Yes, I went back to Japan, again... From December 13 to December 29, 2009 I spent my winter break once again playing in Japan. My last time in Japan for Christmas was actually two years ago, not last year when I studied abroad. Two years ago was my first time visiting International Christian University, the small liberal arts college that I came to love so much last year. At that time when I first visited it was night time, the trees had lost all of their leaves and I had only one friend there. It was lonely then, and it was lonely this time too. Being back on campus help me to realize that I didn't make many friends among the four year students at ICU. Even with my dorm mates who are supposed to be like brothers forever, I could feel a large distance between us. Maybe it would be different if our dorm, First Men's Dorm was still standing and we could have the spatial familiarity that bonded us. However even without the traditional drinking party they were supposed to throw for me, I had the pleasure of being in the presences of the Dai-Ichi boys again. To be honest I hadn't made any plans to meet up with them(no wonder I made no lasting friendships). The remaining ICU students are unchanged. But what can be expected from only 6 months? It was fun to see this years exchange students. I didn't talk to any of them, but when I past them they gave me a glace like I was one of them, yet different at the same time.
I am going to be writing a few entries over the next couple of days. I think it is going to take me a while to get warmed up. So sorry in advanced.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Saraba Nippon - Farewell Japan
It's been over a week since I've return to America. Sadly, I did not have the will power to write this entry before I left my home in Japan. This is just a small wrap up of my time in Japan.
The end came quickly and painfully. The year that I had been looking forward to for so long, had passed so quickly. I don't have many regrets of how I should have spent my year abroad, because in the end I am very content with how it went. It's funny though, after so many months of feeling like I had nothing more to learn about my surrounding environment, the last couple of nights in Japan I discovered two things that made me stop and realize that there are so many things that I had not experienced. They are pretty small things, but the first one is;
when getting off of the 01 bus late at night, the one that drops you off at osawa, and not fujijyukooenmae, it is probably faster to walk up to the side gate rather than walking past the subaru dealership and through the main gate.
the second thing is, when I was walking through that main gate, I saw a anaguma- a Japanese badger! It was being chased by a small cat and when the badger saw me, it made hissing noises at me. How cute :3. I think it liked me! For a long time I've heard rumors of people seeing tanuki-raccoon on campus, but I never believed it because I had never seen it before. Now I still have never seen a tanuki on campus, but prior to that night I had never seen a badger on campus either. So you never know. Here is a picture just so you don't have to search on google images.
The end came quickly and painfully. The year that I had been looking forward to for so long, had passed so quickly. I don't have many regrets of how I should have spent my year abroad, because in the end I am very content with how it went. It's funny though, after so many months of feeling like I had nothing more to learn about my surrounding environment, the last couple of nights in Japan I discovered two things that made me stop and realize that there are so many things that I had not experienced. They are pretty small things, but the first one is;
when getting off of the 01 bus late at night, the one that drops you off at osawa, and not fujijyukooenmae, it is probably faster to walk up to the side gate rather than walking past the subaru dealership and through the main gate.
the second thing is, when I was walking through that main gate, I saw a anaguma- a Japanese badger! It was being chased by a small cat and when the badger saw me, it made hissing noises at me. How cute :3. I think it liked me! For a long time I've heard rumors of people seeing tanuki-raccoon on campus, but I never believed it because I had never seen it before. Now I still have never seen a tanuki on campus, but prior to that night I had never seen a badger on campus either. So you never know. Here is a picture just so you don't have to search on google images.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
UNIQLO CALENDAR
For those of you who don't know, Uniqlo is a store that is very common in Japan that sells pretty simple clothes for cheap. They usually aren't the flashiest of clothes but, sometimes there are good finds. Anyway they released this online calendar which I find magical.
Behold
the music was a little annoying so I removed the applet. If you want to watch it though, visit : http://www.uniqlo.com/calendar/
Behold
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The land of λΉ„(Rain)
As I finally stepped through the doors leading from baggage claim, I realized that I was now in a strange new country. A country which I knew almost nothing about, including the language. This realization brought along its friends; fear and anxiousness. And to make matters worse, it was raining like the country wanted to get rid of me.
This was my first impression of my spring break destination: Korea. Thanks to the Japanese education system, spring break in Japan usually lasts for a whole whopping month. This means I had plenty of time to relax, and take advantage of the extremely cheap flight to Korea. It might seem a little strange but ever since I arrive in Japan during the summer I had dreamed about leaving it. I wanted(and still do) to travel to other parts of Asia and have new experiences. Well, I finally was able to thanks to the $300 plane ticket from Narita to Seoul, and the wonderful currency exchange.
This blog has focused primarily on Japan, but for this special post I am going to write about Korea. The land known for kimchi and pop stars has so much more.
(I wasn't just talking about the weather)
Day 1-Arrival
As I mentioned previously, it was raining. Not the kind of rain where you put your hat on, and feel like you are conquering nature by keeping dry under your man made invention. No, this was the kind of rain that you either hide from with your tail between your legs, or just admit defeat and get soaked. I was lugging my suitcases around without an umbrella for over an hour trying to find my youth hostel. Needless to say, I even the clothes in my bags were soaked. I must have looked like such a poor case that this Korean woman ran up to me and started speaking to me in Korean while holding out an umbrella. I don't speak Korean but I think she said something like "Oh you poor baby! Here take this extra umbrella so that you don't catch a cold. Now run along to your hostel and dry off!" At least I hope that she offered me the umbrella because I took it with very little hesitation. Almost immediately after that, a man approached me and asked if I was looking for "Stay Korea" youth hostel, and proceeded to direct me. Right on, Korea. I'm fairly certain that, that kind of kindness for strangers is very rare in Japan. It was very refreshing to see that it still does exists in the world.
Day 2- Imperial Palace, Insadong
The first day in Korea began with meeting my guide for healthy breakfast of Dunkin' Doughnuts to get our energy up for the day. After I had finished my raspberry fritter and chrysanthemum tea, we set off to the old imperial palace. We arrived to what looked like an up and running legit court of Korea. But as I understand it, these ceremonies are the changing of the night guard to the day guard, and are simply a tourist attraction. And it certainly works.
Lotus in a shaft (Yes that is graffiti you see!)
Next we headed over to Insadong, a street known for its cheap traditional crafts and the foreigners they lure. While this street has a lot to see in terms of shopping, both old and new, the thing that I will always remember about Insadong is the food. Insadong has a wide assortment of food carts that post up on the main road ready to entice passer-bys. This being my first time in Korea, my guide suggested I try... well almost everything. So there we were, jumping from food stall to food stall ordering something new with both hands full, still chewing on food from a different stall. It was here were I tried for the first time, the legendary hoddok. Hoddok is basically melted cinnamon sugar inside a chewy dough. It is given to you hot off the grill and two bites will send you straight to heaven(the first bite is a little too hot...). Almost as if I was being punished for experiencing such pleasure from hoddok, the next food I tried would be my downfall. Ever since I learned about the existence of Korea as a boy, I have also heard of the legendary spice culture that existed. Surely, a country who is known for spicy pickled cabbage would be the land of spice. So, feeling a little big for my britches and wanting to impress my lovely guide, I strode up to a stall that sold dalk gocchi. Skewers with vegetables and chicken on it. This particular stall offered the skewers in mild, medium and spicy. I decided I would "gauge" this Korea's spiciness on this, so I decided to take the medium. Now I've never been outstanding at eating spicy food, but I guess that being in Japan for so long had given me the false impression that when something says it is spicy, it really isn't that bad. Wrong. For the first time since I have been potty trained, I started to cry in public. I stood by the food stall howling at the sky, tears rolling down my cheeks cursing my stupidity. Despite clear instructions by my guide to stay put as she ran to the nearest convenient store to buy some drinks, I had to get away. I ran to near by vending machines and reached into my pocket for some coins. Time seemed to be slowing down for me. Would I make it in time? Would I be able to buy my drink before I pass out from the pain? Or before my tongue just falls off? I prayed that I would not drop my money for that would surely mean death for me. With the clunk-clunk sound of the can falling, I thanked my lucky stars. While the aloe vera drink did help significantly, I still had a whole skewer to finish, but it was impossible, for the damage had been done. I cowered away from the chicken covered in liquid fire, and my Korean guide made quick work of it.
Day 3- COEX mall, Hookah in Handae
I tried to take a bite of Korea, and it bit back...hard...But thanks to opening the country to countless foreign investors, Korea actually has a plethora of American chain restaurants. On day three we went to COEX mall. I hate to admit it, but I felt completely at home in this giant mall. It was, to be honest exactly like an American mall, the only difference is it is located on the south side of the han river in Seoul, Korea. But check it out, I finally can have a decent piece of pizza: one without mayonnaise, corn and tuna on it. In fact it is more than decent, it is Sbarro!
mashiso(Delicious!!!)
The day ended with hookah in a part of town called Hongdae. It is near a Hongik University, an university known for its art programs. These art students bleed out of the university infusing the surrounding neighborhood with a youthful energy and that college town atmosphere. Bars and clubs are in plenty, and the hookah place I went to was proof that they don't mess around when it comes to having fun in Korea. Unfortunately I was too chicken to take a picture, but the place was an old night club converted to a relaxing hookah atmosphere. Drapes hanging from the ceiling, a candle on every table, and they actually had a room where the floor was covered in beach sand. And because this used to be a night club, there was a fully functional bar waiting to take your order, no matter how strange they were. This hookah bar had personalized many shot names, modestly named things like: "OMG I just came". All in all it was a completely different experience from the small 5 seater hookah places in Japan.
Day 4- Seoul Foreign High School, Movie, Bubble Tea
The forth day was planned as our chill out day, and that is what it was. I got a chance to walk through Yonsei University and do some exploring in Seoul Foreign High School. It was certainly a different atmosphere than my public Washington High, but it was without a doubt an American institution. It reminded me so much of Lick-Wilmerding, a private high school in San Francisco.
Later that day we saw "Push" in a beautiful and empty movie theater, then after that we had bubble tea.
Bubble Tea (Yea that's right...Jealous?)
Day 5- Seoul Tower, Myeongdong, Chongaecheon
The final day before leaving we decided to go to Seoul Tower to try and see all of the different parts of town that we had been to. Unfortunately, the tower was placed in such a magical way that this was nearly impossible. However we still did get wonderful views of Seoul not to mention the chance to pee while looking at these views.
9,040.09 km (I'm a long way from home)
If you squint hard enough you can see ICU(just kidding...)
There is something so relieving about peeing at the top of a tower
Day 6- Departure
When I woke up for the last time in my little hostel bed, I heard tiny sounds of rain drops once again hitting the window glass. It was raining in Korea again. I'm really big on the idea that life works in cycles, but this was just ridiculous. Thankfully, this in fact was the type of rain that I could put a hat on and stay dry and smug. While I was walking towards the bus stop that would take me back to the airport, I saw a Korean man and woman engaged in a yelling match. Both looked to be in their early fifties, and both seemed to believe with their entire being that they were right. I couldn't understand what they were saying, but I think the woman was winning. I gave her major props in my mind and turned away. Back towards the country of Japan where I have never seen a woman argue with a man, or received an umbrella from a stranger when it was raining.
I'll miss you Korea.
This was my first impression of my spring break destination: Korea. Thanks to the Japanese education system, spring break in Japan usually lasts for a whole whopping month. This means I had plenty of time to relax, and take advantage of the extremely cheap flight to Korea. It might seem a little strange but ever since I arrive in Japan during the summer I had dreamed about leaving it. I wanted(and still do) to travel to other parts of Asia and have new experiences. Well, I finally was able to thanks to the $300 plane ticket from Narita to Seoul, and the wonderful currency exchange.
This blog has focused primarily on Japan, but for this special post I am going to write about Korea. The land known for kimchi and pop stars has so much more.
(I wasn't just talking about the weather)
Day 1-Arrival
As I mentioned previously, it was raining. Not the kind of rain where you put your hat on, and feel like you are conquering nature by keeping dry under your man made invention. No, this was the kind of rain that you either hide from with your tail between your legs, or just admit defeat and get soaked. I was lugging my suitcases around without an umbrella for over an hour trying to find my youth hostel. Needless to say, I even the clothes in my bags were soaked. I must have looked like such a poor case that this Korean woman ran up to me and started speaking to me in Korean while holding out an umbrella. I don't speak Korean but I think she said something like "Oh you poor baby! Here take this extra umbrella so that you don't catch a cold. Now run along to your hostel and dry off!" At least I hope that she offered me the umbrella because I took it with very little hesitation. Almost immediately after that, a man approached me and asked if I was looking for "Stay Korea" youth hostel, and proceeded to direct me. Right on, Korea. I'm fairly certain that, that kind of kindness for strangers is very rare in Japan. It was very refreshing to see that it still does exists in the world.
Day 2- Imperial Palace, Insadong
The first day in Korea began with meeting my guide for healthy breakfast of Dunkin' Doughnuts to get our energy up for the day. After I had finished my raspberry fritter and chrysanthemum tea, we set off to the old imperial palace. We arrived to what looked like an up and running legit court of Korea. But as I understand it, these ceremonies are the changing of the night guard to the day guard, and are simply a tourist attraction. And it certainly works.
Lotus in a shaft (Yes that is graffiti you see!)
Next we headed over to Insadong, a street known for its cheap traditional crafts and the foreigners they lure. While this street has a lot to see in terms of shopping, both old and new, the thing that I will always remember about Insadong is the food. Insadong has a wide assortment of food carts that post up on the main road ready to entice passer-bys. This being my first time in Korea, my guide suggested I try... well almost everything. So there we were, jumping from food stall to food stall ordering something new with both hands full, still chewing on food from a different stall. It was here were I tried for the first time, the legendary hoddok. Hoddok is basically melted cinnamon sugar inside a chewy dough. It is given to you hot off the grill and two bites will send you straight to heaven(the first bite is a little too hot...). Almost as if I was being punished for experiencing such pleasure from hoddok, the next food I tried would be my downfall. Ever since I learned about the existence of Korea as a boy, I have also heard of the legendary spice culture that existed. Surely, a country who is known for spicy pickled cabbage would be the land of spice. So, feeling a little big for my britches and wanting to impress my lovely guide, I strode up to a stall that sold dalk gocchi. Skewers with vegetables and chicken on it. This particular stall offered the skewers in mild, medium and spicy. I decided I would "gauge" this Korea's spiciness on this, so I decided to take the medium. Now I've never been outstanding at eating spicy food, but I guess that being in Japan for so long had given me the false impression that when something says it is spicy, it really isn't that bad. Wrong. For the first time since I have been potty trained, I started to cry in public. I stood by the food stall howling at the sky, tears rolling down my cheeks cursing my stupidity. Despite clear instructions by my guide to stay put as she ran to the nearest convenient store to buy some drinks, I had to get away. I ran to near by vending machines and reached into my pocket for some coins. Time seemed to be slowing down for me. Would I make it in time? Would I be able to buy my drink before I pass out from the pain? Or before my tongue just falls off? I prayed that I would not drop my money for that would surely mean death for me. With the clunk-clunk sound of the can falling, I thanked my lucky stars. While the aloe vera drink did help significantly, I still had a whole skewer to finish, but it was impossible, for the damage had been done. I cowered away from the chicken covered in liquid fire, and my Korean guide made quick work of it.
Day 3- COEX mall, Hookah in Handae
I tried to take a bite of Korea, and it bit back...hard...But thanks to opening the country to countless foreign investors, Korea actually has a plethora of American chain restaurants. On day three we went to COEX mall. I hate to admit it, but I felt completely at home in this giant mall. It was, to be honest exactly like an American mall, the only difference is it is located on the south side of the han river in Seoul, Korea. But check it out, I finally can have a decent piece of pizza: one without mayonnaise, corn and tuna on it. In fact it is more than decent, it is Sbarro!
mashiso(Delicious!!!)
The day ended with hookah in a part of town called Hongdae. It is near a Hongik University, an university known for its art programs. These art students bleed out of the university infusing the surrounding neighborhood with a youthful energy and that college town atmosphere. Bars and clubs are in plenty, and the hookah place I went to was proof that they don't mess around when it comes to having fun in Korea. Unfortunately I was too chicken to take a picture, but the place was an old night club converted to a relaxing hookah atmosphere. Drapes hanging from the ceiling, a candle on every table, and they actually had a room where the floor was covered in beach sand. And because this used to be a night club, there was a fully functional bar waiting to take your order, no matter how strange they were. This hookah bar had personalized many shot names, modestly named things like: "OMG I just came". All in all it was a completely different experience from the small 5 seater hookah places in Japan.
Day 4- Seoul Foreign High School, Movie, Bubble Tea
The forth day was planned as our chill out day, and that is what it was. I got a chance to walk through Yonsei University and do some exploring in Seoul Foreign High School. It was certainly a different atmosphere than my public Washington High, but it was without a doubt an American institution. It reminded me so much of Lick-Wilmerding, a private high school in San Francisco.
Later that day we saw "Push" in a beautiful and empty movie theater, then after that we had bubble tea.
Bubble Tea (Yea that's right...Jealous?)
Day 5- Seoul Tower, Myeongdong, Chongaecheon
The final day before leaving we decided to go to Seoul Tower to try and see all of the different parts of town that we had been to. Unfortunately, the tower was placed in such a magical way that this was nearly impossible. However we still did get wonderful views of Seoul not to mention the chance to pee while looking at these views.
9,040.09 km (I'm a long way from home)
If you squint hard enough you can see ICU(just kidding...)
There is something so relieving about peeing at the top of a tower
Day 6- Departure
When I woke up for the last time in my little hostel bed, I heard tiny sounds of rain drops once again hitting the window glass. It was raining in Korea again. I'm really big on the idea that life works in cycles, but this was just ridiculous. Thankfully, this in fact was the type of rain that I could put a hat on and stay dry and smug. While I was walking towards the bus stop that would take me back to the airport, I saw a Korean man and woman engaged in a yelling match. Both looked to be in their early fifties, and both seemed to believe with their entire being that they were right. I couldn't understand what they were saying, but I think the woman was winning. I gave her major props in my mind and turned away. Back towards the country of Japan where I have never seen a woman argue with a man, or received an umbrella from a stranger when it was raining.
I'll miss you Korea.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Snowboarding in Japan
During these past winter months in Japan, I was blessed with the opportunity (and funds) to go snowboarding not once, but twice. The first time was a small road trip with four friends to a place called Niigata. I was not in the original plans for the trip, but luckily someone dropped out at the last minute and I was able to smooth talk my way in. The second trip was a huge group trip, the annual Global House ski trip. After leaving at 10:30 pm, we arrive in Hakuba(above picture), at around 5 am. As you can imagine this trip was a social affair for many, but I went for the snow so I'll skip right to the boarding.
From my limited experience in boarding in Japan here are some things that I noticed. First the rental fees are really cheap in comparison to America. Boots, bindings, and board rental only run around 20 bucks. The lift tickets are a little cheaper too, about 30 bucks a day. But you pay for what you get, the rental gear is really bad quality. But hey, I would rather break cheap rental board than a 400 dollar snowboard...
On the same note of expensive snowboard gear. It might have just been my imagination, but I seriously think that for the Japanese,
But it is the subtle differences that really make snowboarding in a different country a fun experience. For starters, in a way that is very Japanese, people put forth a great effort to avoid getting on a ski lift with a stranger. I, on the other hand, usually try to get paired up with strangers. There is no ice breaker quite like the realization that the stranger sitting next to you might be the last person you see before you plummet to your death. So I usually take advantage of that fear and quickly make friends with whoever I share the lift with. In Japan it was quite difficult though. I tried hanging back in line so that people would be forced to join me, but instead they just waited even further back. Defeated I went up alone. I realized that the only way to ride a lift with strangers was to ask, or to sneak into their lift. Both methods left the Japanese people very surprised.
An entire table of Japanese people knocked out. Everyone in the ski lodge took a picture of this.
The actual slopes that I went on were pretty decent. Niigata's slopes were very wide and straight, but that gave plenty of opportunities to practice jumps and other tricks, or just book it down the mountain. The front side of the mountain at Hakuba, turned to ice really early in the day due to the vast amount of people. But luckily, these people didn't know there was a back side to the mountain, making it pure magic(above picture). Complete with a terrain park, Hakuba has definitely moved up to one of my favorite places to board.
It is always helpful when learning about a new country and a new culture to compare standards. For me snowboarding was that standard. If I get the chance I would love to travel to other countries around the world and see what snowboarding is like there.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, September 15, 2008
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
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
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