Stéphanie: Why me?
Stephane: Because everyone else is boring. And because you're different. You don't like me, Stéphanie.
La Science des rêves.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Tonsillitis
Okay, let me start out by saying that I really loathe the Seibu-Shinjuku metro line. I am so sure I got infected from some child or jerky business man while riding that god forsaken train. It's the ghetto line, and having to get on the absolutely gross, humid and crowded train in the morning three days a week, really makes me despise Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
On Sunday I felt the onset of a soar throat. I thought it was the usual kind of allergic reaction that I get when I fall asleep with a runny nose (and mucus drips down my throat leading to irritation). Having run out of the allergy medicine I brought, I took some soar throat medicine preemptively and hoped for the best.
As my throat became gradually worse on Monday, I took the opportunity to examine my throat in the mirror using the flashlight that for some reason is in my room. Noticing the white mess on my tonsils, I immediately thought strep throat. Fortunately, the pain was still minimal.
Tuesday morning I ate a light breakfast and took SS line to Waseda. My throat was pretty sore at this point, and I ended up leaving Japanese class after our routine Kanji quiz, to see the school doctor. For the next 2 hours, I then proceeded to have an epic journey relating to my "strep throat." I was given wrong directions/information several times, and was even ignored by a guy cleaning the street. Even so, the doctor was really only concerned if I had swine flu, which annoyed me because I had no fever, cough, or runny nose.
Wednesday was pretty bad, having no pain killer (the ibuprofen that I bought had absolutely no effect), I ate a little oatmeal, which I think is still in the back of my throat. Went to see a throat specialist, who refuse to prescribe me a painkiller. However, Thursday was by far the most painful day. Couldn't eat or drink anything, and hadnt slept since Tuesday. I finished off the last of the ibuprofen -- went through 50 tablets in 3 days...probably killing my liver in the process.
Today, swelling in my lymph nodes and tonsils has gone down a little, but still a bit painful. Hope to god I am feeling better tomorrow. Ice water and popsicles seem to help. Havent eaten anything in 2 days, and really want some donuts and McDonalds. Like really, really hungry.
On Sunday I have a photoshoot in Harajuku on Omote-sando street (where all the big brands are). I hope I can talk again by then. Right now I sound frightening. Like a deaf person.
On Sunday I felt the onset of a soar throat. I thought it was the usual kind of allergic reaction that I get when I fall asleep with a runny nose (and mucus drips down my throat leading to irritation). Having run out of the allergy medicine I brought, I took some soar throat medicine preemptively and hoped for the best.
As my throat became gradually worse on Monday, I took the opportunity to examine my throat in the mirror using the flashlight that for some reason is in my room. Noticing the white mess on my tonsils, I immediately thought strep throat. Fortunately, the pain was still minimal.
Tuesday morning I ate a light breakfast and took SS line to Waseda. My throat was pretty sore at this point, and I ended up leaving Japanese class after our routine Kanji quiz, to see the school doctor. For the next 2 hours, I then proceeded to have an epic journey relating to my "strep throat." I was given wrong directions/information several times, and was even ignored by a guy cleaning the street. Even so, the doctor was really only concerned if I had swine flu, which annoyed me because I had no fever, cough, or runny nose.
Wednesday was pretty bad, having no pain killer (the ibuprofen that I bought had absolutely no effect), I ate a little oatmeal, which I think is still in the back of my throat. Went to see a throat specialist, who refuse to prescribe me a painkiller. However, Thursday was by far the most painful day. Couldn't eat or drink anything, and hadnt slept since Tuesday. I finished off the last of the ibuprofen -- went through 50 tablets in 3 days...probably killing my liver in the process.
Today, swelling in my lymph nodes and tonsils has gone down a little, but still a bit painful. Hope to god I am feeling better tomorrow. Ice water and popsicles seem to help. Havent eaten anything in 2 days, and really want some donuts and McDonalds. Like really, really hungry.
On Sunday I have a photoshoot in Harajuku on Omote-sando street (where all the big brands are). I hope I can talk again by then. Right now I sound frightening. Like a deaf person.
Friday, November 13, 2009
A Day in the Life
I seemed to have something profound that I wanted to write, but I can't remember, so I'll just describe what I did today.
(1-4AM) Host family dog was throwing up.
6AM - Woke Up (supposed to wake up at this time)
6:02AM - Went Back to Sleep
6:30AM - Got out of bed cause I overslept
8:00AM - Left House
8:07AM - Caught incredibly crowded/hot/humid train
9AM - Japanese Class (talked about transvestites)
10:40AM - Convenience Store for V8 Splash (Japanese version)
12PM - Japanese Class Ends
12-1~PM - Korean Lunch
1~2:45PM - Facebook
2:45-6PM - Japanese Lit (talked about sex and prostitutes and such)
6-6:20PM - Walked in the rain to Takadanobaba
Sometime after 6:20PM -
12:45ishAM - wrote this blog entry
I got told that the cologne I use smells good...I don't use cologne though...so I smell good naturally?
(1-4AM) Host family dog was throwing up.
6AM - Woke Up (supposed to wake up at this time)
6:02AM - Went Back to Sleep
6:30AM - Got out of bed cause I overslept
8:00AM - Left House
8:07AM - Caught incredibly crowded/hot/humid train
9AM - Japanese Class (talked about transvestites)
10:40AM - Convenience Store for V8 Splash (Japanese version)
12PM - Japanese Class Ends
12-1~PM - Korean Lunch
1~2:45PM - Facebook
2:45-6PM - Japanese Lit (talked about sex and prostitutes and such)
6-6:20PM - Walked in the rain to Takadanobaba
Sometime after 6:20PM -
- Paul Smith Store in Harajuku - wanted headphones, they didn't have them, pressured in to buying cologne, got a free stuffed animal, was told that an employee was in the Paul Smith catalog (didn't really know what to say to this comment), awkward store exit
- Paul Smith Shibuya (Maru City) - bought headphones
- Book Off (think this is the name) - bought Tezuka's Metropolis manga
- Dinner at some Kebab place, spilled spicy sauce on my jacket
- Pachinko with Alex, Evangelion-themed, no concept of Pachinko still
- Tried to return home, but Jinshin Jiko (aka. suicide via train) delayed my life for half an hour
12:45ishAM - wrote this blog entry
I got told that the cologne I use smells good...I don't use cologne though...so I smell good naturally?
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Teshima Aoi
Some Japanese singers are actually really good.
By the way, I was just told that models not only get to go to certain elite Roppongi clubs for FREE, but they also get unlimited FREE booze. There is fun to be had, I'm telling you all. Study abroad in Japan!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Sick Days
Yes! Today is the first day I don't feel super tired! I think I've been sick the past few days. At first I thought I might have The Swine, so I did an online test for UK citizens to determine if I had it (I used the address of the BBC to pretend I was living there...), but the test determined me unlikely to be infected. Perhaps the horrible tasting Vitamin C drink I had last night cured me.
I still have a sore throat, so I bought some medicine, which was kind of expensive ($10, for some swallow-able capsules). They better cure me.
Friday night, I went to an izakaya (or Japanese-style bar) with some Japanese people from Sophia University, and I was able to keep up with the conversation to some extent (and it was all in Japanese).
The next day, I went to the Kodaira City Japanese Language Classes (they are offered weekly for people like housewives and businessmen who don't have time to learn Japanese at a college). I was the youngest person there. I was placed in to an intermediate level, but it was fairly easy, even though the teacher was really funny, so at the teacher's request, I moved to the next level which was kind of hard. I was having to define "keigo," which is like polite speech (conjugation and words become totally different) used in varying circumstances. It's like manners for your mouth. English has nothing like this because we are/were all barbarians. :)
Jokes aside, the class is only 300 yen (um a little more than 3 dollars now). The exchange rate is becoming so bad, compared to last semester. Thankfully, half of my stipend is in yen. Because it is so inexpensive, I'll probably attend the weekly classes (every Saturday morning, in my case). No grades too.
Following this class, I went with my host family to go camera shopping (they lost their camera in Australia). I was skeptical at first that wherever we were going wouldn't have the camera I wanted or the price would be the same as Yodobashi or Bikku Camera, but it turned out that my host father was able to negotiate the price of the camera I wanted to buy (Ricoh CX1 or CX2 if it was less than $400) down about 140 dollars. In addition, I got the case of my choice free as "sabisu" or service. Price negotiation doesn't happen in America unless you are buying shady goods.
In other Japanese news, I have two quizzes and an essay due tomorrow, so I need to get to studying.
I still have a sore throat, so I bought some medicine, which was kind of expensive ($10, for some swallow-able capsules). They better cure me.
Friday night, I went to an izakaya (or Japanese-style bar) with some Japanese people from Sophia University, and I was able to keep up with the conversation to some extent (and it was all in Japanese).
The next day, I went to the Kodaira City Japanese Language Classes (they are offered weekly for people like housewives and businessmen who don't have time to learn Japanese at a college). I was the youngest person there. I was placed in to an intermediate level, but it was fairly easy, even though the teacher was really funny, so at the teacher's request, I moved to the next level which was kind of hard. I was having to define "keigo," which is like polite speech (conjugation and words become totally different) used in varying circumstances. It's like manners for your mouth. English has nothing like this because we are/were all barbarians. :)
Jokes aside, the class is only 300 yen (um a little more than 3 dollars now). The exchange rate is becoming so bad, compared to last semester. Thankfully, half of my stipend is in yen. Because it is so inexpensive, I'll probably attend the weekly classes (every Saturday morning, in my case). No grades too.
Following this class, I went with my host family to go camera shopping (they lost their camera in Australia). I was skeptical at first that wherever we were going wouldn't have the camera I wanted or the price would be the same as Yodobashi or Bikku Camera, but it turned out that my host father was able to negotiate the price of the camera I wanted to buy (Ricoh CX1 or CX2 if it was less than $400) down about 140 dollars. In addition, I got the case of my choice free as "sabisu" or service. Price negotiation doesn't happen in America unless you are buying shady goods.
In other Japanese news, I have two quizzes and an essay due tomorrow, so I need to get to studying.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Cats
There are cafes where you can go to play with cats (and other small animals), and I have just discovered one in the vicinity of Waseda's campus (this will have to be investigated in the future).
Unfortunately, even though today was a major holiday (Health & Sports Day?), it was not so for Waseda Students. Kind of a bummer, but at least we got last Thursday off because of the typhoon. (And so I missed my vocab quiz, mwahaha).
Unfortunately, even though today was a major holiday (Health & Sports Day?), it was not so for Waseda Students. Kind of a bummer, but at least we got last Thursday off because of the typhoon. (And so I missed my vocab quiz, mwahaha).
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
First Week of Classes
I've kind of put this off, and so now I am going to restructure it a bit.
I accidentally skipped my first class of the semester and my only class of Monday because I misread the time of my class (14:45 as 4:45). Not that it really mattered (during first week of classes attendance isn't taken).
On Tuesday, I had my first Japanese class! We had a really hard test, which was clearly designed to determine if we should be in a higher level, but judging by our textbook, I am in the right level. Also, being in a homestay really has already helped me with comprehension and speaking confidence. It also seems like the Japanese classes at Waseda are mostly vocab and kanji based, which is something that GWU didn't really focus on (it was mostly grammar). Still, I have the class 9 hours a week, which is kind of lame.
My Media Economics class also seems really interesting! The teacher is Japanese and sometimes forgets English, but he is very funny, and the course material seems interesting. I am doing a group project regarding television broadcasting, so it should be interesting (though I was I had the magazine industry or gaming industry).
My Topics in American Advertising class is a little mundane (it's a history class), but at least I'll get credit for it at GWU. The teacher wrote our textbook, and was referenced in a Discovery Channel documentary about advertising.
Surprisingly, my Creating Values in Business class will be totally awesome! The teacher is an incredibly interesting person, he's Japanese, but studied abroad in America and in France. Right now he is working on this record label (or sort of record label/agency) for bands, including Begin (we watched their videos in Japanese class)!
I accidentally skipped my first class of the semester and my only class of Monday because I misread the time of my class (14:45 as 4:45). Not that it really mattered (during first week of classes attendance isn't taken).
On Tuesday, I had my first Japanese class! We had a really hard test, which was clearly designed to determine if we should be in a higher level, but judging by our textbook, I am in the right level. Also, being in a homestay really has already helped me with comprehension and speaking confidence. It also seems like the Japanese classes at Waseda are mostly vocab and kanji based, which is something that GWU didn't really focus on (it was mostly grammar). Still, I have the class 9 hours a week, which is kind of lame.
My Media Economics class also seems really interesting! The teacher is Japanese and sometimes forgets English, but he is very funny, and the course material seems interesting. I am doing a group project regarding television broadcasting, so it should be interesting (though I was I had the magazine industry or gaming industry).
My Topics in American Advertising class is a little mundane (it's a history class), but at least I'll get credit for it at GWU. The teacher wrote our textbook, and was referenced in a Discovery Channel documentary about advertising.
Surprisingly, my Creating Values in Business class will be totally awesome! The teacher is an incredibly interesting person, he's Japanese, but studied abroad in America and in France. Right now he is working on this record label (or sort of record label/agency) for bands, including Begin (we watched their videos in Japanese class)!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Classes Start Today!
Classes start today! I am taking "Topics in American Advertising," "Media Economics," "Creating Values in Business," "Japanese Literature After 1945," and Japanese (Level 3R).
Yesterdizzle, I was surprised to hear a Sylvie Vartan song used in a TV commercial, and yet even more surprised to find out my host family knew who she was, and then they were surprised I knew who she was. Go fig.
Yesterdizzle, I was surprised to hear a Sylvie Vartan song used in a TV commercial, and yet even more surprised to find out my host family knew who she was, and then they were surprised I knew who she was. Go fig.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Locked Up
So here is a more legitimate update.
The past few days have been incredibly fun, and I've been meeting a lot of people. A few days ago, several friends and I joined the Waseda International Club (WIC) on a trip to Odaiba. It takes over an hour to get there by train, but the view from the monorail is great! There were maybe 20 kids in my group, and after having a picnic with food bought from a convenience store (Japanese convenience stores have many more choices of things to eat than American ones), we visited the Fuji Television Station (my host family's son also works there). We also saw a guy exhibiting his trained monkey. I don't like monkeys.
After returning to Takadanobaba Station, several of us joined a combined WIC and Niji-no-Kai (the name means Rainbow Club, but it's really an International Communications Club) for a Nomikai (which is like a drinking party). After the place closed, we all went to a park to mingle for a few hours, before being asked by the police to leave.
The next day, I went to Harajuku for the first time with my friend. It's a pretty cool place, and I think so far it's my favorite place in Tokyo. You have one street with most of the big brands: Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Armani, Bvlgari, etc. But then the side streets are filled with interesting little shops and boutiques like an entire store dedicated to Tintin. I thought I'd get my haircut in Harajuku, because this is the place to go for haircuts apparently, but I was too intimidated by all the hair salons.
The next day, I did get my haircut around Takadanobaba Station. I had no idea what the woman cutting my hair was saying, which was kind of awkward. But she gave me a good haircut (costing about 5000 yen - average price I think).
Later in the evening, I went with my two friends and two Japanese girls to an Izakaya (place where you can order drinks and order food) in Shibuya. It was a very interesting place...to say the least. It was monster prison themed, and the hostesses (as in Restaurant hostesses) wore "sexy Policemen bondage" outfits. We also were handcuffed and then led to our table, which was behind prison bars. Every so often the place turned off all the lights, and Japanese men dressed in Halloween masks would come around and try and frighten everyone.
After leaving this place (called Locked Up), we went to a club in Shibuya because we missed the last train. And so we "clubbed" for 5 hours before the next train came.
The past few days have been incredibly fun, and I've been meeting a lot of people. A few days ago, several friends and I joined the Waseda International Club (WIC) on a trip to Odaiba. It takes over an hour to get there by train, but the view from the monorail is great! There were maybe 20 kids in my group, and after having a picnic with food bought from a convenience store (Japanese convenience stores have many more choices of things to eat than American ones), we visited the Fuji Television Station (my host family's son also works there). We also saw a guy exhibiting his trained monkey. I don't like monkeys.
After returning to Takadanobaba Station, several of us joined a combined WIC and Niji-no-Kai (the name means Rainbow Club, but it's really an International Communications Club) for a Nomikai (which is like a drinking party). After the place closed, we all went to a park to mingle for a few hours, before being asked by the police to leave.
The next day, I went to Harajuku for the first time with my friend. It's a pretty cool place, and I think so far it's my favorite place in Tokyo. You have one street with most of the big brands: Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Armani, Bvlgari, etc. But then the side streets are filled with interesting little shops and boutiques like an entire store dedicated to Tintin. I thought I'd get my haircut in Harajuku, because this is the place to go for haircuts apparently, but I was too intimidated by all the hair salons.
The next day, I did get my haircut around Takadanobaba Station. I had no idea what the woman cutting my hair was saying, which was kind of awkward. But she gave me a good haircut (costing about 5000 yen - average price I think).
Later in the evening, I went with my two friends and two Japanese girls to an Izakaya (place where you can order drinks and order food) in Shibuya. It was a very interesting place...to say the least. It was monster prison themed, and the hostesses (as in Restaurant hostesses) wore "sexy Policemen bondage" outfits. We also were handcuffed and then led to our table, which was behind prison bars. Every so often the place turned off all the lights, and Japanese men dressed in Halloween masks would come around and try and frighten everyone.
After leaving this place (called Locked Up), we went to a club in Shibuya because we missed the last train. And so we "clubbed" for 5 hours before the next train came.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Karaoke and Killer Bees
I did karaoke for the first time yesterday, and lo and behold the videos for some of the songs were American cities, including New Orleans! Weird.
Also, Japan has these rad killer hornets that are about 4-inches big. Saw some in Shinjuku park yesterday!
Also, Japan has these rad killer hornets that are about 4-inches big. Saw some in Shinjuku park yesterday!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Opening Ceremony (and not the store)
Yesterday was the opening ceremony for the Waseda SILS Program. It was held in the Okuma Auditorium, which is 125 year-old building with a clock tower. The number 125 is apparently special because the founder of the school and twice prime minister Okuma Shigenobu believed people could live to be a potential age of 125. I also finally found out that there are 240 kids in my program, most are some sort of Chinese.
Before the program began, I visited the Theater Museum on Waseda's Campus with my host family. It was a recreation of Shakespeare's Globe Theater or something, and contained a lot of translated plays and stage artifacts from the past 100 years.
It was free and very boring.
Before the program began, I visited the Theater Museum on Waseda's Campus with my host family. It was a recreation of Shakespeare's Globe Theater or something, and contained a lot of translated plays and stage artifacts from the past 100 years.
It was free and very boring.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
ありがとう
I really like this song.
Here are the lyrics and translation:
誰もが気付かぬうちに
何かを失っている
ふと気付けばあなたはいない
思い出だけを残して
せわしい時の中
言葉を失った人形達のように
街角に溢れた野良猫のように
声にならない叫びが聞こえてくる
もしも もう一度あなたに会えるなら
たった一言伝えたい
ありがと ありがとう
時には傷つけあっても
あなたを感じていたい
思い出はせめてもの慰め
いつまでもあなたはここにいる
もしも もう一度あなたに会えるなら
たった一言伝えたい
ありがと ありがとう
もしも もう一度あなたに会えるなら
たった一言伝えたい
もしも もう一度あなたに会えるなら
たった一言伝えたい
ありがと ありがとう
時には傷つけあっても
あなたを感じていたい
Everyone loses something
Before they even realise it
Suddenly I realise that you’ve gone
Leaving behind only memories
Amid the happiness, we lost our words
Like dolls
Like all those stray cats on the street corner
I hear a silent scream
If I could see you one more time
I just want to say one word: Thank You, Thank You
Even if I get hurt sometimes
I want to keep feeling you
At least I have my memories to comfort me
I’ll always have you here
If I could see you one more time
I just want to say one word: Thank You, Thank You
If I could see you one more time
I just want to say one word
If I could see you one more time
I just want to say one word: Thank You, Thank You
Even if I get hurt sometimes, I want to keep feeling you
Friday, September 18, 2009
FIRE
A house across the street caught on fire, and partially burned down last night while I was out with friends. Crazy.
Apparently arson is the number one cause of fires in Japan (or at least Tokyo).
Apparently arson is the number one cause of fires in Japan (or at least Tokyo).
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Jupiter
This song was on the TV this morning, and the melody is based on a Holst (some English composer who died in 1997) song. The girl playing the piano is Korean, and has 4 fingers.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
OH!
MY PLANE IS BOARDING! I'M HEADING TO JAPAN!
These posts should now become slightly more relevant and scintillating.
SO HOPE I MEET SCARLETT JOHANSSON (Lost in Translation style)!
PS: Why don't airports have plugs? Honestly.
These posts should now become slightly more relevant and scintillating.
SO HOPE I MEET SCARLETT JOHANSSON (Lost in Translation style)!
PS: Why don't airports have plugs? Honestly.
Friday, September 11, 2009
What the Heck?
ARGH. So I would lose my wallet within days of leaving. Thankfully the only thing I really lost was the wallet itself (a nice silver Marc Jacobs one, supposedly no longer being sold). My GWID, Debit Cards, and Metro Card can all be replaced at least. I also took some cash out of the wallet, so I don't think I lost a ton of money (something less than $40 I think).
Still...very....very...frustrating...
Actually, these past few days have not been the greatest. Aside from a continuation in a string of stupid, vapid friendship issues, it's now raining, so I can't retake my driver's test. I now have to wait a year to retake it. CURSES.
There is somewhat of a silver lining though. Literally, silver, as in the color of the wallet. In trying to determine whether or not I could rebuy the wallet in Tokyo, I discovered that there are like 17 Marc Jacobs stores spread throughout the city. Why there are so many, God only knows. I also happened to find out who I should e-mail if I were interested in working in one of those stores. I can legally work part-time, 28 hours per week or 8 hours per day (during vacations), according to my handy-dandy International Student's Handbook. Hmm.
On a completely unrelated note, I just exchanged $243 dollars for ¥20000 yen, which is kind of lame because I basically paid $20 more than I should have. I didn't even get small bills, I got two ¥10000 yen bills. Also, it's scary that a few months ago it was roughly ¥100 yen to $1 dollar, and now (as of today) it's ¥90.475 yen to $1 dollar.
Still...very....very...frustrating...
Actually, these past few days have not been the greatest. Aside from a continuation in a string of stupid, vapid friendship issues, it's now raining, so I can't retake my driver's test. I now have to wait a year to retake it. CURSES.
There is somewhat of a silver lining though. Literally, silver, as in the color of the wallet. In trying to determine whether or not I could rebuy the wallet in Tokyo, I discovered that there are like 17 Marc Jacobs stores spread throughout the city. Why there are so many, God only knows. I also happened to find out who I should e-mail if I were interested in working in one of those stores. I can legally work part-time, 28 hours per week or 8 hours per day (during vacations), according to my handy-dandy International Student's Handbook. Hmm.
On a completely unrelated note, I just exchanged $243 dollars for ¥20000 yen, which is kind of lame because I basically paid $20 more than I should have. I didn't even get small bills, I got two ¥10000 yen bills. Also, it's scary that a few months ago it was roughly ¥100 yen to $1 dollar, and now (as of today) it's ¥90.475 yen to $1 dollar.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
FOUR DAYS
While I am glad to finally be going, I do think I will miss some aspects of New Orleans. Especially since I reconnected with so many people over the summer. The image in this post is of my street and house, I'm assuming from the 1920s. It's funny how not much as changed aside from landscaping.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Ponyo! ポニョ！
It's funny that I saw this before going to Japan, but highly appropriate. I had read some mediocre reviews, but I was very impressed by the film. The music, the animation, and the story were all well done. While it doesn't compare to the older Ghibli films, it was definitely better than the last few movies released by the studio. My only little qualm was that "Bonus Jonas" and "Miley's Little Sister" had a remixed version of the theme song at the end of the film. Auto-tuning is never acceptable.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
GWU
I never would have thought I'd be having second thoughts about studying abroad, but I am really going to miss e'r'one at GW. Spending these past few days in DC has really been a breath of fresh air, and I kind of wish now that I was spending Junior year here.
I am looking forward to Tokyo, though with a kind of nervous excitement. I can't wait to meet new people in Japan, but it scares me that when I return I'll only be going to school for one more year with my friends.
I'll just have to work hard keeping in touch with everyone this year! And make sure not to repeat any of the mistakes from last semester!
I am looking forward to Tokyo, though with a kind of nervous excitement. I can't wait to meet new people in Japan, but it scares me that when I return I'll only be going to school for one more year with my friends.
I'll just have to work hard keeping in touch with everyone this year! And make sure not to repeat any of the mistakes from last semester!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Softbank
Okay, I am trying to be productive before I head to Tokyo, and so I've been looking in to cell phones and plans. I won't be able to apply for one or anything until I get my alien registration card, but that should happen within the first week after I arrive.
Japan has a lot of crazy cellphones - to the point where they are probably redundantly pimped out, though still better than the iPhone (as of 2007 at least). Really though, I'm not interested in phones that can smell or play TV; however, a phone with Google Maps would be helpful I'm sure.
So I was thinking of getting an iPhone, but that lil dream came crumbling down after I calculated that I'd end up paying $800-$1000 for eleven months of use. (Note: Phone plans in Japan are usually for 2-years, and you have to pay a cancellation fee if you terminate your contract before that period).
Still, I will probably end up choosing a Softbank phone, as the English version of their website is very efficient (it's more or less a translation of their Japanese site). Most people text/email in Japan, as regular calls are super expensive, so I'll have to keep that in mind.
Waseda did send me an advertisement for a Piccell international phone (which is a free phone with a $25 per month bill), but I was searching online for reviews of Piccell and it seems like a lot of students did not have a very good experience with them (there is even a lawsuit against Piccell it seems). My friend Natasha (whose blog is linked to mine) used them though, and did not have any problems.
Japan has a lot of crazy cellphones - to the point where they are probably redundantly pimped out, though still better than the iPhone (as of 2007 at least). Really though, I'm not interested in phones that can smell or play TV; however, a phone with Google Maps would be helpful I'm sure.
So I was thinking of getting an iPhone, but that lil dream came crumbling down after I calculated that I'd end up paying $800-$1000 for eleven months of use. (Note: Phone plans in Japan are usually for 2-years, and you have to pay a cancellation fee if you terminate your contract before that period).
Still, I will probably end up choosing a Softbank phone, as the English version of their website is very efficient (it's more or less a translation of their Japanese site). Most people text/email in Japan, as regular calls are super expensive, so I'll have to keep that in mind.
Waseda did send me an advertisement for a Piccell international phone (which is a free phone with a $25 per month bill), but I was searching online for reviews of Piccell and it seems like a lot of students did not have a very good experience with them (there is even a lawsuit against Piccell it seems). My friend Natasha (whose blog is linked to mine) used them though, and did not have any problems.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Knocking On Heaven's Door
I've always thought it cool that アンジェラ・アキ is a GWU alumni! Of course, I think that 手紙 is her best song.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Banking and Other Ubiquities
I am currently waiting for my very delicious chicken pot pie to finish baking; having just spent the past thirty minutes drinking iced tea and pretending to be a pirate (not really), I thought I could perhaps spare a moment to post another blog entry.
Lately, I've been trying to figure out what to do about banking while I am in Japan. Currently I have a Capital One checking account and a Bank of America student checking account (and as of roughly two hours ago, I have a Citibank student checking account in the process of being created).
It was recommended to me that Citibank is the best bank to use in Japan, since it actually has branches in Japan and has a partnership with 7/11. However, apparently this is negligent as regardless of where I withdraw money, all withdrawals still incur a 3% charge (I am not sure if this is in addition to ATM fees).
This means that for example if I go to a Citibank Japan branch, I will still be charged 3% (this is supposed to change in the future, but whatever); the reason for this is that Citibank Japan does not have access to my US Citibank info -- I sense an Information Systems opportunity here. Citibank does have 24 hour customer service though, which my Citibank representative was very insistent on pointing out to me.
On the other hand, Capital One does not charge for ATM withdrawals; there is also no fee for withdrawing in Yen from my US checking account. However, I'd still end up paying the ATM usage-fee.
I haven't looked in to/most likely won't bother looking in to Bank of America and Chase (which has branches in Japan too). In fact, I'll probably close my Bank of America account, because as nice as their ATMs are, Citibank has better student benefits.
Note: A helpful reminder here, to future people studying abroad: don't forget to tell your bank your international itinerary -- otherwise your card won't work abroad.
Anyways, in perhaps more interesting news, I've been keeping in touch with my host family. There was some confusion on my part as to whether or not I was to meet my host family at the airport or use the student pick-up service that Waseda offers. After a series of some rather awkward emails, it seems to be that I am meeting my host mother at the airport when I arrive.
Lately, I've been trying to figure out what to do about banking while I am in Japan. Currently I have a Capital One checking account and a Bank of America student checking account (and as of roughly two hours ago, I have a Citibank student checking account in the process of being created).
It was recommended to me that Citibank is the best bank to use in Japan, since it actually has branches in Japan and has a partnership with 7/11. However, apparently this is negligent as regardless of where I withdraw money, all withdrawals still incur a 3% charge (I am not sure if this is in addition to ATM fees).
This means that for example if I go to a Citibank Japan branch, I will still be charged 3% (this is supposed to change in the future, but whatever); the reason for this is that Citibank Japan does not have access to my US Citibank info -- I sense an Information Systems opportunity here. Citibank does have 24 hour customer service though, which my Citibank representative was very insistent on pointing out to me.
On the other hand, Capital One does not charge for ATM withdrawals; there is also no fee for withdrawing in Yen from my US checking account. However, I'd still end up paying the ATM usage-fee.
I haven't looked in to/most likely won't bother looking in to Bank of America and Chase (which has branches in Japan too). In fact, I'll probably close my Bank of America account, because as nice as their ATMs are, Citibank has better student benefits.
Note: A helpful reminder here, to future people studying abroad: don't forget to tell your bank your international itinerary -- otherwise your card won't work abroad.
Anyways, in perhaps more interesting news, I've been keeping in touch with my host family. There was some confusion on my part as to whether or not I was to meet my host family at the airport or use the student pick-up service that Waseda offers. After a series of some rather awkward emails, it seems to be that I am meeting my host mother at the airport when I arrive.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Less Than a Month to Japan!
Well, you know, everyone is doing it -- a blog for their travels, that is. And so well, I want to be popular, so here's mine!
Currently, I am a 20-year old nobody-who-wants-to-be-somebody eagerly anticipating my year abroad in Tokyo at 早稲田大学 (Waseda University). Passport CHECK! Visa CHECK! Sense of Adventure CHECK! I leave on the 13th of September to arrive on the 14th, from New Orleans to Chicago to the Narita Airport in Tokyo.
I'll be spending my year abroad with a host family aka. ホストファミリー.
From the information I've received, I've discerned that they live about 40 minutes to an hour away from Waseda's campus (depending on which combination of foot, bus, and metro I use). An hour's commute is fairly common for students staying with host families, I've heard. Anyways, I'll be living with a father (66) and a mother (61) and a pet dog (Maltese). They've hosted students for 14 years and have three married sons, so I don't anticipate any problems.
I am also fortunate because I will be receiving a stipend of roughly $1800 or about ¥169911 a month, which I received from both the George Washington University (my home uni.) and Waseda. Though I have been to both China and Taiwan, I have not yet been to Japan, and so I think the stipend certainly offers an immense opportunity to experience the Japanese culture uninhibited.
As Sept 13th draws nearer, I am slowly but surely reviewing my Japanese (which is quite terrible right now). I've also begun to put a mental pack list together; thus far it consist of 1) a towel, 2) neosporin, and 3) a raincoat and/or umbrella if I so choose.
All in all, I'll try and be fairly faithful to this blog, and I'll try to organize my posts in to some sort of coherent categories. So far I've tagged posts that relate to Waseda (Waseda), and posts that relate to my homestay (Homestay).
In the meantime, I need to open up a Citibank account (which I hear has branches in Japan), and buy some cheap, but decent suitcases.
Currently, I am a 20-year old nobody-who-wants-to-be-somebody eagerly anticipating my year abroad in Tokyo at 早稲田大学 (Waseda University). Passport CHECK! Visa CHECK! Sense of Adventure CHECK! I leave on the 13th of September to arrive on the 14th, from New Orleans to Chicago to the Narita Airport in Tokyo.
I'll be spending my year abroad with a host family aka. ホストファミリー.
From the information I've received, I've discerned that they live about 40 minutes to an hour away from Waseda's campus (depending on which combination of foot, bus, and metro I use). An hour's commute is fairly common for students staying with host families, I've heard. Anyways, I'll be living with a father (66) and a mother (61) and a pet dog (Maltese). They've hosted students for 14 years and have three married sons, so I don't anticipate any problems.
I am also fortunate because I will be receiving a stipend of roughly $1800 or about ¥169911 a month, which I received from both the George Washington University (my home uni.) and Waseda. Though I have been to both China and Taiwan, I have not yet been to Japan, and so I think the stipend certainly offers an immense opportunity to experience the Japanese culture uninhibited.
As Sept 13th draws nearer, I am slowly but surely reviewing my Japanese (which is quite terrible right now). I've also begun to put a mental pack list together; thus far it consist of 1) a towel, 2) neosporin, and 3) a raincoat and/or umbrella if I so choose.
All in all, I'll try and be fairly faithful to this blog, and I'll try to organize my posts in to some sort of coherent categories. So far I've tagged posts that relate to Waseda (Waseda), and posts that relate to my homestay (Homestay).
In the meantime, I need to open up a Citibank account (which I hear has branches in Japan), and buy some cheap, but decent suitcases.
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