10:00 PM
Okay, so I will be the first to admit that I am officially TERRIBLE at updating my blog! I cannot believe I will be back in America in 22 short days. I am definitely missing Minnesota, and I am super excited about being home for the Holidays, but I am NOT ready to leave this incredible country. I could not be happier about my decision to spend a semester studying abroad in Japan. Although I initially couldn't decide between London and Japan, I am 110% positive that I made the right choice to come here. Japan is such a unique country; so different from America, and for that, I feel extremely grateful. Its differences from America have forced me to step out of my comfort zone, and in turn, I have learned SO much. I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to learn a completely new language and additionally, I feel so lucky to be able to put what I have learned to good use since I am living in the native country! I never have to go far to practice speaking, reading, or writing! Along with learning a new language, I have been having the best time of my life with my Japanese friends, new and old. It is truly a blessing to be able to see my close friends who I met last March when they came to Minnesota to spend 3 weeks at CSBSJU. It definitely was not easy saying goodbye to them when they left Minnesota but knowing that I would see them again in a few months made it so much easier. I cannot even start thinking about saying goodbye to them again in a few weeks. It was so wonderful arriving in Japan and knowing that I had friends waiting. They made the transition from American life to Japanese life SO much easier. I would not have been able to go where I have gone, learn as much as I have learned, eat what I have eaten, and seen what I have seen without them. I have also met so many new people throughout the last three months. There is never a dull moment around our house, because our Japanese friends are always coming and going... some never even seem to leave! ;) Everyone has been so helpful with homework and studying, cooking, cleaning, and I ALWAYS have a fun time when I am with them. The people I have met are the most caring, kind, generous, and selfless people in the world. I know that I have made lifelong friendships in Japan, and I am bsolutely dreading having to say goodbye. Thankfully, some of the Bunkyo students will be coming to Minnesota to study at CSBSJU either next February for 3 weeks or next August for the entire Fall semester. I am sure I will start counting down the days until their arrival the day I leave Japan.
Since I haven't updated my blog for such a long time, here is a look at what I have been up to!:
(1) A few of my close girlfriends who came to Minnesota to study at CSBSJU for 3 weeks last March.
I have LOVED every minute that I have spent with them this semester and could not be more thankful for their help and care!
(2) Class trip to the Ghibli Museum for our "Cool Japan" class.
The museum is located in Mitaka, a Western suburb of Tokyo and features the Japanese anime work of Studio Ghibli.
Since I have never known a lot about Japanese anime, it was great learning for experience for me.
Especially because anime is so popular and such a huge part of Japan!
(3) One of my best girl friends in Japan, Rui.
I met her when she came to Minnesota to study at CSBSJU for 3 weeks last March.
She has helped me SO much throughout the time I have been in Japan.
I have loved seeing her in her home country; she is such a strong, independent, smart girl!
She is currently in the process of taking the TOEFL English test and trying to obtain a high score so that she can come back to CSBSJU for the Fall 2013 semester, and I KNOW that she will be able to come!
(4) Our study abroad group spent a weekend in the Tohoku area volunteering in a city called Minami Sanriku which was completely devastated by the March 2011 tsunami.
The photo above is what the city currently looks like nearly 2 years after the disaster.
Below, is a link to a heart breaking video that was taken during the tsunami from the exact same spot that I took the picture from.
We spent the weekend:
- Listening to presentations by junior high school students from the area who are a part of an organization which is working towards rebuilding the town.
Their efforts and optimism at such a young age was so inspiring.
- Digging out old house foundations and separating the rubble into different groups (glass, plastic, paper, etc.).
Although we all felt like we should have done more to help, it felt good to contribute to the relief efforts.
I could not believe the items that were found when we were digging. It was so sad finding clothes, posters which were signed by musicians and athletes, alarm clocks, pokemon cards, and coffee cups.
It was truly devastating trying to even fathom having to evacuate your house without any warning or time to bring anything then having to watch your house be completely destroyed in a matter of minutes.
- Visiting a Buddhist temple and hearing the monk's personal experiences regarding the tsunami, as well as their take on the importance of religion during times of catastrophe.
(5) Halloween in Tokyo!
Unfortunately, we had a Japanese test the day after Halloween, so most of us spent most of the night studying.
We did go to the Halloween party that Bunkyo hosted, and it was a lot of fun seeing everyone in their costumes!
We ate karaage (Japanese bite sized fried chicken pieces) and potato wedges; apparently what Japan thinks of as Halloween food??? We also ate many different types of Japanese snacks, candy, and sweets and played BINGO.
I wish I would have won; they gave away Tokyo Disneyland passes, 2000 Yen Starbucks gift cards, bookstore giftcards, and other really nice prizes.
(6) We have all been enjoying being legal in Japan!
Izakayas, Japanese bars, are a big part of Japanese social life, and
unlike American bars, people spend hours at izakayas which sometimes have traditional Japanese seating (on pillows on top of a tatami mat floor), eating, drinking, and talking.
I'm definitely going to miss izakayas when I go back to America!
(7) Our Japanese Business sensei (teacher) took us on a Saturday day trip to the city of Fujinomiya which is home to a restaurant whose yakisoba (Japanese fried noodle dish) has been voted #1 in the world for two years in a row.
The restaurant also had individual grills at each table, so we also got to make okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancakes made from cabbage and other ingredients).
Both yakisoba and okonomiyaki are examples of Japanese B-Grade Gourmet, a phenomenon that is becoming more and more popular in Japan.
The term "B-Grade Gourmet" is used in reference to Japanese food which is affordable but delicious nonetheless.
That same day, there was a festival at the Shinto Shrine in the town.
Unfortunately, we weren't able to eat any street food from the festival, because there wasn't enough time, but I managed to snap a few pictures of the cute Hello Kitty pastry desserts that were being sold.
After we ate yakisoba and okonomiyaki for lunch, we drove up Mount Fuji.
Our study abroad group initially wanted to climb the mountain at the beginning of the semester.
Since we never ended up doing it, I think a lot of us appreciated being able to see the mountain, even if we drove instead of hiked!
The mountain was absolutely beautiful and the views of Fujinomiya were breathtaking.
Seeing the mountain was something that I really wanted to do sometime during the semester, so I am very happy that I was able to cross it off of my bucket list!
(8) I went to Tokyo Disney Sea!!!
A few of my close girl friends from Bunkyo who came to CSBSJU to study for three weeks last March invited Mark and me to go.
Since I had gone to Tokyo Disneyland with my host sister, I wanted go see what Disney Sea was like.
The parks are in Chiba and right next to each other.
I had SO much fun at Disney Sea, and I actually liked it better than Tokyo Disneyland.
We went on a Monday since I don't have class, so the lines were much shorter than they were when I went to Disneyland.
We got to ride a lot of the attractions and eat fun Disney treats!
I loved spending the day with Mark, Risa, Aya, Rui, Moeko, and Kie.
I missed them so much after they left CSBSJU, but I am so happy to be with them again!
Thank you for bringing me! I love you! <3
(9) Our study abroad director brought us to one of our favorite sushi restaurants for lunch.
It's a kaiten sushi restaurant, so the plates of sushi are on a conveyer belt which revolves around the restaurant so that you can grab plates at any time while you are eating at your table.
That night, the Bunkyo Gakuin President, President Kawabe, took us out for dinner.
We were treated to drinks and a 7 course Italian dinner.
It was delicious and nice to eat a home cooked meal again.
President Kawabe is also one of our Japanese Business teachers. He is such an energetic and funny man!
(10) Meiji Shrine and Asakusa!
A group of Bunkyo students who wanted to practice their English brought our study abroad group to the Meiji Shinto Shrine near Harajuku and to the city of Asakusa.
I was paired up with Yukie who was my "tour guide" for the day, and she did a wonderful job!
We went on the luckiest day of the November, according to the Japanese calendar, so we even got to see a few weddings at the shrine.
After visiting the shrine, we took the subway to Asakusa, an area of Tokyo that has many restaurants, places to shop, and shrines and temples.
We ate a delicious udon and tempura bento box lunch then visited numerous Shinto Shrines and Buddhist Temples including the Sensoji Temple.
At the temple, I offered a coin and prayed to the Buddhist Gods then prayed for a wish and drew a Omikuji (written fortune). I drew the "best" fortune, so hopefully my future will be filled with happiness and luck!
(11) I made a Sunday day trip to Yokohoma, Rui's hometown, with Kie and Mark!
It takes a little over an hour to get to Yokohoma from Todaimae station (the subway station closest to where I live).
We spent the day shopping at a beautiful mall and then we went to Rui's part-time job: an izakaya! It was one of the nicest izakayas I have gone to in Japan, and it had delicious drinks and food!
After dinner, we went to an arcade (very common in busier areas of Tokyo) where I tried to win a cute Hello Kitty fleece blanket.
Kie told the worker that I was from America, and he essentially gave me the blanket by opening up the claw game machine and tipping the blanket so that it fell off when the claw touched it! I was so happy! Thank you Kie!!!
After the arcade, we explored the Don Quijote of Yokohama… I can never get enough of that store, no matter what city I am in!
I loved seeing where Rui lives, and as always, I loved spending more time with my closest friends!
(12) The new SJU President, a SJU alum, President Hemesath, and the SJU Vice President were in Japan, so they took us out to dinner at an Italian restaurant in Korakuen (one station away from our station, Todaimae).
We ate a 9 course meal, and it was delicious to say the least!
It was so great getting to meet both of them.
We all had a lot of fun chatting with them, and I hope that they enjoyed their time in Tokyo and Okinawa!
(13) I went to Okinawa!!!!!!!
I wanted to go on a mini vacation to Okinawa sometime during the semester more than anything, so I really could not be happier that I got to go!
Last summer, I worked as an English As A Second Language "ESL" camp counselor at SJU for a group of junior high school and high school students from Okinawa.
It was really hard to say goodbye to them, so I knew that I had to get to Okinawa when I was in Japan someway or another!
Thankfully, I was able to visit for four days.
I was so grateful that the amazing leader of the students who came to Minnesota with them, Alini, organized a get together at their school.
I had the BEST time visiting their school and seeing all of the students again!
It was even better seeing them again now that I know a little Japanese.
I especially loved seeing the two girls who came to my house for a weekend home stay last summer, Mako and Mika!
That night, the 7 other people who went to Okinawa and I went out to dinner with Alini and some MIAC alumni who are currently teaching English in Okinawa.
I finally got to try Okinawan soba, and I loved it!
The next day, the students planned a full day of shopping on Kokusaidori (a main street in Naha, the capital, known for souvenirs) for Mark, Alex (the other 2 ESL counselors) and me.
It was great being able to spend even more time with the students.
I loved seeing them in their home country; it was so different than seeing them in America.
On our last day in Okinawa, we woke up early and took an hour ferry ride to one of the Okinawan Islands, Tamami Island.
It was a beautiful ride and an even more beautiful island.
I felt like I was dreaming the entire time we were there; the water was the prettiest blue and so clear, and the weather was perfect!
It was warm enough for us to go to the beach and swim and snorkel.
It was truly difficult to leave Okinawa later that night and go back to Tokyo where the temperature had turned to freezing in the few days we were gone! :(
It was even more difficult to leave when the students unexpectedly showed up at the airport to say goodbye! :( :(
My short vacation in beautiful Okinawa was one of the best weekends I have had in Japan so far.
I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to visit, and I really hope to go back someday!
(14) Thanksgiving in Japan.
Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes/yams, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie is non-existant in Tokyo.
I substituted with a gourmet Japanese buffet, complete with a chocolate fountain and icecream bar this year.
It was funny celebrating the holiday with my Japanese friends who didn't even understand what "Happy Thanksgiving!" meant!
I definitely missed being home; it was the first time in my life that I haven't been with my family on Thanksgiving.
Thankfully, I got a cute text from my Dad. :)
I miss him more than anything!
I cannot wait to see you again, Mom, Dad, Emily, and Amber!
(15) I am getting married!
In my "Life In Japan" class, we were paired up with a Japanese student and given an assignment to find a hotel/shrine/temple/restaurant/establishment that holds wedding ceremonies and receptions and have a consultation regarding price estimates and details.
I am currently engaged to Tatsuya (making me the future Mrs. Tots), and we are planning on getting married at the Imperial Hotel, the most luxurious and expensive hotel in Tokyo (it was Tatsuya's idea)!
The total cost of our wedding and reception should be around 53,000,000 Yen a.k.a. $650,000.000 U.S.D. !!!!!! Yikes.
December 2013; mark your calendars! ;)
A few other random Japan photos:
The street that both our house and Bunkyo Gakuin University are located on.
It is definitely not as busy and loud as the streets of Shibuya or Shinjuku, however, it is a very safe area to live in and it is very convenient as we are able to find the majority of things that we need nearby.
Japanese Haagan Daz.
Ridiculously expensive.
The cutest girl you will ever meet.
Makes my day when I get mail from family and friends.
Thank you thank you thank you!
Japanese curry has become one of my favorite foods since I have been in Japan.
Facetiming Kathy with Kie!
Looked down at my computer for a few minutes and came back to this......
Same thing happened a week later......
I became a true Nihonjin! (Japanese person)
The majority of Japanese girls wear contacts which either make their eyes a different color or make their eyes look bigger every single day.
I still don't understand why someone would want to wear contacts if they didn't have to wear them to see!
Cannot wait until an iced latte doesn't cost me $7.00 U.S.D. and when baristas understand what "no whip cream please" means! :)
Funny English #1.
Funny English #2.
Japanese class!
Trying to learn the 3rd Japanese alphabet: Kanji.
So there is a little look at what has been happening in my Japanese life lately!
Sorry for the crazy long post!
Hopefully I will be able to update my blog a couple more times before I am on my way back to America.
I have a lot to look forward to in the next three weeks!
CANNOT wait!
Until next time...
Love,
Abby
MISS YOU ALL!
SEE YOU AGAIN BEFORE YOU KNOW IT!
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