Thunderstorm

Yeah, first thunderstorm in Japan that I’ve seen since coming here.  I actually kind of missed them, Minnesota seems to have its fair share of them.  The bad part is that it happened at the time we were leaving the school, so, it was a rainy walk to the train station.  It was pretty light to start out with, then we went into 7-11 to snack up for the walk, and when we came out it was pouring.  Really, really pouring.  I was already sharing my umbrella with Yudai, and he was just about clinging to me, because we both had to fit under the thing when the rain was coming down so hard.  As it was, both of us got pretty wet on the side that wasn’t in the center.  Plus my backpack got pretty wet.  Luckily, we took shelter at the city hall, and in about 10 minutes the downpour subsided and we just walked in drizzle the rest of the way to the train.  I did like the thunder and lightning though.  Japan’s climate and weather is starting to feel like a Minnesota fall.  I just want snow, but unfortunately, Osaka really doesn’t get that much- if at all.

Today during ESS Club I helped Yudai fill out his application for going to America.  He has his interview Sunday, so he’s getting a bunch of paperwork prepared.  It kind of reminded me of a year ago when I started the Rotary process.  I can’t believe I’m here already!  Last year just flew!  I remember getting the letter in the mail saying that Rotary had accepted me for Japan and everything.  I’m so glad I’m here now.

I’m really tired, tonight I’m trying to get a better night’s sleep.  As I’m leaning more and more towards the life of a Japanese student with very minimal sleep, I can officially understand why there’s sleeping in class.  I’m going to have to start going to bed earlier, it’s just not cool for an American to be sleeping 5 hours per night.  I’m not sure how Japanese students can do it.  My host brother has been doing homework at like 1 for the last two nights, and he’s in 6th grade!

In other news, pictures tomorrow.  I really didn’t have time tonight, feeling minorly sick, probably just due to being tired.  Tomorrow is my favorite day of the week, so I don’t want to be tired.  Wednesdays have Gym, Japanese Class, English, and Art.  All of which entertain me, so it is definitely the day of choice.

For those of you with high speed internet, or those of you wishing to let something load for a long time, I have my first video blog up.  You can see it here on YouTube.  I’m not sure what the background noise is, I need to do some tuning with the audio and stuff.  Tokyo will have its own blog, because I filmed on location at Disney Land, the boat ride, and on the airplane back to Osaka.  Should make for something interesting.