The last day of the year before winter break and another 3 or so weeks of school before finals and finally back to Singapore for Chinese New Year.

It's so easy to just map out a path but difficult is an understatement to outline the actual carrying out.

So I've decided to stay on in Japan and relieve myself from thinking about the path not taken every night before I sleep. I do think that it caused me to get sick last week meh. I'd just think about the pros and forget the cons, and forget the pros if I return to Melbourne.

Okay I LOVE JAPAN! :D
forget the stress from taking the train
enjoy the journey and the convenience!

forget the shitty classes
enjoy not doing homework/readings and slack!

forget the arghwtfbbqilumcqrip journeys back and forth
enjoy walking and exercising! (and the weather too sheesh)

there are so many things i've done here, and so many i've yet to do
and so little time

so many places to go, so many things to eat, so many attractions to see

and i need to clean my room ):
pronto

another rainy Wednesday

Mid-November is about to approach. And I'd actually have been here for a full two months already. And how could it seem that anything has changed? But everything has.

Going to Mount Takao this weekend hopefully. Not Nikko anymore. 紅葉！

The Japanese love their eggs.
Eggs in bread, eggs in pasta, eggs in dessert, eggs in drinks (lol), eggs in salads, eggs in everything!
I'm not going to complain though, 'cause I love eggs. Less reason to buy eggs to boil or scramble. Reminds me of the big-ass eggs in Aussie ):

Gezzel! I have more pictures of YamaPi but I haven't got around to uploading them yet. He's going to release a new single (or album?) next week right? :D

Speaking of which, someone has taken the key for Bicycle 92 and has yet to return it since last week. Okay this is frustrating everyone in the dorm except for those who own their own bikes because all the other keys for the other bicycles have been taken away by the manager. Can't travel far unless one is willing to walk the distance. I mean, even if you have misplaced the key, or lost the lock or whatever, just own up man. Unless you have lost the bike (I never actually went to check). Get a new lock, it's not expensive. And everything will go back to normal. Sometimes, I get a nagging feeling that the key has always been in my pocket but I have checked all my jeans and jackets and it doesn't exist there. Then again, I don't even remember borrowing 92 before either. I should just get my own damn bicycle lah wtf. But after I leave, what am I gonna do with it? Donate? No way. -selfish-

Travelling.
It's fun, and there are so many places I have yet to visit. March would be a great time 'cause it's the holidays, the weather would definitely be cool and I'd er, be by myself? What a loner.
Sure the train system here is efficient, but train delays are inevitable. And when that happens and you're stranded with no other alternative route, you can be excused from class! I think. Or at least, if the delays last THAT long. But normally, it's a valid excuse if it causes you to be late for class. That hasn't happened to me. Yet. Hopefully. I leave my dorm earlier than most for my 11am class and during the last train delay, I took an hour and a half to get to school. Thought of moving out, but what a hassle.

Let me list some of the pros and cons.

STAY
(Pros)
1. Can leave everything as it is
2. Can go travelling without worrying where to go back to (lol)
3. No need to clean toilet/shower (yes they are separate) and buy toilet paper
4. Got people around

(Cons)
1. Very far, too far from campus
2. Don't like to share toilet/shower
3. Don't want to go all the way down and up for kitchen
4. Got people around

MOVE
(Pros)
1. Nearer to campus
2. Can have own privacy
3. Can invite friends over to stay
4. Less people around

(Cons)
1. Have to move everything
2. Have to change addresses for bank, cell phone, school etc.
3. Have to pay more bills
4. Less people around

There you have it.
And most of the time it always depends on my mood.
On certain mornings when I have to wake up earlier to go to school to print homework or revise, I grumble at the fact that I have to travel so far.
Then later I consider, and realize moving is gonna be a pain 'cause of the moving (I have more shit than since I first arrived) and all the address changing is gonna be a bigger hassle. I want to have a good Spring break too.
And after all, it's only gonna be four months (at that time).
Now it's still November. Or should I say, already November.
Gosh I am such a confused person.

Can't wait for the next break! Even one day would be great.

I was reading a fellow exchange Sophian's blog when I remembered I had one too. I just blogged the weekend before the Disney weekend, and that was last weekend. So I haven't blogged for nearly 2 weeks already. Cheers.

Those who have been following my photo updates on facebook wouldn't have to read all these to find out what I've been up to. But then again, there are certain things which can't be portrayed through pictures.

Like waking up at 6 for two consecutive mornings and sacrificing lunch breaks to start and finish two separate essays. The Disney weekend seriously burned all of us, considering it took us at least an hour to travel to the train station, and another hour back. The Disney resort one I mean. Of course it was my own fault that I didn't bother to get them done beforehand, and I already knew that weekend wouldn't involve any work done.

The same situation next week.
Supposedly a trip to Nikko next weekend, and I have mid-terms the following week. 3 in fact; one Kanbun and two Japanese. To go, or not to go?

Already going for some soccer tournament this Saturday. Asian Cup finals or something, between Korea and Saudi Arabia. None of the other girls were interested though ):

And we bought tickets to see Joe Hisaishi's concert next January! (: my friends all said his name in Chinese though, so I didn't have any idea who he was until Yifen told me he composed for the animated films.

Sometimes, I think I regret taking this subject combination. Maybe I should have taken Intensive Japanese and all I would need to focus on was Japanese and Japanese alone. After all, that was what I mainly came here for, right?

Kanbun is a pain in the ass.
My teacher is nice, but I can't really follow the class. She talks to the whiteboard and only the first row can hear (the serious students go so early and 'chop' the first row so I can't sit there). When I ask questions, I have no fooking clue what she tries to tell me. Zero. Zilch. I stayed for 15 minutes after class once to tell her that I can't catch up in class. All she told me was to practise. That's helpful. Really. And she says 'Yes I know what you're talking about." No you don't. And the students sitting the last two rows cannot shut the fuck up. There are probably about 6-7 exchange students in the class of roughly 30, and I have the noobest level of Japanese. The Caucasian guy sitting in front of me used to ask Stanley how to say shut up in Chinese. Because the Japanese students would understand it in English. Then again, they might, in Chinese too. Whatever.

So all I can do now is to do what I can do myself. And get this class over and done with. Spending nearly 6000yen on those dictionaries was pointless. I cross out each day on the schedule when the class ends. Looking forward to more crosses.

Creative Writing is fine. But the lame thing is that I could (or actually did) do that sort of subject back in Melbourne, so why bother doing it here? But what's done is done. Another subject to get through, done and over with.

Anthropology is quite fun. Readings. Only the exchange students pretty much contributed to the discussions. Next presentation coming up soon.

Japanese. Nothing much to say. Last subject to complete my Diploma in Modern Languages. So I better do well in this. 90 is considered an A, and I don't know how they are taking down our marks.

Can't skip class here unlike in Melbourne.

That's pretty much it I guess.

Sure that Singapore prides itself on being a fast-paced society; constantly on the move with minimal time to rest or think unless you are able to think while moving and/or regard rest as motion.

Planning ahead is, of course, of stupendous importance.
Going for a Halloween party on the 31st and have a test on the 2nd of November?
Study and revise all your work before getting swallowed in alcohol, candy and screams.
Want to return to your home country four months later but you only have a single entry permit?
Apply for a re-entry permit. Pronto. Even it's four months ahead, because you'd never know how long these administration people can take, not to mention all the additional holidays, public or not, there actually are.
Already gotten a 2-day pass to Disneyland and Disneysea this coming weekend and have an essay due the following Tuesday?
Write your damn essay by this Friday, even if your damn presentation of which your essay is based on is this Friday as well.

Yes only 2 of the 3 apply really.

Oh, finances.
and language barriers.

All part of a lifelong journey, learning and giving at the same time.

i really want to cut my hair into a stylish short style...but at the same time i want to keep it long and longer...
dilemma.
and no, don't suggest a wig.

WEEKEND.
週末だ！

今日、寮の友達一緒に池袋のなんのアイスクリーム場所へ行く。もうそろそろ準備しなきゃ。

More assignments, homework, readings and revision to do this weekend ):
I should have just done the Intensive track, even if it means having to wake up at 6 every morning.
Oh well, too late now. Maybe I can do it next semester.

Okay, I don't know what to talk about now.
Later~

Two weeks into school and I'm already itching for the holidays to start.
Can't wait for the short festival break at the end of the month.
The Mr. and Ms. Sophia pageants and performance by Beni Arashiro!

Talked to my father this afternoon. Apparently he had worked in Japan before (not sure whether it was before or after I was born) at Suwa in Nagano. I wiki-ed it and it is supposed to be famous for its ryokans! I WANT TO GO TO NAGANO! RYOKANS. ONSENS?! SNOWBOARDING!!

Quite a funny experience after lunch too. We had already collected our alien registration cards then. Went to Belc supermarket and before she realized that the key was missing, Tina locked her bicycle. So when we went back, we walked with our bicycles while Joseph carried the locked one back to our dorm. Respect.

Writing the surrealist story.
Regret that I left it to the eleventh hour?
You bet.

I printed the stories yesterday morning at the computer lab and only started reading them on the train back to the dorm. It works, seriously, and time passes alot faster as well. Gonna do that more often from now on.

Honestly, part of me is still adjusting to the fact that the whole being is in Japan. It's not really regarding the issue of being homesick, or culture shock or even life shock. It's just that there are certain things here which strongly remind me of how it is back in Singapore and/or Melbourne. Like during meals, the PCDs would talk non-stop and stay at our table for hours. Or that certain random high-rise buildings would resemble the HDB buildings in Singapore. Things like that. And I certainly miss Melbourne Uni's campus alot.

I bought two dictionaries for about 6000yen at Kinokuniya, and I have no idea how to use them.

I do not belong to Shibuya.
I stick out like a sore thumb.
But Kaikai! I wish you were here!
We would practically visit every single store on every single floor at every single building on every single street!
The irony in the first and fourth statement.
I would still go anyway.



YamaPi at Shibuya is calling to you!
"Kaikai-chan! Hayaku kite ne! Matteru kara."
Actually that sounds more like something a girl would say.

Wo zai deng ni!

It feels like a weekend now that school for today has been cancelled due to Typhoon No. 18.
Must be that they don't want me to go to school with a bad leg and wants me to rest at home (: not that I can go anywhere anyway since the train services have been suspended. So I can't buy my books meh.

I normally use my iPhone as my alarm clock and it ran out of juice last night, which I hadn't realized. It didn't go off but I was already awake at 7ish so I just listened to the crazy winds outside and people chattering outside about whether they should go for their 9am class. I got my lazy ass out, washed up and wanted to shower when I heard Tina's voice (she has a 9am class) and she and Sven told me that the Keihin-Tohoku line has been suspended. So basically no one from DK House could go for class since we have to take that line to school. Cool.

Checked the website for news.
1st and 2nd periods cancelled.
After 10am, 3rd and 4th were cancelled as well.
So no school today!

I hadn't gotten my books and dictionaries for my 3rd and 4th period classes, sooo it's kind of a relief. But I wonder how they're gonna make up for the unexpected cancellation due to weather conditions now; please don't cancel the school holiday ):

Gives me an opportunity to clean up and tidy my room now.
And er, study more Japanese; dunno what are the chances that the sensei will give us tomorrow's as well as today's quizzes at tomorrow's class.

Although it's still early to say this,
I shall sign up for earlier classes for my final semester back in Melbourne.
Feels good to sleep earlier and wake up earlier for school.
Then again, it's 'cause I have to ):
Miss a class here and you're basically screwed; and one has to wake up at 8 for an 11am class (can't imagine 9am classes).
But in Melbourne, no problem since I live less than 5 minutes away from campus so yes.
I know I should have realized long ago that the whole 'sleep-early-wake-up-early' thing is healthy and all, but hey, better now than never. Not to mention I can't really buy souvlaki for supper and shit around here...

DIGRESSING.

Re-enrolment is commencing at the end of the month, so I'd better get my subjects right. Gonna overload with 5 subjects in order to be able to graduate at the end of next year. 5 3rd-year Cultural Studies subjects hopefully. All essays and no examinations. Wow. Then I'd have a month to rot before graduation. I'm planning ahead!

Too many things to do now.
Shall not brood.
Shall not regret.
Shall not 'emo'.

cheers.

Human solitude.
What a way to experience it out of class today.
Not the usual verbal garbage with famous quotes of short stories woven out of loneliness and hiding in corners.

Why must it rain.
The pitter-patter woke me up, to think that it was the air-conditioner leaking.
Uncomfortable sleeps.
Unwarranted nightmares of cars, pesky kids and a torn family.

Too much self-sympathy there,
Oozing like thick yellow pus from a festering wound.
Needs to go out,
But I'm afraid,
Afraid of the rain.
Too afraid.
Of lack of empathy and care.

Lol.
Can my readers (if there're any left) holler at me once in a while to let me know that I'm not writing all this in vain?

So anyway,
Headed to and fro from school on my own today.
Literary Genres and Contemporary Literature are axed.
My short-listed subjects are Japanese 3, Creative Writing (yeah wtf but the teacher is interesting and I like to write random things so why not), Introduction to Kanbun (looks cool and fun) and Approaches to Japanese Society (just 'cause it's really my thing; Japanese, culture, report writing, field work, research). I sent all my emails out to the respective department exchange advisors so hopefully all the credit can be transferred to my degree and diploma.

Classes were more enjoyable today.
Met a new friend at Jap; name's Ayu (I think that's how it's spelt), a graduate student at Sophia. I just went to talk to her after class 'cause she said she studied and worked at Singapore heh. She's an awesome young woman, very friendly and approachable. And when she asked "where do you live in Singapore?", I really wanted to say 'uh Singapore?' but wtf of course she knows where Serangoon Gardens is. Double heh.
The new guy sitting beside him asked me whether I was from Australia 'cause he said I have an Australian accent. LOL, first time I hear that sort of thing. And Ayu said she initially thought I was brought up in the West too until I just used all my lahs and lehs and lohs. Yay to Singlish.

Approaches to Japanese Society was insane. The classroom was small so half the class had to stand outside and when Ryu (lol his name is Ryan but Yifen and I call him Ryu 'cause his Chinese name has a 'long2' in it) and I arrived, there was no space left outside the front and back doors. More than half of the 'outside' people left though, and hopefully less people will enrol in this class 'cause I really want to get a seat inside pleaseee.

And wtf, I couldn't get 3 separate bikes to work 'cause of the wheels or the brakes. Shit lah.

Tsukiji Market and some museum event for exchange students tomorrow.
Gotta bank in, get my e-dictionary and do my damn laundry.

Sian leh. Ask me something to write about please ):

First Day of Soph Skool

I can't even begin to describe how it went.
It could be disastrous, depressing, fascinating or just plain normal like meh.

Rush hour at train stations is so extreme; they have train supervisors stationed outside doors with the purpose to push remaining passengers inside the doors. So I had to experience that twice today; once in the morning and once in the afternoon, nearly evening. But the fucked up thing is that if I want to avoid that, I have to choose modules in the third period because all the second period slots are already taken up by Japanese and first starts at 9.15, right after rush hour and the 4th ends at 4.45, right before rush hour so I get double joy in a coconut shell. And there aren't many to choose from in the first place ):

Nearly everyone in DK was cranky this morning 'cause we had to wake up before 7 in order to prepare and leave the house before 8 to be able to reach school on time. Even so, I missed the class 'cause wtf I found the classroom but the door couldn't open and there weren't any signs regarding classroom change. So whatever, I just skipped it and went to rot at the computer lab before Japanese at 11am.

I remembered watching an episode of BOSS, where the Boss herself said that Toda Erika's character wasn't even an adult yet 'cause she was sporting 'tea-coloured' hair. And sure enough, that makes sense 'cause nearly every college girl I met on campus and anywhere else had brown hair, in the same shade. Seriously, did they use the same DIY hair-dye or something? And I've been hearing plenty of 'ee, maji de?!' and 'kawaiiiiii!!!' In any other city, it would be poserish but here, it's the norm and meh you can't criticize it anyway 'cause this is where it originated and anyone else who doesn't actually speak or know Japanese but uses those phrases are just act-seh or act cute only.

So Japanese class.
The sensei said there were 43 people enrolled in this level and hence, we had to be split into two classes, by jankenpon wtf. The losers had to go to the classroom on the 5th floor and the winners got to stay in the classroom we were in. Everyone from DK in that class lost lol. Actual lessons have yet to start and we have a test tomorrow already :D
Oh, and I finally met the other Melbie in my class. Name's Michael. Law/Commerce. 5th year. Koganei Dorm, same as Stanley, another Melbie.

I went to buy my Japanese books during lunch break. Ran into the guy in my orientation group there. He called me by the wrong name, but I didn't even remember his name.

Third period.
Creative Writing.
The teacher has so many expressions; he can easily pull several in a single phrase. And he speaks out of random sometimes. While he was busy talking, I was already brainstorming on stores I could write about him lol.
Alot of work though that class, and none in Japanese. So I was wondering whether I should take it; it's not like I haven't 'studied' creative writing before. But that class was slotted right in between Japanese and Intro to Kanbun (which I'm going to take) so unless I just use the extra 3 hours in between to do something else more constructive, I might end up taking it ):

Intro to Kanbun was pretty straightforward.
The sensei asked us to fill out a questionnaire and she interviewed us individually. That was it.

The ride home was pretty smooth.
I think I actually like travelling on my own sometimes; quite peaceful (mentally)

The N'EX is up!
It's the new train that travels directly to Narita Airport from Shinjuku (and other stations). I'm psyched 'cause that means when I go back in February, it'd be more convenient :D at least I'd know how I'd be going anyway.

Meh more classes tomorrow ):
Another 4 periods back to back, then I can finally decide which ones I'm gonna do.

K cheers~

So yes, I got into level 3. But actually quite meh lah, 'cause there are so many levels after this after all; 4, advanced 1-3 and so on. Shan't get complacent and work hard. At least I'd have Wednesday off if I manage to get the other modules I want.

Okay actually I don't really know what to blog about.

We went to Tokyo Station but no nice scenery 'cause the chio part of it was under construction. So ended up walking around the shops and stuff and had dinner; pasta omg but it had a Japanese flavour and the dessert was sexy.

I banged my elbow against the wall while walking up the stairs and now it has a minor swelling. My right shoulder is aching too. And it rained ):

My first phone call was from the electronics store where Yifen and Tina got their phones lol.

Got spare battery and memory card.
Ate awesome dashi chazuke.
Got free stuff from the electronics store although I hadn't gotten anything hah.

JPT results tomorrow.

Oh I realized that during long trains, there are various ways to make it seem as though the time is passing faster.
1. Observe an insect crawling on the walls and ceiling of the carriage you're in.
2. The usual, SMS-ing (or in Japan's case, emailing) on your cell phone.
3. Look at your closest fellow commuter and observe and count how many moles he/she has on his/her neck, arms etc. (discreetly lah)
4. Pretend to sleep and daydream lol.
5. Listen to music and pretend to know all the lyrics to a song in a foreign language by mouthing them. Fellow commuters will look at you and you can pretend to be a pro 'cause you know something that they don't ha!
6. Just stare at random hot people on the train and think about things you'd like to do/with (to) them.
7. Remember to wear heels so you can elevate yourself and look over everyone's heads :D
8. DON'T READ!

I heard JAM Project's music at Akiba today and I think I'm liking their songs. Anime-ish though, what the heck.

I finally got my super sexy Japanese keitai today.
But I'm already having trouble trying to figure out which function is for what and so forth.

Went to Yasukuni Shrine and bypassed the Budokan ): no purpose there but would really like to attend a concert there or something.

Tokyo Dome City; some amusement park and stadium which resembled Rod Laver Arena. If footie is Aussie's favourite sport, baseball is the ultimate here. I'd rather watch baseball any day; at least I understand the rules and I know nada about footie.

I watched a group of young handsome girls performing while the others went to sit on the rollercoaster. So okay I've been condemning teenybopper music alot for ages because they're mere clone copies with no substance and only appearances. Fine, listening and watching to such music live is actually quite fun and uplifting, especially when the acts are so enthusiastic.

Really simple food today.
Conveyor belt sushi for lunch and 'standing-up' soba for dinner. As in eating while standing up, not that the noodles were ere- I mean positioned vertically.

Okay I need to continue fiddling with the phone to get it working for me comfortably.
Oh by the way, the awesome salesguy gave me a free memory card hah yay.

Okay I'm so frigging exhausted now.

It was basically a fail day.
We missed out on Yifen's junior, Chih Feng, 'cause a couple of us had to do our commuter's pass and that took ages. We were supposed to meet him at 1pm at Ikebukuro train station but we only arrived at 1.45pm. So yeah ): Joseph's friend joined us later on and for the rest of the day.

Phone-hunting failed. Yifen and Tina couldn't find the pre-paid phone they wanted by Softbank and I left my Alien Registration copy behind (dumbass I was 'cause I had taken it out while reorganzing my wallet last night and didn't put it back in). So no phone.

Didn't manage to meet Edward either 'cause the fella' was still at school and we went to eat dinner and the observatory tower at Shinjuku.

The packages from my mother arrived this morning (thanks Ma) and she had used the recycled boxes we had gotten from Ikea. Very smart hah. She practically packed all my shirts and now I don't think I'd ever need to do my laundry until the end of next month. Okay fine I do; I have to wash my undergarments right.

Oh yeah.
It was okonomiyaki for lunch and super awesome ramen for dinner.
Come to Japan and I'd bring you there! (if I can remember)

Orientation.

The day pretty much started on a bad sprained foot 'cause yeah well, my period started. I literally felt like a sluggish pile of mud dragging itself the entire day. We went to buy lunch bentos at the Tokyo station and immediately proceeded to Sophia.

Easily three-quarters of the exchange students for this term come from North America, a handful from Europe and even fewer from Asia. The dude hadn't mentioned Australia though; unless he meant that Oz was part of Asia. They wouldn't like that. So the talks and speeches dragged on and on and basically not that helpful, given that they were struggling with their English speech as well, except the Caucasian professor but it was irrelevant to most of us 'cause he teaches the graduate students.

Split into two groups for us to be grouped with our Japanese student guides (why are they called monitoring students?); I was one of the last ones left in the first group. And wtf, DK House people are EVERYWHERE HAHAHA. Anyway, my group's guide, Mei, was really friendly. Her English is pretty good too 'cause her major is English. She told us her mother named her after the character in Tonari no Totoro (LOL) and that she was born in the month of May. Damn, my name could have been January. How cool is that?! January Lee Yi Ching lawl.

Actually, the Yotsuya campus is pretty small; it's probably even smaller than the Parkville campus back in Melbourne and that's saying something. All of us could run into each other; the DK people that is hah! So we went off for dinner after that and went home. I was a rotting pile of compost by that night.


Placement Test and Welcoming Reception

Due to the pretty-early timing of the test and the distant nature between DK and Sophia (lol sounds like two lovers), I had to wake up at 7ish to shower before heading out with Tina. Even so, we were nearly late and just arrived at 10am but the test started at 10.15am anyway so what the heck. Yifen had to take the test too, but in the 'native speakers' room and ended earlier than we did.

So okay, the test. Luckily they are measuring what we know rather than what we do not know. I mean c'mon, if it were a real test with marks and all, I think everyone would either have mugged like crazy, or wouldn't even be there in the first place (I think the latter is more plausible). I didn't even bother to read Part 3 for the advanced level (wtf li jie wen da!!! how to do lah!) and scribbled some nonsense for the composition before handing it all in 45minutes ahead.

We went to find banks willing to open accounts for us and got Mitsui bank. Even so, that took ages and our nice German friend (I think her name is Marlene. Sorry!) translated for us. Poor Tina (the German) was too tired and went home first. Anyway, yay, got that done and our card will arrive in a week. Most people are opening so that they can get the money from their JASSO scholarship. 80,000yen/month wtf unfair, but I couldn't qualify 'cause I'm an int'l student in Melbourne meh.

The reception was pretty fun. Met the usual people and some new ones. The Japanese organizing students tried to get us to play some game, which some of us didn't, myself included. Sorry! Nevertheless, it was pretty enjoyable. There was also some karate demonstration by the karate club. Went for dinner with a couple of new friends. I kept saying that Ji Eun, an exchange student from Korea was cute and Joseph thought that it could be a first sign to finding out that I could be bi. But she was really friendly and approachable; how could anyone resist?! HAHA. okay she's not a tasty cookie wth.

A new day today.
Should be getting our cellphones and commuters' passes and meeting Edward in the evening. Omg haven't seen that fella' since the Ikoma days, which was...February last year.

Oh, it's Saturday.
By the way, I actually don't proof-read what I type here. So if there's some grammatical error or another, whatever, okay?

Lazier day.

Akabane with Tina and Joseph.
Sukiya for dinner.

Lol.

That's it?

It's orientation tomorrow. We'd see what happens.

Third entry.

Tuesday 22nd Sept! Still Silver Week here in Japan.

Went to Asakusa and Ueno.

Religious place and it was super crowded with locals and tourists. Did all the water, incense burning and praying rituals. Witnessed another Shinto wedding. Got a lucky lot! GOOD FORTUNE OKAY :D

Ate some awesome sushi and awesome ramen for lunch and dinner respectively. Flavours bursting in your mouth and the sensation...okay fine you don't see fireworks in your eyes.

I got a little freaked handling a salesgirl in GAP on my own today hahaha. Quite funny 'cause she was only trying to be helpful and all and almost every local here speaks Japanese to me first, except the guy at the Souvlaki shop who said 'Ni Hao' when Tina turned to look. Anyway, at least I understood her and she must have understood my half-baked Japanese. No communication breakdown. Yay. Japanese salespeople are so nice. Even though you end up saying you'd think about it (buying whatever you were trying on), salespeople know you usually won't and have crabby expressions on their faces. That usually happens in Singapore. Not here. They're like "okay no problem!" :D but then again, maybe they're thinking in their heads: "knn don't buy say don't buy lah!" hahaha okay I think too much.

But that jacket was so tempting ): (lol food). But 16800yen is way too much lo, and it's not like I don't have a winter jacket here already. And KAIKAI (if you read this), I SAW A BAG YOU'D LIKE! I miss my shopping buddy...

I get a good workout every day, walking for goodness knows how long a distance. But I still eat too much to get any weight off lah so what the heck.

What to do tomorrow!
Maybe I should just stay at 'home'. Revise my Japanese. Read something. Upload photographs. Watch videos online. Talk to people.

Okay sounds good.
See ya!

Hi again.

I got the dates mixed up in yesterday's entry and yes, today is the 21st! Got it right this time.

So Yifen and I went to find the Sophia campus today and it was pretty grim, to say the least. The campus I mean, not the journey. The Melbourne campus is so much more chio-er. We walked and we walked, and took the train back to Akiba, short for Akihabara. Otaku hometurf.

Yifen loves her manga, so we spent awhile looking through manga and doujinshi and what not at various shops. Tried to find an electronic dictionary but decided to wait till class has started to determine to the extent to which I would use one. Friggin' expensive okay, and I don't have much money with me at this point of time.

Oh before that, we had an awesome lunch back at Warabi, near the library. Okay next.

I felt super out of place at the interior of many of the Akiba stores. I mean, I don't really watch this sort of anime; I only used to watch the mainstream ones. I don't read manga. I don't read doujinshi. I don't collect figurines. I don't MAKE figurines (coughshyhhorng&justincough). And so on and so forth. But yeah, I was pretty much there as a fascinated spectator. At one point, we entered the wrong section twice, which was meant for the guys. And yes, there were plenty of untrendy bespectacled men but there were many "normal" youths as well.

So Yifen bought her manga and doujinshi and I found some cheap CDs on sale. I bought 4 under 1000yen. It's a steal yo.

Took the train back and walked home as usual. Meh if only they could send cars to pick girls up who return home late at night or something. Okay not necessarily late at night, but when the sky is already dark.

Tomorrow is Asakusa day!

Actually my entries sound damn sien hor.

First entry.

Weird URL? I couldn't think of anything else but I had to get the blog started so yeah, whatever.

So I had a heck of a plane ride from Singapore to Tokyo. Before that, big thanks to Timo, Regi and Nura for sending me off, and most of all my parents. Anyway, it was the new A380 with awesome seats (second deck yo). There were a couple of children on board too but they got quiet after midnight. Tired so must sleep lo. I fell asleep myself until the meal was served which I didn't finish. The new seat and the features were more than enough to make up for pathetic plane food.

Arrived half an hour in advance and waited at the meeting point till 9 for the Sophia University representative to pick me up. The fella' was actually standing right in front of me the entire time, holding up a sign with my name on it and I hadn't realized until I stood up and wanted to move my trolley directly outside the arrival area. I can't recall how he looks like and better still, his sole picture on fb is obscured by his hands or something. He was rather tall though. Anyway, got my luggage to be delivered by this delivery service which cost 5100yen (it sucked. More on that later).

So we took a couple of trains down to Nippori then to Nishikawa-guchi and walked down to the dormitory which took a grand total of 2 and a half hours. Reached the dorm before noon and my luggage hadn't arrived yet. Got my room key and entrance card key and went to my room to rot. Room's on the third floor. So I got the bedding provided out and set up my bed and fell asleep for a couple of hours before heading downstairs to check whether my luggage had arrived. Nope. So went out and walked around before heading back again. No luggage. Went upstairs and ended up dozing off again. No luggage. Went out to get a photocopy of my passport. Went back. No luggage. Finally...FINALLY. At around 8.30pm, it came. So I lugged my 50kg worth of clothes, plugs and other shit up three flights of stairs and dragged them to my room. I began unpacking immediately and finished that night. Am I awesome or what. Then again, there wasn't much to begin with.

And no, I hadn't eaten that entire day. Pictures of my room another day.

The first and fourth floors are for the guys and the second and third for the girls. Showers on the first floor; one for the guys and one for the girls. Two toilets and two laundry areas on each floor. Two kitchens. And yes, all close at certain times. No curfew. Bicycles available for rental. Meals not provided.

So basically my dorm isn't even in Tokyo itself; it's in Saitama. And it's really quiet here, despite it being in the middle of the residential district. There're a couple of elementary schools nearby, with one directly opposite the dorm. I must say, kids here seriously get good workouts every single day, morning and afternoon. No wonder they're so fit and tanned while the obesity rate for children in Singapore is getting higher, because the already limited P.E. lessons end up being replaced with "important" classes.

I hadn't tried travelling to the campus yet, but it roughly takes an hour, including walking because the trains are actually pretty fast. I won't even bother explaning the lines and the train names. And...it's expensive ):

The first day sucked and honestly, I cried because I didn't know what I had gotten myself into. The second day was better. I woke up early to shower and went down to the tatami room for orientation. Seriously alot of American, British and German students. There were about 4 actual Asians, including myself. As in, Asian Asians, not American-born/bred Asians, where there were easily half a dozen in the room then, and that was only the first orientation. Filled up some forms, submitted them and went for a brief tour around the dorm. Went with around twenty others to register for our alien thing. Because we're foreigners staying here for more than 90 days. That was when I met another Singaporean here. And he studies in Australia too. What were the odds. Speaking Singlish was awesome, but he's hardly ever around here because he has his local friends and local girlfriend so too bad. As in too bad that the other Singaporean isn't around to speak Singlish to, not any other reason. The walk to the city office took more than a hour and registering took another 2 hours; the journey back was shorter though and then, it was already 4ish so the 4 Asian Asians (a Hong Kong girl who has only studied Japanese for 30 hours but can speak fluent English, and a Taiwanese girl who has studied Japanese for 5 years but doesn't speak English wtf) decided to eat together. Ramen at this small shop we found. It was pretty cheap. Then went exploring to buy toiletries and some food before heading back. END.

The third day. Saturday. 18th Sept. Second day of orientation (more ABAs) and Welcome Party. Fun to meet more people who live on the same floor (Jessica lives next to me yay). Cooked our own lunch; Japanese curry rice and salad. I cut the meat with several other people. Can't imagine 30odd people in the kitchen. Met a Californian girl who is a pescatarian, like Sue-mae. After the meal, Miss Hong Kong (Tina), Miss Chinese Taipei (Yifen) and little ol' me went bike-riding to find, would you believe it, the library. Borrowed Coraline at the children's section (don't laugh). I totally found it by accident 'cause I was picking through random books without reading the titles and that one happened to fall out. Fate lo. So I only managed to read the first page, but hey, that's an achievement. Hah. Then Yifen and I went to Belc Supermarket, went back and went out again with Tina for Okinawan food at this small place next to the ramen shop from the previous night.

The fourth day. Today. Sunday. 19th Sept. First day heading out to the city itself.
Woke up early to take the train down to Harajuku to meet Yifen's airport escort, Aoki. We arrived early and walked around abit. Ate awesome udon at yet another small place. Even though my speaking is crap, I was so glad I at least remembered some basic vocab hah. Aoki was great. He speaks Japanese, English and some Mandarin, in addition to Spanish which he is currently majoring in Sophia. And he was really patient throughout the day. It was rather amusing though. There isn't a language which all 4 of us could communicate fluently with; if it was Japanese, only Yifen and Aoki; Mandarin, Yifen, Tina and myself; English, Tina, Aoki and myself. Regardless, it was thoroughly enjoyable, except the crazy crowds.

This small street at Harajuku kind of reminded me of Bugis Street in certain ways, except that the former was cleaner and more atas. Went down to the Meiji Shrine and witnessed the beginning part of a Shinto wedding. Got an amulet. Victory yo. Then went down to Yoyogi Park and saw groups of Elvis-impersonating dancers. Milled around at the Vietnam Festival (would Singapore Festival ever come here, or maybe there isn't a big enough population in Tokyo). Went down to Shibuya to get some electronics. Failed to get any cellphone, for now. Witnessed, as Yifen described, some Japanese New Year thing with hordes of people dressed in blue garb carrying these huge miniature (the oxymoron) golden carriages. I know I should really be the one researching on this, so more on that another time. Stopped for tea and desserts at a Shibuya mall (Shibuya Mark City I think) and explored it. Then went to Shinjuku in an attempt to find a shower basket at Tokyu Hands (omg that place I totally loved back in 2006) but failed so we toured the floors. Went for ramen at a not-big-yet-not-small alley, with the vending machines to choose your food and get a ticket to pass to the waitresses. There was a small family sitting next to us, whom I suspect the father and grandmother are from Singapore. The kid was making irritable noises, to which the father said he wanted to take him for a walk outside, to the pachinko parlour to which the mother got irritated and absolutely refused to let the father do so. When I mentioned this to the others, none of them seemed to have realized it. Meh, I too kaypoh for my own good.

Speaking of kids, why are Japanese children just so cute. Even the junior high school boys are. For real. Fudge.

Anyway, we headed back the dorm after that, in which the walk back seemed never-ending.

Tomorrow's gonna be a new day. An even better day. Relaxed morning. And probably heading down to Akiba in the afternoon. This is going great. Life is great. Was great. Until I saw the fucking cockroach in the toilet earlier when I was going to wash up. I swear, it was staring at me through the mirror and edged behind the taps in an attempt to fly at me once I turned back. But I was too quick and escaped before it could carry out its masterplan. Muahaha.

Sorry for the long post without any visual aid. Pictures should be up on fb soon for reference, that is, if you had even bothered to read this in the first place.

By the way, Japan is one hour ahead of Singapore, which currently puts it one hour behind Melbourne, until daylight savings start again.

Okay. Love you everybody!
Good night!