MaggieLou

Five more days and I'll have finally arrived in Nagoya! I'll be able to move into my apartment and have some nice, wonderful, completely underappreciated ALONE time. Before this trip I didn't realize how much I took for granted having time and space to myself. I always thought it was a rule to take your time when drinking coffee (at least an hour), but that doesn't seem to be a universal understanding. People here can slurp it down in seconds while it's still boiling hot. I'm also excited to decorate but it's come to my attention that I have to buy a butt load of things. Hoping that JASSO covers it all! Still being fed WAYYY too much. I'm also super "benpi" (exit pipes aren't working), so I look at least three months pregnant. The horror ... read more

In Wakayama now with my friend's parents. They are super super nice but her mother is trying to give me diabetes. She feeds me nonstop and when I asked if I could go for a walk this evening she told me it was too dangerous. Yesterday for lunch she took me to a four course French restaurant. Four courses! I wanted to die. So I'm eating too much and stretching my legs too little. Tad bit depressing. I'm worried I'm going to be a tub of lard by the time school starts. I have 2-1/2 weeks from now to somehow lose however many pounds I've been force fed. So frustrating! It's affecting my mood unfortunately. I should be headed back to Kyoto on Monday. Fingers crossed! And then I'll probably stay there for maybe a week ... read more

Tired of dirty old men. Thought going to Osaka Castle today would be a safe, pleasant experience but was wrong. It was indeed a beautiful place and I was really enjoying myself walking through the park, taking pictures of the castle and such until Mr. Mori decided to stop by. At first, like always, I thought he was just a nice old guy. He offered to take my picture for me from the "Numba 1" photo spot at Osaka castle. He then asked if I'd been inside the castle and I said no, too expensive, just taking pictures was good enough for me. He then offered to buy an entrance ticket for me. I said no thank you but he insisted and of course, like the dork I am, I thought he was just being nice. ... read more

Had a great start to the day. Confirmed that my atm card does indeed work in JAPAN. I no longer fear destitution and starvation. :) Bought my first train ticket and easily found my way to Shin Imamiya Station. Had a bit of trouble finding Hotel Toyo but mama pulled through and guided me there on the phone. Thank goodness for global telephone service! My room is small but very comfortable and equipped with a fan which is important cuz it's hot as balls here! A very nice man gave me his fan which helps a lot when walking in the heat. Got a good look at the Tennoji Zoo and Isshinji Temple. Also bought three dollars worth of vending machine drinks. They are literally EVERYWHERE! Had a cafe au lait this morning, oolong tea later, ... read more

Last night in Korea. Gonna miss it! Been learning something new everyday but it's time I skedaddle so I can go on a major diet. I literally go into a coma after every meal. Had an amazing hazelnut iced coffee today. Came in a pouch at the convenience store. I was so surprised! You buy your pouch and then get a cup of ice out of a small freezer by the door. Pour in the pouch and voila! Best iced coffee I've ever had. No lie! Saw Captain America today. Even more exciting was the fresh caramel corn they sell at the snack counter. Could this country get any better?! Went on a really cool walk with PJ's brother last night. Their neighborhood is right up against the mountains and there is a popular trail that ... read more

Hi everyone! I'm in Busan now which is at the southern tip of Korea. It's super super beautiful. Very mountainous and right on the water. Everyone is super super nice and I've of course eaten wayyy too much. I like to think of it as chopstick practice though. The more I eat the better I look eating it :) I had my first experience at karaoke the other night. Also went to my frist Beatles themed bar and peed in my frist hole in the ground. Took me a couple of trips back and forth though. Entered the first time and saw the hole. Checked the next stall, same hole. Tried to open the next stall, oops someone in there haha. Looked around a little. Still holes. Realized there wasn't toilet paper, decided to give up. ... read more