I'll keep it short...

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I'm going to have to keep the post today short. I've been really busy these last couple of days, and internet access, despite the fact that we have it in our room, is proving to be something of a luxury.

First, the bad news. Monday, we have our first midterm(yes, a real midterm). The class that we are focussing the most on right now is Business Japanese. As of monday, only one week in the course, we will have completed 6 of the 11 chapters. To give you an idea as to how much information this is, this course is normally taught in about 13 weeks, and we've covered half of it in 1 week. Also, two homeworks are due monday.

This weekend is our trip to Nagasaki. We're going to see things like old castles, shrines, and the like. It should be fun, except for the fact that it gives us little time to study for the midterm. The bus ride out there is about 6 hours so hopefully that will give us plenty of time.

Visisted the hyaku(100) yen shop today. 100 yen store = $1 dollar store. they have the craziest things there for only $1. I stocked up on dried ramen for the next couple of weeks. The stuff is really easy to make, and tastes MUCH better than the stuff in america does. They had a little microphone/headset combination (rachel and I were looking for one before we left on our study abroads) for... guess... $1.

Here are some pictures of the last couple of days. Enjoy.

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Photos

classroom
this is the picture of our classroom. there are only 6 students in my section. incidentally, my section is the remedial section. the other 2 sections are for students that are a bit higher in understand japanese.

very funny
this is a school spirit flier. the top spells 'cheerleader.'
just in case you didn't know, FUK is the city i'm staying in. Fukuoka. it is also the name of the school.

fukuoka at night
this is a picture taken from our balcony right after the sun set.

another pic of fukuoka
this picture is taken from my class room window.

Comments

[Pino]

ohisashiburi da na!
yo so that's where you've been. i musta returned your call like a day too late. lemme guess you left your razor back in albany? should i just swing by your mom's for a visit to pick up the anime or did u toss it already? by the way where is rachel doing study abroad?

[Rachel]

Busses are great for studying, so long as you can manage to avoid getting car sick. Good luck sweetie. Remember you have the dramamine we bought you if you feel you need it. Take some great photos!