and white grape juice; it was really nice. In the corner of the shop they had wireless internet for the Nintendo DS. Also, the counter was accessible from both the street and a clothes shop on the inside of the depart store which I though was really cool. So anyway, we ended up walking all the way back to the Uni, and we actually made it in time for the session; I think it was because we power walked. This session introduced faculty members, which was good, and then the next one was seminar house info. Oh my gosh, recycling in Japan is crazy. In this area, there are 5 different categories for recycling (PET plastic, plastic, glass, burnable and raw garbage, and cans). It can get very complex sorting the rubbish. And, you have to clean it too. As I was to learn later, Siemu researched trash sorting and found that one area had 46 categories!!!! He also told me that Nagoya (his home town) has 7 categories. I think, you know, 5 or 6 categories isn't so bad. It's a good system.

So yeah I met with Seimu after taking lots of photos of the beautiful garden and pond on campus. We were sitting in the CIE lounge when we saw a whole lotta people getting white sheets of paper from their mail box. It turned out to be the student's homestay information. Christiana came in with her friend Christa. She got a family of 6, with a mum, dad, grandma, and three kids around her age (20). We decided to ditch the session on health (STD's) as it was not "required". Christina and Christa needed to pick up their new phones, so Seimu and I tagged along. They had to go from the convenience store to 7-11 and back again. Finally, they got everything sorted, although they weren' t too happy with the phones in the end.

We went to sit down in the auditorium, watching some Japanese students do break dancing; they were busting out some pretty cool moves. We talked to some other people and a guy from New York came to sit with us. His name's Andrew. Anyway, we all decided to go out for dinner. Andrew suggested okonomiyaki (savoury pancake). Coolies; I love okonomiyaki. So we all walked back to the street, near the seminar houses, along side the park. We found this little place that served (among other things) okonomiyaki and takoyaki (fried octopus dumplings). There were already a number of international students there, and we luckily scored the last table! I ordered ika (squid), the girls buta (pork), Seimu ebi (shrimp), and Andrew mixed okonomiyaki. And we also got a serving of takoyaki. The okonomiyaki was really nice, but I didn't like the squid so much (tried it though). The takoyaki (which it'd never tried before either) was sooooo yummy. I has a very interesting, mushy texture. And, we got free water with refills. The okonomiyaki was only 500円, and for 8 takoyaki it was 300円. Sooo cheap and sooo yummy!!!

After that we went to the park to chill and said good bye to Seimu for the night. It was so nice to see that little kids could be running around at night and be safe. Awww, there was a little Akita puppy called Maro, with little bee wings attached to a harness. So cute, I want one!!! Oh yeah, there are a lot of stray cats around; it's a big problem in Japan. We stayed out till about 10:00, talking bout lotsa stuff. Andrew, 19, seems really nice. He's broken a bone in his hand and it's in a cast that's falling apart. He has to go to the doctor to check it out. He's made up a ridiculous story about how he broke it. He tells everyone he broke it trying to save orphans from a fire, being attacked be a grizzly bear in the process. After walking back to their seminar house (using our quarter inside voice, as Japanese houses have no insulation and there have been complaints), I went back to mine. Lolz, Ghost Busters was on TV, subbed. While watching the last half an hour, I ate some of this really nice cake that tasted like a pancake with maple syrup on it. So cool!!! Anyway it's late now (past 12) so I'm finished for the night....

Day 3 - 1st of Septemeber

8:19am　セミナーハウス
天気：　暑い
I'm here waiting around. The shops don't open 'til 9am so I'm gonna get going at 8:30. I think I'll go to "Top World" again. But I should try the 99円 store first. Jut gotta remember to get back in time to have my breakfast, and then go out again to the uni for 10:30. Hopefully I can make it!!!

10:11am　関西外大
Here I am in the multimedia room waiting for the Japanese placement test to commence. I have no idea how I will go, but wherever I get placed, it'll be the right thing. You only know what you know. I've probably forgotten heaps though, especially kanji. Whoops!!! Oh well, lolz. There people behind me are having a heated discussion about kanji. It's pretty full in here. About to start. 頑張って。。。



5:30pm セミナーハウス
Back in the dorm. Had a big day at uni; got a lot done. The Japanese placement test was so crazy. I think I went okay. After that I went to lunch at McDonalds. Got a Big Mac, fries and grape fanta (no orange fanta here). I think the taste was slightly better than what it is in Australia. It's a bit more costly than the cafeteria though, so I won't be having it too often. After that I went to the PC@LL session. It's a really cool system that allows you to listen to all the lessons covered in the course, and record your voice for practice and homework submission.

Then, I went to the banking session. That was really helpful; I wouldn't have been able to fill out the forms otherwise. Unfortunately I hadn't been able to copy pages of my passport because the photocopier downstairs was broken. It seemed that everyone else hadn't done this either. After filling in the forms, there was already a huge line up at the copier apparently fixed. I decided to go see Seimu who was in the student lounge. He is reading "The Catcher in the Rye" in English for homework at the moment. He was kind enough to wait around with me while I rushed around trying to get the passport copied. I ended up in the book shop above the convenience store, which I hadn't known about before (so that was a plus; finding where to but my textbooks). Finally got back to the room and completed the bank process, making a new friend along the way (Christina). Seimu was happy because he got to use his English, talking with all the international students.

Phew!!! So, after that, I went to the Shomubu office to pay my fees, Seimu in tow. The guy at the counter didn't like what he saw when I showed him the international draft. I ended up having to go back to the CIE (Centre for International Education) to get it sorted out. While talking to the lady, I found out that I would have to do more courses than just the Japanese language. I've sent a hasty email to Donna and Liani, so I'll just wait and see what they think. It'll be interesting to try some more courses, but it's a bummer that they probs won't count towards my degree. Might better my career opportunities though.

Anyway, after that I made I made my way back to the dorm, leaving Seimu with Christina. I went to "Top World" (as it wasn't open when I went in the morning), and got a spoon, fork, and bowl, oh, and some face wash. Then I went to the clothes shop across from the library near the seminar houses called "Avail". OMG I was so tempted to buy things. So many awesome clothes xD. I resisted though. Ended up just buying an umbrella and pillow. It's weird that every shop I've been in so far has played English songs continuously (old and new). Okay that's enough about today...