Notebook part 2

Kagami river just around the corner

Date:  2010.05.18

A day has passed. I shall continue about life in Japan. Still writing in my notebook  which is actually mend for Japanese class (well ok I’m not writing in my notebook right now ‘cos I need to type all this text on the computer).

Together with Kira we have Japanese class from our school counsellor and have a class called Nihon Buyo, which is a slow Japanese dance where you wear a kimono and use vans. Have had only 2 lessons until now but it’s really fun! (and difficult!)
I’m  now in the cooking club and soon in the art club. Art club is great fun!!  A bit afraid to join tho because everyone is sooooo good >< But the people, even the teachers are just friendly and fun. No strictness. And you can go whenever you want.
The fact that I haven’t joined yet is because I assumed from my counsellor that she would take care of my club applications. But instead I was supposed to do it by myself (how?). Anyways, it’s cleared up now, so only have to fill a form so I can finally do some art!! (not that I have skills or anything =/)

Since I’ve been living with my hostfamily I haven’t slept in once. The latest time I wake up (even on free days) is about 8.30 am. On sundays I usually wake up at 8.00 am. Normal school days at 7.00 am.
Here’s one of my daily schedules:
7.00 am: Wake up. If I’m lucky, my little brother will wake me up very cheerfully (I’ll write about that part in my LJ). Wash, toilet, etc.
7.40 am: Breakfast. I’m actually eating breakfast which I usually never did. Live has been improving.
8.10 am: Leave for school. I go on foot which is a 10 min. walk. It’s pretty near. I like to walk to school because I can view the city on my own pace.
It’s also funny that I see the same persons walk/cycle by everyday. Like this bald office worker on foot with his shiny head. Or this guy student on bicycle with his red earplugs. And another guy student on bicycle who always fixes his hair :P I somehow only remember guys ;P
8.30 am: School starts. First 10 min. we have to read a book. During that time you can hear classical music throughout the entire school. Yup, that’s a private all-girls school for ya.
8.40 am: Homeroom, which basically is the homeroom teacher talking about the activities for the current day and stuff.
8.50 am: First period starts until 9.40 am.  After  a period ends we have a 10 minute break until the next period starts.
12.40 pm: Lunch time! I usually eat with friends in the cafeteria. (it started pouring all of sudden btw!) After lunch there is still 5th and 6th period and school end at 15.15 pm. On Friday though there is extra class from 15.40 until 16.30!! (Japanese modern) Oh and on saturdays school end at 12.40 pm , fortunately.

Today I have sadō (tea ceremony) which is every tuesday together with the junior high school students. It’s very interesting but sitting one whole period in seiza (sitting on folded legs) is sooo painful, so I’m looking forward to that again. Nonetheless it’s a beautiful part of Japanese culture.

On Saturdays I also have shōdo (calligraphy) which is also really interesting but much more difficult than it seems to be. So I suck. But I just started so I hope to improve my skills this year.
My shōdo teacher actually looks (and probably is) very young, looking like a student.  And really, if I were a guy I’d really fall for her. She’s cute, but her voice is really low and strict which is funny.

You have to choose between music and arts. I took music because I will be joining the art club.
During music class we mainly have to sing (very high notes! which I just sing one octave lower, sounding like a guy =p)
We’re singing English, German and even Italian songs but no Japanese. It’s funny to hear everyone singing German. We also just watched Sister Act which is actually a fun movie.

Lately the weather has been changing from rain to very hot! I like to say the word “atsui” (hot, warm) but with a very guy like accent and a disgusted face.
Today it’s rainy. Next month will be the raining season here in Japan. After that I have to prepare for a lot of humidness & hot days.

I often go to the sea (Pacific ocean) with my hostfamily on Sundays as my hostdad windsurfs and a lot of their friends do too.

I haven’t actually told about my recent activities :O
I’ll save that for the next post.

To be continued…