Monday night, 9:15pm June 28th 2010
Two months done, one more to go. Sitting on my bed attempting to get this silly presentation done before reading more Harry Potter. An update from the last time I wrote.
Many of these adventures involve getting lost, being hot, thinking that my mind is playing tricks on me, getting upset, having a blast etc... so let the stories begin.
With long classes and lots of stuff to do it was difficult to have fun this past week/weekend. We had a bunch of homework and random things that need to be done, but we managed to attempt to have fun Saturday. Nadine and I set off for the Historical Village of Hokkaido which was supposed to be only about a 15-20 minute train ride and another 15 minute walk from the station. However it took us about 5 hours to get there. Let me start at the beginning. Saturday we decided we were going to leave at 10:30 (which really ended up being 11 because Nadine is ALWAYS late). So we set off for school to get money and then to the bus so that we could actually get downtown. Once downtown we realized just how hot and humid it was outside. We decided to go underground to the subway and walk the underground shopping center called poll town that connects two stations. After stopping for a snack to tide us over till we got to where we were going we set off for the subway. Once there we looked at a map and saw that we were in the wrong place. So we walked poll town again to the other station to try that... again we were wrong. We decided that we would know where we were if we went above ground. Once above ground we headed in the direction of Sapporo Station (another station that we knew would have more subway systems). Once at this station we headed below ground and once again we saw no sign of the subway track we needed. Mind you this all took about an hour and a half. after wondering around Sapporo Station for another hour, which puts 2 hours behind where we wanted to be, we finally found where we needed to be. After buying our ticket and going through the gate we came across problem number 2. Where is our platform? After asking someone who had no idea we decided to wonder around a little bit and finally after another half an hour we decided to take my brilliant advice and ask a police man who was directing traffic for people coming off trains. By this time not only was I hot and tired, I was getting mad at little things because of how hot and tired I was. FINALLY we got on our train and headed on our way to a fun time at the Historical Village (so I thought). We got there and walked out of the train station and realized we had no idea where to go next. So we wondered in one direction for a few minutes, turned back, wondered in the other direction, turned back and finally went into the train station to ask for a map. The lady gave us one and pointed us in the right direction (or so we thought). We wondered straight like she told us and realized about half way down that we were going the wrong way. so we turned around only to see a guy walking toward us who said something to us in Japanese, which of course we didnt understand. He said in broken english that he was staff at the station and that we were going the wrong way. He was sent after us so that we didn't get lost. Finally we were on our way to the Village. 10-15 minutes later we were standing, sweating, at the bottom of the steps that led us up to the old Sapporo train Station. With 2 hours left we decided to see as much of the village as we could. Once there we had a wonderful time. It was SO cool... We learned later that we could has asked for Headphones that told us what everything was in English. Next time we go we will have to do that.
Ok Story number 2
Early this morning at about 6:05-6:10 (give or take a few minutes because I cant remember) I was woken up from an amazing slumber to my bed shaking ... I woke up, looked at the clock and literally said "Huh, earthquake" and went back to bed. When I was fully consious I decided that my mind was playing tricks on me in the middle of the night. While singing "Just my imagination running away with me" I googled Earthquake and was given a sight called "Earthquake Today" I KID YOU NOT! Looking at this web page I found that indeed there was an earthquake in Japan at 6:03 in the morning. At the epicenter (in the middle of the ocean) it was a 5.1 the city that was hit the worst was about 4.5 hours away from us. I got on facebook and sent a quick message to laura asking her if she had felt the quake. she said yes and that it woke her up as well. In class I began talking about the earthquake and people had no idea what I was talking about. Nadine had slept through it and most of the people at the DK house didnt even know there was an earthquake.
Tomorrow we are heading to the Chocolate factory with the other Ball State girls. This weekend we are going to hang out with Bre and Giselle who have met an Irish guy who they want me to meet (no objection on my end) :-)
Should be an interesting week
Night night
Court
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
What can I do that is NOT homework?
June 20th Sunday night 9:06pm
Just got done with homework so I thought I would update.
Last time I wrote was the 16th of June, Wednesday I believe.
The 17th was my brothers 18th birthday. I was really sad that I couldn't be home to celebrate with him. He said he had a good day which I was happy about. Other than that this week has been very boring mainly because it was so blasted humid outside.
Friday we didnt have school and so Nadine and I hung out for a bit. We did a quick grocery run on saturday so that we could have some food to eat for the weekend. Friday we got a call in the morning from Bunkin asking what we were doing. She asked if we were free to come over to school to show some high school students around campus and we said SURE. We got there and were told that instead of the 60 students that Bunkin had originally told us were coming, there were only 6. We were really excited that the number dropped so drastically. The group was/is from Washington state and they were super cool. we ended up spending about 3 hours or so with them showing them around campus, talking and getting to know them. Today (sunday) after church we got to go shopping with them downtown. It was nice to get to see them again.
Church today was good. Nadine and I sang Open the Eyes of My Heart and it went surprisingly well for just the two of us. As I said after lunch we got to go downtown to go shopping with the Washington kids. Lots of stuff that I still want to do and not enought time to do it in. I have 5 weeks left here and I still have a list of things that I want to do.
Gonna keep my note short tonight because I have a headache and Im tired.
~Court~
Just got done with homework so I thought I would update.
Last time I wrote was the 16th of June, Wednesday I believe.
The 17th was my brothers 18th birthday. I was really sad that I couldn't be home to celebrate with him. He said he had a good day which I was happy about. Other than that this week has been very boring mainly because it was so blasted humid outside.
Friday we didnt have school and so Nadine and I hung out for a bit. We did a quick grocery run on saturday so that we could have some food to eat for the weekend. Friday we got a call in the morning from Bunkin asking what we were doing. She asked if we were free to come over to school to show some high school students around campus and we said SURE. We got there and were told that instead of the 60 students that Bunkin had originally told us were coming, there were only 6. We were really excited that the number dropped so drastically. The group was/is from Washington state and they were super cool. we ended up spending about 3 hours or so with them showing them around campus, talking and getting to know them. Today (sunday) after church we got to go shopping with them downtown. It was nice to get to see them again.
Church today was good. Nadine and I sang Open the Eyes of My Heart and it went surprisingly well for just the two of us. As I said after lunch we got to go downtown to go shopping with the Washington kids. Lots of stuff that I still want to do and not enought time to do it in. I have 5 weeks left here and I still have a list of things that I want to do.
Gonna keep my note short tonight because I have a headache and Im tired.
~Court~
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Time flies when your half way across the world
June 16th. Wednesday. 9:41pm
Today was boring. Long, boring, and rainy. All I wanted to do was sleep and I couldn't because I had a full day of classes and a morning devoted to learning a song so we can sing at church on sunday.
Updates from the last time I wrote.
The Soran festival was fun, but not nearly as fun as opening night. I think it was the group of people that I went with that made the difference. I really like Yosakoi and Im sad that the festival is over. Last weekend was a mess, with all the festivals going on and what not I was downtown more than I was at my apartment (which isnt a bad thing, it just cost me money every time I want to go down there.) We've learned how to navigate the subway systems, but the buses are another monster in and of themselves. Its not a problem once we are on the bus, the problem is finding out which bus to take and where it is located. Last week Nadine and I ended up walking home from the station 2 or 3 nights because we A) didn't know were our Bus was located that we needed to get on or B) were too late and the buses stopped running. Public transportation here is wonderful, but the busses stop running so early that you have to time it just right or you will be stranded at the station.
Sunday Nadine and I cooked for church (an outdoor BBQ type deal) It went really well, but I was kinda disappointed because I felt like we didnt get to do anything. There were so many people who wanted to help that it left up with nothing to do. I got to church at around nine after stopping by the convenient store to get milk and MaxValu to get butter. I walked in and the Yoshiko sensei (the pastors wife) had all the meat cooked and the potatoes boiled ready to be wrapped in aluminum foil and she was filling a big pot with water for the mac and Cheese... We made her stop cooking because there was going to be nothing for us to do if we let her continue on like she was. Food turned out great and they were SO excited about having Chocolate cake (in Japan they dont have real chocolate cake and the cakes they do have are SO expensive that they are only bought for special occasions) We are lucky that Nadine's family sent over Kraft Mac and Cheese and Boxes of Cake mix (enough to feel an army).
Tuesday the Nebraska crew met us at school and we all walked over to MacDonalds for lunch. I really enjoy hanging out with them. I decided to think outside my American comfort zone and ordered a Shrimp burger... It was actually really good! During our Mac trip I learned about the waterproof cell phones that are out in Japan. I also learned about the new nintendo creation, the 3D Nintendo DS which doesnt use 3D glasses. It was a pretty fun trip.
Today was long and rainy (like I said before) We made plans to go out and buy a Yukata because I want one REALLY Bad, we also couldn't stay awake during class, it took a mountain dew to keep me awake enough to comprehend what was going on. Friday is our sports festival which is going to be really cool. I think thats all the updating I need to do at this moment in time.
Night night and I will write more later
~Court~
Today was boring. Long, boring, and rainy. All I wanted to do was sleep and I couldn't because I had a full day of classes and a morning devoted to learning a song so we can sing at church on sunday.
Updates from the last time I wrote.
The Soran festival was fun, but not nearly as fun as opening night. I think it was the group of people that I went with that made the difference. I really like Yosakoi and Im sad that the festival is over. Last weekend was a mess, with all the festivals going on and what not I was downtown more than I was at my apartment (which isnt a bad thing, it just cost me money every time I want to go down there.) We've learned how to navigate the subway systems, but the buses are another monster in and of themselves. Its not a problem once we are on the bus, the problem is finding out which bus to take and where it is located. Last week Nadine and I ended up walking home from the station 2 or 3 nights because we A) didn't know were our Bus was located that we needed to get on or B) were too late and the buses stopped running. Public transportation here is wonderful, but the busses stop running so early that you have to time it just right or you will be stranded at the station.
Sunday Nadine and I cooked for church (an outdoor BBQ type deal) It went really well, but I was kinda disappointed because I felt like we didnt get to do anything. There were so many people who wanted to help that it left up with nothing to do. I got to church at around nine after stopping by the convenient store to get milk and MaxValu to get butter. I walked in and the Yoshiko sensei (the pastors wife) had all the meat cooked and the potatoes boiled ready to be wrapped in aluminum foil and she was filling a big pot with water for the mac and Cheese... We made her stop cooking because there was going to be nothing for us to do if we let her continue on like she was. Food turned out great and they were SO excited about having Chocolate cake (in Japan they dont have real chocolate cake and the cakes they do have are SO expensive that they are only bought for special occasions) We are lucky that Nadine's family sent over Kraft Mac and Cheese and Boxes of Cake mix (enough to feel an army).
Tuesday the Nebraska crew met us at school and we all walked over to MacDonalds for lunch. I really enjoy hanging out with them. I decided to think outside my American comfort zone and ordered a Shrimp burger... It was actually really good! During our Mac trip I learned about the waterproof cell phones that are out in Japan. I also learned about the new nintendo creation, the 3D Nintendo DS which doesnt use 3D glasses. It was a pretty fun trip.
Today was long and rainy (like I said before) We made plans to go out and buy a Yukata because I want one REALLY Bad, we also couldn't stay awake during class, it took a mountain dew to keep me awake enough to comprehend what was going on. Friday is our sports festival which is going to be really cool. I think thats all the updating I need to do at this moment in time.
Night night and I will write more later
~Court~
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Yosakoi
Friday June 11th, 10:04 am Japan
I've been here for a month already! I cant believe that, it doesn't feel like it AT ALL. There is still so much that I want to do while Im here, it seems like these next 6 weeks are going to go by and Im not going to even realize it. Lots to update on so lets get started.
Monday and Tuesday were normal days in my book. We went to class, did homework, made dinner and watched leverage.
Wednesday was the start of the Yosakoi festival. Yosakoi Soran is a festival celebrating the start of the fishing season with a special type of dance and music. After school wednesday night I ate dinner with Markie and went back to my apartment to put my stuff down and check on Nadine (she has been sick and is just now starting to feel better and gain her energy back). After making sure Nadine was ok I walked down to the bus stop where I was supposed to meet Laura and got a pleasant surprise when Talon showed up with her. We me Markie and Rob on the bus and all headed down to Odori park to watch Satsudai (Sapporo Daigako, aka our school) and other colleges perform in the Yosakoi festival. We took the bus to Odori park where the festival was being held. I sat by laura and Markie and we had our little girls talk while the guys were talking about random guy stuff. We had ran out of stuff to say and all of a sudden Talon randomly says "I have this toothpaste that tastes like mint and lime". Laura about DIED she was laughing so hard. At this moment i realized that it was going to be a hilarious night. We met Seychan at Odori and we walked over to the stage. After loosing the guys, finding a spot, finding the guys again, getting flowers from said guys, and watching two groups perform we spotted Bre and Gisele. They joined our group and we finished watching the show. Satsudai was great! I was really proud of my school, it was funny though because all of us americans were so used to cheering and yelling for the people that perform well and in Japan thats not the custom. We had a great night of fun and random-ness.
Yesterday night (Thursday Night) Nadine, Bre, Gisele and I all went out to dinner. Nadine and I have been wanting to try this little Yakitori place that is right across the street from school and we decided to invite the other BSU girls with us. It was so much fun. We had no idea what we were ordering so we just picked random things. It wasnt so bad because Bre and Gisele had been to a yakitori place before so they knew what they didnt like. We ordered liver, which wasnt so bad and we ended up spending like 8-10 dollars a person for a TON of food.
Tonight we are going downtown to Soran night of the Yosakoi festival. Im pretty excited about seeing it. All I have to do is get through this three hour class and I can enjoy my weekend.
More updates to come.
Hearts and hugs
Court
I've been here for a month already! I cant believe that, it doesn't feel like it AT ALL. There is still so much that I want to do while Im here, it seems like these next 6 weeks are going to go by and Im not going to even realize it. Lots to update on so lets get started.
Monday and Tuesday were normal days in my book. We went to class, did homework, made dinner and watched leverage.
Wednesday was the start of the Yosakoi festival. Yosakoi Soran is a festival celebrating the start of the fishing season with a special type of dance and music. After school wednesday night I ate dinner with Markie and went back to my apartment to put my stuff down and check on Nadine (she has been sick and is just now starting to feel better and gain her energy back). After making sure Nadine was ok I walked down to the bus stop where I was supposed to meet Laura and got a pleasant surprise when Talon showed up with her. We me Markie and Rob on the bus and all headed down to Odori park to watch Satsudai (Sapporo Daigako, aka our school) and other colleges perform in the Yosakoi festival. We took the bus to Odori park where the festival was being held. I sat by laura and Markie and we had our little girls talk while the guys were talking about random guy stuff. We had ran out of stuff to say and all of a sudden Talon randomly says "I have this toothpaste that tastes like mint and lime". Laura about DIED she was laughing so hard. At this moment i realized that it was going to be a hilarious night. We met Seychan at Odori and we walked over to the stage. After loosing the guys, finding a spot, finding the guys again, getting flowers from said guys, and watching two groups perform we spotted Bre and Gisele. They joined our group and we finished watching the show. Satsudai was great! I was really proud of my school, it was funny though because all of us americans were so used to cheering and yelling for the people that perform well and in Japan thats not the custom. We had a great night of fun and random-ness.
Yesterday night (Thursday Night) Nadine, Bre, Gisele and I all went out to dinner. Nadine and I have been wanting to try this little Yakitori place that is right across the street from school and we decided to invite the other BSU girls with us. It was so much fun. We had no idea what we were ordering so we just picked random things. It wasnt so bad because Bre and Gisele had been to a yakitori place before so they knew what they didnt like. We ordered liver, which wasnt so bad and we ended up spending like 8-10 dollars a person for a TON of food.
Tonight we are going downtown to Soran night of the Yosakoi festival. Im pretty excited about seeing it. All I have to do is get through this three hour class and I can enjoy my weekend.
More updates to come.
Hearts and hugs
Court
Saturday, June 5, 2010
MILK ICE CREAM
Hmm... Sorry I haven't updated in a few days. Its Saturday night June 5th at 9:04pm and I just finished eating some milk Ice cream (totemo oishii!). The past few days haven't been that exciting, classes and homework have taken up quite a bit of my time. Today was pretty fun, but it didnt really turn out the way I had expected it would. I woke up this morning to a text from Nadine that said "I dont feel good, I have no voice, I need to go to the doctor" (those were not the exact words, but close to it). I went over to her room to see how she was doing and ask if she needed me to go with her. She said that she would call some of our Chinese friends because they knew more Japanese than either of us did. I told her that I would let her get a shower and get around and if she needed me to go with her I would abandon my plans and go to the hospital with her. Turns out that she found a friend to take her and I got to go exploring.
I set out on my adventure with my camera and no idea where I was going at around 1:00. I knew there was a shrine close by and I decided to head in that direction. I got to the shrine, took pictures and looked around a bit and then was off in search of something else. I decided to wonder around a bit and I found a sign for a park. So my mission from that moment out was to find said park and explore it. On my way to find this park I stumbled upon a little shop called The Sweets Lab. It looked cute and so I decided to make sure I stopped in on my way back. After asking someone where the park was and getting an answer, but not the one I was looking for, I decided I would wonder for a bit longer before giving up completely. I think that I actually found the park and didnt even know it. I took a picture of a really cool clock thing that may or may not have been at the entrance to the park. As I tuned to walk back home I decided to stop by the sweets place and get something for snack. I was the only person in the store and I had no idea how things worked. I went up and bought a cream puff thing and the guy asked if I would like to stay and eat here. I said sure and paid him the $1.50. He got me my dessert and a glass of water. all in all my day was pretty cool and exploring was a success.
I made sure Nadine was feeling better and we watched two episodes of Leverage (Im hooked. I love that show!) online before I retreated back to my room to end my day with milk Ice cream! Pretty awesome end to a pretty good day
Court
I set out on my adventure with my camera and no idea where I was going at around 1:00. I knew there was a shrine close by and I decided to head in that direction. I got to the shrine, took pictures and looked around a bit and then was off in search of something else. I decided to wonder around a bit and I found a sign for a park. So my mission from that moment out was to find said park and explore it. On my way to find this park I stumbled upon a little shop called The Sweets Lab. It looked cute and so I decided to make sure I stopped in on my way back. After asking someone where the park was and getting an answer, but not the one I was looking for, I decided I would wonder for a bit longer before giving up completely. I think that I actually found the park and didnt even know it. I took a picture of a really cool clock thing that may or may not have been at the entrance to the park. As I tuned to walk back home I decided to stop by the sweets place and get something for snack. I was the only person in the store and I had no idea how things worked. I went up and bought a cream puff thing and the guy asked if I would like to stay and eat here. I said sure and paid him the $1.50. He got me my dessert and a glass of water. all in all my day was pretty cool and exploring was a success.
I made sure Nadine was feeling better and we watched two episodes of Leverage (Im hooked. I love that show!) online before I retreated back to my room to end my day with milk Ice cream! Pretty awesome end to a pretty good day
Court
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