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....