Japanese Haircut

During my two week break between summer school and the regular term, I was browsing the internet at my youth hostel and happened to stumble upon GQ's website while looking for possible haircuts. I read an Q&A section about getting haircuts in the states, and the GQ expert explained that in the states unlike the past, it is hard to find a good barber. However in Japan, there are tons of excellent places to get your haircut.

So today, after my skit on bakayama was over, I set out with a 50% off cupon to get my haircut finally. GQ was right, they really take care of you in Japan. Here are some of the things that set it above the US. First when you go into the shop, they give you a little card where you can draw what kind of a hair style you want. I doubt many people choose this option, because next step they lead you to a chair, give you some magazines, and the barber comes over for a little 1 on 1 consultation. Oh I forgot to mention that you can choose what kind of barber you want. Three price levels for three kinds of stylists. I forget the names, but it is something like: stylist, design stylist, and master stylist. I went with the middle. After the during the session with the stylist they ask if you want a shampoo.
Yes, please. I love getting my hair washed. If you have never had it done, I highly reccomend it. It kind of puts you into a trance.

After that they lead you back to your original chair. This might sound pretty normal to some people, but I have forgotten to mention some pretty important things. First off, this whole place is pretty posh, and there is no filth to be seen. Second, they treat costumers like royality. Not only are they using all honorific language, but they are gentle with everything. They gently wrap the towel on your neck. Gently lay the cover over your lap. They ask if there is any pain when they button up the bib. All of this adds up to an entirely new haircut experience. The haircut its self was pretty normal. I can't it is the most fantastic haircut I will ever get in my life. But I am very happy with it. They took very good care of me and I got it all at a cheap price. Only 3045 yen. Just about 30$.
I almost forgot to mention that after they clean you up and get ready to send you out, they give you a little shoulder massage. Nothing special just another neat little things they do to make you feel pampered.
Oh and the name of the place I went to is called, Ash Hairmake.
Check it out.

Quiet Night

Oddly enough, there is little happening for me on this Monday night. So I'll use this time to write a couple of random things.

Initiation is almost over. Just as frats, the American cousin of Japanese dorms, do first week of school means initiation week! However, this doesn't mean drinking till you puke, or walking all night with no shoes on. *Some Japanese dorms do this however.. At the normal dorms, such as mine, this just means a time for all of the new comers to dress up in costume at school and end the week with a little skit on campus. This year, the theme for first men's dorm is Street Fighter. A classic right? We have 5 new comers. The characters are as follows. Chun Li, Sagat, Ryu, Sakura, and Guile. I'm Guile so it means I have been walking around campus with dog tags, camo pants, bleached hair and a green wife beater. It has worked in bonding the new comers together, but to be honest I am looking forward to going back to regular Gabe. The upside is, I havent had to do my laundry in a while.

Summer is finally ending, its getting pretty cold at night. I might need to buy a blanket soon.

I feel like I am settling in for the long haul...
But I am happy

Start of the School Year

Yesterday the fall students for ICU were officially welcomed in by the dean of students.
As I sat in the ICU church listening to the welcome speech, I couldn't help but smile as I remembered the day at the beginning of freshman year, when I decided to sleep through the deans welcome speech. But because this is Japan the entrance ceremony for new students is much more important than in America. Like graduation, one by one, each of the September students were called. And when called, we would stand up and say : "Hai".

It is really hard to believe that I am at a school. I still feel as if I am in a summer camp. I moved into the First Mens Dorm a.k.a dai-ichi. I may have expressed some qualms about being in the dorms, but so far it is going pretty well. Dai-ichi is the more subdued of the 2 men dorms at ICU. Because of that I do feel lonely part of the time, but I know that I am the type of person who need a little peace and quiet at home base. I really like my roomate. Not only is he very neat and nice, but he plays soccer, speaks very little english and loves to drink at parties. Im going to try to get to know him very well before the year is over.

Today was the first day of club orientation. Basically it is the Japanese equaliant to rush week. All of the clubs have little both type places on a road and they come up to all of the exchange students asking if they want to play tennis, or for the bigger white guys, football/rugby. To be honest I cant say I like that kind of pressure. I feel like once I choose a club, that will be my click for the rest of the year. Like it or not...
Tomorrow is the last day of club orientation, maybe I will be more into it.

One of the things I enjoyed very much was the exchange with dai-ni joshi ryo(second womens dorm). It was a great opportunity to practice my Japanese.
One girl did say I dont talk enough tho...
Sometimes I just have nothing to say I guess....