The first full day begins

"BWAHAHAHA! I flash my light in the face of ALL Jet-lagged foreigners!"


So, the first full day in Japan began today, and I was greeted by the sun earlier in the morning. Apparently my Jet Lag doesn't let me sleep past 6AM, so I woke up at 5AM this morning and the sun was barely peaking in the west.

Last night I was told to wake up at 9 so I could get orientation into the dorm done. Sure enough, at 9:30, two guys from the dorm (my "sempai" apparently) came up with the female landlord and were explaining various things about the dorm to me. As usual, I still couldn't understand the landlord, but had a better time with the other two guys. They showed that I could adjust the water temperature with the device right across from the fridge, when and what trash was being picked up, and showing me how to open my post, and showing which bike was mine.

Of course, they did not realize that I could not ride a bike. I never had a bike before in my life, and no one bothered to show me how to ride one. So, that in itself was going to be a hard process. But, it's my first day in Japan, so I decided to leave the learning for another time. Next my landlord (remembering I didn't pack much items for dorm living conditions) was kind enough to give me a basket full of pots, pans, and dishes. I knew I wasn't going to cook for a while (as that process would take longer to learn than riding a bike would), but still, in case the need arise, I would have items available to me.

I later met Brian and Rin at the station. Rin is one of the several students from Taiwan here. We waited on for the Hakuoh Bus at Oyama station.




"Apparently, the peace sign is a contagious disease over here."

We made it on campus and seemed a decent size (but no where near the size of IUPUI) and the sakura were in full bloom. It was really nice. We had a meeting with Usui-san and Miller-sensei. I am able to leech off of a internet connection nearby, but Beth and Keleih aren't able to. We suggested getting full wireless in the dorms, and Miller-sensei said he'd try to pull some strings and get that done. In the meantime, I said I would bring in the wireless hub that was just left in my room when I arrived here. We later went to a Italian restaurant at the station, and I had my first experience with melon soda. It was so frothy and good! Anyway, Yoshiko said that later tomorrow that she and Brian would show me how to ride a bike. I'm excited! Anyway, more about that later.