Settling In

3/30 - 4/2

After saying my goodbyes to everyone at home, it was off to SFO to start my long flight to Japan. After getting on the plane bound for Chicago, the Captain announced that there was a problem with the plane and that it needed about 10 minutes to fix. This of course put everyone on edge and it probably would have been better if he didn't say anything at all. The problem was soon fixed however and it was a quick flight to Ohare International. I got there around 5:30 in the morning and found a nice comfortable padded bench to sleep on. I was able to sleep on the plane for about a couple of hours but thought it best to sleep some more at the airport. I thought 12 o'clock would never come after waking up at around 9 and so I decided to study some Japanese. Another hour passed and eventually we were allowed to board the plane. It was a funny sight to see pretty much no asian people on the flight but nonetheless it was a packed plane. I slept and studied, listened to music and watched the in-flight movies: Aeon Flux, Two for the Money, and some baseball movie with Jimmy Falon and Drew Berrymore in it. Oh man was that flight long though and the food of course wasn't that good. It was cold pasta for one meal and some kind of curry chicken for the next. I ate them reluctantly, but all turned out well in the end.
The captain got us to the Kansai International Airport at 5:15 just as he said he would. There were many clouds in the sky that blocked the sun and it seemed like an overcast kind of day. Depite it being cold out, I was stinky and sweaty from not showering and somewhat tired. By the way Uncle Ed and Aunt Joyce, thank you for the Jet Lag pills. They worked pretty well and already I am close to being adjusted to Japan time. Okay, so after I got off the plane, I went through customs and eventually claimed my baggage. I then found the representative and we set out for Nishinomiya. We took a bus there, but customs had taken a little longer than the representative had wanted. From his hurried actions, I immediately knew we were late (I thought that they would take into account the time it takes to go through customs and collect baggage). Boom, on the bus we went! We were so hurried that he didn't even introduce himself and just handed me my packet containing various papers and useful information. By the time we left the airport it was about 6:00 (only 40 minutes late >_<) but I guess that was way more than they had expected. The bus ride took about less than an hour, but the packed he gave me had a ton of information in it. Stuff about do's and don't, how to register for classes, etc... By the time I had finished, we were pretty much to the Nishinomiya-Kitaguchi Station. From there, we had to take the train to another station where my hostfamily was waiting. We get off, take an elevator up to the second level and just as the doors open and I take a step outside, the representative that escorted me bows to an older gentleman and a young woman. It was so sudden that I was kind of shocked. I thought we had a ways more to go but nope, I finally got to meet my hostfamily, well at least one of them. The younger woman turned out to be another KGU representative that was kindly waiting with Mr. Matsumoto. We all made our introductions as we walked towards a nearbye taxi and then split up. The representatives went home and I was left with Mr. Matsumoto.
Before going to Japan, many things went through my head. I knew that I wanted to do a homestay but there were obviously many things I worried about. These doubts and fears were almost immediately blown away as I talked with Mr. Matsumoto. They were almost completely gone even before we entered the taxi. He had a big smile on his face that I will never forget, but the best part about him is his sense of humor. He makes me laugh all the time. I forget sometimes that he's 70 years old because of the things he says and does. So the taxi ride turned out to be a huge success and he ended up telling me all about Takarazuka (the town I am living in). He uses strictly Japanese with only a handful of english words mixed in (like big and other simple words) but I don't really have a problem understanding him. It's amazing... here I thought the first day would be extremely uncomfortable and akward but nope, no problem-o. Anyways, We get to his house and I get to meet his wife. She is kind as well and we have no problem hitting it off with one another. She had dinner waiting for us and boy was it good. We had sushi and while eating it, I learned that she works for a restaurant. She has extremely long hours (7:00 - 7:00) and I don't know how she does it. Okay, so I like "Papa" (that's what he says to call him) because he's hilarious and I like "Mama" (that's what she says to call her) because she is pretty much an iron chef competitor. Half the time I have no idea what she's cooking but it turns out to be delicious. So far we've had sushi(dinner), Salmon(breakfast), Yakisoba(lunch), Pork(dinner), and an egg dish(breakfast before Orientation on Monday). So after dinner on the night of my arrival, we all talked for a while and then I took a shower and went to sleep around 11. They knew I was tired despite my enthusiasm to converse with them. Wow, what a great day...
The next day, Sunday, was a free day. Students could rest, go shopping, do pretty much whatever before orientation started. What I did was spend the day talking with my hostfamily and exploring the surrounding area with Papa. The first place we went was KGU of course. I took a bicycle and he took his motorcycle. They don't use the bicycle really and said I could use it whenever I wanted. That's what the previous exchange students did and I was no different. Jeez, okay so by bike, it took about 20 - 30 minutes to get to school each way and I was DYING. 1.) I am out of shape when it comes to these things (I can handle walking but biking is different) 2.) It was raining a little, making things even more difficult. 3.) IT'S AN UPHILL ROUTE!!! By the time we got back, I couldn't feel my legs and I felt slightly sick. Despite this fact, we head out again on bike and motorcycle to find the nearest train station. Luckily, this was only a 3 minute ride and I have decided to do this everyday. Walking time is about less than 10 minutes and it's only two stops away from KGU. All in all, it probably takes 30 minutes to get to school. We buy some groceries at the supermarket next to the station and start heading back because it's getting dark. From there on, the night was pretty much as you would expect. Some eating here, some talking there, not really much to comment on.
The following day, I got up at around 7 and got ready for orientation. I had breakfast and took the train with Papa to the Kotouen Station. From there, we parted ways and I took a bus to KGU. The bus was packed with students all going to the college. As I arrived, there must have been at least a couple thousand students scattered around the front gate. It turned out that the welcoming party for new incoming freshman was that day. Many students were holding banners and giving out sheets of paper that advertised various clubs and activities. They all wanted people to join and since KGU is a big school, there were tons of students "selling" their clubs. Anyways, I continued on with orientation, which I will not describe to you because it was not very interesting (just a lot of rules), but yes, the following few days were nothing but long speeches and tours. One side note however is that I took a language placement test and passed into the second of three levels. None of the exchange students this year are doing just the Japanese Japan module like I am, so my language class might only have one or two students in it. That would be very nice because the teacher would be able to focus more on MY weaknesses and help me improve faster. The other students are taking a language intensive track and they will meet during a different time of the day whereas I am taking many more electives to help fulfil my economic major requirements. Well, I will post again soon because I have received my library access card, but don't hold your breathe. Since I do not have internet where I am currently living and it is hard to just set aside time for my journal, I won't be updating everyday unforntunately. It will be more like once or twice a week just to give you a general idea. Well, I miss America already and I feel a little akward at times, but I am slowly getting used to being here. I can already feel my Japanese improving and I hope that it continues at this rate. To everyone at home, I am doing just fine and would love to hear about what's going on at home as well. So until next time, thank you for taking time out of your day to check up on me. - Bryan

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