Let's see...Tomorrow I have the hiking thing with Japanese families, and then classes again and finally next Wednesday on 10/2 my Religions class will start. Sometime this week I need to see if anyone wants to find how to get there by bike...
So for today, I guess I'm just going to relax and study. Maybe I'll take a nap; I've been kind of tired. Well, but I should study. Oh, but speaking of naps and things, my room has a tatami floor and everything, so my bed is basically a futon on the floor with a comforter underneath, a blanket and a Japanese-style comforter on top. And a pillow, of course.
I'm definitely going to learn fast, I think. Or at least I should improve my speaking abilities. Hopefully before the end of the semester, too, I'll have been able to build up a good relationship with my family here.
Oh, and I was thinking, maybe I'll get the best of both worlds and stay in the dorms next semester. There are ups and downs to both sides, and one thing about a host family (maybe the only thing) is that you have a bit less freedom. If you're going to stay out or have dinner with your friends, you have to tell your family. Otherwise, you have to be back by dinner. So, there's less time to hang out with everyone back at JCMU. I really like the atmosphere and closeness at JCMU, so that's why I'm thinking of being in the dorms next semester.
Otherwise, a host family is nice in that you'll learn faster, you're in an actual home and are able to interact more with people in real life situations, and you get to learn the culture and what their everyday life is like, and so on. And hopefully you end up becoming really close with the family, too. Which should happen here, too, if I can ever get over my shyness. I'll do better tonight! I think last night my brain may have been a bit overloaded, so...
Well, I'll write more later. There's not a lot to talk about right now, since things have settled down.
Ah, except that I went to try riding the trains today, to make sure I could do it. I was just concerned about accidentally getting on the wrong train, especially when coming back from Hikone, because I need the local train and the special rapid train doesn't stop at my station, so I'd end up all the way in Kyoto. The trains are labeled, though, and the signs for arriving trains are also in English. Still. Though I was pretty sure I was getting on the right train, both ways, but I still ended up asking people just to make sure. I do want to go to Kyoto, just not when it's unplanned...
Anyway, that