Well, so I took my shot at riding the train. For the first time riding it by myself, I think I did pretty well. I think I'm actually understanding it better. I took the train today to go to Sogo and Mitsukoshi. I bought a pair of black shoes that are really cute. Then I went to Mitsukoshi and bought a shirt that I can wear underneath my clothes when I buy the outer clothes. Then on the way home, I forgot what train I was supposed to take, so I had to call my cousin to see what line I was supposed to go on. Then, I actually took the wrong train and went to Inage instead heading towards Hon-Chiba. I had to take another train back, switch trains before I was heading in the right direction. I did make it back, which was all that mattered.
Overall, I think today was a success minus me using my poor Japanese to communicate. Though, I think I did pretty well despite only learning for a year. I really can't wait to start school. I really don't care if the school is good or not. I just want to keep on learning Japanese and learning about the culture. It's so different from Chinese culture. I'm really enjoying it here!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Japan!!
I've been in Japan for two days, and I'm really liking it! The flight coming here was pretty long. I actually didn't end up sleeping, so I played mostly on my Nintendo DS and listen to music. I actually watched The Other Boleyn Girl on the plane. It was really angsty I must say, but I liked the movie despite it being not very accurate historically (I might be wrong though. I did research on Anne Boleyn for a project years ago).
Yesterday, my cousin took me around to the school, and then went onto the train station. I must say, I have never been in a more complicated station in my life! At each station, there are at least 4 lines. Then each line has at least 2 or 3 trains. I am quite scared to ride the trains now, but I think tomorrow, I will make a great adventure to Chiba and try to go to Sogo for some shopping. It's going to be an interesting experience doing it by myself... However, the station that I am most afraid of is Tokyo station. This was the next station that I went to, and I was completely astonished by the masses of people. Ok, it was only Sunday, but still, there were so many people! I really don't want to know what Tokyo station is like in rush hour. I think I would be deathly afraid to be there when there are so many people packed into one station. I did have a nice lunch in Tokyo station. Soba is absolutely amazing. I wish I had taken a picture. I'll remember to take a picture the next time I have soba. Afterwards, we went to another train. We passed by the famous Akihabara. I must remember to take a picture for my surgeon to see since he was there many years ago. Then we went to Chiba station and got off there because out tickets were the cheapest that were supposed to be only used for travelling to one station.
The next adventure was going to the supermarket. The place I went to was actually a mall, but there was a supermarket inside the mall. I bought most of the supplies needed to cook (no groceries yet). There was a lot to buy. I actually bought a cell phone, which I'm most excited about, but also cringing at the price. I figured it was worth it to buy it because I wanted to make sure that I had a phone handy in case anything happened to me. I am quite afraid of getting lost, and it Japan, it is so easy to get lost if you don't know where you're going. I think it's even worse than Taiwan. In Taiwan, you can't really go far. The trains only run one way, and if you get lost, you know you're still in Taipei City. In Japan, one wrong train, and you could be on the other side of Japan. Not only that, walking on the streets is a zoo because there are so many different alleys that I can't even get straight. Err, I traveled off topic. Anyway, I got all the pots, pans, and spices needed for cooking. I had dinner at the mall. It was quite good. I had set dinner of pork chops. I wish I had taken a picture, but my mind was on so many different things at the time. I came back home, got acquainted with the girls on my floor. It's weird. Coming here, I never expected that I would have to use Chinese, but I'm finding that the majority of people at this school are Chinese. Glad I studied Chinese studiously for 3 years!
So, today I woke up at 5... 5 in the morning! I can't seem to sleep longer. Maybe it's jet lag, but I actually like waking up this early. It's quite nice. I went to the conbini (convenient store) in front of the train station and bought a chocolate sandwich cake for breakfast. Then I went to register and take the test for placement. The test was actually quite easy since it was a beginner's test. The front desk person gave me the harder test and wanted to see if I was willing to take it, but declined because it really was hard. Hopefully, I'll be placed in a class that is kind of easy and kind of hard. Should be interesting... After, I went to the supermarket. The supermarkets here are absolutely huge! I'm not really sure how long I walked around. I actually was trying to decide what to cook. I picked up some chicken, pork, and beef. I picked up some random asian vegetable that looked like cai xin that my mom cooked for soup. I'll try stir frying it and see how it comes out. I also picked up some mikan (tangerines) and peaches! Everything looked so fresh in there. I swear I just wanted to pick up everything and cook a whole mess of things. LOL... I really can't cook. I could be seen by the first meal I actually cooked today. I had cooked some eggplant and pork. It actually tasted pretty good. I was quite surprised. I did wish that the eggplant didn't turn out so green when I cooked it. I'm not really sure what happened there, but it just looked really discolored (I'll post a picture later). Apart from that, I think I'm going to really enjoy cooking for myself. I'm going to be cooking silverfish and egg tonight. I can't wait to see how it turns out tonight.
I hope everyone at home is doing well. I miss everyone. Time for me to go cook dinner!
Yesterday, my cousin took me around to the school, and then went onto the train station. I must say, I have never been in a more complicated station in my life! At each station, there are at least 4 lines. Then each line has at least 2 or 3 trains. I am quite scared to ride the trains now, but I think tomorrow, I will make a great adventure to Chiba and try to go to Sogo for some shopping. It's going to be an interesting experience doing it by myself... However, the station that I am most afraid of is Tokyo station. This was the next station that I went to, and I was completely astonished by the masses of people. Ok, it was only Sunday, but still, there were so many people! I really don't want to know what Tokyo station is like in rush hour. I think I would be deathly afraid to be there when there are so many people packed into one station. I did have a nice lunch in Tokyo station. Soba is absolutely amazing. I wish I had taken a picture. I'll remember to take a picture the next time I have soba. Afterwards, we went to another train. We passed by the famous Akihabara. I must remember to take a picture for my surgeon to see since he was there many years ago. Then we went to Chiba station and got off there because out tickets were the cheapest that were supposed to be only used for travelling to one station.
The next adventure was going to the supermarket. The place I went to was actually a mall, but there was a supermarket inside the mall. I bought most of the supplies needed to cook (no groceries yet). There was a lot to buy. I actually bought a cell phone, which I'm most excited about, but also cringing at the price. I figured it was worth it to buy it because I wanted to make sure that I had a phone handy in case anything happened to me. I am quite afraid of getting lost, and it Japan, it is so easy to get lost if you don't know where you're going. I think it's even worse than Taiwan. In Taiwan, you can't really go far. The trains only run one way, and if you get lost, you know you're still in Taipei City. In Japan, one wrong train, and you could be on the other side of Japan. Not only that, walking on the streets is a zoo because there are so many different alleys that I can't even get straight. Err, I traveled off topic. Anyway, I got all the pots, pans, and spices needed for cooking. I had dinner at the mall. It was quite good. I had set dinner of pork chops. I wish I had taken a picture, but my mind was on so many different things at the time. I came back home, got acquainted with the girls on my floor. It's weird. Coming here, I never expected that I would have to use Chinese, but I'm finding that the majority of people at this school are Chinese. Glad I studied Chinese studiously for 3 years!
So, today I woke up at 5... 5 in the morning! I can't seem to sleep longer. Maybe it's jet lag, but I actually like waking up this early. It's quite nice. I went to the conbini (convenient store) in front of the train station and bought a chocolate sandwich cake for breakfast. Then I went to register and take the test for placement. The test was actually quite easy since it was a beginner's test. The front desk person gave me the harder test and wanted to see if I was willing to take it, but declined because it really was hard. Hopefully, I'll be placed in a class that is kind of easy and kind of hard. Should be interesting... After, I went to the supermarket. The supermarkets here are absolutely huge! I'm not really sure how long I walked around. I actually was trying to decide what to cook. I picked up some chicken, pork, and beef. I picked up some random asian vegetable that looked like cai xin that my mom cooked for soup. I'll try stir frying it and see how it comes out. I also picked up some mikan (tangerines) and peaches! Everything looked so fresh in there. I swear I just wanted to pick up everything and cook a whole mess of things. LOL... I really can't cook. I could be seen by the first meal I actually cooked today. I had cooked some eggplant and pork. It actually tasted pretty good. I was quite surprised. I did wish that the eggplant didn't turn out so green when I cooked it. I'm not really sure what happened there, but it just looked really discolored (I'll post a picture later). Apart from that, I think I'm going to really enjoy cooking for myself. I'm going to be cooking silverfish and egg tonight. I can't wait to see how it turns out tonight.
I hope everyone at home is doing well. I miss everyone. Time for me to go cook dinner!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Last night
So, today is my last night at home. I'm finally leaving tomorrow to go to Japan. I'm all packed and ready to go. I'm really excited. I just need to somewhat clean up the disaster mess in my room before tomorrow...
I really almost gave myself a heart attack these few days by checking my grade every few hours, but now the grade is posted. I can finally go to Japan with no worries at all. I'm so glad I passed my exit requirement. The prof gave me a good review, so I'm just complacent. Now it's jut an easy year from here on out. I can focus on Japanese and working towards a possible mini recital for piano next year. Life couldn't be better. *sigh*
I really almost gave myself a heart attack these few days by checking my grade every few hours, but now the grade is posted. I can finally go to Japan with no worries at all. I'm so glad I passed my exit requirement. The prof gave me a good review, so I'm just complacent. Now it's jut an easy year from here on out. I can focus on Japanese and working towards a possible mini recital for piano next year. Life couldn't be better. *sigh*
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Doctors are EVIL
Well, today was my annual check up for my pouch. I must say, I DREAD going to his office every single year especially with his scope and air pumper in hand... really gives me chills down my spine. =,=;; Anyway, I can say that I am a healthy little old buggered running around. Plus, I got to do some shopping! I got 4 tops for the summer weather. I absolutely love them and can't wait to wear them. I'll be sure to post pictures up when I do wear them. I also had chocolate covered strawberries as well as a raspberry cup from Godiva!!! Man, it was so good. I nearly cried! T___T I felt like a little kid today.
Oh yeah... I have a funny story from yesterday. My mom and I went to Costco. I never would have thought that I would be questioned that I was 13. So, here was the conversation...
(At the sample stand.)
Lady: Is your mom around?
Me (looking at her funny): Yeah. She's right over there.
Lady: How old are you?
Me: 22
Lady (looking embarrassed and handing me the sample): Oh, you look so young! You're very lucky!
Wow, I would have never guessed that I looked so young. Though, my brother was mistaken for 20 years old even though he's actually 27. I guess my family just looks young in general, which I think is a blessing.
Anyway, that's my funny story. It's bedtime now. Night~
Oh yeah... I have a funny story from yesterday. My mom and I went to Costco. I never would have thought that I would be questioned that I was 13. So, here was the conversation...
(At the sample stand.)
Lady: Is your mom around?
Me (looking at her funny): Yeah. She's right over there.
Lady: How old are you?
Me: 22
Lady (looking embarrassed and handing me the sample): Oh, you look so young! You're very lucky!
Wow, I would have never guessed that I looked so young. Though, my brother was mistaken for 20 years old even though he's actually 27. I guess my family just looks young in general, which I think is a blessing.
Anyway, that's my funny story. It's bedtime now. Night~
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Bored
Today I went out to eat dim sum! I haven't had it for three months. I was so happy, but now I feel a tummy ache coming on. I ate so much... I even had duck for dinner. My poor tummy isn't doing so well. >.< I really should have eaten less, but the food was so good, I couldn't stop T^T. And I do hope that it isn't the crab that's making me sick... Glad it wasn't lobster... >.>
After I cam back, I just played on the piano, played some Zelda, and got some clothes sorted out. Resorting stuff is such a pain. I have so much stuff that I don't even know what to do with some of the stuff. I need to be like a guy that doesn't need like anything. >.< Sometimes I hate being a girl...
Anyway, spirits have been up lately. I'm really excited to go to Japan. I'm glad it's something that I can look forward to. I really want to learn more about the language and the culture. It's quite different from Chinese culture. I can't wait to do a lot of eating and a lot of shopping! LOL... it was so funny, my dad actually wants me to do shopping while I'm in Japan. I'm surprised he's letting me use a lot of money to go shopping... oh, I can't wait!
On a side note... I do wish a certain someone would email me back. I hope working graduation for him was ok. I just hope he hasn't forgotten about me.
After I cam back, I just played on the piano, played some Zelda, and got some clothes sorted out. Resorting stuff is such a pain. I have so much stuff that I don't even know what to do with some of the stuff. I need to be like a guy that doesn't need like anything. >.< Sometimes I hate being a girl...
Anyway, spirits have been up lately. I'm really excited to go to Japan. I'm glad it's something that I can look forward to. I really want to learn more about the language and the culture. It's quite different from Chinese culture. I can't wait to do a lot of eating and a lot of shopping! LOL... it was so funny, my dad actually wants me to do shopping while I'm in Japan. I'm surprised he's letting me use a lot of money to go shopping... oh, I can't wait!
On a side note... I do wish a certain someone would email me back. I hope working graduation for him was ok. I just hope he hasn't forgotten about me.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Leaving Santa Cruz, Reflections
This is the first time in my college years that I am actually going to miss Santa Cruz. I've always somehow felt so alone at school, but I have finally found someone that has made me happy, and made a few new close friends. I thought I would never in my life be sad about leaving Santa Cruz. It's always been a place where I've felt alone. I had no friends. I was always depressed. Not living sounded like such a good solution to my problems at the time, but it was a stupid solution. Had I killed myself, I would have missed out on what happened this year. I truly thank who have helped me through these years. I am finally healing from the hurt from 7th grade and my illness. I'm moving on. The people whom I met in group, I thank them for their support. I know I have not completely healed from the traumas I have experience in my life, but I feel that I have taken a huge step forward. However, I know these feelings of loneliness, depression, and suicide won't leave me for a while, but I am able to handle them better. Thank you everyone.
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