One More Semester?

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HI! So, after nearly a month of class, I have officially decided to extend my stay here in Japan for another semester. Haha, no, okay, I'm not going to anything that drastic - but it is rather tempting. I guess as every day goes on, I just don't want to go back to America more and more... I don't think I'd mind going home (HONOLULU), but I know that I am definitely going to be depressed going back to Cali. It's just that there's something about Japan that is really quaint, modern, and satisfying. I don't know how those attributes are able to exist together, but I think it's the tradition clashing with the blossoming economy.

It's really interesting how, previous to coming here, I had no desire to further my Japanese 'skills' after my study abroad trip. I wanted to go to Japan to experience the culture, the people and just to go and enjoy myself. I didn't have the intentions to become fluent or to stay for longer than four months. Coming to Japan was my reward for working my butt off the past few semesters to bring my GPA up... BUT, now, after being here for a month, I surprised myself immensly. I want to learn more - I want to take more classes in Japanese, I even want to consider staying here another semester. *sigh* That'll be something that's definitely on the back of my mind. But like I said, there's just something about Japan that simply makes me happy.

So, what have I been up to lately? Actually, quite a bit. I've been rather busy with school, too much homework, studying and exams. Midterms are coming up - yikes! Though, school isn't really what's been on my mind. I've been trying to figure out where I want to go in Japan... So, as you all know, I went to Kyoto this past weekend. I also went on a date... hehe, Okaasan and I were home alone last Friday night because everyone else was working so we decided to go out to eat sushi. One of those restaurants like Genki or Catch of the Day with the moving plates of sushi... This one was called Kuru Kuru (no idea if it's the same one in Pearl City). The variety was excellent... =) We had fun, ate a lot, then afterwards I suggested we get a beer or two. Haha!! YES! I bought my FIRST BEER - legally I might add. Because Okaasan was driving, we went to a convenience store, bought two beers, some snacks, then went home and watched TV and toasted each other. =) Surprisingly, Okaasan is the only one who drinks any kind of alcohol whatsoever in the house! Otoosan, Oneesan and Oniisan don't drink. Rare to find an Otoosan in Japan who doesn't drink...

Another thing I've been doing is working on my entrepreneur project. I am writing yet another business plan... I don't know whether to say *ugh* or yay that I get a second chance at this business plan thing. (For those of you who don't know, Bobby and I wrote a business plan in our senior year of high school for a competition held by University of Hawaii and guess what? Yours truly won first place... too bad our business idea was terrible, our plan was just written and presented the best - supposedly...) SO, this time around, I'm working with three other people and our plan is still relatively fuzzy, but we're dealing with the importation of Kona coffee and distributing it to retailers, restaurants, hotels, etc - not so much the end consumer (like households). Hehe, so if anyone has any knowledge on the Kona coffee industry at home, please, don't hesitate to let me know! 😉 Actually, I'd really appreciate any advice/help/connections that I can get. If this plan is a hit, who knows, maybe I'll have more reason to come back to Japan.

Well, this weekend is very busy - Kyoto again for plum blossom festival, tea ceremony and tenmanguu (monthly flea market), and then Universal Studios on Sunday! Hope it doesn't rain!!! Take care everyone and I'll write again very soon! Enjoy the pics!

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Photos

VALENTINE'S DAY
So the sweet and wonderful Bobby sent me roses, a card and a music CD... All arrived valentine's morning before I went to school... such a darling.

Okaasan and I
Okaasan and I on our "date"... we waited over an hour to get a seat at Kuru Kuru... SO CRAZY!

Nearly Finished
Yeah, so we didn't eat that much... we were cheap dates... ;)

Corn
Haha, so I couldn't resist... Japan has this odd love for corn... So I took a picture of "ko-n nigiri". Corn and mayo on rice... When it came back around, there was 1 out of 5 left... so odd...

GEN
my buddy Gen... =)

Mitarashi Dango
OMG, the best ever!! Hehe, shoyu-ie mochi on a stick! The mochi here is amazing, fresh, gooey, and YUMMY!

MOCHI
yummy yummy yummy... this one has a whole strawberry in the middle!!! =)

Comments

[Bobby!]

hi!
hehe... it's a doggy! =p a golden! =D anyway, i'm glad japan has treated you well. you definitely deserved this good fortune and i do think another semester up there will be really cool. we just gotta figure out a cheaper form of communication. =p nice to see that my valentine's day gift arrived on time. do i have to do something for you on white day? you said on v-day the girl gives something to the guy. where's my gift? =p

[Sheri]

Hi
Hi Alexzis - Happened to stumble on one of your emails that listed this blog so I decided to check it out as I take a break from work. Sounds like you are having a great time! No wonder Miki and Jon like to go to Japan and visit there so many times already in the last few years. Enjoy the time that you have there!!!! I have yet to visit there... maybe one of these days. Study hard and take care. Eat all the good food.

[jon ching]

If you stay in japan, I better have a perma-couch to crash on!

[deleted_7871]

Hidoi... :(
Lex you're soooo mean... as i read your first sentence, i was getting excited that you might actually stay a little longer but NOOO... "hahaha... just joking" ARGH... hahahhaha.. jp.. hajimete beeru o katte omedetou gozaimasu!! :) haha... just you wait till i get there.. you and dawn won't be able to walk straight after i am done with you guys. NOO.. just joking. but we should definately all go out together and hang out. Anyways, hope that all is going well and you get a chance to meet up with dawn sometime soon. Have fun doing what you're doing! SEE YOU SOON!!

[grandma Pat]

Hi Alex - happy to hear you're doing fine and enjoying your stay. Uncle Rogers and I really enjoy your pictures and your commentary. Very informative and humorous. Still trying to get acquainted with this email thing! Sorry for the long delay in emailing you. Just to let you know that I wore the shoes you gave me to L.V. Gave me sooo good luck!! Love you much. Gma and Uncle Rogers. Talk to you again very soon.