Big Update #1

I should probably start this post with an apology because that’s the Japanese way. I’m sorry I haven’t made an extensive update yet. I have been very busy, and when I’m not busy, I’m probably tired, and when I’m not busy or tired, the internet probably isn’t working. For such a modern and futuristic country, there is very little wifi in Japan, not to mention the bandwidth at our dorm is not sufficient for 20 college students all trying to stream video, Skype, update Facebook, and blog.

I have been in Japan for three weeks today. The only word that comes close to describing how it feels is surreal. At least once every day this strange shock hits me that I am not going home anytime soon. That this is my home. That I am really truly here. That for miles and miles around me is Tokyo, and these people around me are the only people I know. Lots of things can set this off, but most commonly airplanes do. I see them flying overhead at night, amidst only a handful of stars, and I realize one of those magic metal tubes brought me here. Just like they brought me to Hawaii or Florida, but this time it’s not bringing me back in a few days.

And I already know that when it’s time to leave, it will hurt even more than coming. Unless I do so through my own efforts and means, I will never come back to this place—and that makes me immeasurably sad. I think it’s good that I remember this every day. I can’t take anything for granted. And I won’t forget that when I go back to the U.S. either. Wherever and whenever you are—you can never return to that moment when it’s over. Now is all you get.

Since I’m on the topic of deeper lessons, I’ll share the other one I’ve learned. While I wouldn’t call myself timid, I usually get anxious when jumping into new situations where I don’t know what to do. Being in Tokyo has forced me into these situations every day, and every time you just figure it out. Like the subway, for instance (though it may be a bad example because it’s so logical and helpful and has lots of English). Or doing laundry. I carried my clothes into the laundry room and read the little English guide to the buttons, dumped my clothes in with some soap, and pressed start. Ordering at a restaurant, buying groceries, going for a run… I’ve stopped worrying so much about whether I know how to do something and just go do it. And if I can do that here, where I can’t even read the language, how easy will it be to that in the U.S.? Cake.

I love the food here, and my body seems to like it, too, which is a big relief. (I have rice cooking as I write this actually.) I eat lots of rice, curry, ramen, apples, eggs, toast… I cooked a “real meal” a few nights ago with sautéed carrots, mushrooms, and crab, served over rice. Yum! Fruits and vegetables are expensive here, so I have to remind myself to buy them, knowing it’s worth it. There are lots of cheap places to eat out, too, but it’s still not as cheap as eating at home. I also enjoy buying cheap bottles of wine and sake at the Seven Eleven down the street! They are really into Seven Elevens here. There are two less than a mile apart on our street. You can buy snacks, meals, all kinds of things there.

I am missing a few things I wish I would have brought: my prismacolor colored pencils, my external harddrive, my baby blanket, more hearty snacks (like cliff bars), pajama pants, an iHome, and a Thermos. Other than that I packed pretty well. I think compared to the other girls I brought a lot of clothes. Plus, I’ve already bought two dresses, 3 pairs of socks (knee socks!), and a white faux leather jacket. In the busier districts, like Harajuku, Shinjuku, Shibuya, where there’s lots of stores and things to do, the girls (and the guys!) dress so well. It’s intimidating and depressing. I love buying clothes! They make me feel happy. But I’ve told myself no more buying clothes this month. There are just so many things I want to do and experience, but a lot of them cost money. Especially “going out” things, like bars and restaurants.

Our study abroad trip is unique in that we interact with the Japanese students so much. They take classes with us and come over almost every day. They love to help us (re: laugh at us struggling) with our homework and take us to cool places. Not only that, also living in the dorm are six other international students: Petya and Chris are from Bulgaria, Şule is from Turkey, Ambika is from Nepal, and Nas and Ajam are from Malaysia. We get to know and become friends with not only the CSB/SJU students in our group, but all these other students as well. I think that’s pretty neat.