First day of classes

For REAL now.

I had that photography class, but I did drop it. Now I'm taking an online history class that will be... interesting to say the least because of the time difference. I'll figure out the schedule some how. There's a big group of us in this dorm taking the same class so we'll work it out together somehow. It will be nice not being all alone in it. Hopefully this doesn't screw me over hahha!

I'm having issues with Blackboard though. I've used it before, but for some reason none of my classes are showing up on it yet. Which is problematic seeing as my English teacher assigned us readings already that we can supposedly find ON blackboard... if only we were able to access it! It says I'm not enrolled in any classes--so frustrating.

I'll probably email her in a bit and ask her about that.

It seems like it's happening to a lot of people too. I've heard others in the dorm talking about the same issue.

I had my first day of art class yesterday as well. It was interesting--I was informed that I could take the intermediate class if I wanted, but because of my lack of 'life drawing' (figurative drawing), I decided I would take the fundamentals and intro to figure drawing (it's the same class) before I move on. I don't want to risk stressing myself too much hahah. And this class seems fun.

Later today I plan on venturing off to see about buying some of my art supplies. I brought most of them, but things like drawing pads I do happen to need. Luckily I won't be spending quite as much as other people will be, but there are SOME things I will have to spend quite a bit on. How frustrating hahaha.

My English professor did a good job in terrifying most of the class by telling us that this will probably be the hardest class we will take at the school. There's a lot of writing to do, but I've arrange my schedule so that it really shouldn't be a problem for me. But now I'm pretty sure I'll have two writing intensive classes--I guess we'll find out. At least it will give me something to do without spending all my money!

I'll be happier when I have my financial aid finally so that I can actually have a little more fun. It's unfortunately quite expensive to do much of anything in Japan--even if the place you are going to hang out or party is free, you still have to pay for your train passes haha! It builds up after a while.

Tomorrow I find out the results of my Japanese entrance exam... I'm sure I did relatively horrible on one part, because after I was finished, I realized I'd forgotten a sound in one of the forms! That was also a frustrating situation hahaa. I don't think they will suggest to place me any lower--I refuse! XD With just the little review I've done already I remember so much I'd forgotten over the past five months or so. And unfortunately, because I took Chinese before I came here, I'm all messed up on what is what! I know how to say them in Chinese, I know the meaning, but sometimes I just don't know the Japanese spelling/sounds anymore. Silly silly me.

Give me a week or two and I'll be all straightened out again hahahaa.

Yesterday between Japanese and English, I walked to the bank and opened an account. Yay! Now I can get a cell phone, though I believe I'm going to get an iPhone.... Because that sounds fun and it seems like it's going to be about 60ish USD a month (50000yen max) for unlimited stuff. It's a VERY good deal that TUJ students are getting, so I think I would be a bit of a fool to pass it up. Though I did want an awesome Japanese phone... So I've been so very torn over this decision! hahah

The exchange rate in Japan sucks right now. I think that it was 88.24 yen for every 1USD? Not very good! My 113USD only made 9,971JPY yesterday *SOBSOB* but a least I got something.

Last night, after classes, I went with Alex to an arcade in Kamata--it's nice to go to because it's on the way home, so I don't get charged so much. Once I have a commuter pass it will be free for me to go hahaha! (Well.. "Free" seeing as the commuter pass is a bit over 16,000yen for three months I believe? It's very expensive. It's cheaper if I take Gotanda, but I have never taken that route, so I don't understand it at all. And I like that we can ride to Akihabara too)

It was a lot of fun at the arcade though! I didn't spend any money--he bought turns on the games and would let me try hahah. I'm pretty much fail on them all, but that's okay. It's fun anyway! When I have money I'll probably practice more on my days off or something.

We played this taiko drumming game--it's a LOT of fun, but so hard. He's already on the "muzukashii" level (for those of you that don't know Japanese, Muzukashii is the word for "difficult"), so that's the level I STARTED playing on. I just kind of got thrown into it hahaa. I'll figure it out someday.

Another game I loved was called Jubeat! It's SO fun, though I totally failed when he let me play. It's an interesting game, but I think it will take time for me to get any good at it at all. Maybe a lower level will be in need! I tried level four because it looked easy enough, and got an F! hahahaha Oh well.

People here play something called Beatmania, I believe. It's like the DJ Hero back in the states. They take it SO seriously over here though! People at the arcade playing all of these games are just AMAZING. I can't even imagine being that good at any of them ahah!

Ironically I have yet to run across too many DDR machines here in Japan. I've seen one so far in one of the arcades we stopped in, but no others!

Last night, however, I DID find a condom vending machine hahahaha.

500yen a pack. This is on the walk back to the dorm ahhahahaa.

In other news.... The day before yesterday it was raining! I went out and didn't have an umbrella... got drenched! I have to say that I now own an umbrella hahahha

Here are some pictures from the rainy-day commute to the train station:













I love our neighborhood. It's quiet for the most part (in fact, the dorm is usually the one getting the police called on--not this year so far, but in past semesters--for being too noisy!) but during the day, when you walk down the little shopping/food district on the way to the train, traditional Japanese music is playing over the intercom softly.

It's pretty cozy here, I really like it. My room is decent, though still a bit bland... I need to either do some art to put on my walls, buy posters ore get my friends to start mailing me art and photos! You lazy bums, come one! Hehe!

I know that one friend is sending me a package soon--after the 'test' letter arrives to be sure that it makes it to the dorm first hehe! So that's exciting.

Anyway, I'm not sure what more to talk about right now. I have some things I need to do today, so I suppose I should get out of bed (now that it's 11 am haha) and actually be productive.

See ya!
じゃまた！