Student Open House and Omurice

Today, Kansai Gaidai had an Open House for high schoolers interested in attending. Part of the activities included talking to foreign exchange students and, surprise, surprise, I volunteered. 

Of course it was a free-reign forum for me to show pictures of my family, house, and farm, as well as practice my Japanese (though it should be said that every conversation was prefaced with a 「変な日本語を話してすみません」(or in English, “Please excuse my strange Japanese). It was the perfect ice-breaker.

Me at my booth

The most asked question was how America differed from Japan, and my answered varied from the silent buses (in Japan) to how freakin’ small everything is here. I mean, really. When I first got here I just stared at all the cramped, small houses and was all like, “They’re so small!” Though I have to say, hands down, the best question I got was from a trio of Japanese guys: Who are cooler, Japanese guys or American guys. I just couldn’t stop laughing. Also, one girl’s dream is to “ride a yellow taxi in New York City.” Well, my dream is to be in Japan, so I can only admire how she has specified her dream down into something (relatively) easy to do.

The open house basically took up all of my day, but when I returned home, Okaasan and I had a talk about nothing in particular and my day. I also helped her polish the silver. Now to some (read: most) of you, this may not be anything of notice, but to me, this marks a significant timestamp: I’ve been living with Okaasan for around two weeks now, and she’s starting to treat me more like a family member than a guest. I’m still not fully “one of the house,” but I’m starting to be less of a guest (which is a relief, because I get slightly uncomfortable if I’m not doing something productive).

For dinner tonight, I had omurice, which is somewhat like a burrito if the tortilla was egg and the beans were fried rice. So actually, it’s nothing like a burrito, but it kinda is. The word “omurice” is actually a smushing of the words “omelet” and “rice” but since there’s no cheese, I feel awkward calling it an omelet (the Wisconsonian culture strikes again!).

Yakisoba + Onsen = ....

...heaven.

Delicious, eggy heaven

And then I added some kimchee!

Today I made yakisoba, which is basically grilled vegetables, meat, and noodles served up with sauce and an egg. It was delicious, and Okaasan even let me cut my own vegetables! It was beautiful and delicious.

View from the car - it's much bigger in real life

Going to the onsen (hot springs) may have just been the most relaxing thing I ever did. The one we went to (I forget the name...), was huge! Okaasan and I experimented in all the different pools (both indoor and out) as well as all the saunas and other things. During this muchly needed, very relaxing trip, I sat in an indoor hottub, an outdoor hottub, a little barrel that was just big enough for me to fit into filled with running hot water (the excess spilled over the  sides) and lay down on some stone with water trickling over it. However, my favorite experience was the steam sauna. In it, first we rubbed ourselves with some ginger salt (it smelled gingery, but I’m actually not sure of the scent), then we sat and sweated. It was the most wonderful thing in the world and I could have stayed in there for hours (though that would probably not be very healthy…), but Okaasan soon insisted we should go. It’s been less than half an hour since I was in there and I already want to go back! It was sooooooooooo nice.

One thing that may throw some people off about onsen is all the naked. Yes, you enter these tubs with many other people in them and you are naked. I, personally, have no problem with this due to the old showers after gym in middle school, but I know some people might. So to all of those people, I’m giving you this advice: forget about your hang ups and do this! You will be glad you stepped out of your comfort zone to try. Also, for those of you who think it unhygienic (Mom, I’m looking at you~!), everyone washes  both their hair and body before getting in, and there’s always some towels and stuff to wash yourself off more. This may quite possibly be the best thing that I’ve ever done in my entire 20 years of existence. You should try it too!

Also, remember to drink lots of water, because you sweated most of it out anyways!

Day of Firsts

Today was the day of firsts; my first earthquake, my first karaoke session, my first time in a Japanese bookstore, my first ballroom dance session, my first time getting interrupted by a random Japanese man, my first time walking home in the dark, my first time getting talked to on the bus with no prompting, the first time I came home later than usual.

Earthquake: it was minor, just a mere tremor, but yep, that was it. I was eating breakfast (miso soup with an onigiri) and then there was a rattling of the silverware. Okaasan didn’t even seem to register it, until I started looking around for the source. It was less noisy/disturbing than a train rumbling nearby your house. Really tame, actually.

Karaoke: It was 600 yen for 8 hours with drinks on the house, but I only stayed for 1 (I didn’t want Okaasan to have to wait up for me). During this hour, I sang “Yellow Submarine” and “Sanpo” (the Totoro theme song), along with singing along to many other songs including “Since U Been Gone” and songs by the Backstreet Boys.

Japanese Bookstore: it was about one and one half floors of books, books, books. The only thing standing in my way was that I could probably only understand a quarter of the children’s section.

Ballroom Dance: I found another dance fanatic who loves swing, while waiting for the rest of our karaoke group. While waiting, we did a few waltzes down the bus station. I was a terrible follow (as usual), but it didn’t help that we were doing Viennese.

Interruptions by Japanese: while waiting with a couple of other friends for the karaoke, an old Japanese man stopped by to tell us to be careful of the typhoon that was coming. “I’m coming and interrupting your conversation because I taught in America, so I can be rude,” he joked to us. His English was very good. He also told us that we were pretty and smart (when we responded to him with Japanese) and that he was 84. It was totally adorable. Even thinking back on the event makes me smile.

Walking Home in the Dark: it is surprisingly well-lit and not very dark at all. I am glad that I know the way now. This was a trial by fire!

Talking on the Bus: I got on the bus and got a prime seat. Then this old lady hobbled on; the bus was pretty much full, so I got out of my seat for her. Then, instead of how previous old ladies have responded to me, she started to protest (I forget the actual words she said), instead of bowing her head. I responded with saying that it was fine (daijyoubu, daijyoubu), and she relented when it was apparent that I would not take that seat again. I stood for the rest of the bus ride home. When the time came for the old lady to get off, she stopped by me and bowed and thanked me again. Really, this surprised me. I mean, from what I’ve witnessed, it’s really impolite to talk or make loud noises on the bus (also eat, but that’s almost criminal). So why would she waste time on thanking me? Was it because no one else would give up their seat? Was it because I appeared to be a manner-less gaijin? What was it?

Coming Home Late: I mailed Okaasan, asking her if I could stay later than the 6:30 I had asked of her the night before (9:30). She said fine. Later on in the day, I realized that 9:30 wasn’t going to be able to cut it, so I upped my time to 10:30. She said it was fine as well. I can’t help but wonder whether I made a faux pas, and that “ok” really meant “this is troublesome, but you are a guest.” So when I got home, I thanked Okaasan using keigo (formal speech) for allowing me to stay out late. She seemed okay with it, so maybe this is just paranoid ramblings, but I really don’t want to offend her only two weeks or so into this homestay.

In other news today, I went window shopping with Smitty (my fellow from Beloit College). We walked from Kansai Gaidai to Izumi-ya and then from Izumi-ya to Kiddy Land, and then from Kiddy Land to random wanderings around Hirakata-shi Station until it was time for karaoke. Also in other important news, there’s another typhoon hitting us, though not as direct as before. Hopefully no people will die during this one (last one around 43-50 people were dead at the latest count). However, my window is closed for tonight. I hope I don’t suffocate from the heat!

In way more awesome, better news: Holy shitake mushrooms. Okaasan managed to get the sumi stains out of my pants. Those things are freaking impossible to get out of clothing. The teacher herself said that she’s never been able to get them out of her clothing, which is why she wears all black, all the time. Countless people have tried, but only the Japanese housewives prevail. I am in awe of Okaasan. I spent some time today looking at different patches in case the miracle remedy didn’t work, but there was no need. Super Okaasan to the rescue!

My favorite pants are saved~!

The First Stain of Sumi-e...

…was today. But despite the permanence of sumi stains (they’re almost impossible to get out), there’s an old housewives’ tale about how to remove that. So I will try that because I really like these pants!

So today I also applied for the Japanese National Health Insurance plan because the hospitals in Japan will take no foreign insurance (though you can be reimbursed afterwards). And I definitely do not want to pay out of my pocket! Also there’s the matter of my international insurance not being willing to pay for me if I get hit by a car. That was a real downer to learn. 

In sumi-e, we’re learning how to paint take, or bamboo. I’ve got the basics of it down, but I still think that some of my paintings look pretty poor. I believe that I can do bone-stalks (stalks done using the “bone” stroke) pretty well, but my leaves still look pretty poor. Also there’s the point of me not really knowing what the proper composition should be. Ah, well. Practice, practice, practice! Scott-sensei is pretty awesome. I have a great time talking with her during the two-hour sessions we have to take three times a week. She’s a big fan of Kyoto and classical culture (much like me), and today she mentioned that she was impressed by my background in Classical Heian literature and poetry (actually she was more like, “Where are you getting classical Heian poetry from in Beloit?” but I’ll take what I can! [Actually, most of my Heian background comes from my classes with the wonderful Charo D’Ecteverry at UW-Madison during my senior year of high school. You always read about influential people who shape your life, and Charo-sensei is mine. She’s the one who really got me interested in Japan {beyond the superficiality of liking anime and manga} and she’s the one who inspired me to become a professor of Japanese literature]).

Finally, today I gave Okaasan one of my better bamboo paintings and a gift to bring up to Tokyo for her son, grandson and daughter-in-law. She was overcome and thanked me a lot. I don’t quite understand why—the present is not for her—but I’m guessing it’s that I am being “Japanese polite” and sending a gift to people I don’t even know. Alternatively it could just be because it’s to her son’s family. XD

Dinner was fresh tempura (fried foods), and boy was that delicious. There was fish, potatoes, shaped fish paste (called takewa), and onions. It was delicious. Pics will be up on Monday, so check back!

There’s a kanji test that I have tomorrow, so I’m actually going to go study now!

The Day with Marian

Today was pretty mellow. I met up with Marian (a fellow Midwesterner and Chicagoite) and after a (very) late lunch, we went to “work out” at the gym.

And by “work out” I mean that I watched Marian work out (because I forgot to bring my work out clothes) and also oogled the boys also working out (sans shirts). XD All in all, it was a pretty slow day, comparatively.  And I believe that I will start to have some more slow days coming up, so the updates will be smaller (but hopefully not slower!) But don’t worry about the lack of content I will be experiencing, I’ve been working on some small shorts that I can combine to create longer updates. ;P Ain’t I clever (praise me!)?

Also, here are the long awaited pictures of my room!

From the door

My desk

My closet! See, there's a special box for shoes!

Ikue and More About Bathrooms

Just a note: the two topics in the title are not even remotely related.

Today was a very busy day. After classes (Japanese Speaking and Sumi-e), I met up with Ikue, my other speaking partner. She’s also speaking partners with my friend Smitty (who’s also traveling abroad with me!) and we had a great time today.

Sakura Handkerchief

She even gave me a birthday present! It’s a sakura (cherry blossom)-patterned

handkerchief. I also got a bear keychain. It is currently hanging on my backpack,

Bear Keychain

next to the bamboo sprout keychain I got yesterday. We talked for a really long time (about two hours), and during that time we chatted about whalesharks, goats, and Taylor

Lautner (we’re both fans!). We’ve also decided to go to the world-famous Osaka Aquarium in a couple of weeks, with Smitty! It’s going to be so much fun~!

Bamboo Keychain

And now, because this entry is so short, an introduction to Japanese bathing!

Bathing in Japan is a unique experience, even moreso for me, because Okaasan is against the norm for Japanese bathing. Most Japanese have a hot ofuro—a soaking tub that you enter once you’ve cleaned and showered yourself off. Having never personally done this, I can’t say much about it. Okaasan has me shower at night and, let me tell you, you’ve never showered before if you haven’t used a Japanese shower! There’s nothing like showering in front of a body-length mirror, with the light and the position (you sit while waving the shower nozzle over you) accenting your worst angles. First you turn the hot water on, then you run the water until it turns hot into a basin. After the basin is filled (and the water is warm), you shower like normal.  After you’ve rinsed yourself off, you do a final rinse with the cold water in the basin from the beginning. I have to bite my lip to keep from squeaking. That water is COLD!

So yes, I have survived the Japanese shower.

Also I have learned to post from the future! WHOO-HOO! No  more timestamps needed!

Days and Life

Well, the kanji test went better than I thought I would have went. Way better than the speaking test (that I totally failed. I’ve gone down a grade level, and the teacher won’t let me sit in the higher level class so I can do something other than reviewing what I’ve already learned). On a more slightly positive note, I have at least 3 friends in the correct level that are willing to teach me as they go. So, there’s that at least. And I can take the jump test over winter break to get into the right class. The biggest bummer is that they scheduled the new classes over some of my sumi-e classes, so I need to talk with the teacher and reschedule myself. Which I’m doing tomorrow.

This slightly distressing event was just the icing on the cake, though, because last night, I became sick. Really sick. Half living in the bathroom sick. Sick enough to have Okaasan wondering whether she should take me to the hospital (though it seems like if you’re in Japan, even coming down with the sniffles is an immediate hospital visit). But this morning I was fine, and I just kept on taking fluids throughout the day, and I’m thinking I’m all better now (don’t worry, I’m still being cautious!).

Today I also went down to Hirakata-shi Eki (Hirakata City Station—the place where all the buses and trains are) with my friends Heather and Liz and one of Liz’s friends whose name I unfortunately cannot remember. We went to a store called Kiddy Land which was filled to the brim with the most adorable things imaginable. We also went to the eight-floor department store, Aeon, which the most incredible thing happened. I finally completed my cell phone look.

But, Sarah, you ask. Don’t you already have a cell phone? The answer is, yes, yes I do. However, my cell phone was missing just one key component: cell phone charms. Okaasan noticed my lack of charms and gave me one that she got in Dubai. Now, Okaasan is a very generous person, but the charm is of a hotel owned by a famous soccer player. The phone was not officially mine until it had something of mine that I loved dangling from it.

As you enter the sixth floor of Aeon, you are greeted by a jangling noise that is vaguely reminiscent of music. If music was a mixture of cats yowling, keys jangling, cymbals crashing, and buzzers buzzing. As you turn the corner, you are assaulted by a riot of light and sound as you enter…the gaming arcade! (dun dun dun! Name totally created by me!) Here you can have a number of things done, not limited to a foot massage (7 minutes for only 100 yen!), photo booth picture taking (purikura all the way!) and capsule machines. There had to be over 150 capsule machines in that arcade and, lucky me, I happened to find a Skelanimals one. For those of you unaware of the cuteness that is Skelanimals, they are a brand that shows little animals colored black with their skulls on the outside. They’re adorable and I love them to death, but they’re a little on the pricey range. That’s why I was flipping out to see them sold very cheaply as cell phone charms in Japan. Thanks to the good luck mojo master that Liz is, I now have a Skelanimals cat cell phone charm of my very own! YAAAAAAAY!

Tonight was also a full moon. Apparently this once-a-month event is really big in Japan. In language classes, we learned about different uses for the word moon and tonight, Okaasan went to the store and bought a special “moon-viewing” dango (rice flour sweets (月見るだんご)) for us to eat as we watched the moon. This dango is supposed to represent the full moon (white) with clouds around it (brown/red). The “clouds” are anko, a paste made out of adzuki beans, water and sugar. I was surprised at how much of a deal everyone made out of this. It like happens twelve times a year, and sometimes the crescent moon looks nicer. I mean, I do appreciate a good full moon, especially the Harvest Moon, but I guess I associate it more with feelings of negativity (like “lunatics” and “murderous werewolves” or Mom’s infamous “people just go crazy when it’s a full moon”) than the wonder that seemed inspired today. And, okay, so I’ve read lots of waka (old-style poems) and haiku about people watching the moon, but I always applied it to “then,” not “now.” It’s interesting to see the old traditions still used in today’s society. 

Also, I've added pictures to my earlier posts, so if you want to see pictures of the shrine or purikura, please check them out!