So the first night here was a bit awkward, which is to be expected, but it was probably more so because I'm terrible with talking, and there's only so much I can talk about in Japanese. I think tonight will challenge my Japanese skills as I try to explain what we did today. Anyway, last night was better, because we managed to talk more and I think finally broke the ice. I tried asking them more questions, for one thing. Albeit simple questions, like "what do you like to do" and things like that. But then after my host father went to bed (early; apparently he usually goes to bed by, say, 9), my host mom and I talked some more and even went out for a walk for exercise. Hmm, I know she has Facebook, so I wonder if it'd be weird if I asked if it's okay to friend her yet...And you know, of all places, I was feeling a bit homesick for my room at JCMU Saturday night and a bit through yesterday, but then we were able to talk more last night, and I feel a lot more at ease now.
So, even though I already like having a host family and will definitely enjoy this semester, but I've decided that I'll probably stay in the dorms next semester, to get the best of both worlds. Because as great as this is, I also want to enjoy this newfound confidence and "outgoing-ness" in me, and be able to spontaneously go out and about with my friends. That's all new to me, since this is the first time I've had more than a couple of good friends to hang out with, which isn't a bad thing at all, but...how to say it...Well, I've never felt so comfortable talking to such a large number of people. Basically, everyone at JCMU. I can't stress enough how good of an atmosphere there is there. Well, and I'm also always oblivious to all the drama and bad things and stuff going on, for some reason, but still. If it were that bad, I think I'd notice. Anyway, I wouldn't trade the experience I'm going to have this semester for anything. I also wouldn't trade the experience of living at JCMU for anything.
Anyway, so Nagahama. I think it was really fun. Before, I'd felt a bit uncomfortable speaking Japanese to Japanese people, but after starting my homestay, I've already gotten more comfortable with it, and it's only been, what, 3 days? I mean, I still don't know a lot, but I know enough to do small talk. Anyway, we were split into a few groups, and ours was, well...here's a picture:
So, though a few of us had gone to Nagahama last Thursday night to try and find this otaku shop, but we never did find it and it ended up just being a very long bike ride. Two of us headed back before the others, too, and it was already dark. So, we didn't get to see much. Anyway, so I guess there's a fairly large (by my standards) shopping/tourist area, which is where we all hung out in. The shops were really interesting and I want to go back to take my time and look at everything more. We also went into the Kaiyodo Figure Museum, which was pretty cool. I know anime is a Japanese thing, and I kinda had this stereotype in my head that there was anime stuff everywhere in Japan, but I kind of blew it off as just that--a stereotype. But no, anime and manga stuff really is everywhere! Even in that museum. Even in the 7/11's and other convenience stores. And on signs. So...yeah. Ooh, my favorite bit was probably the music box shop, which also had a section with really cute things (ah, Japan, why must everything about you be so adorable? Well, almost everything), and a section of Studio Ghibli stuff! You know, Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki Hayao, his movies like "Spirited Away" and "Howl's Moving Castle" and "My Neighbor Totoro". So yeah, I'm going back there and I shall buy everything! Not really. But if I had tons of money, I probably would.
What else...Trains! Trains are a very convenient mode of transportation here. I'll try to take pictures sometime. Well, so they have local trains (the kind I take) that are slower and stop at every station. Then there's the special rapid ones, or something like that, which only stop at larger stations. Basically, I need to make sure I don't accidentally get on a rapid train on my way back from Hikone, because it doesn't stop in Kawase and I'd end up all the way in Kyoto. Which, you know, is fine, because I do want to go, but I'd rather go when it's a planned thing. Oh, but Japanese trains are freakishly on time. Which is great. Because like today, I wanted to make the 4:33 train coming back, but when I got through the ticket thing, it was already 4:30. So, because the trains are exactly on time, I was still able to make it. I kind of wish my train ride was a bit longer than 5-7 minutes, because it's rather enjoyable. Wait, I already said this. Anyway, the point is, trains are great and very convenient and freakishly on time.
So I'm also on Facebook right now, and I think I now have plans to go to Nagahama again this Friday or Saturday. The other person already posted something on the JCMU group page, so I'm thinking it may be a large-ish group by the end of the week. Maybe we'll just go by bike...I hope we do. I'm kinda cheap, so not having to spend $2 one way for a 3 minute train ride is fine by me. Plus, I like biking. When we're in groups like that, we never go very fast, anyway, so going like that, I could bike for hours.
I should get off soon, because I'll just ramble otherwise, as I've run out of things to talk about. Plus, I'm now just avoiding homework.
Wait! I lied! I have pictures of my room. So, I actually have a Japanese-style room, with tatami floors and just a futon and blankets and stuff to sleep on.
Sorry these aren't always very organized. I'm a bit scatter-brained when writing these. Well, I think I'm easily distracted most of the time, anyway. Or rather, I easily go off on tangents, as any readers of this blog should know. Especially if you read my other, personal blog...
But I guess. It's already 7:30, and I have to take at least an hour to memorize kanji and do my kanji homework,