Bonsai Blog

I decided to do a humourous piece on things that you’ll probably only find in Japan.  And definitely not in America.  [A lot of this is offensive, so don't read if you're not interested please.  I am offering a warning.]

- Hoodie sweatshirts with ‘F— You’ written on the hood.

- Magazines, DVDs, and ads with full or partial nudity out in the open.

- The ‘fcuk’ line of clothing.  (Not a typo.  Or, maybe they made a typo to begin with.)

- Underwear models that could be a freshmen in high school.

- Comic books for girls revolving around gay romances.

- Comic book equivelent of porn.

- Porn lying in the school locker room area.  (Twice now…)

- Beer and Cigerette vending machines.

- Love Hotels.  (You pay by the hour, figure it out.)

- Old women cleaning bathrooms when you’re using it… (Awkward)

- Worst use of the English language on ads.  (”Three professional cuts with exceptional happiness leads to a better life.” - Hair Salon)

- Foam or plastic boob costume things.  Or, you can just buy a plastic squishy boob.  (They only come one at at a time…weird.  But they do have multiple sizes.  There was this really weird store…)

Yeah.  I could think of more, but I’m out at the moment.  Living in Japan is pretty interesting.

My Christmas went well, to all those wondering.  It was … rather uneventful though, compared to an American Christmas.  On the night before, my host family celebrated and we got presents and had a nice dinner.  The actual day my younger host brother had school and my host father had work, so it was actually just like a normal day.  Plus, no snow.

That said, I did go to a new mall with Yudai on Christmas, so it was a pretty fun day.  Besides the bus ride ended up being an HOUR instead of like 20 minutes like we thought it would be.  So that was a downside.  The mall was pretty big though, but kind of boring.  It was all clothes stores basically.

As far as presents go, I got a jacket and two sweaters from my host parents and Keisuke gave me two books, which was really nice of him!!  Then my parents from America sent me stuff too, which was really nice.  So it’s been fun.  I still miss eggnog terribly though.

The real reason I finally got around to this blog was not because of Christmas though.  It was because of today.  After Yudai and I finished lunch at Mos Burger…

We walked to the bus stop, because he was coming over to my house.  In front of the bus, no one was getting on, and a lady was just standing there.  All of a sudden Yudai looked over and gasped and like freaked out.  I then looked over and, what else is running down the sidewalk, but blood.  There was a lot. of. blood.  It was kind of pooling in the sidewalk gutter area, and was coming from the back of the bus.  Turns out a car had run into the back of the bus while it was stopped at the bus stop.  There was no body, apparently the ambulance had already come, but the big blood spot and stuff was still there, and quite obviously wet.  It was really disgusting, and disturbing considering that’s the first time I’ve seen it in that context.  Not fun.  The car passenger side looked like it got the worst, but the windshield wasn’t broken, meaning the person was probably wearing a seatbelt.  The blood path originated from where the car slammed into the bus.  I’m just hoping there was no person outside both the car and the bus that got hit…

So we had to wait for the next bus.  And, there were a lot of police officers and a bus driver and a lady all talking.  Right next to the blood. 

Then Yudai and I watched United 93.  So all in all, it was a depressing day.

Ok, since Tuesday I have been pretty sick.  Instead of staying home, which I should’ve done on Tuesday when I thought I had a fever, I just stuck it out with some mediciene.  When I got home, I felt pretty sick (mediciene wore off…) but I made it through an hour and a half talk with my host mother’s friend (Japanese) and her husband (Chinese American).  I must admit, Asians speaking American English surprise me these days.  I’m so used to Japanese English now.  After that was over, finally took my temperature and it was 101.6.  Then I basically just rested the rest of the day.

Wednesday, I woke up with a 102 degree fever.  And basically slept the whole day, obviously staying home from school.  I had plans with a friend, but obviously those had to be cancelled. やぶす！　Wednesday didn’t really show much improvement besides coming down a bit at night.  Both Tuesday and Wednesday my host parents wanted to take me to the Hospital.  For a little fever?  I mean, if it goes past 3 days…

This morning, I probably should’ve gone to the hospital.  This can be officially marked down as one of my mistakes in Japan.  I woke up with a lower fever and felt better, but soon after waking up I got dizzy and went back up to my room.  I got in my room and just kind of plopped down.

UNFORTUNATELY I have just realized I sat down on a charger for one of my many electronics.  And with my weight driving down, it managed to leave a nice bloody mark in my butt, which looks like you could plug something into it.  This discovery came to me approximately 14 hours after it happened.  This morning I didn’t notice at all, and just went to sleep.

Right now, I find the cuts hilarious.  They feel pretty superficial, couldn’t actually plug anything in…but just they way they look in the mirror.  I’d post a picture, but, location is everything.

After this morning when I foolishly decided to ignore an offer to go to medical help, I felt much better.  By 10 AM my fever had mostly subsided and I felt fine.  At the moment my temperature is basically in the high, but still normal range.  So I guess that was the illness’s last attempt on my health.  Right now I feel fine, and I’m looking forward to going back to school tomorrow.

But I learned my lesson.  Next time if I’m feeling really sick, I’m going to the hospital.  It beats sitting on AC adapters when you’re too sick to care.

UPDATE: Bottomline, you should all know I’m fine right now!  So, I’m through all my fever tribulations it looks like, so don’t worry.

Ok, it’s actually close to 10 at night now, and I’m really tired, but I just had to write about my really fun day with Yudai.  We had been looking forward to this all week, and it was great.

First we headed to the theatre to reserve our tickets for Eragon.  Against my better judgement and all the bad reviews the movie’s gotten, I decided to go because Yudai wanted to.  Plus it did look pretty good.  The reviews honestly scared me though.  Then we walked around a bit, looked at random stuff, and ate at McDonald’s.  I also bought a new CD, My Chemical Romance’s last one that I didn’t have.  It was on sale, and I wanted it, yay!  We also went to Osaka tower and walked around that neighborhood, which was interesting.  I hadn’t really been over there that much.  One street had a LOT of homeless people on it, which was kind of scary.  Actually, not many people, but these little houses they made out of wooden boards and canvas.  After that, it was Baskin Robbin’s time and we both got frozen coffee.  I didn’t really feel like ice cream at the moment.

Then we actually watched Eragon, with popcorn and stuff.  It was actually pretty good, and I enjoyed it.  Eragon riding Saphira wasn’t done that well with special affects in my opinion, but Saphira (the dragon) was a real feat of CGI.  Pretty good fantasy movie if you’re into that kind of thing, Yudai enjoyed it also.

After that, we went to Namba because I wanted to.  Looked around at a lot of stuff basically, clothes, electronics, shoes, more CDs, etc.  I ended up finding converse shoes I wanted so those are my new shoes and I don’t need to deal with blisters anymore, hopefully!  Then for dinner we went to SHAKEY’S!  Yes, it closed in Rochester, but I found one in JAPAN!  Yatta!  That was freakin sweet in my opinion.  So we ate the buffet, which was really good.   It was Japanese style pizza of course, but pretty good all the same, and there was also salad and curry/rice.  Very delicious.

To finish the day off, we basically went to look for stationary Yudai needs for his foriegn exchange next year.  Then we ate some candy, which was too much, and now I feel like a hippo.  So, that was my 11 hour day, and now I am completely exhausted.  And I want to listen to my new CD.

As a closing note, I apparently have lost more weight than I thought.  My pair of jeans from America kept slipping down, which was unfortunate, because my hands were full.  I had had no problems before, but I need a belt now.  That’s good news.

This week has been pretty fun, but uneventful.  The tests are finishing today, although the ‘official’ ones finished yesterday.  Today’s test is a mandatory test for the Japanese students because Nagano High School is a super English school, and they have to see how good the students are at English.  Or something.

Yesterday Yudai and I celebrated the end of tests by watching Silent Hill at the Toyooka’s house, which was fun.  The movie had an interesting plot, but I have to agree with most of the critics…two hours was way too long.  I also got to show Yudai some of my stuff from America, so it was cool.  Also yesterday was my Japanese test.  Which went badly.  Instead of actually making a test based on what my class is on, either of them, it was a kanji test.  I haven’t studied much kanji at all, so I was rather disappointed.  I’m willing to take a test…but at least try to test me on stuff I’ve learned.

Tonight I will be going to a dinner thing at the Tondabyashi Rotary Club, because that’s the club Toyookasan is from (and I definitely spelled the name of the Club wrong).  That should be interesting.  Friday is…nothing I guess.  No plans.  Saturday is day in Tennouji with Yudai.  Sunday is meeting Mrs. Toyooka’s parents.  Monday is Yudai’s birthday.  Tuesday is meeting with Mrs. Toyooka’s friends.

Looks like Friday is my only day to relax for  awhile.  In some ways, I really enjoy having a full schedule in Japan.  You really do a lot as a foriegn exchange student.

Yes, the long and stressful week of test is almost over for my Japanese classmates, which means I have my friends back to hang out with after school.  I’ve been eating lunch with Yudai and studying with him, but now Fujidera is really easy for us to hang out at since it’s near both our homes.  Lucky my best friend is my closest friend.  Haven’t been able to talk much with my other friends though, so I’m glad the tests will be done with.  Today I took the English one for fun.  It was fine, not the uber-strict exams I was thinking it was like.  They study until 2 or 3 (or 4 or 5) in the morning for these tests, so I was thinking more ACT style.  But, seems like just regular tests.  [I'd like to note that the English test had some English errors on it though, funnily enough.]  … [I'm still debating if 'funnily' is a word, but regardless, you get it.]

Today I helped Yudai study English at McDonald’s, which was fun.  Well, as fun as studying can be.  I’m feeling much better today.  My voice is still out of it, but for the most part I’m healthy.  Since I was feeling good today, I decided to walk home, since it was only 3:15 after we got done studying and he needed to go home to work on math.  The walk from Fujidera station took me exactly one hour, not bad.  I feel I balanced out my double cheeseburger and fries.  The only complaint I had on the walk was the cold air.  It ends up hurting my throat, but nothing hot coffee can’t remedy.  There’s vending machines EVERYWHERE in Japan, and now most of them have switched over to the half hot beverages and half cold, so about every 15 feet I have a chance to buy a can of warm Au Lait.  Mmmm.  I drink more of that at the moment than Diet Coke.  Plus they have Halls now (since Monday), so that’s been a relief too.

Tomorrow, Yudai’s coming over after school.  We’re going to watch a DVD or something, it’ll be fun.  Celebrate the end of tests, yay.  I want to show him my new host family and their house.  Which I should get pictures up of soon.  Tomorrow is also the day I get to take my Japanese test at school.  I’m sure it won’t be too hard.

Quote of the Day: (Since I’m bored)

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
  —  Mahatma Gandhi

So, today I’m feeling better.  My throat still hurts, and my nose is running, but it’s better than it was yesterday.  But my voice sounds really weird at the moment due to my throat and coughing.

Today I just spent the day at home, periodically emailing my friends.  I was going to meet Yudai at Fujidera in the afternoon, but there was no bus.  Actually, I think there was, but it switches to the opposite side of the street in the afternoon, and I didn’t realize it.  By the time I got back from the bus stop and my host mom told me…I didn’t really feel like going.  My throat hurt in the cold air.

 I’m looking forward to tomorrow though.  I expect to be all better, and I can see all my friends at school.  Plus, nothing afterwards.  (For the other two test days, I had had to do stuff after, like Rotary)  So I’ll eat lunch with my friends tomorrow after they finish the test.  And…while they’re doing their test, I’ll be watching TV on YouTube or something.

Originally today was mapped out to be the day to do a new video blog (long overdue) but my voice is not up to it at the moment.  Soooo…possibly next Sunday.  Yudai and I have our Tennoji trip planned out for next Saturday.  We can’t decide between Eragon and Casino Royale though!  Oh well.

Ok, so today I’m sick.  Yesterday I was too, but I went to school because I had to do the Rotary speech.  I had a fever last night when I got home, so in all, it was probably a bad idea to have gone out.  I dunno, my throat’s still hurting and I’m coughing.  No stomach issues though, so I don’t think it’s the flu.  And I just hope it’s not like strep or something.

Anyways, this week has been mostly pretty boring because of tests going on, and the fact that I don’t take them.  Next week Monday-Wednesday are tests also, so of course all my friends are studying this weekend.  Last night I went out to dinner with Yudai, which was also a bad idea.  I didn’t really eat, because I was feeling sick.

This weekend I’m just hoping I can get over everything to make sure that I’m not sick Monday, although it wouldn’t really matter.  Tuesday I am taking an English test just for fun (…but not really fun), and then Wednesday is some kind of Japanese test. 

Oh, and I had Rotary yesterday like I mentioned.  The speech went pretty well I think.  Some Rotary members complimented my Japanese after.

Not much has really been happening, at least not enough for me to make a long blog post about.  Just the normal Japan-ish stuff I guess, not that it’s ever really normal in the American sense.

Last Saturday, I called my family in Minnesota, which was the first time since I’ve gotten here that I’ve talked to them using the phone.  It was really nice to talk to them and stuff, and I enjoyed the talk a lot.  It was about 40 minutes long, but split amongst the five people that I want to talk to, it wasn’t really enough.   Any longer and that would’ve been hugely expensive.  Luckily, it didn’t make me homesick like I thought it might.  It was just nice to hear them.

At the moment, I think I might be getting sick.  My throat is hurting.  It’s pretty cold here now, so I wouldn’t be surprised if I caught something.  I don’t really want to be sick at the moment though, I have a Rotary meeting on Friday, and need to go with Isshikura-sensei tomorrow to the Immigration Office for paper work about going to Singapore.  There are hoops I need to jump through to be able to come back into Japan after going there.

Hmmmm…the Australian students are gone now.  Everything’s back to normal, and I’m doing really well.  Though, school’s pretty boring because of me not understanding what they’re saying.  Lately though, I’ve at least been able to pick up on some stuff they’re saying.

Otherwise, not that much to say.  Yudai’s birthday is coming up on the 18th of December, then Rotary Christmas Party is on the 23rd, and then of course Christmas…and New Year’s.  That’s basically the events on my calender at the moment.

 And I have tons of pictures from Universal Studios and Disneyland that I want to get up!  Technical issues make it a long process, but I’ll try to do it sometime.