Well, as many of you know I'm currently admitted to a hospital here in Japan. I have Bronchitis that is more complicated than it should be. I have Chronic Granulamatous disease, a disease that inhibits my white-blood cells from fighting bacterial and fungal infections, and so simple Bronchitis is now that coupled with bladder problems and constant fever. THE GOOD NEWS is that the bladder issues have gone, and the bronchitis is gone for the most part. I cough only when eating -- Dr. Ed thinks it's because I've activated my saliva and it runs down my throat causing the cough. Dr. Ed isn't really a Doctor thought. Speaking of which...
The staff in these hospitals are amazing. The staff always enter my fabricable -- what I'm calling my bed area, it got two hard walls and two walls of fabric hanging from movable things -- with a 失礼します！ It means "Excuse Me!", but I literally translate it as "I'm doing something rude!" They even whisper it ever so slightly at night. They help me with the procedures of getting better food, they help figure out THE COOLEST BATH IN EXISTENCE. (It's a typical Japanese bath, you shower and clean yourself first; then you get in a massive bath of EXTREMELY hot water and soak.) They've helped me with clothes, getting internet during the day, and charging my phone so I can contact family! They've truly gone above and beyond.
However, still, I don't want to be here. I want to be outside exploring Japan. Instead, I can't. It's not even that I have the ability, it's been removed from me. I worry I am missing everything; yet, I am surprised I haven't missed anything.
I've made more Japanese friends here. Mari is the nurse I have today. She is amazing. She has gotten me sleeping pills, because we have a walrus in the room. I swear to Buddha, this man is the size of Pauly Shore, yet he snores like John Goodman. She's also started a game, I have to say something in Japanese every time she enters in an attempt to help my Japanese skills. We'll see if it works, haha.
I suppose I should explain where I am, if I can even do that. I'm at the Saiseikai Chuo Tokyo Hospital. That said, every time I go to use the bathroom, I am greeted by Tokyo Tower. At night, it is truly magnificent. I am near the harbor, yet can see no water. My day consists of sleeping with some eating and IV fluid inspection/changing. I'm insanely bored. We have a Conbini downstairs which I frequent. I love Convenience stores here in Japan, they are magical places.
My spirits are high and I can't wait to be free! Haha... The nurses are hot, so I'm not without visuals, heh. But, I'm definitely ready to go!
Until next time--
Gregor!
Monday, October 18
Monday, October 11
My first Test...
Today was my first test in Japanese class. A unit test on some chapter in these god awful books. I must say the review in this unit was stellar -- I can now give and receive to my seniors!
"I gave Sensei my homework!"
「私は先生に宿題をさし上げました！」
Cynicism aside, I do actually enjoy the review. Sometimes it's quite mundane, but I think it will be good for my overall studies and communication. My weakest point in Japanese is vocabulary. I just don't know a lot of words -- useful words anyway. So, the vocabulary is very helpful. I learn new words everyday, now. With daily interactions and things of the nature, I get new words and phrases and try to use them once I learn them. An example of this is "Non-smoking section" -- 禁煙席 -- when I went on one of my many excursions to my favorite Italian restaurant "Saizuriya." I arrived in Saizuriya and was greeted by the hostess and she asked something I had never heard before, I asked for her to repeat it and she said "Kienseki-desu?" and I looked at her like I was a baby giraffe figuring out how long it takes a sip of water to reach my stomach. She polietly said, hiding her disdain I'm sure, "Non-smoking?" I nodded and she showed me to a seat. There are many things in this world I abhor, one is old people on the train, but two is me looking stupid. Well, more stupid than usual. While enjoying the only place in civilization that beleives in refills, I looked up on my trusty iPhone app "Kotoba!" this "Kienseki." To my disbelief, it was there -- clear as day. "Non-smoking section" = "Kinenseki"... Amazing. Now, I just get stumped on every other word she says. But, damn it, now I won't choke on cigarette smoke.
The academics at Sophia are quite interesting. They require us to read an awful lot. I'm not sure I like that. I read in Community College, I want to sit around and theorize and philosophize[sic] and stuff. I guess I'll just have to wait till Graduate school -- unless I go to UofChicago where apparently you actually do work... I don't mind studying, but reading an egregious amount on the Introduction to Sociology? Come on, I already passed a class called that! Oh, Gender Stratification through Sociology, passed a class called that too. Eastern Religions, yup. Post-war Japan, okay you got me there. Let's read cool things, that's all I'm saying.
Seriously, though, I enjoy the classes. They're (mostly) engaging and quite interesting in their respective topics. I guess I should tell you what I am taking...
- Japanese 2
- Religion, Modernity, and Postcolonialism
- Religion, Culture, and Society
- Post-war Japan: Society
My dorm processes a colorful crew. I enjoy the company of our crew very much! We went out for Nomihodai again this weekend, however, there were these annoying drinking games that made it quite difficult to actually enjoy your drink. Now, true GAMES are all well and good. But, RULES are fucking retarded. One RULE was "You aren't allowed to point or say the word 'Drink.'" The pointing thing was fine, I generally don't point at people anyway. The word "Drink", however, is intrinsic to drinking. One must inevitably say "drink" when you are consuming liquid. That RULE is all well and good, too. Only caught me once with it. The next rule bothered the living fuck out of me. It was, "There's a little man living in your beer. Every time you take a drink, you must remove the man, consume your beverage whilst holding the man, and then placing him back into your beverage." What the crap. That's was soooooo annoying. I only got caught the first time, because I had no idea what was going on, but that turned me off immediately to the little man living in my drink. That little man can go off himself on the Chuo Train line with the 1000 other people. Next time we Nomihodai, I will not participate in the little man shenanigans claiming he died by instantaneous Jeet Kune Do explosion and anyone who questions me will be next. Fuck you, little man. Get out of my beer. Haha... The simple things in life.Today's a national holiday, so the trains were quite clear. I managed to get on a Super Rapid Train that skipped all stops that are tiny on my way home today. I got off at Mitaka to switch back to the regular Rapid, so i could actually get home. Well, I'm going to do some homework and laundry.
-Gregor
Sunday, October 3
So sorry! I am here!
I apologize for the lack of updates for the past two weeks, I've been insanely busy. I believe I left off on Monday of last week and we shall start there in outline form. Yay!
I don't remember Sunday, it must've sucked. But, Monday we went to AKIHABARA! The ANIME CAPITAL! I was salivating.
Upon our arrival, we were bombarded with visuals of "Electric Town." There were so many images of Anime girls, so many vendors and shops. It was amazing. My heart was aflutter. That sounded gay. Well, I was excited, to say the least. We wondered into Gaming stores to find NES, SNES, Sega consoles, everything gaming. We didn't go into a lot of anime stores because of the group we were with, but I plan on going back to get some cool swag. We did, however, go into a capsule store! You know those capsules that are freaking awesome? Yeah, that store. We each bought some random ones, but we all bought a single "Gacha Gacha" man and I got the "? guy."
He is currently attached to my phone. Akihabara was truly an experience and I can't wait to go back.
The rest of the week was kind of casual and of no great importance. Except, we did go out for another Nomihodai! I got wasted again, haha... Friday was the first day of classes and they were pretty cool, I suppose. I'll leave that for another post.
Lastly, yesterday, we went to Asakusa! It's a big shrine thing. We all got our fortunes and only two of us avoided the "BAD Fortune"! Thankfully I was spared and got a Regular Fortune while Maki got "BEST Fortune"... That sentence is hard to read. Basically, one Good fortune, one regular fortune, and seven Bad fortunes. Haha... It was quite fun!
Today was quite boring, just studied. Tomorrow I've got a quiz in Japanese! Yatta! Haha... My next post is going to be about grievances with Japan. They need to refill my damn drink... Haha.
- Went to see Studio Ghibli's new film Karigurashi no Arrietty. It's based in
Koganei, the town at which my dorm is held and is based on the Borrowers' story. It was amazing. I was 40-60% on the dialog, but I mostly knew what was going on. The music and visuals create a stunning presentation and a healthy addition to the Ghibli family. The soundtrack is phenomenal...
- Tuesday was the day of the Japanese Placement Test. This was the most demoralizing test I have ever taken, haha... It's purpose is to place you in an appropriate Japanese class, the inherent problem, however, lies in it's level. It's made for the higher level Japanese students and their placement. Less that two years of studying and you're kind of just placed somewhere. Our dorm was placed in various classes, ranging from Advanced to Japanese 1. That's right, people who have studied Japanese and who know Hirigana and Katakana (the alphabets) are expected to RELEARN this shit. An egregious misuse of the test. I was placed in Japanese 2 and said "Fuck it, I'll take it." At least I won't be in there saying "A.... A... I.... I.... U.... U...." for two hours everyday. The people placed in Japanese 1 later contested their results and were placed in 1.5 (that's right they break it down further).
- That Thursday, I went out for my first "Nomihodai" or drinking party. Now, I had alluded a few of the previous ones by being ninja, but this one had food! So, I was there. It was a blast! We all got hammered! I've never been THAT drunk before and never drunk as an adult. I was plastered. I am happy to report my Japanese skills skyrocket and my martial arts stay intact. ;)
- One of those days we had Orientation where we learned a hole bunch of interesting things about "how long my index finger is" and "if I fall asleep, do they care?" It was boring. The best part was the Japanese guy talking about not being drunk on campus. You'll apparently be kicked out of Japan! Oh, snap! And, the Clubs and Circles. There are few that interest me, but I'll get into that in a minute. The Orientation ended and we had 4 hours to kill before we had to be back for The Welcome Party.
- The in-between was fun, we went somewhere. I'm pretty sure we went to Shinjuku. We did! Okay, sorry.... We went to Shinjuku and walked around a bit, a lot, a f' ton. We returned and I was grouchy and tired. I sat in the air-conditioning by myself a bit to cool down and then joined the gang outside. The Party was about to begin.
- The Party was... interesting. While a clever idea, we all just stayed in our respective groups and any who tried to migrate were shunned. Not literally, but slowly ostracized. A few Japanese had true autonomy and were able to freely move, as if they were omnipresent.
- The Karate club presented at the Party and intrigued me greatly. The Black belt did a quik Kata. It commanded a sense of respect through yelling -- it's the source of their power. Like my inability to spell quick. Afterward, the Green Belt and Black Belt sparred. Bruce Lee once called Karate tournaments "Organized Despair." The sparring was not much different. I mean no disrespect; however, wearing gloves and punching each other in the stomach is hardly sparring. Flashing a kick, but pulling back right at the last second is not sparring. Perhaps an organized display, I'd certainly agree. Or, even, an impromptu display of techniques; but, certainly, what they were doing was not sparring. Again, no disrespect. Merely my observations. Now, having said that, I may actually take this Karate. I just hope the "Master's" don't want to "test their might"...
I don't remember Sunday, it must've sucked. But, Monday we went to AKIHABARA! The ANIME CAPITAL! I was salivating.
I must specify that I am not an Otaku. An Otaku is, for lack of a better term, an anime nerd. It literally means one of obsesses.I enjoy anime, but there are millions -- in the US ho surpass me. I generally like the type of anime that most others don't. For example, on Cartoon Network's Toonami they had several anime. Most remember Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moon, Gundam, but not I. I remember Tenchi Muyo. I like the stories about the hapless nerds who stumble upon numerous beautiful women. If you judge me, I know Kung Fu. Not really, but I do.
Upon our arrival, we were bombarded with visuals of "Electric Town." There were so many images of Anime girls, so many vendors and shops. It was amazing. My heart was aflutter. That sounded gay. Well, I was excited, to say the least. We wondered into Gaming stores to find NES, SNES, Sega consoles, everything gaming. We didn't go into a lot of anime stores because of the group we were with, but I plan on going back to get some cool swag. We did, however, go into a capsule store! You know those capsules that are freaking awesome? Yeah, that store. We each bought some random ones, but we all bought a single "Gacha Gacha" man and I got the "? guy."
He is currently attached to my phone. Akihabara was truly an experience and I can't wait to go back.
The rest of the week was kind of casual and of no great importance. Except, we did go out for another Nomihodai! I got wasted again, haha... Friday was the first day of classes and they were pretty cool, I suppose. I'll leave that for another post.
Lastly, yesterday, we went to Asakusa! It's a big shrine thing. We all got our fortunes and only two of us avoided the "BAD Fortune"! Thankfully I was spared and got a Regular Fortune while Maki got "BEST Fortune"... That sentence is hard to read. Basically, one Good fortune, one regular fortune, and seven Bad fortunes. Haha... It was quite fun!
Today was quite boring, just studied. Tomorrow I've got a quiz in Japanese! Yatta! Haha... My next post is going to be about grievances with Japan. They need to refill my damn drink... Haha.
Monday, September 20
So, the weekend draws to a close
I am fascinated by the scenes that surround me. Many signs that which I can only make out a fraction of what they're intending to tell me -- and normally I understand an infinitesimal detail that means nothing. More so, there are colors and images that captivate the imagination all around you. Merely walking to go eat some lunch, you will be bombarded with these images. Quite frankly, it's amazing. Nothing has captured my imagination so completely than my surroundings. Hoping onto the train, you get the weather, advertisements for shows and plays, anime all around. Describing such an experience is futile, one must literally experience it first hand.
Yesterday, being Sunday, I woke up and went to go get myself breakfast/lunch. After showering, I realized I was one of the only people in the dorm. How weird. Any-who, I took a bit of a walk to the 7-eleven -- my new favorite spot -- and purchased plenty of junk food. Pocky, Chocolate, Potato Chips, Mixed Nuts, and a chicken sandwich. Readily avoiding the porn, I make my way to the register all the more confident. I now know the word for bag, so no surprises. The lady is checking my things out and tells me the total and I hand her some yen. The wrong amount of yen. She began speaking to me as sweet as possible, but yet, I couldn't make out a word. I panicked. Thinking quickly to myself, "she's not asking if I want a bag, right? It can't be the bag again. Why did they even invent bags!?" I then noticed she was pointing at the change in her hand. I had given her two 50 yen pieces not two 500 yen pieces. Oops. I gave her the correct change and she smiled like you would at a special puppy. I took my junk food and went back to the dorm for a chill day.
I've deduced that these days are meant for one thing: sleep. Apparently, that's all that everyone does here. I guess jetlag is a very real thing. I was excused from it -- thank Shiva -- because I ran myself ragged before I left. (That's not a very flattering thing to say about oneself.) So, all I did on the plane was sleep. Any-who, I'm eating my junk food -- that is quite delicious -- when I receive a knock at my door. A quick trouser check, and I opened to see a neighbor. Asking me to a drink-a-thon for the night. "Yeah! That'd be awesome!" This is where I failed. I failed to ask where we were meeting. Oh, well. I was hanging out waiting to go get drunk when I get my first Skype call! After a very entertaining and heartwarming call where I got to see my cat -- who appears fine -- I went to go get ready. (Is it odd that I miss my cat? When I lived with him I could've cared less. It's true what they say; you don't know what you got till it's gone.) I get ready and receive a knock at my door letting me know where 25 eta. I hang around my room for 25 minutes and go and see where everyone is at.... and no one. All the name thingys are yellow -- meaning they've left. I got left. Fuck. Oh, well! A night on the town by myself it is! I walk up to the train station trying to decided where to go, it's already dark outside so I can't go to Ueno Park to see the "Last Samurai"'s statue. I really want to got to Akihabara with other people. So, I turned around and decided to explore Koganei a bit. After about an hour of walking, I moseyed into Mos Burger -- I'm a creature of habit, haha -- and ate.
Now, I know what you're thinking. "Aw, how sad. He's eating by himself." Well, stop that! How can that possibly be sad? I'm in Tokyo eating some crazy burger that I have no idea what's in it and am looking out across the courtyard where I see a billion people moving about their lives. It could've been worse, I could've pouted around the dorm and just slept. But, THAT'S depressing. I made the most of my situation. That's how I roll, son. I was smiling like I just won the lottery. Not really, that' be creepy. Maybe like a door prize. Any-who, I was quite chill. Eating my Zangi Burger and fries with a "Cola" that had the weirdest after taste -- turns out it's Pepsi Next. At this point it was near 10pm, and I wandered by the Pachinko place and back to the dorm. With a Coke Zero in hand to dull the taste.
Yesterday, being Sunday, I woke up and went to go get myself breakfast/lunch. After showering, I realized I was one of the only people in the dorm. How weird. Any-who, I took a bit of a walk to the 7-eleven -- my new favorite spot -- and purchased plenty of junk food. Pocky, Chocolate, Potato Chips, Mixed Nuts, and a chicken sandwich. Readily avoiding the porn, I make my way to the register all the more confident. I now know the word for bag, so no surprises. The lady is checking my things out and tells me the total and I hand her some yen. The wrong amount of yen. She began speaking to me as sweet as possible, but yet, I couldn't make out a word. I panicked. Thinking quickly to myself, "she's not asking if I want a bag, right? It can't be the bag again. Why did they even invent bags!?" I then noticed she was pointing at the change in her hand. I had given her two 50 yen pieces not two 500 yen pieces. Oops. I gave her the correct change and she smiled like you would at a special puppy. I took my junk food and went back to the dorm for a chill day.
I've deduced that these days are meant for one thing: sleep. Apparently, that's all that everyone does here. I guess jetlag is a very real thing. I was excused from it -- thank Shiva -- because I ran myself ragged before I left. (That's not a very flattering thing to say about oneself.) So, all I did on the plane was sleep. Any-who, I'm eating my junk food -- that is quite delicious -- when I receive a knock at my door. A quick trouser check, and I opened to see a neighbor. Asking me to a drink-a-thon for the night. "Yeah! That'd be awesome!" This is where I failed. I failed to ask where we were meeting. Oh, well. I was hanging out waiting to go get drunk when I get my first Skype call! After a very entertaining and heartwarming call where I got to see my cat -- who appears fine -- I went to go get ready. (Is it odd that I miss my cat? When I lived with him I could've cared less. It's true what they say; you don't know what you got till it's gone.) I get ready and receive a knock at my door letting me know where 25 eta. I hang around my room for 25 minutes and go and see where everyone is at.... and no one. All the name thingys are yellow -- meaning they've left. I got left. Fuck. Oh, well! A night on the town by myself it is! I walk up to the train station trying to decided where to go, it's already dark outside so I can't go to Ueno Park to see the "Last Samurai"'s statue. I really want to got to Akihabara with other people. So, I turned around and decided to explore Koganei a bit. After about an hour of walking, I moseyed into Mos Burger -- I'm a creature of habit, haha -- and ate.
Now, I know what you're thinking. "Aw, how sad. He's eating by himself." Well, stop that! How can that possibly be sad? I'm in Tokyo eating some crazy burger that I have no idea what's in it and am looking out across the courtyard where I see a billion people moving about their lives. It could've been worse, I could've pouted around the dorm and just slept. But, THAT'S depressing. I made the most of my situation. That's how I roll, son. I was smiling like I just won the lottery. Not really, that' be creepy. Maybe like a door prize. Any-who, I was quite chill. Eating my Zangi Burger and fries with a "Cola" that had the weirdest after taste -- turns out it's Pepsi Next. At this point it was near 10pm, and I wandered by the Pachinko place and back to the dorm. With a Coke Zero in hand to dull the taste.
And, that was my weekend. Monday is a bit more exciting... But, it's not over yet -- so you'll have to wait. I'll leave you with a teaser...
Final Fantasy IV for the DS
Final Fantasy IV for the DS
Saturday, September 18
Gregor arrives in Japan... The trip, the feeling, the arrival
I currently sit here, presenting to you, a story that is one day old. I began to write it yesterday, but time -- and power -- ran short. I present you with "The Trip"...
Flying is a scary thing. You think about long enough, it begins to overtake your mind. Overwhelming it with thoughts of crashing, or snakes if you're Samuel L Jackson. I look up to see a monitor on someone else's chair rest to see that we are currently flying over Alaska's many islands. Roughly where Metal Gear Solid 1 take's place: the Fox Archipelago. I began to think of that great story and wanting to play Metal Gear. Alas, I cannot. For I am stuck on a plane with very few English speakers. To my right is a women who's family is sitting across the isle to my left. She speaks to them frequently in Chinese, but it's little to no bother to me. My mind is blissfully elsewhere.
Having gotten on the plane some 6 or 7 hours ago, I spent the first half eating, watching A-Team again, and sleeping. Sleeping on an airplane for me is quite easy, until my back starts hurting. Then there's no stopping it. No matter the position, it will hurt. It has started to hurt. Oh, well. Food is coming again. It's a sandwich that tastes like a brick. Delectable.
Japan is fast approaching. Is it real? Why doesn't it feel real yet? Man... These questions have no answers, not yet. I certainly am excited. But, why isn't it real? It's been my dream for longer than I can remember to go to Japan. The very fact that I am less than 5 hours away should quantify real, yet my mind won't accept it. Maybe my mind won't accept real. Whoa. Too deep, haha...
I can't wait to meet my "escort" to the dorm. I hope it's a girl. And I hope she's hot. (Post note: She was. Very hot.)
So, that was my note while flying on the plane. I soon fell asleep again for a few hours, maybe 2.5. I arrived at Narita to go through Customs without a hoot, and go through Immigration speaking onry Japanese! "What's in your luggage?" said the Immigration man in Japanese. "Clothes and computer." "Very good." And boom! I'm in Japan. Holy shit! Went to the exchange counter to get the cash I had turned into Yen -- part of me died. Damn US Dollar. Looked for my escort and found her. Holy crap, she's freaking hot! Now, if only I could speak Japanese! Wait, she speaks English! And it's great! Haha... Her name is Yui and she's been to America a lot and misses it greatly. Why would she want to leave Japan? It's got Lights, and an airport! Well, that's all I can tell right now.
We hop on the JR Train together onward to Tokyo. We sit and talk about random things, like what she does. She said she used to party and doesn't like it anymore 'cause she has to talk to dudes. I don't blame her, I wouldn't talk to dudes either. Any-who, we hop off the JR train -- and by Hop, I mean lug my heavy ass bags around. And by we, I mean me! haha... She helped at the next part, getting on the subway -- Chuo Line -- to Koganei where my dorm is located. We continue to talk, but it's quite crowded so we simmer down. I stare out the window, mesmerized by all the lights and signs. This is what I though Japan would be. A huge city where everything echoes my animated mind. Maybe that's what I was waiting for. This is real.
We get off the Chuo Line and head down the elevator, I'm sweating profusely looking quite out of shape carrying these things. "Fat foreigner" is what I was thinking to myself. Yui even mentioned I'd loose a lot of weight here. "What is she insinuating? I've lost a lot of weight!" my defensive mind protested. She then explained that her visit to America caused her to gain 24 pounds! She lost all without exercising; only eating Japanese food. As a guy, I hope to loose 40 pounds so I look like Christian Bale in that movie where he plays the same character he always does only 40 pounds less and emaciated. Except the whole emaciated part and the 40 pounds part. If I loose weight, then so be it. (I weighed 165 when I left.)
I arrive at the dorm around 6:30pm local time. I send my regards to Yui and meet a new fellow dormmate (dormer?) named Tim. He must weigh all of 37 pounds and carrying two HUGE things of luggage. He puts my set to shame and has the sweat to prove it. We are greeted by Ryou-chou who is our Dorm Head and his wife(?) who wants to be called Okasan or mother (in a strictly house sense, Mom. I'm not cheating on you!). He shows us to our rooms and hurries us around the dorm. I'm on the 4th floor in a small room. Tim is on the 5th floor in a wide room. After a quick tour and explanation of our name tag "Home or Away" things. We are left to our own devices. Tim and I agreed to go unpack. We did just that and I passed out afterward. I think Tim did the same because I never heard anyone knock. The pillow is made of beans and is quite... odd. It remains cool, yet just uncomfortable enough to bother but not uncomfortable enough to stay awake. I was told to bring my own pillow and room in my suitcases forbid such a thing. Actually it forbid a lot of things I wanted to bring; Jessica Alba, Michelle Rodriguez, Lucy Liu... ooops. Sorry. I mean, my Gi and Boxing Gloves with Shin Guards. I'll just have to manage. Good thing most Jeet Kune Do stuff is SELF DEFENSE WITH VIOLENCE! Oops, again.
I woke up early-ish and took a shower -- AMAZING WATER PRESSURE -- and decided to go do something. I gathered my bag and left. I totally forgot what to say when you leave. I believe I said "It's a mighty mouse." You're supposed to say "行ってきます！” but I failed. I walked around my dorm and found an ATM, I walked up to it and saw more Kanji than in China so I ran away like a child who runs from.... clowns. Defeated by the dreaded ATM called Mizuho, I walked into a convenience store and bought a Coke Zero Free. I walked up to the counter and she asked me if I was old. I was like, "What? Am I not old enough to buy this coke? I want to see your MANAGER! UNNECESSARY RAGE!" I uttered "Eh?" She repeated, "Fukuro?" Oh, that means bag. And she lifted up a plastic bag. I nodded, disgusted at my rage when I thought she said "Furui" which means old. I happily took my Coke Zero Free and walked over to the train station. "Maybe a ride to Shinjuku or the school..." I walk over to the giant map and became very scared by the giant map. This map was f'n huge. Like a movie theater. Ok. Let's see if I can figure this out. It's my turn to buy a ticket. Um... It doesn't say Shinjuku on this machine only a bunch of numbers! AAAAAAHHHHHH!HH!H!! I run away again, this time like I stole something. The train station defeated me. I came back to the dorm, the Ryou-Chou looked at me confused. I got the greeting right, though! "Tadaima!" I shouted happily. "Okaerinasai!" he said back. I walked up to my room a proud man. I bought a Coke Zero Free! It is real.
Later, a man by the name of Noah knocked on my door. I was playing my DS and opened the door. He invited me to lunch! How nice! A group of us from the dorm then went to a place called "Mas Burger"! I ate something called a "Sangi Burger' and it was delicious. Afterward, a few of us went to Sophia. I figured out the number thing on the Train ticket machine. The number is corralated on the price of which the distance you are traveling; i.e., from Musashi-Koganei Station to Yotsuya is 380 yen. You put 380 yen in the machine and get a ticket that says 380 yen. You travel to your stop, place your ticket through the counter and boom. Free to go. Rather simple once you get the idea. We rode to Sophia, Greg, Kiron (he's from Dublin), and I. Greg was meeting someone so Kiron and I went on our own. Turns out he's a Black Belt in Hapkido and is very cool. A kindred Martial spirit! How awesome! We did walked around and headed back. He showed me an ATM that did not demand my first young (NO FEE! WTF!) that was inside a 7-Eleven. This 7-Eleven also had manga. And porn! Yay! I mean, no. Bad porn. ANYWAY. That was my first day here in Tokyo. And it's still not over yet. And it only cost me 1737 yen or around $500. ($22.00 is a better guess).
Let's see what the rest of the day shall bring!
-Gregor the Wizard
Flying is a scary thing. You think about long enough, it begins to overtake your mind. Overwhelming it with thoughts of crashing, or snakes if you're Samuel L Jackson. I look up to see a monitor on someone else's chair rest to see that we are currently flying over Alaska's many islands. Roughly where Metal Gear Solid 1 take's place: the Fox Archipelago. I began to think of that great story and wanting to play Metal Gear. Alas, I cannot. For I am stuck on a plane with very few English speakers. To my right is a women who's family is sitting across the isle to my left. She speaks to them frequently in Chinese, but it's little to no bother to me. My mind is blissfully elsewhere.
Having gotten on the plane some 6 or 7 hours ago, I spent the first half eating, watching A-Team again, and sleeping. Sleeping on an airplane for me is quite easy, until my back starts hurting. Then there's no stopping it. No matter the position, it will hurt. It has started to hurt. Oh, well. Food is coming again. It's a sandwich that tastes like a brick. Delectable.
Japan is fast approaching. Is it real? Why doesn't it feel real yet? Man... These questions have no answers, not yet. I certainly am excited. But, why isn't it real? It's been my dream for longer than I can remember to go to Japan. The very fact that I am less than 5 hours away should quantify real, yet my mind won't accept it. Maybe my mind won't accept real. Whoa. Too deep, haha...
I can't wait to meet my "escort" to the dorm. I hope it's a girl. And I hope she's hot. (Post note: She was. Very hot.)
So, that was my note while flying on the plane. I soon fell asleep again for a few hours, maybe 2.5. I arrived at Narita to go through Customs without a hoot, and go through Immigration speaking onry Japanese! "What's in your luggage?" said the Immigration man in Japanese. "Clothes and computer." "Very good." And boom! I'm in Japan. Holy shit! Went to the exchange counter to get the cash I had turned into Yen -- part of me died. Damn US Dollar. Looked for my escort and found her. Holy crap, she's freaking hot! Now, if only I could speak Japanese! Wait, she speaks English! And it's great! Haha... Her name is Yui and she's been to America a lot and misses it greatly. Why would she want to leave Japan? It's got Lights, and an airport! Well, that's all I can tell right now.
We hop on the JR Train together onward to Tokyo. We sit and talk about random things, like what she does. She said she used to party and doesn't like it anymore 'cause she has to talk to dudes. I don't blame her, I wouldn't talk to dudes either. Any-who, we hop off the JR train -- and by Hop, I mean lug my heavy ass bags around. And by we, I mean me! haha... She helped at the next part, getting on the subway -- Chuo Line -- to Koganei where my dorm is located. We continue to talk, but it's quite crowded so we simmer down. I stare out the window, mesmerized by all the lights and signs. This is what I though Japan would be. A huge city where everything echoes my animated mind. Maybe that's what I was waiting for. This is real.
We get off the Chuo Line and head down the elevator, I'm sweating profusely looking quite out of shape carrying these things. "Fat foreigner" is what I was thinking to myself. Yui even mentioned I'd loose a lot of weight here. "What is she insinuating? I've lost a lot of weight!" my defensive mind protested. She then explained that her visit to America caused her to gain 24 pounds! She lost all without exercising; only eating Japanese food. As a guy, I hope to loose 40 pounds so I look like Christian Bale in that movie where he plays the same character he always does only 40 pounds less and emaciated. Except the whole emaciated part and the 40 pounds part. If I loose weight, then so be it. (I weighed 165 when I left.)
I arrive at the dorm around 6:30pm local time. I send my regards to Yui and meet a new fellow dormmate (dormer?) named Tim. He must weigh all of 37 pounds and carrying two HUGE things of luggage. He puts my set to shame and has the sweat to prove it. We are greeted by Ryou-chou who is our Dorm Head and his wife(?) who wants to be called Okasan or mother (in a strictly house sense, Mom. I'm not cheating on you!). He shows us to our rooms and hurries us around the dorm. I'm on the 4th floor in a small room. Tim is on the 5th floor in a wide room. After a quick tour and explanation of our name tag "Home or Away" things. We are left to our own devices. Tim and I agreed to go unpack. We did just that and I passed out afterward. I think Tim did the same because I never heard anyone knock. The pillow is made of beans and is quite... odd. It remains cool, yet just uncomfortable enough to bother but not uncomfortable enough to stay awake. I was told to bring my own pillow and room in my suitcases forbid such a thing. Actually it forbid a lot of things I wanted to bring; Jessica Alba, Michelle Rodriguez, Lucy Liu... ooops. Sorry. I mean, my Gi and Boxing Gloves with Shin Guards. I'll just have to manage. Good thing most Jeet Kune Do stuff is SELF DEFENSE WITH VIOLENCE! Oops, again.
I woke up early-ish and took a shower -- AMAZING WATER PRESSURE -- and decided to go do something. I gathered my bag and left. I totally forgot what to say when you leave. I believe I said "It's a mighty mouse." You're supposed to say "行ってきます！” but I failed. I walked around my dorm and found an ATM, I walked up to it and saw more Kanji than in China so I ran away like a child who runs from.... clowns. Defeated by the dreaded ATM called Mizuho, I walked into a convenience store and bought a Coke Zero Free. I walked up to the counter and she asked me if I was old. I was like, "What? Am I not old enough to buy this coke? I want to see your MANAGER! UNNECESSARY RAGE!" I uttered "Eh?" She repeated, "Fukuro?" Oh, that means bag. And she lifted up a plastic bag. I nodded, disgusted at my rage when I thought she said "Furui" which means old. I happily took my Coke Zero Free and walked over to the train station. "Maybe a ride to Shinjuku or the school..." I walk over to the giant map and became very scared by the giant map. This map was f'n huge. Like a movie theater. Ok. Let's see if I can figure this out. It's my turn to buy a ticket. Um... It doesn't say Shinjuku on this machine only a bunch of numbers! AAAAAAHHHHHH!HH!H!! I run away again, this time like I stole something. The train station defeated me. I came back to the dorm, the Ryou-Chou looked at me confused. I got the greeting right, though! "Tadaima!" I shouted happily. "Okaerinasai!" he said back. I walked up to my room a proud man. I bought a Coke Zero Free! It is real.
Later, a man by the name of Noah knocked on my door. I was playing my DS and opened the door. He invited me to lunch! How nice! A group of us from the dorm then went to a place called "Mas Burger"! I ate something called a "Sangi Burger' and it was delicious. Afterward, a few of us went to Sophia. I figured out the number thing on the Train ticket machine. The number is corralated on the price of which the distance you are traveling; i.e., from Musashi-Koganei Station to Yotsuya is 380 yen. You put 380 yen in the machine and get a ticket that says 380 yen. You travel to your stop, place your ticket through the counter and boom. Free to go. Rather simple once you get the idea. We rode to Sophia, Greg, Kiron (he's from Dublin), and I. Greg was meeting someone so Kiron and I went on our own. Turns out he's a Black Belt in Hapkido and is very cool. A kindred Martial spirit! How awesome! We did walked around and headed back. He showed me an ATM that did not demand my first young (NO FEE! WTF!) that was inside a 7-Eleven. This 7-Eleven also had manga. And porn! Yay! I mean, no. Bad porn. ANYWAY. That was my first day here in Tokyo. And it's still not over yet. And it only cost me 1737 yen or around $500. ($22.00 is a better guess).
Let's see what the rest of the day shall bring!
-Gregor the Wizard
Saturday, August 21
"T Minus" One month
Wow, it still has not sunk in yet. But, man, is it fast approaching. Since my last post I've had quite the amazing time with some Foreign Exchange students from Japan -- many from Sophia! They are such awesome people and I can't wait to visit their homeland so they can show me the "lay of the land."
They call the class "Japanese Immersion" and that title is dead-on. We, as UNCC students, welcomed Japanese students from various Universities and helped them with their English while they helped us with our Japanese. The time was invaluable. Not only did it increase my vocabulary and grammar skills, but also my confidence in the language. I received an awesome compliment from one of my fellow students; he said, "Your Japanese is very comfortable." Wow. That's one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me -- I guess it just means my hard work is paying off. My only regret is that I couldn't spend more time with them. Due to previous engagements, I sometimes couldn't go the extra activities they were doing. Also, I was really sick one day with a stomach bug. I apologize my Nippon-friends.
I still haven't packed. I've sold one thing -- some lamps. The departure date is steadily approaching and I'm afraid I'll be totally unprepared. Haha, that's par the course, I suppose.
Lastly, as for my previous fears, they are slowly fading and I'm quickly gaining confidence and excitement for this once in a lifetime adventure. Tokyo is going to be amazing, and the fact I already a bunch of cool people makes it worth all-the-more.
Guys, I'm going to Japan!
-Gregor
"They say Japan was made by a sword. They say the old gods dipped a coral blade into the ocean, and when they pulled it out four perfect drops fell back into the sea, and those drops became the islands of Japan. I say, Japan was made by a handful of brave men. Warriors, willing to give their lives for what seems to have become a forgotten word: honor." -Simon Graham, The Last Samurai
They call the class "Japanese Immersion" and that title is dead-on. We, as UNCC students, welcomed Japanese students from various Universities and helped them with their English while they helped us with our Japanese. The time was invaluable. Not only did it increase my vocabulary and grammar skills, but also my confidence in the language. I received an awesome compliment from one of my fellow students; he said, "Your Japanese is very comfortable." Wow. That's one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me -- I guess it just means my hard work is paying off. My only regret is that I couldn't spend more time with them. Due to previous engagements, I sometimes couldn't go the extra activities they were doing. Also, I was really sick one day with a stomach bug. I apologize my Nippon-friends.
I still haven't packed. I've sold one thing -- some lamps. The departure date is steadily approaching and I'm afraid I'll be totally unprepared. Haha, that's par the course, I suppose.
Lastly, as for my previous fears, they are slowly fading and I'm quickly gaining confidence and excitement for this once in a lifetime adventure. Tokyo is going to be amazing, and the fact I already a bunch of cool people makes it worth all-the-more.
Guys, I'm going to Japan!
-Gregor
"They say Japan was made by a sword. They say the old gods dipped a coral blade into the ocean, and when they pulled it out four perfect drops fell back into the sea, and those drops became the islands of Japan. I say, Japan was made by a handful of brave men. Warriors, willing to give their lives for what seems to have become a forgotten word: honor." -Simon Graham, The Last Samurai
Thursday, August 5
Countdown to Japan: 1.5 Months away
Wow. Only a month and a half till I leave. That thought alone sends shivers down my spine -- both in excitement and terror. I stand upon the precipice of a new chapter in my life.
Why am I scared, you ask? I am leaving everything. Friends, family, my apartment, training, all of which I am leaving behind. More so, I am not looking forward to life in a dormitory. Being 25 years old and being under the constraints of a curfew is not my idea of a good time. Not to say I want to spend every night out till the wee hours of the mornin', but I'd still like the option. Also, I am a bit worried I'll be spending too much time in the dorm. These are really minor thoughts and worries, nothing to remove me from the reality that I am, in fact, going to Japan.
Japan is the place I've been interested in since middle school. Ever since seeing Dragon Ball Z on Cartoon Network back in 1997, I haven't been the same. Originally an obsessive and overweight "otaku", I slowly evolved into what I am today. However, even though I lost weight, my fascination with the "Land of the Rising Sun" never wavered. Slowly the fixation on their animation turned to their history and then their culture. More recently, that fixation is shared with their Martial culture -- having become a "martial artist", a title I don't feel I quite own yet.
In preparation of my departure, I have begun to sell my belongings and figure out what I wish to keep -- as well as study Japanese more. I plan on updating twice more before I depart -- one month out and two weeks out. It's going by so fast, it's hard to believe!
-Ed
"We are all climbing different paths through the mountain of life." -Guro Dan Inosanto
Why am I scared, you ask? I am leaving everything. Friends, family, my apartment, training, all of which I am leaving behind. More so, I am not looking forward to life in a dormitory. Being 25 years old and being under the constraints of a curfew is not my idea of a good time. Not to say I want to spend every night out till the wee hours of the mornin', but I'd still like the option. Also, I am a bit worried I'll be spending too much time in the dorm. These are really minor thoughts and worries, nothing to remove me from the reality that I am, in fact, going to Japan.
Japan is the place I've been interested in since middle school. Ever since seeing Dragon Ball Z on Cartoon Network back in 1997, I haven't been the same. Originally an obsessive and overweight "otaku", I slowly evolved into what I am today. However, even though I lost weight, my fascination with the "Land of the Rising Sun" never wavered. Slowly the fixation on their animation turned to their history and then their culture. More recently, that fixation is shared with their Martial culture -- having become a "martial artist", a title I don't feel I quite own yet.
In preparation of my departure, I have begun to sell my belongings and figure out what I wish to keep -- as well as study Japanese more. I plan on updating twice more before I depart -- one month out and two weeks out. It's going by so fast, it's hard to believe!
-Ed
"We are all climbing different paths through the mountain of life." -Guro Dan Inosanto
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