Settling In

As my mother has been reminding me, I haven't written in a while. The glamour of being in Japan has worn off and I have settled into a routine. There aren't a lot of big events going on. My ACM Japan Study group has a retreat to Nagoya next weekend so that should be exciting, I'll have plenty to talk about then. I'm hoping that the foliage will start changing because I hear that's supposed to be really dramatic here. I am also just really ready for fall. I want to bust out my boots and sweaters and eventually my pea coat. I stick out a lot because most days I'm still wearing flip flops. Either the Japanese are very good at adapting to weather changes or they are very good at hiding how sweaty they are in their sweaters and jeans while it is in the 70s.

The other day the train to go home was delayed for a really long time, so the entire platform crowded up with people trying to get on the same train. I have never been so squished in my life. There was a guy who's hand was touching my butt, but he obviously didn't wasn't a creeper because he was trying to move away, but we were so packed in that he couldn't. I also am carrying a large purse for a bag right now, which gets really big on days were I have to carry a few books with me.

I went to Harajuku again today and it was a much more pleasant experience. Last time I went at night and it was very crowded. I was actually able to move around and browse without feeling like I was going against the current. Even so, I almost got run over by a bicyclist, but that's besides the point. That's like every day in Japan. I picked myself up some boots that actually fit - amazing! I actually have calves, so a lot of the boots in Japan fit my foot but I can't pull them up my leg. These fit and they were inexpensive. I feel really bad for some of my other friends, especially my guys friends. The sizes here just don't run big enough. I am experiencing that somewhat in terms of pants. A Medium in the states is more like a Large or an Extra Large. That's why the packing questions is so crucial and why I wished I had more guidance before hand. It feels awkward asking tons of questions about clothes before coming here, it feels like all you care about are the superficial things, but then you arrive and discover that its pretty critical.

Classes are going well. My International Journalism class is unlike any American class I have ever had in my life. I got really pissed about it on the second week actually. But I'm learning how to just go with the flow. You're expectations of the education system in Japan cannot be the same as they are in the states. My Tale of Genji class is really excellent though, I enjoy that a lot. Japanese classes are OK. I'm actually learning a lot from my host family, which is the whole point of the homestay I suppose.

I have discovered that I really like parks. There aren't a lot of places around Waseda where you can just go to chill quietly, but without having total silence like in a library. But there is the Okuma Garden, which is beautiful. There is also a park just past the main Waseda buildings that is nice too, although it is filled with mosquitos. Those nasty buggers are another reason why I am looking forward to fall.