The Original "Up"

Today was pretty chill. I think I'm doing a lot better in basketball class! And people are passing me the ball and everything. I love it. And, honestly, I realized how great of a coach Mr. Hurley was. Things he said or taught still run through my head and really help me out. I just want to go and shake his hand and say "Sir. Sir, you may have fed us Krispy Kreme donuts before practice, but you really taught us some fly basketball moves. I thank you."
I've been talking with Shun, too (I found out his name!) I try to speak as much Japanese to him as possible and he's very patient with me. He speaks some English, too! And helps to explain whatever the teacher yells at us. She's seriously crazy in the best way.

Something I really like about the Japanese students, is that they are really patient with you and let you try to speak Japanese to them. I think that's something that really hinders my learning; when teachers cut you off and don't let you finish your sentences. I know they're trying to help, but it really doesn't in the end. I feel like I'm really learning a lot more with the conversations I've had with the students.

Yesterday, I got to talk with a student from my training class and he taught me how to do barbell squats properly. I'm all about body strength training, but I do really want to know how to use equipment like barbells. Definitely going to be trying that more next week. I had been considering dropping Training since it is my only class on Wednesday and that way I could workout earlier in the day, but decided to stay in it so I could maybe pick up some more Japanese and stay motivated with everyone there. I'm really glad I did, too! I also talked with the teacher about personal training a little bit. He confirmed that it's difficult to get a personal training job in Japan and that there aren't many trainers. Japanese people don't like working out. They really do like their sports clubs, so that's one way they stay in shape.

Maybe this is their thought process:

I'm just like:

Kidding. I'm more like:

BUT WHY?!

And then, there is always some kind of event at the grade school:

There was actually a ton of people there and 4 huge teams of kids. And there's always balloons! So, going to grade school is always a party, really. Well, not really, but they do have a ton of events all the time.

Here's a guy texting while biking:

I actually see this a lot. Some guy was even riding and doing it in the streets of Shinjuku which is crazy crowded. So, America - no texting while driving vs Japan - no texting while biking.

Honestly, I've just been studying these past two days. Tomorrow, Grant and I are planning on hanging out and going to Shibuya sometime. He was able to get a phone! So that's good. But I still don't have one. Haha, I don't know when it will be shipped to the store. Well, Chin san and I are first on the waiting list. XD

Oh! So we watched this video in class today. It reminded me so much of "Up."

I think Lauren and Timmy would really like this. The one we watched had a Japanese dialogue in it, but I think this is better without for you guys anyways. It made Sabrina cry ='[.

Yeah! I'm going to do more studying. I'm officially out of almonds. What is. This life? lolol. Sunday, I get to go to the safari with Yuuki and Rina, who I met today, and a few others! FRRRIIIIEEENNNDDDSSS. I ate lunch with Shota, Mitchell, Yuuki, and Rita today. I decided to sit on the ground and Yuuki said I should sit on the bench, but I wanted to face them while we ate so we could talk! Then, I asked if it wasn't common and he said that people think it's very strange and they don't do that in Japan. I actually looked around and people were looking. I asked why, since I was thinking "But it's so practical and convenient (i.e. if food drops, it's an ant's lunch for 5 years), but then Rita joined me ^___^. So the ground we sat and ate and had talks of Halloween and Safaris.

Oh gosh, I'll be forever floor girl.

Train Haikus

Yesterday after classes, I went over to Shinjuku to meet up with Grant at the ever-romantic 7 Eleven again. ^___^ We ventured around the city, going through buildings here and there. We were in a full elevator with other people and were the only ones that got off at the Toys floor. lololwut.

This was in one of the buildings:

GIANT HELLO KITTY. Only $376 USD! XD

I don't know how I missed seeing this guy when we first walked by this store. Everything screamed "Lauren," though.

Totoro for Timmy:

And there was this shop with statues and antique-looking plushies that reminded me of MoMo. I wanted to take pictures of them, but was afraid of getting yelled at since this place was kind fancier. But I did sneak a few around the corner away from the worker.

I wanted to buy them all for her, but I saw the price of one (49,000 yen) and was like "Okay, thank you anyways." (I'm going to be quoting "I Want My Hat Back" more often now.)

Grant and I being tourists and taking pictures like this:

One day, I'll bring my better camera.

We were going to go to the grocery store to pick some things up to cook, but I was totally in the mood for some authentic ramen and was hoping Grant was too. Since this was only Grant's 3rd day, it was really fun in the beginning for me to try new foods and stuff and I didn't want him to miss out on it. It's like a right of passage when coming to Japan.

We walked around a bit before finding the perfect little ramen restaurant. There's a machine outside, which is pretty much a vending machine, and you choose what meal you want and it gives you a ticket to give to the cooks inside. We got our food maybe 2 minutes later. It was such an awesome little hangout place to eat. There weren't any tables, but bar seats throughout the place. And we didn't hear "いっらしゃいませ！” or "irrashaimase" a million times. More on that later one day...

Yes! Way better than the ramen I had in Shibuya.

And I had always really wanted ramen with that swirly thing and my dish didn't come with it, so Grant let me have his .^___^. Finally! Then it really became ramen.
After eating and shoe shopping (lolwut), we went to find one of the beer shops that Grant starred on his phone to go to. He was in heaven.

 OooOoOoo, they had more Haagen Dazs flavors we don't have in the US! Mixed Berry Custard, Tropical Cream Cheese, and another one but there's a glare in the picture and I forgot...

Grant said that they had a ton of beers and scotches that he's heard of but never seen before in person or gotten to try yet. He knew all about them. He also said the prices were really good ^___^. It was really difficult for him to choose which beer to try first. Luckily, this store is pretty close. It was pretty much like me in The Wizarding World. So, Lauren and Shawn probably can imagine Grant's excitement pretty well.

JUST SO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW AWESOME THIS IS:

Omg, I want one so bad. They look just like in the movie. AND IN JAPANESE TOO! They were huge, but also pretty pricey. One of these days...

 We walked around more and found the place that had the mechanical women in it! "Robot Restaurant" This street wasn't as crazy as it was on Friday. It really feels like Bourbon Street then.

And then we found a place that sells pizza in a bunch of flavors and then some dessert flavors in a crust cone. Genius!

And went into a grocery store and LOOK WHAT THEY HAD!

Almond Milk! Only in little containers, but still. I did not buy any. Hahaha. I've been doing fine without it.
Then, after making purchases of apples, we walked to his apartment and found this sign:

I love Japan.
Grant in his room:

We shared one of the tiny Chocolate Brownie Haagen Dazs, since I was going to be alone tonight XD. Omg, ice cream. I miss you.
Grant walked me to the station since it was getting pretty late and it would still be a 10-25 minute train ride depending on which train I could catch. At the station, there were a ton of people waiting around and not going through the ticket area. We didn't know what was going on, but I went through by the trains anyways and asked a train worker to make sure I was on the right train. Then, he said something to me, looked at his watch and I thought he said "十時” or "jyuuji," and walked off. Apparently, he said "事故” or "jiko" which means "accident." After not moving for 15 minutes, I asked the girl next to me why we weren't moving. Then she told me there was an accident.
So we waited. And waited.

 I started to write Haikus during the waiting time. I'm going to share them with you all today:

Train is not moving

Should not have had that ice cream

Unfortunate Souls

Someone smells of beer

It is not the apple juice kind

Grant would be upset

There was a jiko

I hope they are not hurting

Frowny face woman

Man falling asleep

Please keep yourself upright and

Stop swaying my way

Yes you bumped my arm

More than once actually

I will glare at you

Seriously too close

Yeah I can smell your elbow

That is way too close

Moved my bag so that

There was more room for standing

You looked offended

Still you sway closer

Pretend it did not happen

Sir, please stop yourself

Woman on her phone

"十二時か" (jyuu ni ji ka/12:00), she just said 

Say it is not so

Many people leave

Oh my gosh you moved away

No more elbow smells

Train workers walk near

Is that a good or bad sign

No more elbow smells

There will be coffee

When I wake up tomorrow

Folger's, fill my cup

You are happiness

And made so easy for all

A great color too

People leave and go

I will not abandon you

You and me, baby

(That was to the train)

A lot more on here

That is toats a good sign, right?

Glad I went potty

Which do you like best?

Beth will def like that last one

Maybe this one now

I want my hat back

'scuse me, have you seen my hat

I miss it so much

What a Faboo book

Educating the public

Thank you, Jon Klassen

The train is moving!

Max, we are able to go home

Get your spaceship

We are moving slow

Waiting for zombies to come

Claw their way inside

If I become one

Kill me and take my fly shoes

And have some ice cream

When I buy new things

Riding trains for a long time

No more buying things

I understood what

The woman on the train said

I was excited

Another beer smell

No elbow smells to the face

I am satisfied

The ramen tonight

Was so delicious to eat

Help, I can not move

So many people

Labeled "6" in minesweeper

No more elbow smells

Thank you, MCR

For preparing me for this

Where is Gerard Way?

I just realized

My hand is touching a butt

I am sorry, sir

I will stop here

Float in this sea of people

Rubber ducks are great

I had some time. lolol.
After about an hour and a half, at about 11:15ish, we started to move. ^___^ It was the creepiest ride home (hence the zombie haiku). The train was moving uber slow, stopping here and there, and not smoothly. And it was packed! (hence the minesweeper reference)

I got home at about 11:40. Woof. But seriously, every time I buy something I either take the wrong train or there is a delay or something where I have to hold the bag for a long time. lolol. It really is a sign.

In one of the malls, there were a ton of those "quarter machines," which is really 200 yen here, and there was a Sentimental Circus one and Grant got one for me! I think he got me the best one, bunny! ()(^.^)():

Toats want to make this into a necklace. But yeah! I hope everyone's having a good evening/day/whatevs. Today, I have training class and then nothing else! I really have to do some studying today, so that's what this day will consist of.

"This is not my hat."
That is all.

Here's a bonus Japanese Train Haiku:

自殺じゃない

このこと欲しい

いつ動く

Jisatsu ja nai

kono koto hoshii

itsu ugoku

(It is not suicide

This is what I wish

When will we move)

I'm Alive! I Swear!

Toats haven't been posting lately. Well, you know that. Unless you just stumbled upon this blog. Gah! Hi!

These past few days have been mainly filled with school work, track, Alice in Wonderland Tea Sets, and of course, seeing Grant .^_____^.

OH AND I FOUND OUT I REALLY LIKE COFFEE! HAHAHA. But like...the cheap kind. Like, we're talking Folder's Instant Coffee Sticks. Yeah, I was sent those in the care package (yay!) and thought I'd give them a go. Without Beth's plastic spoon from Panera. Sorry. Kinda. O:-

And it was leik, omgzogood. Since I only have 1 stick left, I picked some other brand up at Kaldi Coffee Farms (the amazing and only place [so far] with ~nAtuRal~ peanut butter).

AwWwWw YeaAAhHHh, imported from Germany. It's not too bad. I think I prefer Folder's. Ugh, their jingle. It's so true! I woke up this morning and yesterday morning thinking I CAN'T WAIT FOR COFFEE! Oh gosh. I'm turning more and more like MoMo everyday =].

Anyways, backtrack! You might be thinking "KAT. Grant just came to Japan and all you can talk about is coffee?!" Well, I just took this picture and am drinking coffee and it was something I just needed to rant about for a bit.

Yes! Sunday was the hardest day to endure. I studied pretty much the entire day, taking breaks to go walk around town and visit the same shops. Did I ever tell you how awesome the dollar (100 yen) store is here? They have so much great stuff. Well, a lot of the stuff Lauren would love.

"My favorite things are music and sunshine and love. And pain."

I can hear the insults already from these guys. (Fable III reference for all you non-believers. I mean non-gaming folk.

I should really take more pictures of stuff from there though. That's just a few of the cute stuff. They have a ton of kitchen supplies and spices and school supplies and lock 'n lock containers. I guess a lot of dollar stores probably have this stuff. So if there's one thing I learn from Japan, it's to go and check what you can buy at dollar stores first before finding the same thing somewhere else for lots more.

Omg, I'm so off track again. Well, not really. But yeah, I went there mainly to pick up stuff to make a care/welcome/survival-package for Grant. Or was that the night before? Well, it happened one of those days.

But yeah, waiting for him to arrive to Japan was incredibly nagging. I tracked his flight here and there until he landed safely. Creepy? Pffft. Yeah, one time when I refreshed the map, the little plane icon disappeared and only its path was displayed. That was uncool, airport. Uncool. XD

He finally got in and was able to contact me, but apparently they messed up with his luggage so he had to sort things out there for awhile. A great welcome from Japan! Well, I guess that was Canada's doing. The one time they should say "sorry." Nah, I'm not bashing Canada. I love Scott Pilgrim.

He still had a train ride to go and then walking to his apartment and walking to the 7 Eleven for us to meet. It was about 8:30 when we could finally meet up. The landlord was late to pick him up too. I felt so bad that he had all of this stuff to deal with >___<.

 I tried to capture a picture of the train next to us. It's always awkward and funny when there's a train that is riding next to you because you just stare at the person in the other train.

On the way to meeting him. I had to dodge these cars first. Frogger Expert Level 4. Shinjuku usually requires level 6, but I was really excited and had a booster.

It was amazing seeing him again. I guess it really was one of those moments where all you see is that one person in a huge crowd. Okay, I'll stop being all gooshy.

But yeah. It was great. We walked to his apartment, but first stopped at a convenience store to get foodies. It was the first obento box for both of us in Japan. And on sale! -since it was later in the night and they wanted to get rid of the foodies.

 Grant's first experience with a Japanese vending machine.

Our foodies! It was pretty good. Honestly, the sushi from this market was about the same as in the US ones.

After we ate and had a person sit down near us with a whimpering puppy that sounded like a child, we walked to his place. It's quite the maze to get there. This may take awhile to get. I don't know how he does it. I got lost from the station to my house for a week or so before even though it's almost a straight shot. lolol. Oh gosh.

We got to meet 2 of the people that live in the same apartment. They both seem pretty nice. ^___^

The next day, I had class, so we were able to hang out after and go around town near my apartment. It was really lucky that I had Friday classes on Monday. That way I had one less class to go to. The school did that to even out class days or else there would have been an uneven amount of Friday classes throughout the semester. w00f. Japan thinks of everything.
First, he met up with me at school and got to meet some of the other exchange students and we had lunch together. He got me "the finest chocolate in the world."

It was like a Crunch bar without the rice krispies, laid out in the sun too long and then solidified again and left sitting for a few more days and just taken out of a freezer but not cold. But it was exactly the chocolate I needed after a meal XD. For realziez, it totally tackled my craving for chocolate after lunch.

We also wanted to check if he could get a sim card for his phone or at least a prepaid phone for his time here. Sadly, the options he was given were way too overpriced so he might be phoneless his time in Japan. But we did get to talk to this lady on an ipad! The future, man. So crazy.

 I had track practice to go to, so Grant hung out at my place while I went. Yuuki, me, and another member ran to Kyoudo Station and back, which was about a 40 minute run. Then, we did a couple of uphill sprints. It's always awesome talking with them. They taught me more vocabulary, like るっさい (russai), which is noisy. I asked how to say "noisy" because we passed a Pachinko, which is like the Potowatami of Japan, except louder and smokey and there's no blackjack.

After, Grant and I went to the 100 yen store so he could pick up school supplies since his suitcase wouldn't be delivered until today. Here's two amazing things we found:

 I really don't understand...

 But really, what?

We went to a few grocery stores because that's what we do. lololol. It's so fun, I'm so serious. But yeah! He got to check out different beers and scotches you can't find back home. Very exciting. Oh, and this was in one of the groceries:

There's a ton of Alice in Wonderland stuff in Japan. I found this earlier in the week:

 One day, I really want a fancy tea set.

Today, I just had class and then went to the gym. I got to teach Sabrina and Yuliya a few warm-up moves. They just came in when I was about finished, so I only showed them a warm-up. But they said they wanted to get trained by me! I think I might ask Asato-san if I can reserve the gym sometime to hold a class for people who want to be trained.

Grant and I are going to hang out later today and I think I've pretty much caught you up with how things are. Oh yeah! On campus, there's this really pretty area that's been in construction since before I arrived. They finally took down the "Danger"/Construction signs and it's open to walk by ^___^.
I want to take better pictures later. There's a tiny bridge to cross over too and a sitting area. Ohh, it looks so pretty. I wanted to walk by all of the workers still there and just shake their hand and say "By, gum! You've done it!"

 And then this fellow was by it:

Do you see him? Well, I made the picture X-Large so I really would hope that you do.

Mother of God, "I Want My Hat Back" has a sequel. Every bookstore I go to here, I look for the Japanese version. I told Timmy that I don't want to look up if it really exists because then I'd just lose hope. I am. Hopeful. Pandora's Box, people. "This is Not My Hat" is going to either be my second favorite book ever or tied for first. Or it may take the #1 spot. Please, grab your carpet squares. It's story time. Voices varying for characters included.

lolol. Oi, byebye! COFFEECOFFEECOFFEE.