How Things Are

I've been here for three weeks now haven't I?
Can't say that it feels like it. I've been so busy and have had so many different things to take care of that I've not really had time to sit for second and truly think about what's going on, much less tell everyone.

Have I mentioned what classes I'm taking yet?
If not here comes the list, woooo.

Japanese Speaking

- A basic Japanese class. Go in, sit down, spew forth Japanese language by the teacher's command, hunt desperately for homework, finish it, turn it in, cry in fear of the coming grade, etc., etc. I'm fast finding that learning Japanese from a Japanese Sensei is much more brutal than doing so by some silly American professor.

Look at that smug little man...

Japanese Reading and Writing

- More of a supplement to the previously mentioned class, this one focuses more on the grammatical aspects associated with (here it comes) reading and writing Japanese. It's fun and the professor is an excited little lady, and the course is completely taught in the native language. Needless to say, I pay attention.

Ceramics Basic

- As a core requirement for my Bachelor of Fine Arts major, I am bound by blood to do a full year of a medium that only fills my with rage and sadness. I suck at ceramics, but I have to it anyway. Stupid.... anyway. Inomata Sensei is really cool dude. He reeks of talent and wisdom... also cigarettes. Okay, mostly cigarettes, but he is very good at what he does.

Survey of Japanese Art

- Another course taken with the desire to achieve the ever elusive art major. This class is taught by some white bloke who has been living in Japan for the last 30 years. While he lectures are a miraculous mix of both boring and amazing, the historical artwork is made fascinating by the sheer fact that 90% of it was all discovered in the Kansai area. Heck, there's an ancient burial mound behind one of the dorms! Groovy class, but I struggle for consciousness.

Not necessarily a class but...
Running Club

-That's right. Even though I have to ride my bike uphill for half an hour to get to school in the morning, and even though the relationship between myself and my legs has been fairly rocky as of late, I've found it necessary to punish myself physically during my stay here. I'll let you know if I break something.

On the subject of all the exercise I get just trying to get from place to place, I have lost a reasonably amount of weight. I've gone down two notches on my belt, so whatever that means...
This weekend starts sliver week, which is basically a five day holiday. I'll be putt-putt golfing with my host Otoosan (dad) and it'll likely be difficult not to think of putt-putt at Cedar Point with the Franks (I miss you guys!).

Much love and I'll post sometime late next week

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Cheers