Been awhile

With Tokyo, Round 2 coming up tomorrow. I thought I'd make another post.

Lately, I've been going to class, trying to decide on which ones to take, as our registration isn't official until the 30th. I think I mostly have it set, but I may move up a level of Japanese, because J300 is crazy boring.

I'll tell you a little more about Tsukuba's campus. Tsukuba was built in the 70s, and in a lot of ways, that shows. Unlike most schools, they haven't done a whole lot to keep it shiny and new (especially in the dorms). I mean, there are a lot of auto doors, vending machines, etc, but in some ways it just feels old and dirty. Don't get me wrong, it doesn't really bother me. At least it lacks that whole "OMFG WE BETTER POUR 7 MILLION INTO THE FLATSCREENS IN THE MAIN LIBRARY THAT DO NOTHING BUT SHOW MAPS SO THAT INCOMING STUDENTS WILL CHOOSE OUR SCHOOL" bit that I always hated about OSU. The library is actually pretty impressive, but it makes sense for a research school. The cafeteria food is mostly really good and cheap, even though we don't have a meal plan. I'm getting more used to using coins, but I still think that a card would simplify things so much. As an American, that's something I seem to get made fun of for. LOL.

Tsukuba is pretty big. So big that almost everyone on campus owns a bike. It's not even just a Japanese stereotype; literally everyone has one because the campus is so huge. During class time, campus turns into like...a steel forest of parked bikes. Bikes are seriously everywhere. It's kinda a problem for me, as Ol Scooty's rabbit speed is roughly equal to that of a brisk walk, so I can't even begin to keep up. The hills also aren't kind to the battery. A trip to and from Tsukuba Center is enough to put me out of commission. I bought a bus pass though, so there's that. It'll pay for itself.

I went to quite a few classes this week, but it's looking like I may just stay in two of them (aside from Japanese and Kanji). As exchange student, I only need 10 periods per week, and with the Japanese courses, that already gives me 6, so two two period classes would put me up to ten. Not like I need the credit, so I'm just taking what sounds fun. ^^

I've been meeting too many people to keep track of, literally. They usually remember me and I have no idea what their names are. I feel pretty bad about that, but I'm terrible with names and faces. It's great to have so many friends already though. With the way this campus is set up, it's impossible not to run into AT LEAST one person you know, but you'll likely run into most of your friends whether you're trying to or not on any given day.

I've been buying things for my dorm, too. Finally got curtains and a fridge. I'm actually killing time until 10 so I can hit up kasumi and get cheap stuff to put in said fridge. Planning on learning to cook some simple stuff to save money here and there.

I need to try and find more things to do, even though I'm already crazy busy. I'll be starting my tutoring job soon and I'm already in the Japanese conversation circle, but I wanna branch out to meet more 日本人. For the most part, I hang out with the other international students, some of whom can really only communicate effectively with Japanese, others not knowing any at all. It was kinda fun playing translator the other day at the sushi place, even though my Japanese is far inferior to a lot of people I know. I also had to give a random guy directions today. I think I helped him, but I still felt retarded...

Oh yea, so there was a huge earthquake the other day! First one I actually felt since I've been here! My friend and I were spazzing but it was funny because none of the Japanese people even cared. Between stuff like that and all the pictures I take (mostly of stupid shit) sometimes I really just feel like an idiot tourist.

Anyway, this is really the first night to myself I've had in ages, which explains the blogging. I'm usually super busy all the time, but I'll do my best to keep writing so you guys know how I'm doing! Plan tomorrow is to go to Tokyo Game Show (AKA E3 OF JAPAN), so that should be fun!

UNTIL NEXT TIME.