Just Do It!

My 2 weeks of intensely studying Japanese has ended. I learned a TON, it was a lot of fun, the teachers were excellent and the other students hilarious. I couldn't have asked for a better experience for this summer.

Our last night in Fukuoka we (the students and teachers at my language school) all went out for karaoke. The second week I was at the school there were only 5 students there (I Ling from Taiwan-who was hilarious, David from Italy-who was HOT, Jennifer from Canada-who was nice and Kat and I). We drank, sang and danced the night away. Miyuki sensei (who is about 40, married, no kids) was putting the beers away, I was shocked.

The next day and our last day of class we all showed up fairly hung over. We had class with Miyuki-sensei that day and we decided that we wanted to do a class of Japanese slang. Well it turned that we taught them English slang and they taught us some Japanese slang. One of the other teachers Mika-sensei (who didn't have a class at the moment) couldn't resist and joined our lesson. Kat had a book of really dirty Japanese slang and we read it to them and they confirmed whether it was used alot. We were in tears laughing for two hours straight. Miyuki sensei seemed shockingly experienced. I asked her how to say 'I love you' in Japanese and she claimed they don't really say it. So I said 'what if you really like someone and you want to tell them or show them how much you care about them'. She told me you-like the Nike phrase insists- 'just do it'. That explains the amount of love hotels in this nation.

The also got a kick out of various phrases of flicking people off, especially 'read between the lines'.

The Best Day in Japan

I had a wonderful day on Saturday. I went to the Isla de Salsa which was a big salsa/reggae festival on Nokonoshima (an island off of Fukuoka). Although it was raining Kaoru, Kon-chan (2 friends that I made here) and I headed on the ferry to the island. The minute we hopped off the shuttle bus I felt like I was on vacation. There were palm trees, bright colored buildings, salsa music, food and drinks right at my finger tips. People were wearing swim suits and just relaxing and having a good time. No uptightness at all. The music was ace! First there was a reggae band on that played some Bob Marley hits then we all took a salsa lesson. Everyone there participated and it was tons of fun. A gaggle of Yamaguchi JETs were there and they all seemed to be having a good time as well. They really got into the spirit of it, I was impressed with their mad skills. Kaoru, Kon chan and I walked around, did some tequila shots, ate some food, washed our muddy feet off in the ocean and then went back to see the main salsa band. They were absolutely amazing and were from Cuba (the place that I want to go the most in the world). It was great to see some Latino men. I miss their machismo and sexiness. They are all superb dancers as well. By the end of the day I found myself dancing with an middle aged/old Japanese man who proved to be a hell of a dancer. We tore it up! The feeling and the vibe of the festival was unreal and makes me wish I chose to live in South America rather than Japan!

Learning Japanese i really think so

in fukuoka now learning the impossible language of japanese. i commend anyone that has mastered (or nearly mastered) the language (John, tori, alex) or those that majored in it. it is very hard and there is so much that i don't know. it has really put my language abilities so far into perspective. ie. i suck! the school is wonderful, very small and intimate. the material is precise and thorough. the other students seem nice and we have plans to hang out with them tonight and the next night. so far, our time in fukuoka is going very well.

The Best Summer

This summer has been a good one. It has been more full of swimming and playing than any summer since my childhood. I got to the beautiful beach everyday, that isn't dirty Lake Erie, I can even snorkle there. I have seen fugu (pufferfish), octopus, squid, starfish, sea urchin and many other types of fish. I have also gotten to kayak a bunch which is wonderful. I have gotten to hang out with people that I rarely hang out with (Kat and Louise) and made some new good Japanese friends. Looking forward to learning the language better. Then off to Fukuoka in a few days. Its been good.

Over it

Sorry, Gomen Ne. Let's move onward.

Just a word of warning. For first years, remember how us second years are feeling and try to deal with it in a better way. Remember not to judge on first impressions and bare in mind that next year if you are planning to stay a second year, you will miss your friends from this year a ton. And don't take out your depression on the new people. Sorry if we made you feel bad. Looking forward to better times ahead.