20 April 2009

Today was the second to last Japanese language class for me. It is hard to believe I have been in Kyoto for almost four weeks already. I will definitely be sad to leave. Class was pretty intense since Watanabi Sensei is trying to go through even more material since we have such little time left, but it is good. By now, most people are having a very difficult time keeping up since they never fully understood the basics we learned in the beginning. I’d say I’m doing alright and hopefully a bit above average. I am still nowhere close to being conversational, so learning the language will be frustrating until I can build a foundation to work with. After language class, Shae, Trudy, and I went to Starbucks in order to use our computers. Don planned to meet us after language class in the same building to do individual group project critiques. Trudy and mine was at 12:30. We just had to finish compiling our images and digital model to show Don. It was interesting while at Starbucks though. We had our computers plugged into the wall outlet, and we had each ordered food and/or drinks. The employees, however, would not let us use the outlets for power for some reason once they noticed that we were plugged into the wall. That is pretty disappointing since it’s Starbucks of all places! We were able to finish anyways, and Don was pretty satisfied with our progress once again.
After meeting with Don, Trudy and I went our separate ways. She was looking for a graduation gift for her brother, and I just wanted to wander around. I ended up going to a small department store called Muji; it is basically considered the “no name” brand. I thought it was an interesting concept, so I decided to check it out. The store was seven levels, and it carried everything from stationary to shoes to clothes to furniture to books. They had the largest architecture book selection I have ever seen, and there were three levels of books alone in Muji! After Muji, I wandered down Shijo-dori towards the subway station at Shijo-dori and Karasuma-dori. Along the way, I stopped at the Lipton Tea Shop and bought Norio a slice of custard topped with fresh fruit for his birthday which was today. I figured he didn’t really need anything, so sweets are always the next best thing. I returned to my apartment right after that since it had to be refrigerated. The rest of my time was mainly spent in the apartment complex. I jumped from my room, to Derrick and Seth’s room, to Norio and Blake’s room. Norio loved the slice of fruit custard too, so that was a relief. For dinner, Derrick, Jeff, and I went to Jeff’s favorite Chinese restaurant again. I ordered a bowl of ramen and a side of gyoza for a total of 700 yen. I ate so much food, but I was also very hungry so it made for a great meal.
I hung out the rest of the night with Derrick and Seth just doing homework. Tomorrow is the flea market at Toji Temple which is held on the 21st of every month, and it is the largest flea market in Kyoto! I don’t really know what to expect, but Jeff and I are planning to leave at 7am to get there. Woo!