JULY 14
I’m surprised I didn’t feel particularly sore or tired
when I woke up this morning. Personally, I felt a bit stronger, and a little
less class-oriented. In conversation class I tried to use the time to talk
about our weekend, since none of us wanted to study. It was a hard bait to
bite, but eventually they caught on.
Usually our day would end there, but we had another
appointment set for fourth period. A graduate student at the university was
researching tea, and its role in different culture. As a result, we, the
resident different cultures, were going to meet with him for an interview. It
was kind of sad, because he had come all the way from Toyohashi for an interview
that could have easily been done over e-mail. I regret saying that there was no
inviting feeling amongst the exchange students who did show up for the
interview, and it was mostly us Americans. Granted, there isn’t much that we
can say about tea, in and of itself. Those of us with any particular tea
background were largely influenced by Japanese tea traditions. There really was
nothing to say. However, despite our poor efforts, the young man was kind
enough to bring us all a thank you gift for our participation. That made me
feel a bit guilty, but the deed was done.
JULY 15
Tonight I’m hanging out with some members from BPM~
I’m not sure what the plans are exactly. There was going to be a get together
later in August, but it would be either when I was back in America, or in
process of moving. I asked if we could also do one this month also, and they
planned it for tonight. A Tuesday night, of all things, but at least my morning
class is just over the kanji from chapter 15.
JULY 16
Last night was great! It started out kind of rocky on
my end, but in the end we had a great time.
After practice, I hurried home to shower and then back
out to Nagoya Station where I expected to meet the rest of the group. I was
early, but then they decided to eat at Saizeriya before coming to the Station.
I started in their direction, but they said it wouldn’t be long, so I bought my
own dinner at McDonald’s and ate in on the corner. It was kind of embarrassing
just sitting there and eating by myself, but I assumed they would come any
minute. It was almost 11pm when they finally arrived; I was expecting a
slightly bigger group, but there were only eight people. Maybe I was a little
disappointed not to see certain faces that I was more close to, but I was glad
to have the company anyway. I say that like this day was planned for me, which
it was in my head, but really, I think it was just a hang out for them.
We caught the Meitetsu heading north of Nagoya and got
off at Biwajima. From there, it was a short walk to Japan Rental Car, which up
until that point I assumed only dealt with rental cars. Apparently, it’s also a
karaoke place that allows one’s party to bring in their own food and drink (no
sneaking). So the guys went out to buy the snacks and drinks, while the girls
all settled in the room and changed into more comfortable clothes. They’re
always dressed up to go somewhere, but I appreciate it when they finally let
loose and tromp around in sweats. We managed to sing the night away, song after
song, most of which I didn’t know. I really should practice more Japanese
songs, but I hardly know any in my vocal range.
Day came, and the lot of us hobbled out into the
light. Once again, I hadn’t slept, so I was awake, but tired. Once again, maybe
for the last time, I headed straight to campus to review for the kanji quiz.
During second period I half-napped in one of the empty classrooms. I couldn’t
have prepared more for my thank you and farewell speech anyway. It was meant
for BPM, but the atmosphere yesterday didn’t grant me the chance to read it.
I’m not sure whether I should make a big deal out of the fact that I will be
leaving, or not, since I will still be in Japan.
JULY 17
This morning we had something called a ‘first check’
of our apartments. Basically, Mr. Yoshida came to inspect our room to see if it
was in one piece or if anything was messing. He also checked the condition of
our bikes. I waited all morning for my turn, as supposedly each person would
take up to thirty minutes. Most of that time was spent chatting in my case,
since my room was clean and everything was in order. The next and ‘last check’
would be the final day we are allowed in our rooms; we will be returning our
student IDs, our keys and our bikes. I could easily have set my last day to be
the first of August, since I already have a new apartment to move in to.
However, as the last of the students will be leaving on the sixth I volunteered
to stay until the seventh so they had a place to sleep for the night after
turning in their keys on the fifth.
Only two more days until I get the keys to my new
place!
Speaking of which, I had to call the electric and gas
company before I moved in. I had been putting the task of for the past few days
because I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to say. With only two days remaining,
I had no choice but to call them today. First, I went to the international
center and asked if they might help me with the call. In return they
confidently said, ‘But you speak Japanese very well, why don’t you call them?’
I called the electric company first as I stood in front of them, just in case.
I don’t know why I had been so nervous; the call was very quick and to the
point. ‘What’s your address, when are you moving in, how will you make the
payments?’ I have to thank the international center for believing in me. Now, I
know that I can handle basic phone conversations like that on my own as well.
I’ll be all right.
JULY 18
Game Night! It would have been amazing if the Sloppy
Joes weren’t made with mixed beef. I basically ate chip sandwiches since I
couldn’t have the meat, but they were really good chip sandwiches. We played
Phase 10 the entire time, finally making it up to the 7th Phase. I need to find
this game and buy it, though I don’t know who I will play with after everyone
leaves…
JULY 19
Let the move in begin! I loaded up my rucksack and
packed various odd shaped things, like pots and other necessary knick knacks
around my room into the large blue luggage that I brought with me when I came
to Japan. Then I set out from my room in Chambre 72. Today, I was heading down
to Okazaki on my own, so I only took the first load along with me. It just so
happened that today Shin and some of the guys were meeting to play futsal at
the usual place. Mark and I hung out with Shin for a few hours last night, but
I wanted to see the other futsal members as well, if I had the chance. It was a
little out of the way, but I had left early for that reason.
As I marched down the street, dragging my luggage along, I noticed
something was dragging. Just as I turned the corner that would take me down
towards the campus, the wheel gave out. It didn’t break out, but the bottom
support literally caved in on itself. I wasn’t about to haul that monster any
further than was absolutely necessary, so I doubled back and went straight to
the station. Thankfully, despite a little rain, the walk from Okazaki Station
to the apartment dealers went considerably smoothly. I signed a few papers,
received my keys, and walked up the road to my apartment.
Just as I entered my apartment the sky opened and it
started to downpour. It was half-past 11am at the time, and the gas man was
scheduled to arrive until 2pm. My first task was to turn on the breaker, but
there were no instructions, just a switchboard near the door. My estimated
guesses failed, so I asked Jason to take a picture of the breaker in his
apartment. I knew that they were the same design, so I just needed to know
which switches were up and which were down. It turned out that all I needed to
change was the giant main switch, silly me.
After that, there was little else I could do so I
unpacked my poor suitcase and laid on the patio furniture mattress that would
be my bed until I bought a real futon. I waited and waited as the rain poured
on and on. The gas man called around 2pm to say he would be an hour late. Had I
known that, I might have tried to run to the hyaku-en shop as the rain
slowed down. So I waited some more and the gas man finally came and did his
job. Now I’ll have hot water as well.
Tonight it’s off to training again, and I’ll be
spending my first night in my new home.
